By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
Kawasaki Z750 (MY2004) vs Ducati Monster 695 (MY2007)
Kawasaki Z750 vs Ducati Monster 695: which one's easier to live with every day.
You'll feel it at the throttle first: the Kawasaki Z750's inline-four keeps building toward a top-end rush the higher it spins. Crack open the Ducati Monster 695 and it shoves back instantly under a deep, air-cooled rumble. Its meaty torque doesn't thin out across the revs.
So which one do you buy?
The Z750 has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Nose ahead: Z750
On a winding road, the Z750 comes out a touch ahead. It's down to harder acceleration. You wouldn't bet much on a gap like that.
What makes each one tick
Z750
A bump at a brisk pace, or under a heavier rider, is where it's caught out: the soft fork sags while the harsh rear shock kicks back. Cold, the front brakes feel wooden. The superbike-bred engine's happiest pinned near redline.
Monster 695
Light and low on its steel trellis frame, the Monster 695 drops into a bend before you've finished asking. The desmo twin answers each nudge of the throttle with a punch that's always on tap. The exhaust sings a rich note.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Monster 695 has the lower seat: 30.3 in (770 mm) vs 32.1 in (815 mm).
- The Monster 695 has the lower wet weight: 408 lb (185 kg) vs 481 lb (218 kg).
- The Z750 makes more peak power: 110 hp (81 kW) vs 73 hp (54 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both fall short
Neither one is built for long-haul comfort. For big miles, look at a proper tourer or sport tourer.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Sits this out: Z750
The Z750 is built for experienced hands. Come back to it once you've got some miles in.
Traveling with luggage
Wrong job for both
Neither is a natural luggage carrier, so a trip with bags means a compromise either way.
There's no real gap on commuting. Sit on both and let fit and price decide.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Z750
What owners say
Strengths
- Rev-happy, superbike-derived engine
- Outstanding value for performance
Trade-offs
- Budget suspension lacks composure
- Adequate but wooden front brakes
- Prone to cosmetic corrosion
- Uncomfortable seat for longer trips
Monster 695
What owners say
Strengths
- Characterful and punchy L-twin engine
What they share
- Fuel economy
- 35 mpg (US) / 6.73 L/100 km
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Front brake
- 300 mm
Where the spec sheets split
| Z750 | Monster 695 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.1 in (815 mm) | 30.3 in (770 mm) |
| Wet weight | 481 lb (218 kg) | 408 lb (185 kg) |
| Z750 | Monster 695 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 748 cc | 695 cc |
| Engine | Inline-four | L-twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled | Air-cooled |
| Power | 110 hp (81 kW) | 73 hp (54 kW) |
| Torque | 55 lb-ft (75 Nm) | 45 lb-ft (61 Nm) |
| Top speed | 138 mph (222 km/h) | 124 mph (200 km/h) |
| Z750 | Monster 695 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.8 US gal (18 L) | 3.7 US gal (14 L) |
| Z750 | Monster 695 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front tire | 120/70-17 | 120/60-17 |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 | 160/60-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Z750 | Monster 695 | |
|---|---|---|
| Slipper Clutch | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
