So... I came across a couple bikes I would like to own. Both are similar and in a similar area price-wise.
Bike 1: 1999 900SS, full fairing model. Corbin or Sargent (can't remember which now) seat and Remus high pipes. Otherwise it appears stock, and *might* have been down at a low speed or stop. Front tire is either new or very very close to new. Rear tire is barely even scrubbed so I know the dealer installed it when it was taken on trade-in. Good but not pristine condition. Right about 19,000 miles, didn't ask about the 18,000 mile service but the dealer it is at (not a Ducati dealer) said they serviced it when it came in. I'll need to ask more detail about it.
Issues - It's black with Ducati in red. I can't find information of the '99 being available in this combination. Red & Yellow I KNOW were offered, but not sure about black w/ red Ducati. Anybody know about colors that can confirm this is a factory color for a '99 900SS?
They're marking it $5999 which is WAY too high. NADA (I know, varies by area) was about $4200. Cycletrader only had a couple that were close enough for a comparison, but they were about half the mileage and priced in the $4500 area. Ebay also seems to show a lot of lower miles bikes for between $4500 and $5000.
EDITED BECAUSE I'M A MORON
Bike 2: 2001 (I think) Monster 900sie, Corbin or Sargent (again, can't remember which) seat, Ferracci (sp?) low pipes, 19,000 miles, Ducati dealer sold new and performed every service and stated they did the 18,000 mile service. Very clean, perfect condition, red in color with carbon cowl & front fender.
Issues - None of any concern with the bike, but not sure if I would prefer a bigger monster or something with different ergos and feel and purpose.
Here's where you fine folks with all different opinions and points-of-view come in - I want BOTH bikes, obviously I can't afford both. I'm looking at financing mostly because I don't want to drain myself money-wise with a honeymoon (3/4 paid for, but don't want to jeopardize not having the airfare even though my parents may pick up as a wedding gift) coming up. I've got really good credit, so recession + good credit = easy financing w/ good rates from what I've found. It'll be a headache to the the 900SS down to what it's really worth, and I have no idea what they gave the owner on trade-in which will make a difference on how much they'll move. Chances are, they've hoping someone not knowledgeable on Ducatis will pick it up because it's different to everything in the showroom.
I'm planning on keeping my M750, but have been searching for something with more power & FI or a commuter/learner bike so my fiancée can learn to ride on a bike that's not my only bike. She won't consider the M750 because it's my baby on only bike but would if I had another bike. I may not even go through with the purchase of either bike. I am planning on making contact with the dealer on the 900SS because I think I might want something different to the Monster, depending on how the dealer is willing to work on price.
JM
Where are you located?
If you are anywhere near the D.C. area I know of a monster for sale.
I beleive it to be in pretty good shape.
It is at a Ducati dealer .
And I don't think it could have any more extras than a semi sane person would need.
okay....knowing that the bike has an additional purpose to serve as a learner for your fiancee...the obvious choice is to put her on the M750 because a beginner shouldn't generally be on a 900...
that being said...I'll bet that your finacee is smaller than you and unless she has longer arms and whatnot than you, she is going to experience a torturous reach to the controls of the SS....but since it is not a factory paint job for that year (or any with red lettering anyway-there was later on a dark matte black with white lettering) I would conclude it has been down and therefore wouldn't be so bad if it went down again while she is learning...
for you...the difference will be in what you plan to do when riding the bike and how as to which is a smarter machine ergo's and all...
I am not even going to consider talking about pricing as of this point because you have too many different things you are expecting here and there has to be some dilution....
Though I usually don't discuss price, the SS is way overpriced, and I doubt the dealer touched the valves or belts if they don't do Ducs. I'm not sure about color. There are also way to many of these on the market. If you want an SS keep looking. There are plenty around. In 99 the Monsters were carbies.
They didn't come in black.
The SS would not be a great learner bike for a small person.
A couple clarifications because A) I'm an idiot and put them the same year, and B) I left out an important detail
The M750 would be the learner (after the MSF and plenty of parking lot time to learn/adjust to the hydraulic clutch & its behavior) for my fiancée ONLY if she gets on it in a parking lot and is comfy. Otherwise she'll find and purchase her something when she's working full-time and not an intern and working part-time
The M900sie is actually a 2001 I think? It's injected and not a 1999. I edited the original post for this detail
Keep the input coming, I'm working all this out in my head, and every word I'm reading on here is helping me process what I need to [thumbsup]
If I didn't value the input & experience I would ask, so please keep adding information, thoughts to ponder etc.
JM
I figured you were keeping the 750 for the fiance. If the bike has an Ohlins on the rear from the factory it is an '00, Sachs an '01.
Quote from: zooom on January 05, 2009, 06:37:50 AM
okay....knowing that the bike has an additional purpose to serve as a learner for your fiancee...the obvious choice is to put her on the M750 because a beginner shouldn't generally be on a 900...
M750 would be the learner for my fiancée and a commuter/run-about for me with the M900 being my fun/play/assault the corners bike [thumbsup]
Quote from: Lars D on January 05, 2009, 06:31:09 AM
Where are you located?
Western NC, traveling more than a couple hours isn't a good option when I can only do it Saturday and Sunday though. Feel free to post a link to the dealer though (if they're online with used inventory)
Quote from: howie on January 05, 2009, 06:40:01 AM
There are also way to many of these on the market. If you want an SS keep looking. There are plenty around. In 99 the Monsters were carbies.
Are belts normally done at 18,000 unless they're 2+ years old? I most definitely will ask for details on the service/records and I'm not afraid to keep shopping. The salesman mentioned $4900 at one point, so I'm wondering if I could pick it up for that before I move on.
Quote from: ducpainter on January 05, 2009, 06:41:48 AM
They didn't come in black.
The SS would not be a great learner bike for a small person.
Right, wouldn't want my fiancée on the 900.
Good to know about the paint. That's going to be one of my points I bring up when I talk about price
Quote from: howie on January 05, 2009, 07:22:17 AM
I figured you were keeping the 750 for the fiance. If the bike has an Ohlins on the rear from the factory it is an '00, Sachs an '01.
I'll check that. The dealer told me but I can't recall.
Thanks folks! Keep in coming, my brain is working [thumbsup]
JM
Ducati recommends 12K or two years, whichever comes first.
Quote from: howie on January 05, 2009, 07:31:23 AM
Ducati recommends 12K or two years, whichever comes first.
What I thought, either way, I'm gonna ask about service records [thumbsup]
JM
Quote from: the_Journeyman on January 05, 2009, 07:05:25 AM
The M750 would be the learner (after the MSF and plenty of parking lot time to learn/adjust to the hydraulic clutch & its behavior) for my fiancée ONLY if she gets on it in a parking lot and is comfy. Otherwise she'll find and purchase her something when she's working full-time and not an intern and working part-time
my GF is selling the perfect starter bike!...
98 GS500e with just over 13K on the clock...ready to ride!
FWIW - Here's the actual ad for the SS
http://www.mr-motorcycle.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=07747156X1K5K2009J12I30I04JPMQ2664R0&veh=484&pov=1105564 (http://www.mr-motorcycle.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=07747156X1K5K2009J12I30I04JPMQ2664R0&veh=484&pov=1105564)
JM
HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...
thanks for the link...it provided some humor...
Quote"...That Ducati racing heritage now reaches into the future with the new 1999 Supersport 900. It is powered by fuel injected L-Twins with 2 valves per cylinder utilizing the celebrated Desmodromic system. .."
Sounds like they robbed that right off an old PR ad!
JM
IF the last major service has been done, and there is paperwork going back to day one, I might pay $3800 for the SS. Unless my memory is shot, gloss black was never offered on that series of SS (any SS?). Matte black was, but I can't recall what years. Frankly, I would skip this bike. If you want an SS, you can find much better examples than this one. Be patient. In todays economy, you can find 748s, and perhaps even a 749 for the kind of money they are asking.
I have a 2000 900s, and I am very happy with it. I am about 6'2", long in the torso, and the stock ergos work great for me.
SS vs. Monster? Monster.
If you want an SS, get a different SS. The one you listed looks like junk to me. Better yet, get a real SS.....
(http://www.kliktronic.co.uk/Duke-900ss-side.jpg)
+1 that SS looks shady to me. A dealer that is hoping for some poor naive fool to walk in that he can sell the whole "Ducati is the Ferrarri of motorcycles" thing to. And if you were looking on up sizing your Monster make a full tep to an S2R or S4 at least if you like the dds. BTW the square headlight ss's are way cooler.
I've never been on the prior generation, how do they compare performance & ergos? I liked the ergos of this '99.
Also, the dealer has had over 24 hours to respond to my inquiry with questions about maintenance and paint ~
JM
Quote from: the_Journeyman on January 06, 2009, 10:47:49 AM
I've never been on the prior generation, how do they compare performance & ergos? I liked the ergos of this '99.
Also, the dealer has had over 24 hours to respond to my inquiry with questions about maintenance and paint ~
JM
I haven't been on the newest but the ergo's on the older one were better than my Monster, I'm 6' long legged around 200lbs.
Heres your SS man! And it comes with a bike thats perfect for the wife to learn on. ;D
http://asheville.craigslist.org/mcy/955254931.html (http://asheville.craigslist.org/mcy/955254931.html)
BTW, if you do by some outside chance end up going after a pre-99 SS, make sure you check the frame around the neck for cracks. Some of the early ones developed cracks around the welds. Also, finding a bike that has the stock carbs replaced with flat side carbs (Keihin are nice) is desireable as it will give you better throttle response.
Quote from: DesmoDisciple on January 06, 2009, 12:34:19 PM
Heres your SS man! And it comes with a bike thats perfect for the wife to learn on. ;D
http://asheville.craigslist.org/mcy/955254931.html (http://asheville.craigslist.org/mcy/955254931.html)
Holy Crap! I missed that post somehow!!!! Must follow up!
JM