Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => General Monster Forum => Topic started by: Bstiles on April 01, 2009, 09:40:26 AM

Title: Which Model for a Big Guy?
Post by: Bstiles on April 01, 2009, 09:40:26 AM
I am 6'2" and 260 lbs. My inseam is 32". I have sat on a couple of Monsters and they feel OK to me. Last weekend I was at the local dealer and was sitting on a 696 and the salesman said "No you would fit this one better" and put me on an 1100. I couldn't tell too much difference just sitting there.

I do know however that with a $4000 budget, I'm not getting either one of those. So my question is, which older model would fit best? Any advice you could give would be great. Thanks.
Title: Re: Which Model for a Big Guy?
Post by: Slide Panda on April 01, 2009, 09:57:16 AM
The seat heights don't vary a huge amount.  The 6xx cc monsters do have a lower seat height, but it's not a huge difference.  But based on your size, you might look at one of the 800 cc monsters as your 1st.  The power/weight from an 800 w/ you on it, is going to be what some itty bitty like Jbubble would have experience on a 6xx cc Monster.  Also, the 800 will have the taller saddles.
Title: Re: Which Model for a Big Guy?
Post by: jdubbs32584 on April 01, 2009, 10:09:44 AM
Quote from: yuu on April 01, 2009, 09:57:16 AM
The seat heights don't vary a huge amount.  The 6xx cc monsters do have a lower seat height, but it's not a huge difference.  But based on your size, you might look at one of the 800 cc monsters as your 1st.  The power/weight from an 800 w/ you on it, is going to be what some itty bitty like Jbubble would have experience on a 6xx cc Monster.  Also, the 800 will have the taller saddles.

Yup, I'm itty bitty.

The seat heights on the 695 and 620 are 30.3 inches stock. Seat height on my S2R 800 is 31.5 I believe. Not sure on the older models, which would be in your price range.
Title: Re: Which Model for a Big Guy?
Post by: yotogi on April 01, 2009, 10:23:02 AM
Doesn't the S2R1000 have a higher seat than the 800?

I have a 32'' inseam as well and like the height of mine.
Title: Re: Which Model for a Big Guy?
Post by: duccarlos on April 01, 2009, 10:30:36 AM
800 and 1000 have the same seat. I would stay away from the 6xx. How about a multi? Take off as much crap and it would be just the right size.
Title: Re: Which Model for a Big Guy?
Post by: Bstiles on April 01, 2009, 11:37:04 AM
What about an older 900? They fit my budget?
Title: Re: Which Model for a Big Guy?
Post by: Duc Fever on April 01, 2009, 11:37:39 AM
I am 6'2, 280lbs and started on a 695 with no complaints.  I then upgraded to my S2r1k barely any noticeable height difference, but a lot of power difference.  Seat height is more of a concern for the "vertically challenged" than for taller riders.  Lower seat = lower center of gravity = stability.  I test rode a Multi and felt very unstable sitting up so high.  I probably would have gotten used to it over time, but after jumping on the S2r it was all over  ;D

Title: Re: Which Model for a Big Guy?
Post by: jdubbs32584 on April 01, 2009, 11:43:03 AM
Quote from: Bstiles on April 01, 2009, 11:37:04 AM
What about an older 900? They fit my budget?

Heres a couple that are close:

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=21397.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=21397.0)

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=19332.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=19332.0)

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=17589.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=17589.0)


Keep an eye out on the Monster for Sale section on the board.
Title: Re: Which Model for a Big Guy?
Post by: duccarlos on April 01, 2009, 12:06:33 PM
You can also replace the stock seat with a sargeant seat.
Title: Re: Which Model for a Big Guy?
Post by: Popeye the Sailor on April 01, 2009, 12:13:52 PM
I was under the impression the older supersports were a bit more spread out. Might be a good option.
Title: Re: Which Model for a Big Guy?
Post by: Teutonics on April 01, 2009, 12:24:50 PM
Quote from: Bstiles on April 01, 2009, 11:37:04 AM
What about an older 900? They fit my budget?
6' 2" here, and my 900 fits me just fine.
Title: Re: Which Model for a Big Guy?
Post by: angler on April 01, 2009, 12:26:44 PM
6'4", 280 pounds dry and the S2R 800 is quite comfortable.  Enough power for me..... I also picked mine up for $4500, so its on the edge of your price range potentially.
Title: Re: Which Model for a Big Guy?
Post by: Jetbrett on April 01, 2009, 05:19:40 PM
I'm only 5'11" and 210....same inseam...but after a while, I found the stock 695 seat took cramped.  I was good for about an hour or so on it, but then felt very cramped in the hips and knees.  Being north of 40 probably didn't help either.  I picked up a stock S2R seat on ebay for $60 and while it could be a placebo effect, I've got no complaints now. 

If you are drawn to a 600 series Monster, swapping the seat is a simple matter as they all (2001-2008?) interchange with each other. 
Title: Re: Which Model for a Big Guy?
Post by: Bstiles on April 01, 2009, 05:45:47 PM
Thanks for the advice. I'm hoping to go look at a '99 M900. The bike has a few little nicks/scratches but apparently runs really well. I understand also that these older bikes are easier to work on and that parts are relatively easy to get. Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Which Model for a Big Guy?
Post by: BastrdHK on April 01, 2009, 10:36:19 PM
I think you would be really happy with a m900.  The '99 model is carbed, and has less electronics to worry about.  In that sense it would be easier to work on, but they are all very user friendly.  Make sure its up to date on belt changes and valve adjustments.  Those are the big maintenance items.  Hopefully the owner has performed these, but if he hasn't or it is getting close to one of the 6,000mi. intervals use it to negotiate a better price......$500+ better  8)

I'm 6'6 and I have done several 500 mile days on my 900.  If you start to feel sore just twist the throttle more....always works for me!

Keep us posted
Title: Re: Which Model for a Big Guy?
Post by: Bstiles on April 02, 2009, 05:40:45 AM
Thanks for the info BastrdHK, that's what I was hoping! The bike I'm looking at seems to be in pretty good shape.

One thing though, the gauges have white faces. The gauge bezel and the clear plastic cover are cracked. The owner says these are "Ducati performance dual gauge cluster w/white faced gauges". I am new to Ducs so what does this mean, other than it has white gauge faces? Is this factory?

Also the bike has 30,000 miles on it, am I buying a problem here? How long do these engines last?
Title: Re: Which Model for a Big Guy?
Post by: BastrdHK on April 02, 2009, 10:40:11 AM
No worries,  the air cooled engines are tanks.......several members have twice that mileage, and a few have gone to 100k miles. 

The gauge cluster is DP as the owner says.  The dual gauges weren't introduced until 2000 on the 900.  The stock gauges on a '99 looked like this:

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4iYlZ1m8UEM/ReutULxdgBI/AAAAAAAAAJY/cFlvOMNsvbg/s1600/IMG_0744.jpg)