Ducati Monster Forum

Yes, I did a search...all I could find was reference to a possible permanent post.

I'm looking at a 2006 S2R 800 with 15K miles (below).  Original owner, all service current with receipts.  Price is well below going rate locally.

We've covered a lot of issues over the phone and I will be inspecting and riding the bike this weekend.  I have no experience with Ducs so was hoping there may be a "what to look for" list here.

Thanks!!

Robert

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/orangelion03/2006S2R800.jpg)

tail chopped [thumbsup]

zards [thumbsup]

did they do the 12k?

did they replace the belts?

where are the pass pegs, if you care?

Wow. I wouldn't let you (or anyone) test ride a bike. That youu have no experiance with Ducs even more so. The clutch, the torque, the revs needed.... all things to learn.

Just make sure that the 12k mile service was done by a dealer or certified tech.
Also, it should have a red key, as well as black key(s).
The red is the master key, and is the only way to reset the computer.
Welcome to the forum!

and perform the cursory "crash" inspections on the steering head, frame, rear engine mount etc.

That's ridiculous.  When I sell a bike, my policy is that if the potential buyer shows up on a motorcycle, we can swap and go for a ride.  The notion that a Ducati has some mystical qualities (clutch, torque, revs) that will befuddle an otherwise competant motorcyclist is silly.

Agreed, I've never hopped on a bike and gone WOT immediately. hbliam usually has some good input but that post is the silliness.

When doing the once over check the rear of the engine at the rear engine mount. The 800's were prone to cracking the case around that bolt during a wreck. Nothing that can't be repaired by a good machinist/welder but something to check.

One other issue, what is your riding experience. If your used to high performance I-4 you may find this bike runs out of steam a little early for you. They are a blast on the bottom and mid range though. I find it much more enjoyable for street riding.

might want to see if they still have the seat cowl

Actually it isn't ridiculous. Most people don't allow test rides unless they have cash in hand. It doesn't matter if it is a Duc or not...or if they ride up on a bike or not.

Agreed that a Duc is no biggie to a competent motorcyclist though...competent being the operative word.

AND the correctly spelled word in your post, as opposed to mine. :)

Allowing a test ride is another animal altogether. I don't like riding others bikes if I can't afford to replace/fix them. I don't care for the responsiblity. Like wise I don't hand out the keys to mine.

The idea of it being a Duc and therefore unridable by someone who's never been on a Duc before though is lame. Everyone has a first time and most Ducs aren't wrecked on the first ride. So I'd assume the Duc curve isn't that steep.

He's getting to ride the bike. I don't think he was asking if he could or should.


The things the folks are saying should be on every shopping list.
Frame/case cracks, bent steering tabs, red & black keys, chain/sprockets, tires(it all adds up) & major service records with proof of valve adj. & belts (the 6 & 12k are biggies).

best of luck, and enjoy the ride.   [moto]

Thank you all for the information!  I really appreciate it, and if it does indeed come to pass that this bike resides in my garage, I look forward to meeting and riding with those of you nearby.

Some personal facts:  Other than a couple of short rides on a friend's M-G LeMans, I had not been on a bike in 20 some odd years , until I took an  MSF basic course a few weeks ago to trigger the memories (I've kept my M1 current all these years).  I am also keenly aware of my abilities and experience and have no intention of challenging anyone on Aliso Canyon Road  (all ashy now anyways).  I've gotten my speed jollies on the track in various conveyances over the years and am now looking for a torquey, grunty bike that I can ride to work or a Sunday jaunt on Cerro Noreste (thinking SV and DL Suzukis).  I aint foolin myself or anyone else.  When I rode, my dream was to own a Ducati...returning to bikes I didnt even consider one other than to look at them and note the prices.  Then this little red beauty came along to tempt me at a price that was right on the edge of my upper budget limit. 

Now...would anyone buy a bike without a test ride?  True, I may not know a damned thing about Ducatis, but I think I can tell if all the parts are moving in the same direction with reasonable alacrity, and that those parts can all change direction and come to a stop at the same time.  I think I can do that without making a mess of myself or the ride.  I already have my insurance in place just in case though.

I also did a little research into Ducati maintenance, and I'm pretty confident that I can do a lot of it myself.  Replacing a timing belt or adjusting the valves look to be about the same effort as a Miata timing belt change or rebuilding a VW transmission.  Well within my capabalities and the contents of my roll-away.

Again, thanks for all the advice!!

Cheers!

Roberto Arance

The seat cowl was lost...apparently they have a nasty habit of falling off.

If I do end up buying the bike, I want to return it to as close to stock as I can (I'm a freak that way).  The owner sold off or gave away the original bits so I'll be looking around here for the necessary bits:  exhaust, mirrors, rear fender, seat cowl.  If he had the original pipes, I'd sell the Zards and pay down my loan.  Maybe I can arrange a trade for the Zards...

They don't have a habit of falling off.  They do, however, have a habit of showing crash damage.  Keep an eye out.  You can sell the Zards on the DMF or eBay and pick up a pair of stock cans for really cheap.  They tend to just sit around people's garages.  Non-OEM replacement seat cowls can be purchased (color matched n' everything) from DMF sponsors).  Stock mirrors are also cheap as they just sit around after being replaced.

Re Duc-specific stuff, it's pretty much the keys and the belts and valves (discussed above).  Be aware that if you haven't ridden a Duc before, it's going to feel more . . . uh . . . mechanical than a lot of other bikes.  It'll almost feel like stuff in the engine is loose, it'll be loud and clicking and mechanical-sounding, and it might leave you wondering if all is ok with the bike.  They just feel like that. 

Good luck.  And here's a link to a used bike buyer's guide:  http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=19144.msg342021#msg342021 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=19144.msg342021#msg342021)  I've always found it useful. 

Scary part is, we all bought into it.   [laugh]

Everything you said was spot on.  Especially the cowl part. I don't remember if the owner has the orig pipes, but if not..BOOM, crash bike.

I would think for a cowl to get damaged, a lot of stuff had to make contact first, like maybe scratches on the hand-holds? It's all in the checklist [thumbsup]

Spidey: I already printed up that list after finding it on another forum, thanks!  


Anyway...I have another problem, or minor glitch.  The bike was last registered in Virginia, all of the paperwork is up to date and correct, and the title is verified clean and correct.  Unfortunately, I'm buying it in California, and the owner hasn't bothered to register it here.  So, I need to have it inspected or something...unless all Ducatis sold in the US are to the same spec, i.e. no California specific versions (and I may need the stock pipe).  On the other hand, the actual fee to register the bike in Cali is only $150.

As long as it has the silver 50 states emission sticker on the frame (doesn't look like it) or under the seat, you're ok.  Alternatively, in CA if it has 7500 miles, you're also ok.  No need for the stock pipes.

Not that much other stuff needs to get hurt for the cowl to be damaged in a crash.  Might only be handlebars, which are replaceable, and exhaust, which is no longer stock.

doesn't CA have to have the Charcoal canister? most people remove that and throw it away as well.

They don't check.  As long as you have the silver emissions sticker or 7500 miles, you're good to go. 

I discovered I'd been riding my 620 for almost a year with no seat cowl bolts at all. There are lots of ways to lose them, but I agree that this should be cause for an extra-careful damage inspection.

I'm feeling good this morning!  Just got off the phone with Nick at Valley Ducati Service and the seller, and we will be meeting at Nick's shop tomorrow for a thorough inspection!  Talk about peace of mind!!  Assuming all goes well and I purchase the bike, I will leave it with Nick to perform a basic service.

No sleep for me tonight...

Signore Bombacelli!  My Medication please!

You're in good hands with Nick. [thumbsup]  Fingers crossed all goes well. [popcorn]

That sounds great!

And if it doesn't work out, there are lots of Ducs in the pond to be had.

Best of luck.  [thumbsup]

/thread.  If Speeddog (Nick) has your back, you're golden.  [thumbsup]

It's mine!  ALL MINE!!!!

Nick gave it the once over, then I took it for a ride.  Deal done!  Left it with Nick for servicing. Gonna be a long week!

Thanks for all of your comments!!!   Well....most of them anyways... (cough...hbliam...cough) [laugh]

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/orangelion03/robducati.jpg)

Congrats!!!!

Congratulations....

Now that's the smile of happiness.


 [clap]

red key AND CODE CARD

the exhaust will be easy, but honestly, you dont' want to.  the stock exhaust is about 3x the weight of that nice Zard system and is very restrictive.

Also, your bike has a tail chop -- a section of hte frame has been cut off and it's not easy to put it back on (esp if you didn't get it in the deal).  Most ppl throw it away when they get it off.  You can probably put something there, but it's got to screw onto somethign (like the short fender from DP)

The stock exhaust can be had cheaply. I would not put more than 200 for a full one -- udder, downpipes, S pipes and cans and probably less if I had to.  People literally put them on ebay at $1 sometimes.

Ride it for a while and reconsider.

Ducatiz:  I have already decided to keep the Zards  [thumbsup]

And I got the red key and code card.

 [clap]

To each his own. My bikes don't get ridden by the other party until I have cash in hand. I've never had an experianced rider balk at the notion.

Congrats to the OP on the purchase. No offense intended. I was making a general statement about test riding private party bikes. Dealer: I test ride those but those are covered by insurance. The PP ride may or may not.

I didn't say it was unrideable. The newbie tendancy to lugg the bike below 4K, or snap the throttle WTFO thinking the "powerband" will hit at 7or 8K is in for a bit of a surprise.

The only thing lame here is your need to call my opinion "silliness" or "lame".

If it walks like a Duc and quacks like a Duc.  ;D No experienced rider whacks the throttle open on an unfamiliar bike. I continue thinking your staement was both silly and lame with a sprinkling of condescending thrown in for spice.  [roll]

 [wine]

If you got off your high horse you'd see at some point I actually agreed with you about test riding others or others test riding my bike. The part that was silly was the "oh it's a Ducati, not a bike to be ridden by someone who's never been on a Ducati before" (should be read in a Gomer voice for proper effect) bit of elitist snobbery. It's a motorcycle that operates well with in the standard perameters of two wheeled locomotion, nothing an experienced hand, even a rusty one shouldn't be able to handle for a spin around the block.

Congrats BTW  [thumbsup] , watch out you don't flip it, wide open throttle with all that torque.  [roll]

I rest my case.

You may have trouble replacing the rear fender (or beer tray as it is often called) since the tail is chopped. The frame was cut to accommodate this modification and is a little difficult to reverse. Everything else is easy to find.

A reverse mod. Keep us posted.  [thumbsup]

I final thing.......

Wear all the gear , all the time !

I saw a Sport Bike rider today riding without any protective gear and my 1st thought when I see this is "What is this person thinking ?"

Don't be that squid !

Dolph      :)

fyi it has been done by someone here.  you need to have the tail piece and you can sleeve it back on.  i'll look for the posts.  he had two pieces of oversized pipe weld to the tail piece and put thru-holes in the frame.  voila, tail un-chopped.