Ducati Monster Forum

Last year I bought me a tagged 525exc.  Came with both the KTM hard-parts street wheels, and the stocker dirt wheels/tires.

Now...being that it was my first dirt bike, I've had TONS of fun with it, and can't even imagine NOT owning a dirt bike.  It's also retarded amount of fun on the street.  Biggest problem with it is me.

My concerns are the low oil volume for extended street days (can be remedied with a $500 part), and the fact that I don't have time to clean the bike back to my street bike "clean" standards if I ride the thing in the dirt...takes 2-3 hours at a min and it's still "dirty" IMHO.  Besides, dirt bikes are made to be dirty.  They get dropped, scratched,etc..

Sooo... I need to make a decision.  Either keep the 525 as a street bike, make the appropriate mods/tear it down for powder and cleaning, and find myself another one for the dirt (probably a 300 2 stroke).  OR, keep the 525 as the dirt bike, and find a dedicated street tard.

I'd really love to have a sportbike that weighed in at what the 525 does in street trim (around 250 iirc), but it seems that would be out of budget really quick (super mono 400?).  The lightest ducs that I know of were ARC Ti framed things, and that isn't available (or in the budget).

Thoughts and ideas please.  I just finished 3 years of training in a difficult career (air traffic), and it's time to treat myself.  Thought of getting a BMW1000r or even the new RSV4 SBK had crossed my mind as well, but I don't want the payments of a 15K motorcycle now (or ever again).  Not to mention the SBK is just a retarded amount of excess on the street....my s4rt does that in spades and then some.

And for those that think a monster or SBK is flickable even with BST's.....ride yourself a tard and be AMAZED.

I don't know your weight Taft, but I have a friend (175lbs) who rides a Yammie 250 two-stroke and wants to go down to KTM 200 two-stroke.  He said the 250 constantly has its nose in the air every time he is on the throttle.  I would imagine a 300 would be worse.  Fun if your in wide open space, but for trail riding it is difficult to be precise when getting on the gas....dangerous on narrow trails.  Apparently the KTMs have a wider (rider friendly) powerband.

What about the Aprilia SXV 5.5, there's one on eBay right now

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Aprilia-SXV-550-SUPERMOTO-2007-APRILIA-SXV-550-SUPERMOTO-BRAND-NEW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem439ab55744QQitemZ290358384452QQptZUSQ5fmotorcycles (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Aprilia-SXV-550-SUPERMOTO-2007-APRILIA-SXV-550-SUPERMOTO-BRAND-NEW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem439ab55744QQitemZ290358384452QQptZUSQ5fmotorcycles)

Also isn't the 2010 yz450 supposed to be totally new and amazing? That might make an awesome 'tard? I always hear good things about the crf450 as well. If you've got the scratch and the time then building your own might be much more satisfying...

Alternatively, used rsv4 or s1000rr?

I picked up an old Honda XL600 a few months ago, and +1 on big fun and heavy duty cleaning.
There is a '94 Ducati Elefant for sale on ADVRider for a decent price, that'd make a killer 'tard.   
Just a thought.

think you should get the 796 HM for the street keep the KTM for the dirt.

796 HM, or a DRz400SM for street-ing.

I'm 6'4, around 230 lbs.  Not sure what the weight would be on the HM, but I'd have to go for the OG hyper if I went that route.

The SXV is a good idea as well, I really hadn't thought about that one.  250-300 2 strokes would be fine with me, or even a 200.  I'm not a very experianced off roader, and the 525 has plenty of torque to get me in trouble.  KTM also made a 350 2 smoker for a few years.....yikes!

This is just tough....most of the bikes I want fit in-between the ktm and my monster.  I'm having second thoughts on whether or not that "niche" is really needed in my garage.  Perhaps a used 2 stroke bike is the way to go for the dirt, cleanup the 525 and make it a dedicated tard, and ride the monster as my street bike.

I think I've got the "Its time to reward myself and I should buy another motorcycle disease!". 

I've GOT IT.

get the new MS coming out... monsterize it.

it's bigger. it's more powerfull and it has the stance of a dirt bike.

problem solved.

I'd wait.  In your chosen field you'll probably want that money for off-hours booze. 

I have that disease as well...never found a cure, only treatments.  ;D

So your bike will never get street clean if you keep taking it off road so leave it dirty and get a new street bike.
First thing pick a size engine and a color option.

(http://d.yimg.com/kq/groups/27687483/sn/2103542893/name/x+games+122.jpg)

If the down low handle bars aren't for you like me, pick one of these Streetfighters I know it's a tough choice.

(http://d.yimg.com/kq/groups/27687483/sn/1446363518/name/x+games+124.jpg)

Then just pick a color (mine is the red one). Problem solved mate, any questions?

Good,
Class dismissed. [roll]

What is the $500 part?

I have a 450SMR with the hard parts piston/cams etc. for track days and the occasional mountain trip (I have a 7 hour drive to anything fun).  Usually I take the S4Rs but the SMR is soooo much fun.  Anything I can do to keep the engine together longer would be great.  If you keep it for street duty having the crank welded is a very good idea on the 525/560's.  

I also ride an older 200exc in the dirt.  It hits from idle on. Its great but it can definately be a handful and tiresome.  A 250XC is actually a friendlier woods bike with smoother power delivery and more topend that is also very easy to use on a motocross track.  The last few years the 250XC have come with 3 levels of powervalve springs (5 minute swap) and a handle bar selectable ignition curve so you can easily tune the power to your taste.  But the 200 never fails to leave me  ;D (or exhausted).

As this is a ducati forum I am obligated to say the Monster still has the place of honor in the garage.  The others just fit in a safe distance away......

That's my thought.

You don't need the KTM for fun dirt riding...particularly when a smaller bike will do a better job.

LOL  [thumbsup]  I actually get bored at work.  You'ld probably shit yourself if you saw what it takes for me to get "excited".




I was referring to the aftermarket oil cooler piece that bolts onto the left hand side of the case.  Supposed to give another 1.5 quarts in capacity, so it'd have around 3 total.  I think a seat, perhaps the oil cooler, and a few other farkles and the 525 will be relegated to street only.  If you want tired, ride that beast on a single track being out of shape...LOL!  Other nice thing about another older ktm....can probably get one for 1500-2500$ in good shape, which leaves more $$$ for more farkles for the streetbikes.

Thanks.  I'll look for that oil cooler.  My buddy had a 525 with the bigbore kit he used to ride in the woods.  It was ridiculous!

http://www.ht-racing.com/ (http://www.ht-racing.com/)  for the oil cooler

Tell me more about this crank welding/stronger motor bit please  [thumbsup]

The RFS engines have multi-piece press fit cranks.  When used consistently at high RPM, the cranks will twist at the joints.  This is especially a problem with the long stroke engines - 450exc's, all 525/30's, & 560 SMR's.  The 450 exc uses the same crank as the 525's. The joints are welded and ground down. Its a good idea to have it performed on any motarded RFS engine.

Try these guys.  They are one of the best motorcycle crank shops around.  www.faliconcranks.com (http://)

There are still a few left over 690 Super Motos out there.  Maybe give that a go?

I am in the process of killing  myself over the decision to get a 950SM(R) or a Super Duke now that I let the Daytona go.