Ducati Monster Forum

The bike: 03 M620

It started stock,

Then the high rise Termis:

(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_0ClVULVY-AI/TDakyh6630I/AAAAAAAAABU/6vIBr6W2lU4/s400/Sept%202004%20007.jpg)

Then; tail chop, pipe chop, lowered headlight and cluster, rizoma signals, integrated Vizitech tail light, comfort seat, CF belt cover, mirrors:

(https://lh5.ggpht.com/_0ClVULVY-AI/TDahd1I3aiI/AAAAAAAAAA8/q7b0dwnSOc8/s400/IMG_2279.JPG)
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_0ClVULVY-AI/TDaheHFVCvI/AAAAAAAAABA/WNKuLYPeZLc/s400/IMG_2280.JPG)
(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_0ClVULVY-AI/TDahesA62wI/AAAAAAAAABE/zcuBGXQXa4M/s400/IMG_0026.JPG)

Currently undergoing: just bought apex clipons, found a deal on radial masters (brake and clutch), billet sprocket cover.

Here is my dilema; The list of upgrades I want to do this winter far exceeds my resources.  Please help me decide what should go first, and what should wait till next winter. 

Powdercoat swingarm + frame black
Suspension upgrade (GSX-R??)
Rearsets (I never ride with passengers)
Engine swap to a 1000DS (really want to do this, will justify spending more on the bike)

This was my first bike and I'm far too attached to just sell it and buy a new one, so i'm turning to the forum for input.

Thanks

Someone is going to sat it eventually, so it might as well be me. 

-Remove fork reflectors   ;D

Otherwise, it really looks good.  Suspension upgrade is A-#1 on the list.

Just got it inspected, had to have them on, but yes good call.  (also I use one of them as a camera mount)

dont' change a thing. keep it as is. buy a new bike also.

two reasons
1. it will always be your first bike then, not something that started as your first bike
2. you'll have more options for the newer bike to start with. do you want 1000, 1100 HM, etc. to give you variety.

pm sent

-I would hold off on painting the frame black, in fact I wouldn't do it at all.  I think one of the main draws to the monster is the exposed frame, and if you black it out, it won't really stand out anymore.  With the frame being gray, your eyes can really follow it.  Just my opinion on that. 
-You could remove the mirrors, and put bar-end ones or some other bling mirror.  Changes the lines of the bike.
-Adding a 1000 motor seems heavily involved.  Why not just shop around for an M1000 or an M900?
-Fork upgrade would be a really cool idea, and if you did decide to upgrade the motor to the 1000, it would be better to have the suspension already in place to help handle the extra weight/power.
-You could go to clip-ons, maybe along with the fork upgrade.  Would greatly change the appearance and feel of the bike.
-You removed the front fender.  Looks cool, but I prefer to have one for road debris.  You could put a carbon fiber one in its place.  Blends in with the bike better and doesn't stand out as much as the stock yellow one, if that's why you removed it.
-Your bike makes me miss my yellow M900.   :'(

+1 for suspension upgrade.

keep your eye out for some M900/1000 (or ST,SS) Showas that will drop right in.

right side panel without bulge

Another vote on suspension.  [thumbsup]

Instead of painting the frame black, I'd paint everything else a different color than yellow. But that's me.  ;)

Like this (I have no idea about the price though -- I don't think I've ever actually gone fork shopping).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DUCATI-MONSTER-S2R-1000-S4R-FRONT-FORKS-SUSPENSION-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem45f2f2e819QQitemZ300428748825QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DUCATI-MONSTER-S2R-1000-S4R-FRONT-FORKS-SUSPENSION-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem45f2f2e819QQitemZ300428748825QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories)

Rear shocks can be expensive, but depending on your weight, even just re-springing the rear can make a big difference. 

Those forks are pretty tempting for that price.  It looks like the brake mount is the same as mine, can anyone confirm this? 

I just finished installing the clipons and new masters/levers.  Worth every cent.  Only problem is that now I need a new triple...

I think you guys have convinced me to keep the frame color, maybe change the color scheme of the bike by painting/swapping tanks

The brake mount is the same, as is the axle diameter.  65mm spacing for the brakes (non-radial).

Another vote for the suspension.  I upgraded my forks and got a heavier shock spring and it's a whole new bike.

agreed.  same here.

Here are the updated pictures:

(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_0ClVULVY-AI/TDfVr1UXVMI/AAAAAAAAABg/ef3mCQTOoIk/s400/IMG_3023.JPG)

(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_0ClVULVY-AI/TDfVspXB_mI/AAAAAAAAABk/-w6kUM3wgf0/s400/IMG_3026.JPG)

Apex Clipons are a nice touch.  The new masters give a better brake and clutch feel.  Easy install with some pulling on brake cables.  Next I take the stock triple to a machine shop and grind down the riser mounts.

Edit: looking into suspension and maybe rearsets now.  Does anyone know which rearsets will fit with the riser pipes?

That's the exact same bike I had.  (Yellow is the fastest color!)  For awhile, I had struggled with the same things you are struggling with.  I had upgraded the pipes, mirrors, levers, and then oil cooler.  My next big upgrades were gonna be suspension for sure - shocks + complete front end.  After evaluating my options and adding up the cost, I thought it was better off trading up to a bigger bike altogether.  Because I know I would be envious of the dry clutch, bigger motor, and the SSSA.  Adding everything up, that's basically a brand new bike.

I am with Raux on this one.  Keep it as is and get a 2nd bigger bike that's different in style.  But if you obsolutely can't fight off the mod-bug, go with suspension.   [thumbsup]