Ducati Monster Forum

Hey guys hows it goin? I am new here and thought I would post and ask for some suggestions. I am 19 and have been racing motocross for 8 years and currently race at a pro level. I am going to getting out of motocross due to injuries and still wanna stick to 2 wheels somehow. So I am interested in a monster, I have read a little about them and they seem like a good started bike. Im not your typical "Yeah im 18 and want a 1000cc motorcycle, I can handle it." haha. I have about $5500 to spend on a bike, will this get me a decent bike? What years and models should I look at?

Thank you!

I think an S2R800 would suite you well. though the least smartest finacial move when i was 18 was to buy my first monster. but i dont regret it one bit. Ate top ramen noodles alot back then. :p (im only 22 now)

You could get a good, low milage S2R for that $.

http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/mcy/1845329887.html (http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/mcy/1845329887.html)

I looked around here at S2R's and they are right around my spending area! Thanks guys! Now for my real worry... :/ how much is the insurance going to be a year? Is it possible to have my father as the primary even if he doesnt have a motorcycle license? Im sure that would make things MUCH cheaper.

in my state (NY), they do not require you to have a MC license to insure it.
at age 18, it might be costly ,.it might not. depends on who you use and what they consider the bike as and where you live.

At 18, i paid $550 for liability only a year. thats in NYC that is with both Progressive and Dairyland. at 22 i pay $360 a year.

The monster is cheaper than you think.  Call the above mentioned companies along with Geico and your local Duc dealer.  In my opinion get an s2r 1000 or an s4r.  I came from 450 dirt bikes many years ago and quickly outgrew the 800cc
Just my opinion

Depending on what you like--in terms of looks--I'd also look at an M1000 ('03-05).  Better brakes than an s2r 800, better suspension (adjustable front forks), better engine and dry clutch.  I don't know if you'll swing an S2r 1000 for $5500 (which has all the good stuff from the M1000), but I haven't looked at the market lately.   

Downsides:  ground clearance is worse, there's no single sided swingarm and your insurance will be more (cuz they'll see 992cc and think its a GSXR).

I've seen the older model S4r with the 996 motor go for around $5500.  If you like the water cooled look (radiator), that's a great bike. I'd normally NEVER recommend that as a starter bike, but if you're a moto-X racer, you'll be fine with most anything. 

This might help a bit:  http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=25126.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=25126.0)

+1 to Spidey.

You could also look for a 2000/2001 Monster 900...some have adjustable suspension, and they have steel tanks...which is a huge plus IMO. No single sided swingarm, but the S models have an aluminum dual sided which is nice as well.

Welcome to the DMF.

Hope you enjoy this wonderful Forum .

Dolph       :)

Oh man all this has me excited haha. So I have a few other questions, how often do you do maintance? New tires? Chain, Sprokets? And are these bikes fairly easy to customize? I have seen some of these bikes I love and some I hate  ;)
Im really suprised how many I could find for sale in my area.

Customizing will drain your bank account fast, ask anyone  [evil]
I'll say that my s4r gives me a woody when I open the throttle though.  Ride a few but for that price you can get an s2r 1000 and have loads of fun and air cooled too

welcome to the sickness  [evil]

or more expensive than you ever imagined.....



I wouldn't buy a Monster without first riding a Hypermotard. With your background I bet it's the perfect fit.

 [bang]  didn't think about the hyper - good suggestion.

there are endless mods, just look around.

Another 22 Yo here. Been on a Duc for 4 years. Was on a Cbr600 since I was 16 and on a YZ250 for a couple of years before that.

If you really race MotoX, then yes, I'd go for M1000 or an S2R1000. I have an S2R1K and it's amazing. Just remember, these don't get up from the ground quite as easily as the dirts.

I wouldn't go for an S4R simply because of the maintenance costs. They can be pretty stratospheric. OTOH, You can do most of the maintenance on a 2 Valve engine yourself if you're mechanically inclined.

A used Hyper would far exceed his budget.  The cheapest I've seen is in the mid to high 8K.

Several hypers for 7k. Saw one recently for 6500'with 18k

which is still more that 5.5k

23 yr old here, agree that with your background either of the 1k's are fine...the s4r can be pricey maintenance wise as Matador said. The two valver's will teach you how to work on the bike easier as well.

From what I have seen I really like the S2R and the S4R, but I would probablly got with the first one just because of what you guys are telling me. How many miles is alot on these bikes? Where should I be looking at mileage wise? Found a S4R for $5500 and 7,600 miles where I live.
Another thing I might mention, I do not have a motorcycle license yet. But this is what is required in CO.
"The first is most likely the more inexpensive, but may not give you the necessary skills to take your riding to the highest levels of safety. It simply involves taking the written test at a local driver license office and then completing an on-bike skills test either at the same office (if it is a full-service facility) or through an accredited third-party company."
How do I get a motorcycle to any of these places without a license haha, and how am I expected to ever test ride a bike without a license?

Go with a friend with a chase vehicle. Drive carefully as to not get pulled over

7600 is not a lot of miles.  My buddy just sold his '04 s4r with 50 or 60k on it.  HOWEVER, and this is critical, when you are shopping for a Duc, make sure the 6k or 12k (7.5k and 15k) valve/blet services have been completed.  If not, factor that into the price.  The service can run from $350 to $800 or more for a 2 valve duc and more for a four valve (like an s4r).  If you're used to working on your own bikes, you can do the service by yourself.  Also, the timing belts (modern ducs don't use cam timing chains or gears) need to be changed every two years or every 12k (or 15k).  It's part of the 12k service.  So even if you see a bike with 7600 miles, if it hasn't ever had its belts changed and it's more than two years old, you'll need to change 'em.  Again, it's a pretty straight-forward DIY thing, but belts can run upwards of $100.

As far as maintenance, you need to keep up on the maintenance, but it's nothing like a dirtbike.  The only thing that is Duc-specific are the 6k (or 7.5k) valve checks and the 12k (or 15k)/2 year belt replacements.  Oh, and if you get a dry clutch Duc (S4r or s2r1000 or M1000), the clutch us likely to wear faster than other bikes.  Totally worth it in my book.  Otherwise, it's like any streetbike.   Change oil every 3k.  Tires last anywhere from 3k for a sporty rear tire if you ride like a lunatic to 12k or more for a front touring tire ridden by gramps.  Figure changing two rears for 1 or 1.5 front tires.  Chain and sprockets are totally variable, but will last 6k-20k, depending on their quality, maintenance and your riding style.  I'd take a complete guess that 12k or so is average.  Mine never last that long.  Lube chain and check chain tension every 500 miles or so.    Change brake and clutch fluid annually (or you can wait 5 years like others do).  The usual stuff.


In CA, taking the written test gets you a permit.  Then you can ride the bike to take the on-bike test.  Then you get your full license.  CO may work the same.

Lemme also add that you might want to think about a slightly older, but better-modded bike.  With a racing background, you're likely to want to screw around with the suspension and ergos more than most.  A bike with suspension work and aftermarket rearsets and/or bars might just fit the bill. 

Oh man, this is nothing like a motcross bike at all haha. I didnt think maintence would be that easy. Im use to new tires every other week, engine and tranny oil change twice a week, airfilter cleaning 3 times a week, new chain and sprockets every month, chain adustments every other ride, valve shimming once every 2 months, regreasing suspension linkage and steering stem every couple months, and the list goes on. Well im glad to hear that is over with! I will probablly call the DMV and see what they say I should do.

As another one of the younger board members, I will warn you that number will skyrocket quickly.  I got a bike within my "budget" and before I knew it I was eating Ramen noodles to pay for the next shinny thing I "needed."  These damns bikes are a blessing and a curse rolled into one.  Welcome to the board, I'm sure you'll have a blast no matter what you end up with.  [moto]