Ducati Monster Forum

Hi guys, I am located in Brisbane Australia and have decided I want a Monster as my next bike but I am lil stuck as to which one(sooo many models to choose from). I recently went to a dealership with my friend who was test riding a Honda 900 Hornet (919) and instead of being bored waiting around for him I went with him and the salesman on a 93 Monster 900 that was in the lot. Well, yeh, I think I have fallen for the Monster. It was comfortable, powerful without being over the top and had me grinning from ear to ear. And this was on an early model Monster.

 I have found a few and I know each model has its quirks but the few I have my eyes on are these ones -

A900ie- I went and had a look at this bike and it looks very tidy and appeared to be loved. It had the stock exhausts on it but it seemed like they had been cored as there were no baffle in the end.
http://www.bikesales.com.au/all-bikes/dealer/details.aspx?R=9248911&ref=Item&__Ns=p_PriceSort_Decimal (http://www.bikesales.com.au/all-bikes/dealer/details.aspx?R=9248911&ref=Item&__Ns=p_PriceSort_Decimal)|0||p_Make_String|0||p_Model_String|0&__N=1432%20604%201430%201429%201428%204294967242%2079&__Nne=15

A SR2 800- I also went and saw this bike. It has aftermarket cans on it. I wasn't sure if the ecu or airbox had been tinkered with but the things I noticed was that the paint on the engine look like it had melted in places. Does this mean that it has been running lean and hot? I have read somewhere here that this can happen if a power commander isn't installed. Also it is will need its 20k service, so belts and the like. It has its red key but no service books. Was a nice looking bike and very comfortable to sit on.
http://www.bikesales.com.au/all-bikes/dealer/details.aspx?R=9780905&ref=Item&__Ns=p_PriceSort_Decimal (http://www.bikesales.com.au/all-bikes/dealer/details.aspx?R=9780905&ref=Item&__Ns=p_PriceSort_Decimal)|0||p_Make_String|0||p_Model_String|0&__N=1432%20604%201430%201429%201428%204294967242%2079&__Nne=15

A 1000ie- Have not been to see this on yet but would like to know more about them.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320623878271&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320623878271&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT)

A 800ie - This one looks very nice and have spoken to the owner on the phone as it is located in South Australia ( a long, long way from me) Are these similar to s2r800?
http://www.bikesales.com.au/all-bikes/private/details.aspx?R=9653448&ref=Item&__Ns=p_PriceSort_Decimal (http://www.bikesales.com.au/all-bikes/private/details.aspx?R=9653448&ref=Item&__Ns=p_PriceSort_Decimal)|0||p_Make_String|0||p_Model_String|0&__N=1432%20604%201430%201429%201428%204294967242%2079&__Nne=15

Now I am not that interested massive amounts power although some would be nice. I am 6 foot 2 weigh bout 90 kgs so I would want it to fit me and I will be keeping the bike for awhile so I don't want to outgrow it. Also I would like to have change from $10,000.

Would like a little positive feedback and is there anything I should know about them.

Thanks heaps guys.

I really like my S2R800.  It isn't a rocket ship, but has enough power to be really fun to ride.  I haven't had any major mechanical issues, other then a swollen gas tank.  They are easy to find aftermarket stuff for.  Suspension is a little mushy, but not horrible.  I am 6ft and I like the fit.  You might find it to be on the compact side of things.  Definately sit on one if it is an option.

well....what was your previous bike or bikes?...how do you like to ride?...what any of us here might reccomend, would be with a grain of salt, because it is based on our own experience/opinions, not necessarily facts...

that being said...from a purely general perspective of my opinion of which of those fine examples I'd personally prefer to have...the blue '02 M1000 Sie...but that is me...

Maybe it's just you folks being down under, but 8900 seems high for an older S2R 800.  I overpaid for mine (I wanted it.  Then and there) but I still didn't pay nearly that much. 

That being said, I love this bike.  SSSa.  Great pull (even stock).  It is way under sprung, like someone already mentioned, but I like to think that running around on shitty suspension trying to keep up with the big boys has made me a better rider :)  That or one who's lucky he hasn't bit it yet :)  I've had it since spring of 08 and I'm not looking to sell/upgrade any time soon.

I can't vouch for any of the other pics you found.  Definitely go fuel injected, and I personally prefer the looks of the S2R over most others. 

I just reread.  You need the valve service, and you need to find out what other tuning was done?  Inspect the hell out of that one, and maybe see if you can knock a couple of grand off.

He is in Australia. Can't really compare to prices in the U.S.

I'd go with the 900ie or the 1000. But as others have said, it's more about what your own personal looks/performance preferences are.

Well, you kind of can... at least for the moment the AUD is trading on par with the USD. But of course that doesn't take into account the historic strength of the AUD which will set the price... But I'm off topic.

Of the 900 and the 1000, the 1000 seems like a better deal as they have the same price. The 900 is just a 900 while the 1000 is an S model that gets some extra nicer Farkles.

An 800 and an S2R 800 are similar (as are all monsters), but have some big differences. The S2R is newer, and has the single sided swing arm, vs the 'classic' doubled sided swing arm of the 800 (seen in the 900 and 1000 you listed)

The 800 will have better brakes (4 piston calipers) and a steel tank, vs the 2 piston calipers and plastic tank of the S2R 800. The Plastic tanks have been a real issue - in the US and other places where Ethanol is mixed into our gas (petrol) the ethanol results in water in the gas that leads to the nylon based plastic expanding and/or warping. There's lots of info on that issue on the site. It's monsters made from 2005 and on that will have the plastic tanks. 2004 and older will be steel.

 

Another vote for the 900ie or 1000ie... probably 1000ie if it were my decision and I could swing the funds for it.  

IIRC, there was no 900 "S" model in 2002, only the 900ie, so it should have most of the S features (includes adjustable F/R suspension, aluminum swingarm, flyscreen, but not including CF bits).  Oddities of the 900ie are a CR transmission (can be good or bad depending on your preference), unique offset on front sprocket (900 models specific).  There is no Power Commander for the 900ie models, but I have read of others using the 1000ie PC as a direct plug-in.  That picture also looks like it includes a DP seat.  The 900 and 1000 will also have the dry clutch (again personal preference, but one of the unique Ducati features).  S*R models will give you the SSS.

There is a PowerCommander for the 900 at least for the 2000 900. It's possible they changed the pin out for the 2001+ models and PowerCommander didn't build to match... but I've got a PowerCaommander for my 900 and the box and instructions say 900 on them

Yes, you are correct.  There is no PC for 2002 900ie models (I think also 2001), however the 1000ie PC is supposed to work although not supported by PC.

 [laugh] Exchanage rate has absolutely nothing to do with it. Bikes are always more expensive down here - a quick look through the classifieds on the board would suggest about twice as much is a good place to start.

Dave, don't forget to check out the Oz Monsters local board:

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?board=52.0 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?board=52.0)

The information above is quite sound, but for local info (pricing, etc) ... try the local board. I don't have time to go through them all now but remember mileage is not the only indicator for when or what service is due.

Here is another that you may like, I think Brimo is in QLD
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=1171.735. (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=1171.735.)
Ducati's in Australia have always been expensive compared to the US
I wouldn't buy from a dealer and I wouldn't buy the dark, you will end up spending more money on the insufficient suspension. I have the M1000Sie and love it.
Don

Another vote for the 1000S. It has adjustable suspension, the most powerful motor out of the ones you are looking at, and it has nice aftermarket mufflers already.

Thank you very much for your replies guys. I have a bit more of a leaning toward the 900ie and 1000ie as they look a lil more classic monster which is what I like. I really love the Ducati red too but I could live with a blue one if it has all the goodies. I might go for a ride and check out the 1000ie on the weekend. I have read on the site on a few threads that the 1000 has surging issues? Is it this model or another they are talking about?

Guys, in Australia we get molested on vehicle prices. Porsche 911 GTS will cost AU$103,100 in the US, in Oz it costs AU$270,000. Yes, molested.

And today, our dollar closed at 1.0037 to yours......  ???

Yes we definitely get bent over.

Been searching around and found this guy -

This one has a few more km's on it but a good price and a lot of DP gear installed. Not a fan of the tank protector though.

http://www.bikesales.com.au/all-bikes/private/details.aspx?R=9650593&ref=Item&__Ns=p_PriceSort_Decimal (http://www.bikesales.com.au/all-bikes/private/details.aspx?R=9650593&ref=Item&__Ns=p_PriceSort_Decimal)|0||p_Make_String|0||p_Model_String|0&__N=1432%20604%201430%201429%201428%204294967242%2079&__Nne=15

I have a 2003 800Sie ("S" just means it comes with some extra factory bling), and it looks identical to the 2002 above.  If so, it also means it has a wet clutch, rather than a dry clutch. 

those are usually the S2R1000's that have that issue...the M1000 is a bit different...


that tank cover is a Bagster tank cover which you can find the Roadgear/Bagster click in tank bags and map pockets which are handy as hell!...just sayin...

Ok going to go have a look at this one when the weather is fine enough to ride down (3 hour ride). Current owner purchased this bike off of James Courtney (Australian V8 Supercar Champ) due to the fact his contract does not allow him to ride motorcycles anymore. Is there anything I should look out for when checking the bike over other than the usual things? Any Ducati things I should be keeping an eye out for?

Cheers guys.

http://www.bikesales.com.au/all-bikes/private/details.aspx?R=9650593&ref=Item&__Ns=p_PriceSort_Decimal (http://www.bikesales.com.au/all-bikes/private/details.aspx?R=9650593&ref=Item&__Ns=p_PriceSort_Decimal)

I think that bike may be owned by a previously active member on the forum (Bad Boy Bubby) ... but I'm not sure.

I am not an expert on mechanical things ... but the bike is listed as a 'Dark' yet has a red paint scheme and fairing which would indicate it is not a dark ... but doesn't have the seat cowl. Could be a dark with a different paint scheme. Adjustable forks would be good but I don't think the dark would have adjustables.

The usual 'Ducati' thing to look for is the service records ... such as when the belts & fluids were changed.

Yeh it is listed as a dark. I was sent through more pictures of the bike via email and it does have a rear seat cowl. The owner confirmed that it does not have adjustable front suspension as well. How much a difference does the adjustable suspension make? Is it really going to matter?

Is the guys name Steve. If so it could be the same guy. Any posts on here about the bike?

Cheers.

Probably not right away ... but if you get serious about these things you will probably be looking at making changes beyond the adjustability of the adjustable forks anyway.

Whether you should modify the forks regardless is a separate issue.


Only this that I could find ... links are out of date:

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=1171.msg738983#msg738983 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=1171.msg738983#msg738983)

Like I said it may not be the same bloke, but the name checks out.

Yeh thats the guy. Told me he had a 900 with over 100,000kms on it. Sounds honest. Might try and get down tomorrow even if I have to drive instead of ride  >:(
Wish this weather would clear up. Been for sale for a long time. That is in my favour I suppose  [thumbsup]

That seems like a good deal, although over here in WA we get even more bent over than the eastern states. The tank protector will come off.

You always seem to have pretty good bikes over there though. Was considering a Triumph Thruxton and all the good ones seemed to be in W.A

Really? There are a lot of them over here.