Ducati Monster Forum

I have been eyeing the Monster to add an everyday ride to my stable.  I have a touring bike and a custom cruiser.  I think I am getting my arms around the different models over time.I have found 2 in my area that I am considering.

1. 2000 M900 black w 8,000 miles for $4500 prior to negotiations.  Has Carbon front fender and muffler.

2. 2005 M800 S2R Dark w 2,400 miles for $5500 prior to nego.  Brembo, Marchesini wheels.

The prices are so close.  I assume the are equal on power.  I also assume the 05 is closer to the current monster technoligically.

Any thoughts.  I can afford either.  But if they are almost identical then I will save the $1,000.  If the newer 800 is much better than the 900 then it might be worth the extra dough to have a newer bike.

Thoughts?

The 800 is fuel injected, and the 900 is carbed.  Take that into consideration.

JM

Mmmmm... do you like the low mount/one on each side muffler look of the M900 or the right side/upswept/shotgun style mufflers on the S2R800? Sometimes that makes a real difference to folks. Sometimes not. The $1,000 difference could buy you a lot of cool mods on M900! [thumbsup] There is a pretty good mileage difference. How is the condition of each one? Also, it is very important to almost everyone that the current owners have had the proper maintenance performed and have the receipts to prove it.

I'm sure you'll get lots of good ideas/comments/opinions from this board. Good luck! ;)

Good point!

One other thing, as I read the posts on expanding gas tanks would the 00 M900 be a better choice to avoid this problem.  Or is this not a widespread problem?

In my opinion the lighter wheels on the 800 make it the better choice. The power difference isn't all that great and the 800 will handle much better.

Both of those bikes have proven motors and will last you a long long time.

sac

The 900 makes slightly more power if it's the IE (Fuel injected) model and comes with a dry clutch. Otherwise power is identical.

The 800 is newer and you'll find more aftermarket stuff for it because of that. As for the Brembo/Marchesini stuff, those are the stock components.

If you buy the 800, make sure you get The Red Key. The keys are electronically coded, and without the red key you'll never be able to replace the keys you have now (without a hassle)

In either case, ask when the bike last had its valves done and its belts replaced. That's a few hundred bucks of parts & labor and may alter the effective price some more.

Personally, I'd get the 900. But that's mostly because it has slightly more power (or can with either a power commander or flat-slide carbs) it won't have the stupid key issue, I like dry clutches, you'll have an extra grand to spend on modifications and I happen to own an '01 900 :)

But you'll be happy with either bike.

The problem is very widespread. But if it hasn't expanded yet I doubt it ill start now. I had an '05 620 that had no expansion issue. My local dealer says ripping the emissions stuff off helps. But there is a huge long thread about that issue that should tell you more than you ever wanted to know.

sac

At 2,500 miles, I dont think you have to worry about a valve adjustment anytime soon.  The belts dont get replaced until 10 or 12K (though they do say "or 2 years", I think, then again a belt replacement is cheaper than a valve adjust...easier too if you want to do it yourself)

If you intend to do all of your own maintenance, get the 900.  It's a bit easier to work on with a "standard" tool kit plus just a few specialty items.

If you want a bike to ride more, especially in cooler weather, get the 800.

If you like the aesthetic of one versus the other, get that one.

If you can't make up your mind, get 'em both and sell which ever you get tired of first.   [evil]

S2R - Single sided swingarm.  [moto]

then again im biased.

I like the dual clock gauges on the second generation Monsters better than those on the earliest Monsters. Did the 2000 still have the early gauges?  I'm pretty sure it does since it has the rear hooper swingarm and first generation frame.

The s2r 800 ( yes I am biased as well )

reasons ...sss, FI, shotgun, and the slipper clutch  ( the dry sounds cool ..but in the real world the slipper is kick ass )

also I have had zero problems with my tank

The APTC is "not" a slipper clutch.

I am also on the biased list.

My S2R800 has been and hopefully will continue to be a very good bike.  Other than the tank issue (which my shop replaced without any drama), the bike has been super reliable.  Going on 37,000 miles of year round riding and it doesn't miss a beat (not saying the 900 won't be the same, though).  Also, having a bike with a dry clutch (with an aftermarket slave cylinder), the wet clutch on my 800 is much more comfortable and all day friendly. 

Now, trying to be unbiased as possible.

2 bikes (assuming both to be in appropriate condition for their age and mileage) with roughly the same power.  One of which is fuel injected, 5 years newer, with 5600 less miles, for $1000 more.  I would lean toward the newer bike, assuming, as mentioned before, all 3 keys are available and the tank isn't currently swollen up like a balloon. 

Both should be good bikes. 

You guys are totally slipping.

I am disappointed.

The 2000 M900's were fuel injected.  It was the first year Monsters came with the i.e. in their name.

I had one, it ripped :D

I miss it.

The 2000 900 is fuel injected and has the dual gauges. Smaller displacement monsters in 2000 were still carb'd - but the 2000 900 was the first of the injected monsters.

Other things to consider are the better brakes and probably better suspension of the 900. The S2R 800 shared the bottom of the line brakes and suspension with the 620. The Brakes are the black 2 piston clamps on 300mm rotors vs the 4 piston on 320mm rotors of the 900. The suspension on the 900 probably offers more adjustments - but I'm not 100% sure on the base 900.

Overall, the 900 will be most simple to work on yourself, but not by a huge margin. For most stuff you'd only need the hub spanner for chain adjustment over the smae tool suite you'd hit the 900 with.

Regarding your expanding tank question: Yes, it's very common, about 100% common. There's a big thread on it if you'd like to educate yourself. The short version is that the polymer used to make the original tanks starting in 2005 and running for a long time picked up water that's retained by the ethanol in the gas blends we have now. Picking up the water causes the polymer to expand. Common give aways are that the front of the tank has gotten very close to, or even touching the key way. On a normal tank you should be able see the latch for the buckle on the frame or slip your pinky tip between the tank and key way. Another sign is to check the rubber bumpers on the bottom of the tank where it contacts the frame. They should be centered on the frame tubes on a normal tank. On an expanded tank they start to push beyond the perimeter of the frame.

The good news is, Ducati has been issuing replacements. But check that thread for details - I've no FHE with that process. Other good news is that folks have found if you can drain the tank and give it sufficient time to dry they will contract some.

The base M900 has no adjustment to the suspension other than rear preload via the threaded collar on the shock.

The m900s had the aluminum swinger and adjustable suspension.

I had the base 900.  My vote is for that one.  Better brakes, dry clutch (does the 800 have a dry clutch?) bigger displacement and better aftermarket part availability.

Get the 900!  Do it!  Do it now!!!

M900, even though mine is for sale (hint) I much prefer the look of the first ones and the dry clutch. The sound, the looks it gets with an open cover, get "A" M900

Both the 900 & 800 are reliable engines with routine maintenance. There are plenty of high milages examples of both on this board. In fact one of the original members has a M900 with over 125K miles and no major problems other than normal wear items.

I'm obviously biased as I have both a 2000 and 2001 monster 900.


There isn't another monster I would trade one for.




I might trade one for a new streetfighter or a multi though if anyone is interested ;D

That 800's been sitting in the garage?

1) Gas tank issues - they don't apply to the '05 800 do they?  It's a steel tank, isn't it?

2) Mods - most of the most popular, cosmetic mods (e.g., lites, bling, etc.) will work on both bikes, except the 800 is a wet clutch so you'll save money on those mods

3) Riding - for 99% of your road riding (even spirited)  the 800 will be fine.  If you're into engine tech, check out Brad Black's website http://bikeboy.org/performance.html (http://bikeboy.org/performance.html) where you can dig-down and get his reports on the two engines.  I don't think the shock/forks on either bike are fully adjustable, but, should work fine if you're not much over 200 pounds fully geared up.

4) The first thing to wear out on bikes are the soft bits (rubber hoses, belts, suspension, etc), so the 800 is less likely to have that problem

5) Check the service paperwork.  First service at 600 miles, then every 6,000 miles after that.  You can download the Owner's Manual for the S2R here http://www.ducati.com/services/maintenance/index.do (http://www.ducati.com/services/maintenance/index.do) ; the 2000 model year manual is not available, but the 2001 bike should be similar.
 
6) I'd rather have the Marchesini wheels (if they're truly an aftermarket upgrade) than the CF....what kind of CF exhaust is it?  Termignoni is the overpriced standard upgrade; other popular brands from that period include Arrow, Leo Vince, SilMoto, Fast by Ferracci (I think rebadged Silmoto and, perhaps, Arrow); some of the newer options include Zard and MIVV.  Brembo are the stock brakes and probably the stock wheels (not logo'd), so no added-value there.

7) Price for the 800 seems a bit high; I think that bike retailed for around $8.5K US when new (unless that is a $2,000 set of aftermarket wheels on the bike, but you shouldn't have to pay for their upgrades).

Good luck

I'm picking the 2000 900 now that I know it has the dual gauges.  

He really just needs to pick the style he likes best (SSA vs DSS) and then ride them both.  Also it may depend on condition and color preference.  A used bike that has been stored
outdoors is not going to be in the same condition as well that has slept every night in a garage.

Yep, good point.  We all like the bikes we have/had.  Go check them both out, ride them if you can, and pick which one you like the best.