Ducati Monster Forum

I just bought a 03 620 and I'm really interested in upgrading my bike away from the stock look. I've looked around for

exhausts and I have my eyes set on a Mivv Suono slip-on...any advice here??? My bank account is still recovering from

buying the bike, and i wont be buying exhaust for awhile but i was wondering if you guys had some advice on inexpensive

upgrades.

(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x329/legotti/photo.jpg)

Nice looking bike.

There's a whole thread on HOMEMADE MODS (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=642.0). Should be some good idea fodder.

Otherwise, depending on your weight, it would probably be worth looking into upgrading your suspension eventually. The stock forks/shock are sprung for ~160 lb Italian teenager. If you're not right around there, then a suspension upgrade makes a big difference. On the cheap, you could upgrade to stiffer springs and different oil ($200-300), or you could swap out forks for something with stiffer springs, like superbike forks. People have done both, and there are plenty of writeups out there so you can follow along in their footsteps.

You've already got the "good" brake disk/caliper setup, but if you wanted to fine-tune the feel, there are several options of brake pads that you could play around with. California Cycleworks, listed over on the left <<<--- in the "Sponsors" section, would be good place to start looking. A quick check showed a half dozen or so different compounds available for your bike.

As for cosmetic mods, we could sit here all day and tell you what to do next, but then you'd end up with a bike designed by us, not by you. My suggestion would be to set aside some time (as well as some lotion and tissues) and browse through the "Bikes of the DMF" thread located HERE (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=205.0). See what other people have done and take away from that. If you see something you REALLY LIKE, don't be afraid to shoot someone a PM. We all like hearing that someone else likes what we've done to our bike.

I've got the Suono's on my 620.
There are far more sensible ways to spend money on your Monster, but I'll tell you what,
the whole experience is transformed for me with those babies. Sounds different and better than almost any bike I encounter.

Worth your time to evaluate your suspension, a few hard stops will tell you how severely you're bottoming out the forks (stick a tie wrap around one leg).
Get someone to help you set sag.
Change the countershaft  sprocket to a 14T if not already.
Paint the belt covers and countershaft cover, and clear portion of the flyscreen (inside) black.
Tidy up the tail but if you chop it, be prepared for a wet ass.

Congrats and welcome to the club.

Inexpensive (almost free) Upgrades:

Tail chop
Paint belt covers black
Remove reflectors
Replace mirrors with bar end (3rd eye for cheap; CRG for not so cheap)
Remove charcoal cannister
Core and chop the exhaust (won't sound as good as new cans, but def. better than stock)

Expensive, or Potentially expensive upgrades:

Suspension...1st thing that should be done IMO
Slip-on exhaust
The list really is endless... [beer]

+1 to swap the front sprocket to a 14 tooth one. Really a best bang for the buck.

Dunno. I had an '03 620 for a while. The rear sprocket was a 46. Dropping a tooth on the front didn't really do all that much. YMMV.

I didn't like changing the gearing either...made the bike suck on the highway, and I never noticed a problem in town to begin with (both my M620 and M900).

Start taking things off. Stop when the bike no longer starts.

The Monster in my opinion looks best when it is stripped to the bare essentials. But as was stated above, look through here and find things that interest YOU. We're a bunch of opinionated loons.

+1 on not changing the gear.  I had a 03 M620 with 5 speed and I was already wishing it has a 6th gear.  Can't imagine hwy with shorter gearing.  

My first series of upgrades were pretty much what Triple J had listed under Inexpensive.  I also added an oil cooler and that took sometime to gather all the parts.  It's a nice addition if you are in warm climate.  

I'm in Phoenix.  Never switched to the cooler.  620 has been ridden a total of 5 summers here in the desert. 

Lego..I have the same bike.  TONS of miles.  All mine too!!  I'll post up a few pics of when you can do to it! 

I also have a picture of how you can mod the pipes.   [evil]

I bought a danmoto exhaust for my 696 and it sounds great IMHO. Can't beat the price. I've gotten tons of compliments on it. The best mod you do is the one that gets you riding it more IMO. have fun with it!

Here you go.  The transformation.  Mostly homemade mods, i.e.: tail chop, fender eliminator, sticker & reflector removal, painted belt covers and other bits, bar end mirror, etc.  Very inexpensive.  I also bought SIL megaphones.  These are one of THE BEST set of pipes..especially during an engine break!!    [evil]  Bought from Spareshack..I believe about $600.

'03 Silver Dark
(http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss158/izaac10_album/MyoldMonster.jpg)

New paint. Nearly complete
(http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss158/izaac10_album/DucSide_1.jpg)

wrapped header pipe and more black bits.
(http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss158/izaac10_album/MyMonsters_1.jpg)


 

Wow you guys are great...

Thank you for the ideas and tips, aside from buying a monster, joining this forum has been the best thing i've done...

I plan on taking the reflectors off, chopping the tail, removing the emissions can and i ordered bar-end mirrors (cheap) from e-bay.

I would also like to paint the belt covers but i'll have to find a good tutorial

...if only i could stop riding and start tinkering  [moto]

Painting the belt cover isn't that difficult.  Take the bolts off and manuver the covers off.  I used the black high temp spray paint for BBQ, found at Home Depot.  Gave it a couple coats and that's it.  It turned out to be a matte dark gray finish, which is kind a cool, IMO.  I liked it.

Yup. I did the same thing on mine back in the day. Take your time and follow the directions on the can. Might use a scotchbrite pad to rough up the surface a bit first to help the paint stick better.

Just be careful when putting the vertical belt cover back on. It's a pretty tight fit and easy to ding up your freshly painted belt covers.

Belt covers are easy. No need to sand but it doesn't hurt. I used a plastic adhesion promoter (Duplicolor makes one in a rattle can you can get at any auto parts store) and mine are going strong two years later.

Same here. Easy mod! Mine could use a fresh coat though afte 5 year or so. I also painted the ends of the megaphones, my headlight and a few other parts with spraycan from Home Depot. Give it a day or two to dry though.  I got excited and put parts on top quick afterwards.  One weekend and that bike will be yours with all the home made mods!

Here you go..SIL Megs

(sound best around :22)   [thumbsup]

Packing up the Ducati (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ekb2KbE4k9Y#normal)

Wow they sound good, i like the price too...

 [thumbsup]

Talk to Stuart at Spareshack

Not really upgrades, but make it yours
  Free: (Well, kinda, just time)
    Chop /Core/ Paint stock slip ons
    Slotted / Painted belt covers and front sprocket cover
    Emission removal
    Tail chop
    Removed front mud guard, rear mud guard, and side covers
    Lowered head lamp and guages

  Not free: (Not much though)
    K&N Breather
    Billet oil filler cap (Plasic stocker leaked like crazy)
    Billet inspection cover (Just cool)
    Rear seat cover (Ebay $30)

  Money:
    Woodcraft Clipons

Thes are some things I did with out much cash, mostly time, and small amount of money for supllies (Cut off wheels, paint, etc.).
Good luck and have fun.  :)