Ducati Monster Forum

Aside over the obvious engine displacement. 2000+ M800 vs 1999 and under M900, Go!

Wet clutch vs. dry clutch
Fuel injection vs. carbs

"ST" style frame vs. "851" style frame.

Can you give me a little more info on this please? Pros and cons? What are the difference in frames (school this soon to be first Ducati Monster owner please). ;)

So far which one is everyone's preference? Carb>FI in performance and sound? More raunchiness?

Up to 2002 the Monster frame was based on the 851 frame, '03 to '09 (?) it was based on the ST frame and is supposedly stiffer with larger tube diameter and I thing bigger motor mount bolts.  It also got the rocker rear suspension instead of the hoop. 

Some people like carbs because they can work with them, some like EFI because they don't have to.  All Monsters before '00 were carb, the 900 got EFI than and I think the full line got it in '03. The first 4 valve motor (916) went into the S4 in '01 (?)

There are lots of aftermarket options to manipulate the computer, depending on which year/computer you got.  Power in stock trim is similar either way but delivery with EFI is pretty crisp compared to the carbs.

Starting around '02 Ducati started publishing HP and torque numbers at the crank instead of at the wheel so there is an apparent big jump in output in the same motors but it doesn't necessarily mean much.

Wow...I'm loving this, I like learning and this is the place to be ;) so right now I'm kinda liking the FI '03+ 900 with ST frame. What am I looking a the tag looking like to be, $5G's?

for around and a bit over $5K you can start to get into the 4 valve s4 monsters especially with winter creeping up.  if you want an air cooled 2 valver (they didn't make the 900 after 02 FYI) - post 2002 options would be the m1000 and then the s2r1000 both really kick ass bikes.  i think a great first ducati would be an '01, '02 m900 i.e.  solid, solid bike.  added benefit of that bike/year is plenty of parts still floating around and a price tag under $4K

And that m900 ie is FI right?

ie = FI

The '00 and up 900s are injected. As someone said, they only go to '02 or so, when the M1000 took over that slot.

Just a few detail points for clarity:

ST frame entered the Monster lineup with the '01 S4, then across the board in '02.

'00 and '01 M900 were FI, as was '01 S4.
For '02, all Monsters were FI.

I bought a '01 M900Sie - fuel injected with S package (alum swing arm and bars, some carbon, adj forks, not sure what else is in there). I bought it in '09 to get back into motorcycling after a 20 year hiatus. Not nearly as informed as you are at this point. I've had a blast riding it and modding it. I probably paid a little too much $5500 back in '09 but it was very clean, well maintained and from a dealer (new tires etc).

In my experience parts have been easy to find - including lots of parted out bikes on eBay. I'm not sure if there is a power commander for this engine to modify fuel mapping - haven't seen a clear answer but I haven't gotten serious about that yet.

Sounds awesome and sounds like I found what to look for. As for the frame it's an ST frame right? The thicker one right?

I wouldn't turn down an 851 framed bike for that reason alone. 

'01 M900 will be the 851-based frame.

I've had an '00 M900, and loved the bike. I'd certainly not turn down a 900 based on the frame.

No I was just trying to get the specs on the one I want which is the '00 and up that's ie (FI). I don't want nothing under an 800 for my first Ducati. I've had my share of nimble 600 and I want to join the "Dark" side...HA! get it? get it? That worked out nicely. But really I think I want it from that year range and I'm taking notes. I don't know if that '00 m900 is a Dark or just a "regular(?)" Monster.

What year did the dual round gauges appear?  2001?

I think they may have come on board with fuel injection. My '00 900 had them.

If they didn't could you upgrade/mod it?

You can do anything you want with enough money.  I think 2000 is correct for the dual round gauges.  It was a mechanical speedo and electronic tach until '04 (?) when they got they got all electronic gauges along with the immobilizer.

So that's the one thing my bike won't have...the immobilizer.

I have the immobilizer in a 2003 M620ie.

Right. If you source from a 900 you won't have an immobilizer.

Hmmm... I'm not an expert, but I don't think that is correct.  I have an '02 900ie, and it definitely has both electronic speedo and tach, and also the immobilizer.  I thought the 00 and 01's were the same.

I have also read that the 03 1000ie PC3 will work on the 02 900ie's.  Haven't tried it yet though...

I've got a 00 900, it has no immobilizer, which is a good thing in my opinion, it eliminates hassles and complications down the line. I owned a 02 750sie and it had an immobilizer, and I think that was the year they debuted.

The 00 and 01 Sie 900s had a lot of nice bits included stock, 748 transmission, carbon fiber hugger, ohlins rear shock, etc- I think there is a pretty good list in the FAQ. I loved my 750, incredibly smooth and easy to ride, but the improved suspension and power of the 900 are amazing.

I am toying with the idea of selling it as my wife has a monster and we don't ride much now with a child, at least not together...

Yeah I think I'm sold on the M900.  [thumbsup] immobolizer or not, phatty frame or not  ;D and it sounds like it's a very close match to an S2R, maybe I'm wrong with that last part but I want an M900 now. [Dolph] [evil]

You get a bunch of bits for bumping up to an S2R. Gauges, single sided swingarm, etc

Also, don't be fooled by displacement numbers alone. An '01 M900 only has ~5 more HP than an 800.

The big wins for me of getting an '02 or newer bike (ignoring the S4 for a minute) is that you get the better frame and suspension setup. If you decide to go crazy and upgrade it with single sided swingarm or something, you have options.

That said, I love love love the 900 motor and would happily take any M900 from '95 to '02 with carbs or without.

The 900 will have a metal tank as well...I believe only the pre-S2R 800s have metal tanks. Metal tank is the way to go IMO so you don't have to worry about swelling. Get one with adjustable suspension if you can.

I used to have an '01 M900. It was a great bike, and my favorite Ducati motor to date.  [thumbsup]

Are you talking about the speedo (left) and tach (right) side-by-side gauges?

My '99 900 has them. Though, I'm not sure if they are stock or not (they look stock).

I had a '00 dark ie. Dry clutch/dual analog gauges/no immobilizer/hoop suspension/ non-adj forks. Great bike then I wrecked it and stuffed everything into a 620 frame. Still a great bike

Not sure when the dual gauges appeared - surprised to hear your '99 had them.  My friend as a red '99 900 (carb) with only the speedo and I know it's bone stock.  I thought the tach appeared with the injection in '00.

I believe the metal tank is also a little bigger (holding more fuel) which is nice for longer trips.