Ducati Monster Forum

Love my Monster and I'm keeping it but I'm thinking about picking up a second bike next year and I'm looking at the Sport Classic or Sport 1000 LE or even a Paul Smart. I've heard some complaints about comfort but I've got a buddy that rides his all day and loves it. He says its just a matter of getting it setup right for what you find comfortable. I love the way they look and heard they're fast as shit. Any experience or thoughts on these bikes would be appreciated. And as always if you got one with PICs I'd love to see them.  ;D

never rode one, but one complaint i've seen is that the stock suspension is crap.

Rode the Sport 1000K a few times.  Not comfortable off the showroom but like you said..can be improved.   I've seen a lot of nicely modified Sports. 

Get it!!

I want my second bike to be completely different than my Monster, I feel the Sport is too similar. I went with a Duke.  [evil]

I had on '03 620 for a while.

Kept trying to turn it into a cafe bike.

They came out with the Sport Classic series.

I sold the Monster and bought one.

I can see myself getting other bikes.

I can't see myself selling this one. Ever.

People have raised valid points. From the factory, it was uncomfortable for me to ride. The biggest issues I encountered were with the bars. They were way too flat from the factory. I switched to lower clip ons with bigger swept angles, both back and down, and it's much improved.

The suspension, while not great, is decent. The forks seem to be similar to Monster forks, but according to ducvet the springs are a bit stiffer. They're also slightly longer.

My biggest "complaint" is the wheels and brakes. Specifically, those spoked wheels, even the aluminum ones, are damned heavy and require tubes. To boot, they require the use of smaller calipers to clear the spokes on the front wheel. Fortunately the fork bottoms are standard 65mm spacing, and the brake disks are 320mm 6 bolt, so once you find wheels that'll fit a DSS Monster, you're in business.

I eventually upgraded to SBK forks, 999 wheels, and radial 4-pad front brakes. After boring/shimming the triples, the front end bolted together like it was made to. Getting the back end to do what it was supposed to was kind of a pain in the balls.

But like I said: I don't see myself selling this bike unless I absolutely have to.

that could be said of any moto...


as fast as any other 1000DS bike, I imagine. what are you riding now?


I do like the look of the SCs, only ever sat on a smart in a showroom, never rode any of them.

IIRC, you'd have to deal with the monsteresque marzocchi suspension and plastic tank issues. on the plus side, there's some nice shiny bits that can be bolted on  :)

Buckethead thanks for all the great feedback. Exactly what I'm looking for.  After that detailed description we just gotta see a pic. Sounds like a beaut! Please post one if you get a chance.

Thanks!

My friend has one (actually the guy i bought my S2R 1000 from).

I rode a couple hundred with three guys swapping bikes around between a Multi 1100DS, sport classic and my S2R1000 (all 2006).

Rode twisty roads up through NH lakes regions into the mountains and back.

The first mile on the SC took some major getting used to being so far forward and down.  After that, i literally wouldn't give it back.  The bike was soooo much fun - felt like it just wanted to be turned and leaned.  MY comment at the time was that the bike felt like it was always turning, to go straight you had to just stop turning (if that makes any sense).

In terms of straight line speed the S2R and SC were pretty similar.  Multi is probably faster, but doesn't feel like it

Everyday commuting (which i do weather and meeting permitting) i have a feeling if i had both bikes i would ride the Monster.

BUT...if he would even trade me right now i would do it.  Very likely to be my next/second bike.

So, I have both a 06 monster 620 and a 07 Sport 1000s.  To me, the monster feels like it is far more nimble.  It is light and turns on a dime compared to the Sport 1000s.  I think the big difference is the wheels.  All the heavy rims, spokes and tubes, just make for a slower turn in.  I haven't made the switch to 999 forks brakes and wheels, but I can see the appeal.  If money were no object I would go with the Alpina tubeless carbon spoked rims that can still be found with some effort, that way I would lose the tubes, lighten up the rims and keep the wonderful spoked wheel look.
   I just (two weeks ago) added the DP ECU and the termi race pipes.  They totally transform the motorcycle.  The gain in low end torque is noticeably and satisfyingly stronger.  I don't ride at a pace that is aggressive enough to notice any problems with the brakes.
   The suspension to me is acceptable when I remember to support myself with my core muscles, and harsh as hell when I put any weight on the bars. I do love the bike and while I would be much happier with it, if it had Ohlins forks and rear suspension, and the Alpina wheels I mentioned, I would have a hard time trading it for anything.  I'm on a tight budget, so I can't spring for all of the mods I want right now.  I don't mind the slow pace of improving the motorcycle to get it where I want it, but of course, the longer it takes, the scarcer the parts get.
   The ergonomics are challenging, but when you want a bike that looks like an early '70s race bike, you get the ergonomics of an early '70s race bike.  That said, the more you ride it, the longer you can take it.  Right now it's fun for me for a 2-3 hour ride, but longer than that is painful.  I hope that will improve when I improve the suspension. 
   There is a picture of my bike in the last page or two of the 'Ducs in the wild' Thread.

My Sport 1000 is not nearly as comfortable as my Monster for longer rides.  It feels great, for about 30 minutes, if I'm not in stop-and-go traffic.  ;)

They are absolutely gorgeous bikes, and if you are keeping your Monster, then the Sport 1000 doesn't need to be comfortable.

I have the #2 Back in Black that AMS built for DNA but without all the high speed low drag hot rod engine work. It is what Ducati based the limited SE bikes on. Retro Darmah paint job, etc. Mine has Ohlins front and rear, the DP comfort seat and the DP taller handlebar set. It's got lots of billet and CF bits but they have nothing to do with comfort. And no, they are not fast as shit. My Busa is. ;D

Forgot to mention: I had it repainted, too. That yellow... I just couldn't look at it anymore.

(http://inlinethumb28.webshots.com/45019/2154189510103537997S600x600Q85.jpg)

Hi Rick just wondered if you got the pics that I PMed to you...

Geoff... [coffee]

That's sweet!

Coolest Sport 1K I've seen....  [thumbsup]

Thanks guys!  [beer]

Buckethead,

It was awesome seeing that baby in person at DITR. Definitely an awesome scoot  [thumbsup]

Geoff I didnt get any PICs via PM.

Rick

Thanks, man. It kinda pales next to Thunderduc and some of the other bikes there, but it was still a great time.

You gonna make it next year?

Come hell or high water. Even if I have to rent a car because DrDesmo has sold all his scoots, I'll be there.

Heresy!!

(http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z53/b_upton/Moto/DSC00185.jpg)

 ;D

love the paintjob and the BOOMTUBES!! Buckethead

Sorry, mang. If it makes you feel any better, I totally have BST envy.  [drool]


Thanks!  :)

i rode a paul smart and loved it. It seemed to fit me well. Plus the ohlins suspension on the paul smart is amazing

[thumbsup]

The front forks on the Sport line are the weak link, as the rear shock isn't entirely that bad: it's at least three-way adjustable.  The front is solved easily enough, just have to throw some money at it. 

So am I to understand that the Paul Smart comes stock with the Ohlin Forks?

Don't listen to Buckethead....he lies!  Next he'll tell you they're easy to work on, too.  Oh...wait.....they are easy to work on.   [bang]

I know....you want an MH900e.  You'd have to be some kind of masochistic extremist to ride one very far, but you'll look good getting there!  (and you get similar crappy suspension bits, too!!!)   [thumbsup]

Yes, the Smart comes with Ohlins bits.  They're not the R&T bits, but they're much better than the stock bits on the other SC models.

You don't even have to struggle to get the vertical timing belt cover out from behind the frame. It just pops right off!

I will give the Monsters the edge on "ease of under tank access," at least until the tank swells and blocks that latch. The swelling SC tank just gets easier to take off once you pull the 3 bolts that hold it down.

yes the paul smart comes with ohlins forks, shocks, and a steering damper

I had a 2008 GT1000 that I traded on my 2012 Monster 1100 Evo.  The GT was a great bike.  Frankly, in many ways it's similar to the Monster upon which it is based.  The GT is heavier and slower handling with slightly less power.  However, you can ride 2 up in relative comfort.  It certainly garnered a lot of looks and favorable comments.

I went from a Monster 620 to a GT1000. I loved the Monster but really can't see myself parting with the GT. I know it's a much different bike than the SC1000 or PS. I'm 45 in decent shape but couldn't bring myself to ride in the SC or PS position for any length of time.

Two up on the GT is nice. And I love the classic styling and power. Handling is not as nimble but again, this is a bike I'll keep for a long time.