Ducati Monster Forum

 I'm pondering the idea of turning my M750 into a dedicated track bike when I get my next ride. Is there any hope of modding the 750 into a satisfyingly fast bike or am I always gonna be frustrated cause I'm underpowered? She works pretty hard to do anything over 85-90 as it is and 110 is pretty much tops.

The guys I ride with are mostly on R1's, with a few assorted smaller supersports thrown in, and the poor girl just can't keep up with any of 'em when everyone reaches for the loud handle. Can it be done or should I just look for something bigger/faster?

Don't turn a monster into a dedicated track bike.  It's not made for it, it'll cost you a gagillion dollars to get it properly set-up and then you'll get stomped on by a $2000 ratted-out trackbike from a decade ago.  It's not the lack of speed that won't satisfy you (well, that's some of it), it'll be the wind blast, the lack of clearance and the deficient ergos and suspension.

Get a dedicated track bike.  Or if you're deadset on a monster-type Duc for the track, get an older track-ready supersport or buy a monster that someone has already converted for track use.  But that's not the most sensible idea.  SV is a decent compromise for that lower power, V-twin feel.  And it'll get you over 110.  There are plenty of them out there already set up for the track.  

Or just buy any YamaHondSuzasaki 600 from current generation to a coupla generations ago that is already track prepped.  It'll do Warp 6 and will able to achieve 720 degrees of lean angle.    

if all you want is a track bike, you could sell your bike and get a decent already set up bike for 3000-6000$.


if you want your monster set up then you need to figure out what "set up" means. 

CA-Cycleworks has a track tank for 400$ (you can sell yours for  about the same) and you can get race plastics from sharkskinz for ~900$ and weld tabs on your frame and fab a forward stay to mount it. add clip ons (~150-300$) new brake lines (~150$).  at that point you have a proper start to a track bike, all you need to figure out is how capable you want it to be.  engine builds/swaps, fueling, suspension, brakes, master cylinders, lightweight wheels...

you can re-coup some cash by selling off all the stuff you wont need anymore (lights, mirrors, tank, bars...)  but it will be a money pit.

at the end of the day you will also be building on an inferior chassis as the monster was never intended for this purpose and falls a bit short in that department.  90s supersports are going for super cheap and are 90% there from the get go. 

another favorite would be the aprillia's. they are going STUPID cheap right now, you can pick up an RSV mille with OZ lightweight rims, Ohlins suspension and a few bits of carbon for under 5k...

Hmmmm. Pretty much what I suspected.  I just figured that since it was in less than perfect shape (and didn't cost me jack shit), then why not?

I definitely want a Duc of some sort for a track bike. What about a salvage titled 749/999? Are they ridiculously expensive to set up? Keep in mind that I have no intention of racing with it, it's just for trackdays. I just need it to haul a little ass and handle decently. I'm not gonna spend a ton of $$ on anodized carbon fiber billet horse shit to shave .01 off my lap time.

any SBK will be set up to sufficiently handle casual track days. 

I would remove the lights and mirrors, add frame sliders (and maybe a race fairing and fairing stay), get a proper suspension and have at it.

one thing thats nice about a SS over a 749/999 is that its an AC 2v and thus cheaper to maintain, which is important if you are going to be abusing it as a track bike. plenty powerful and agile with some minor tweaks for a few weekend thrills.

I'll agree with the Duc SS idea.  The 2000 900SS  I had was quite quick and could handle really well.  It was a pretty stark contrast in power to my M750.  I'm sure with a little suspension setup it could be pretty quick around the track.

JM

1st...what are you willing/able to spend?

2nd...what kind of tracks are you going to be riding?

3rd...what are you looking to gain from track time?

I have a 99 M900 as my track bike...did I spend ridiculous amounts on it as some suggest...no....but I did overall spend more on it than I did my old 01 Monster streetbike in terms of modding, but I didn't do a whole lot to that old street machine except very purposeful mods...and I looked for deals for the track bike and did some of the mods that I did on the track bike over a progression of time with specific needs at those times...on tracks with longer high speed straights I get walked by liter bikes and some of the 4 bangers with better drive out of certain kinds of corners....but in the corners generally speaking, I get all the grunt I want and all the grins I can ask for...and that for me is what I wanted and have used my track bike for as a learning tool as much as anything else...

are there better bikes out there for this purpose?...yes...but you already own the bike you do and are comfortable on it and know it which when you start out on the track, you want as much comfort going in as possible so you aren't having to learn a bike and the techniques and applications that you would at the track...so IMHO, start out eliminating the unknown variables as you can and apply new variables as needed/desired.

A stock 749 makes a great track bike.
Unless you're good enough to outride the already capable suspension and braking, I wouldn't change a thing. Just have a suspension tech set up the bike for your weight.

Things I would buy along with the bike:
1. Quality track plastics
2. Tire warmers

+1 The Monster is great streetbike.  Best streetbike I've ever had.
Pick up the unloved (affordable) but capable 749/999 for track duties.

Plus, on a side bonus, I've always felt that the 749/999 looks way better with track plastics.

I just can't see a 750 monster being any fun at the track after the first day or 2.  I had an M600 with a few mods and gearing that seemed like it was more fun to ride than a 750, and the 900's and 1000's are worlds ahead in power and fun.  Why not keep the 750 as a street bike or sell it, either way pick up a SS900 or 1000, or a wrecked 749 and have a true "track monster"?

if you are trying to race...I agree with you...but for just going out and honing skills and having fun, any bike will do really...it is not about what the bike is, but how you use it and where...and quite frankly, I have seen some tight courses where a lower HP bike is a more capable weapon than a SBK....sorry to rain in on your opinion like this, but I feel that typical 'Murican value of bigger is badder and better needs to be tempered a bit...and that is where most people went in this thread or in general...

I have tracked my S2R and hope to do it again in the coming months.  It is tons of fun but it is not the right tool for the job.  IMO it is not the power but the ergonomics of the bike that make it harder to get low, hang off and set up for corners vs. a true sport bike.  That said after riding the track I felt I better understood why the 4 valve water cooled motors are preferred (on the track)--higher revs.

Case

+1