Ducati Monster Forum

I'm looking for a pre-2005 (steel tank) Monster, and am thinking that instead of the 600/620 that got me started, I'm going to try to wind up with a 750 (maybe a 900).  Anyway, is there a preference for FI or carbed?  I usually turn my own wrenches on most things, but I'm not touching FI.  I live in an area where you can pretty much get only E-10 gas.  Is either the carb or FI more/less sensitive to E10?  I'm also taking the advice I got here and am slowing it down and trying to get just what I want.  I'm hoping for red, but need to figure out this FI or carb thing.  Thanks.

FI requires more equipment to adjust if you modify your bike. If you do all the intake and exhaust mods at the same time one basic setup will do the job. Occasionally there will be a need for additional work if the tps gets out of whack.

Carbs can be rejetted and repaired by most that have some experience.

The big consideration with E-10 is the plastic tanks on the later bikes, and some rubber parts like hoses and fuel pump diaphragms.

Both systems have rubber parts. If the fuel pump on a carbed Monster fails it can either be rebuilt or swapped out with either an electric or other aftermarket pumps.

Once set up FI requires very little maintenance other than filter changes which are slightly more time consuming because the filter is in the tank.

I say buy either as long as it has a steel tank.

Good luck.

I have never liked FI. Always felt disconnected from the motor. If you like to have "bonding moments" with your bike then go for carbs. If you are the type that just wants to ride without having to think about this or that, then go with FI. More efficient but more expensive to get tuned and/or upgrade.

i have a carbed bike and love it. 

but the carbed 750 is only as much power as the 620ie in real world riding

i'd get a carbed 900 or over 750 for fuel injected.

FI, it is 2012. Who drives a carby car?

I would if I could find one from pre 1974.

I do.

I've got a carbed 750, BUT it does only have 62HP.  FWIW, an SV650 has more top end than an M750.

JM

If you're set on a carbie, it'll be '01 or earlier, so a minimum of 11 years old.
So more age-related deterioration.
Unless you get a 900, you're on a 5-speed 750, which is a step backward from a 620.

M800s is a good spunky 6-speed bike, and has the ST-style frame.
M1000 is a good ride as well.
M900ie will be the early frame.
Get a bike that has the 3-phase charging, for sure.

I'm not set on a carbed bike, but I am set on getting a bike without a plastic tank.  Thanks for the advice.  I guess I still have alot to learn about Older Monsters and what's best.  I've only rode one--a 2001 600--and while it was a nice ride it did seem a little slow.  Being that I have a bike now, and with the weather turning  and fishing turning on, I've got time to figure this out and find the right bike.  If anybody ever has any advice, its always appreciated.   

I have a '99 M900, and love everything about it.  Never felt the need for more power, and don't miss having FI at all.  It started right up last January (got a random 50 degree day here in central WI) after not being run for 6 weeks.

My 5 motorcycles all have carbs but I'm 60 years old and have spent a lifetime playing with carbs on bikes and cars.  My F150 and Miata both have FI.

Unless you already have a carb-based skillset, or look forward to a significant future owning vintage bikes,  I'd suggest go with FI.

There's no reason to develop the knowledge base required for maintaining/tweaking carbs when your long-term future is definitely going to be FI.  "I usually turn my own wrenches on most things, but I'm not touching FI" suggests to me that all you would do with carbs is simple synching and maybe cleaning, at most.

If you won't "touch" FI than I have to assume you wouldn't get into actually tuning of carbs in the face of significant engine mods either since that involves a dyno and a lot of carb-specific knowledge to do right (a process that's actually much easier with FI).  Reflashing FI for mods or tuning a PC box is a lot more efficient (cheaper) than all the dyno runs and time that goes with honing all the circuits of a set of flatslides.

I agree with this.  I am a motorcycle mechanic and even with my skills tuning carbs is still a pain.  Even if you know exactly what is wrong and how to fix it, you still have to pull a bunch of stuff apart to change a jet or needle position, or deal with a leaking float, etc.  The early FI systems on Monsters are incredibly simple, and a power commander can do all the tuning you need from your laptop.  I dont like the newer bikes because of the immobilizer, plastic tanks, need for dealer computers to reset service lights, etc, but the 00-02 are some of the best years IMO.

Thanks for the post KIKH400, I've often wondered the same thing, so it's nice to hear replies from those who have had experience with both.  I've got carb'd 900 and love it, but it's the first carb'd vehicle I've ever had.  Carb's are voodoo magic for me.

As brought up a few posts earlier, steel tank bikes are starting to get a little older which means the rubber parts will start needing to be replaced to keep the bike in good shape.  Just depends on your personality and if you like to be replacing those rubber bits here and there as needed.

I would have to agree.  Picking up a 2000-2001M900S would be the pick of the bunch. The 2000 model had an Ohlins shock.

I like carbed Monsters, even more so with performance carbs fitted.. Where I live, it seems fuel is designed with FI in mind more than carbs.

My advice would be to buy a well sorted one because they don't seem to come that way from the factory.

Thanks for all the great advice.  Sounds from the posts like the best thing for me would be a 2000-2001 M900 that'd have a steel tank and be fuel injected.  I have been thinking abou the 2001 M600 I rode--it was nice, but seemed pretty slow.  Given that its getting a little colder here, and I have a bike to ride so I'm not bike-less, I have time to look around and wait to get what I want. 

I'd have to agree.  I've owned both a carbed and a EFI monster.  With a power commander the EFI bike was much easier to adjust the fueling.  I hated pulling the airbox and all the other crap on the top of the engine just to make a minor adjustment of the carbs.  Tuning with a dyno meant doing a run then pulling the carbs and doing it over until it was spot on.  As was said before, with EFI and a power commander, the adjustments can be done with your laptop or by a technician using a dyno.