Ducati Monster Forum

   The 750 was certainly fun. But the bike I cut my teeth on was a heavily souped up Honda Sabre V4. Granted I was a dumbass kid when I had this bike, never even came close to outriding it's potential and for that reason my baby Monster was a good choice to get back into riding, but it just never gave me the rush my old V4 did. God that bike was fun.

Now, I don't know about you folks with the S4R's and the like...but this 900ss, with the Keihins...all I can say is wow. I have been very, very humbled by this bike. WOT in 3rd gear and it wants to point skyward. I'm reminded how much learning I need to do, and how much respect I need to give this machine.

I don't mind saying it; I really can't imagine wanting more power than this for the street. Maybe some day if I improve my skills at the track, but for now I feel like a kid again. This engine is something else. Has anyone else moved up to a 900 from a baby Monster such as a 600/620 or 750 and felt this way? I can't even believe it's only 150 cc's of displacement. It's just an an entirely different Monster.

Is there much difference between the 900ss mill and the M900, anyone know?

I haven't been  ;D  this much in YEARS.  :D

  

I think there's considerable differences in 900 motors from year to year. Some of them used 750 heads with itty bitty valves.

I sometimes wonder what the difference between my 695 with its big valve short stroke motor and a 750 with little valves but longer stroke is?

The 900 long manifold  motor is a real grunter. Not much top end , but great bottom end and midrange.

Check out Brad Blacks bikeboy.org site for " 900 engines, not all created equal" .
Same motor as the SS except for partway through 1996 thru 1999. Same motor as 900SS for all M900S models.

I nearly got a small valve/mild cam M900, but a call to Brad saved me. A "W" stamped on the heads instead of a "V" is the giveaway. The 900SS has V heads as do the best M900 carbed motors.

One thing Im not sure about is if the W 900 cams are exactly the same as 750 cams. I've never seen them side by side to measure. I've read conflicting things about it.

The 900 is a great "street" motor.

Brad and Chris K are why I made sure to source an engine with the V heads.


My 750 always felt "lazy" if that makes sense. I think I would have liked it much better with a short, revvy stroke. I'd bet the 695 is way more fun of a bike.

You've gone from a small motor with CV carbs to a big motor with flatslides.

That's a dramatic difference.

750 motor is a dog.  Valves too small, low comp, cams in the wrong place, etc.

But it fitted it's place in the lineup.  it had to be a certain amount less powerful than the 900.

Mine is much better, but the lack of another gear kind of seals the lack of love for me.