M900 Starter Bike?

[mojo]

I think all dry clutch Ducs use the same clutches, so availability shouldn't be a problem.  Other things like brakes, timing belts, and other maintenance parts should also be available for some time.  If you are handy and creative enough, you could probably make just about any Monster part work on another Monster because nobody keeps these things stock anyway.  There is always people selling parts on Ebay, or better yet, right here on the DMF in the Parts For Sale section.

[Raux]

This is all great info. Again I just worry about the parts.

Lets say i had an 2003 R6. The clutch goes. It seems like I have 50 options to choose from, many websites/dealers in my area and decent prices.

From what I have seen, Ducati owners seem to pay a Ducati TAX on their parts. Being that it's a 1995 this maybe something I have to deal with. Maybe I should search for a newer 750?

check the prices on the common stuff with the sponsors on the left compared to an R6 for parts.
that would give you a better idea than the perception of a Ducati Tax.

[m9hundo]

my first dirtbike was a 2001 RM250, not the recommended starter bike for a novice but if I would've went with a 125 I would've gotten bored of it fast.  My first street bike was a M900...Go figure

[darylbowden]

This is all great info. Again I just worry about the parts.

Lets say i had an 2003 R6. The clutch goes. It seems like I have 50 options to choose from, many websites/dealers in my area and decent prices.

From what I have seen, Ducati owners seem to pay a Ducati TAX on their parts. Being that it's a 1995 this maybe something I have to deal with. Maybe I should search for a newer 750?

Contrary to popular belief, there are no shortage of Ducatis, especially M900s (it's their best-selling model ever I'm pretty sure).  Parts are never a problem to find and in fact, since they sold more 900s than 750s, they're probably easier to find parts for.

As for the power, the 900 doesn't really have that much power, so I wouldn't be too worried about that.  Sure, a Ninja 250 might be better, but my first street bike was a Japanese 600 (however, it was a '95 CBR, so it wasn't all that powerful by today's standards) and I'm still alive.  Compared to an R6 or a GSXR 1k, the M900 is a tame little kitten, so I say buy it and post up some pics for us!

[DuciD03]

...good on you for being cautious and asking questions.  I got an M 800 after not being on a bike for 20 yrs, started by borrowing a friends bike ... and the best advise he gave me was to get a larger bike that you think you need then take it easy and you'll grow into it; if you get something smaller you'll out grow it get impatient then sell and start over ... it took 3 solid months of riding to get comfortable with the bike and I know I've got some to learn;  on another tanget its the traffic around us all that will always be the most challenging.  Be cautious on the road and ALWAYS expect the unexpected, give yourself a large buffer zone around the bike when your on the road ... sorry not trying to lecture, this is due to a number of expected dangerous things I've seen drivers do.  A bike will always come out on the short end.

[m9hundo]

As for the power, the 900 doesn't really have that much power, so I wouldn't be too worried about that.  Sure, a Ninja 250 might be better, but my first street bike was a Japanese 600 (however, it was a '95 CBR, so it wasn't all that powerful by today's standards) and I'm still alive.  Compared to an R6 or a GSXR 1k, the M900 is a tame little kitten, so I say buy it and post up some pics for us!

I don't know which 900's you've ridden  maybe some W's yes, but the V2's have plenty grunt.

DuciDo3 gives good advice, Take it easy and learn to ride safely on a larger bike.  A 900 has plenty of power to get you in trouble.  Once you feel comfortable find a straight and let'er rip 

[TiNi]

whatever monster you decide on,

save some extra cash for proper gear, and wear it

[darylbowden]

I don't know which 900's you've ridden  maybe some W's yes, but the V2's have plenty grunt.

Compared to almost every other popular bike available, the 900s are pretty tame.  I know it hurts to hear that about your favorite bike, but the truth is the truth.

I'm not saying they're "slow."  I'm saying that since they put out roughly the same amount of power as an SV650 (a classic starter bike), they aren't exactly going to rip your arms off when you twist the throttle. 

And I've ridden plenty of them.  With and without high-comps.  They are great bikes, but powerful?  Not by today's standards.

[Masson]

I forgot to mention the I rode my friends 2008 Ninja 250 for about 1000 miles this summer. On that note it was a great bike for the city. But on the highway I felt unsafe. It cruised at 80 fine but when I would attempt to get out a cagers blind spot there was no power to move.

I am one of the few of my friends that believes wearing full gear is worth it. I will say i dont wear the leather racing pants but other than that I have a icon leather jacket ($400) I purchased for 70 bucks from a friend that said it was too hott in the summer. And good gloves and boots I wear for every ride. Dress for the crash not for the ride. I am looking for an arai helmet but need to save up a bit.

I did complete my MSF class last summer so i do have an endorsement unlike again some of my friends with bikes 

Im still looking around for bikes (mostly monsters) but i am very pleased with the amount of info I have obtained in two days on this forum. I am going to hopefully look at in in a few days.

Next option is to look into the 696 but thats a much heavier financial obligation that I am not sure I am ready for.

[ro-monster]

I know I would have been terrified if my M900 had been my first bike. It's my third one, and I rode the previous bike for 10 years, plus I'd ridden a dozen borrowed bikes of various kinds. Even after that, the first few days on the Monster were nerve-wracking for me; there was far more power and torque than I was used to and I felt like my arms were being pulled out of the sockets every time I cracked the throttle.

[Triple J]

I know I would have been terrified if my M900 had been my first bike. It's my third one, and I rode the previous bike for 10 years, plus I'd ridden a dozen borrowed bikes of various kinds. Even after that, the first few days on the Monster were nerve-wracking for me; there was far more power and torque than I was used to and I felt like my arms were being pulled out of the sockets every time I cracked the throttle.

Don't ever get a SBK. 

[He Man]

My first bike was completely modded m900. High comp pistons with 944 kit. More grunt that my current S2R 1k. SBK internals, fox racing rear shock dyna coils, RR tank, carbon bits, etc.

that bike is way more fun than my S2R1k. I miss her.

900 is defintely the way to go. Its the classic big engine monster and parts are plenty and cheap. On cycles has M900 triples for $99. modern monster triples? $260. you can use a variety of older shock setups that are just as good as todays for the type of riding an m900 can achieve.

[DuciD03]

... glad to see you've done your training & have a motorcycle tab (Thats a class 6 licence in BC ...)

Also refer to mrincredables post ...  at

Ducati Monster forum  Forum  Moto Board  General Monster Forum  New riders on 600s

... good advice ...!!!

[bdub]

I have a M900  as a starter bike. Haven't ever ridden any other bike but a 125 dirt 30 years ago. I love mine and hope I can get rebuilt. It is basically stock and has gobs of power, at least for the roads I ride and I have plenty of room to learn new skills like quick stops. It's getting an insurance appraisal this tuesday or wednesday. Fingers crossed.

On a side note WEAR FULL GEAR or come look at my knee

[yellowjacket]

my very first bike was  a '03 M800S ie, and its been great so far.  I use it mainly for commuting and been riding for 6 months and I prefer my ride over a other bikes (ie, gsx750).  maintainence isn't bad if you do the basic one yourself.  i second other's advice to be geared up.  have fun!