M900 Starter Bike?

[Masson]

Hello all I am looking for opinions. I have been trolling around this forum and searching a bit and was curious to what everyone thought of the M900? I am not new to bikes and have grown up with them. I currently have a 06 KLX250s that is street legal but i am now dedicating it to up north off-road only and looking for something more road worthy. Put about 3000 miles on it this summer.

I found a 1995 M900 for $4000 with 12,000 miles on it and thought that it would be a good starter bike. I would assume lower insurance due to its age, not mine (but im 22 so we shall see). I am a hands on guy and have worked on my bikes and most of my cars since i was 16 unless it has MAJOR engine or trans problems. I am curious to the maintenance on the M900? Are these machines known to have alot of problems? I have heard of electrical issues with ducatis in the past, but thats just hear-say. Also if something needs to be replaced will I have a hard time finding parts or being able to do the job myself?  I would like to be doing more of this [moto] while I own the bike and not this haha.


What do you think?

-Nick

[Triple J]

The 900s are good bikes. Maintenance is the same as any pre-2007 bike...valve adjustments every 6,000 miles, and various other normal moto stuff. Plenty of parts available as far as I know.

An M900 isn't a bad starter bike...especially a cheap one...so long as you have a good head and keep youself in check with the throttle until you get used to it. Plenty will probably chime in and say it's too much bike, but I know a couple people who had M900s for 1st bikes and they did fine. Especially true since you have moto experience.

[MendoDave]

seems like a good buy. If you can work on things then you can work on that too. Parts can still be had.

[Masson]

Good to hear.

Alot of my friends have "sport bikes" and I have rode them a bit, 600cc and 1000cc. I have never gone full throttle but im just not a huge fan of the seating position and all the plastic, lol. Now i am making an assumption that the monster seat position is a least a little more comfortable than a super bike, correct?

[MendoDave]

Yea you kind of just sit there. leaned forward just a little bit. It's more dirtbike like, than track like.

[mojo]

I bought an M900 about 6 weeks ago and it is my first bike ever.  It is not too big for a first bike, and it is not intimidating at all.  It does have a fair amount of low end torque, but I think it just makes it easy to ride at slower speeds.  Power drops off way before redline, so it should keep you out of trouble if you have half a brain.

Since the bike has 12k miles, you should ask if the 12k mile service has been done.  If not, you should use that as a bargaining chip to get a better deal.

[Raux]

GET a steering dampner. and pull the forks through some. it will help with the weight distribution of the bike and stiffen up the steering a bit. the early monster are light in the front and tend to be twitchy.

[DesmoDisciple]

I just bought an 900S. First bike in 12 years. I love it. Very comfortable riding position. More than enough power for me. No wind protection, but I wear plenty of armor, so I stay warm. I have a small cowl above my headlight, and I think it does reduce buffeting from the wind a bit.

[mojo]

GET a steering dampner. and pull the forks through some. it will help with the weight distribution of the bike and stiffen up the steering a bit. the early monster are light in the front and tend to be twitchy.

Just about everyone I know of suggests to have the suspension set up for your weight before getting a steering damper as it is just a band aid to help cover up improperly tuned suspension.

[Raux]

Just about everyone I know of suggests to have the suspension set up for your weight before getting a steering damper as it is just a band aid to help cover up improperly tuned suspension.

setting up your suspension does nothing for the weight distribution of the bike. that compensates for it. pulling your forks through or raising the rear ride height is the only way to change the weight distribution. or you can run with clipons to change the riders positioning more forward to throw more rider weight on the front.

these bikes as setup stock have a light front end that's twitchy and it can lead to tank slappers. look on the board there's at least two people on this board that had the accident and i for certain know someone at the factory that had this.

i dont mean to scare someone off the bike. they are GREAT bikes. lots of torque, and fun. but it's a quirk of the bike that can be a problem.

[greenohawk69]

I've had my '97 M900 for 1+ years and as a first bike, I don't personally see a problem with getting one.  You have prior experience...just have to use your noggin when riding.  I started on a Harley Dyna Wide Glide, 1340cc, as my first bike with zero experience.  Practiced around the home, no heavy traffic.  I didn't have problems.

Parts.  The only problem I've had with parts (bike was a salvage title) was obtaining a clutch pack.  Took over 1.5+ weeks to call and get one, but eventually got one.  I've replaced the forks and clutch lever and reservoir.  There is a person on here, I believe his name is Chris @ Motoredsports (sp?) that usually has parts also.  It will also depend on where you live and the number of Duc's.  I'm in Dallas and there is a fair amount around here and a good dealer. 

I had 19K+ miles, salvage title and needed to replace the forks, clutch lever and reservoir.  I paid ~ $2,700 for mine.  Had Corbin seat, Termi's CF mufflers, braided lines and the tires were fairly new.  The speedo/tach was poorly done and am going to replace that. 

[darylbowden]

setting up your suspension does nothing for the weight distribution of the bike. that compensates for it. pulling your forks through or raising the rear ride height is the only way to change the weight distribution.

I don't know about you, but I would consider raising the rear/altering the front fork height to be part of "setting up the suspension."  I'm not sure why you separate them here...

[Raux]

I don't know about you, but I would consider raising the rear/altering the front fork height to be part of "setting up the suspension."  I'm not sure why you separate them here...

true i stand corrected. i though he was talking only shock preload/spring rates.

[mojo]

Sorry, should have been more clear, but I figured the ride height/pitch of the bike would be part of the suspension set up.

[Masson]

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?