Riding experience on Monsters

[LA]

Don't the monster's use the ST frame?

LA

[Sause]

It's a great bike for up to 4 hours.  Anything longer than that you'd probably want more wind protection and upright position.

1+

I'm going to be riding my monster to Deals Gap next month from NJ. Time to put the windscreen back on!

I also have clip on's so that helps with the wind too.

[Desmo Demon]

Don't the monster's use the ST frame?

The early ones have an 851 based rear suspension and the newer ones are more of an ST based rear suspension. I don't know about rake and trail differences, but I do know the ST is a little bit longer on the wheelbase. I would say that they are quite similar with the storage capacity, comfort, and wind protection going to the ST, naturally.

My wife's 2001 with the high-mount Termis, which required moving the rearsets out for exhaust clearance, seems to have less ground clearance than the ST. Two weekends ago, she was scrubbing her toes on Hwy 28 and slwoing down in the curves and I was riding up her a$$ on my little Paso 750. I'm thinking about making some thinner spacers to try to get her a little more lean angle on the Monster.

[Stangman]

The OP mentioned rides of 2 hours or less.  For that the Monster will do just fine and looks 100X better than the ST.

An aftermarket seat would be a nice add-on if 1-2 hour rides were a daily occurance and I think clip-ons really make it more comfortable to ride tucked at 70+

[localhero365]

Desmo Demon: Nice pics. Just goes to show you can use all sorts of bikes for all sorts of riding.

I used to have a Triumph Tiger and all my mates on various other more sporty bikes (i.e. pretty much anything else) could not believe how it could keep up with them.

[Desmo Demon]

For that the Monster will do just fine and looks 100X better than the ST.

Looks are purely subjective.

When the Monster first came out, I absolutely hated it. It wasn't until about five years ago they finally started to grow on me.....and now I'd like to have one for myself (the one we have is the wife's). I have a buddy who absolutely hates the looks of the Monster and said he'd never own one, even if it was given to him, but he owns an Aprilia Falco, so his opinion is questionable.    

On the other hand, I couldn't stand the looks of the ST, either (I was an SS and SBK nut, originally). I thought the ST bikes looked stupid with the panniers on them and I didn't like the headlight on them. I only bought mine because I bought it new at about $2000 LESS than what used ones were going for (I bought it for $8500 OTD). I figured I'd buy it, ride it a year or two, get all my money back out of it, and then buy the 748 I wanted......Now, I've gotten to where the ST would be my only bike, if I was ever unfortunate enough to only have one. I think it is the most under-rated bike Ducati ever manufactured.

[Stangman]

Looks are purely subjective.

As far as the look being subjective, I agree, but since the OP said he was leaning more towards the Monster I was guessing he prefered the look of them as I do.

In about a month I will be probably be purchasing a Ducati.  I am leaning more towards the Monster, but have considered an ST 2 or 3. 

As far as the STs NOT being fugly, we can agree to disagree 

[silentbob]

As far as the STs NOT being fugly, we can agree to disagree 

It's all relative.  Park a Multistrada next to a KTM and it looks like a Tamburini design.

[PizzaMonster]

Sooo....Napalm.....have we confused you yet?     

I have no problem riding my Monster on 100+ mile rides.  The longest I've done is about 3 1/2 hrs at a time (and I'm an old worn out guy with a lousy back).

It might also depend on what generation of Monster you are looking at.  From what I've read I'm assuming the latest 696 and M1000 bikes have a little less of a long-distance ergonomic.  Maybe a guy like Spidey who has ridden all three generations might be able to comment on the differences.

[Napalm]

Wow Thanks to everyone who has provided input.   I really like the Monster, but the thread ".... about the learning curve" has me afraid to invest in a monster.  I am noobie!!!  At the end of April I am going to take the MSF course, but everyone I have talked to says that you always drop your bike when your learning.   I think I could get some killer deals on an S2R1000, but my biggest concern in dropping a ~$10K bike and the power.   I am older and enjoy reading the forums, which have been a big help thus far.  I am starting to second guess my original decision of getting an S2R1k  for my first bike.   A lot of power could spell disaster; however,  I really don't know which way to go now.

[Desmo Demon]

the thread ".... about the learning curve" has me afraid to invest in a monster.  I am noobie!!! 

Aaaahhhhh......buy a Monster, then......a used 620 or 750 at a steal of a price.

The plastic on the ST bikes is expensive, no aftermarket manufacturers exist, and used plastic rarely shows up on eBay. Heck, just a single mirror is something like $150. It can be VERY expensive if you drop an ST. I had a less-than-ten mph drop with my ST2 a few weeks ago. It did over $1200 in damage.....and that was ONLY the plastic: headlight fairing, upper side fairing, turn signal, and saddlebag painted cover

[Desmo Demon]

I don't know about rake and trail differences, but I do know the ST is a little bit longer on the wheelbase.

I was bored and decided to do some digging....and found some of this info of interest:

Rake - 23-degrees ('98 M900); 24-degrees ('98 ST2); 23-degrees ('01 M900)
Trail - 4.1" ('98 M900); 4.02" ('98 ST2); N/A ('01 M900)
Wheelbase - 56.3" ('98 M900); 56.3" ('98 ST2); 56.3" ('01 M900)
Ground Clearance - 5.9" ('98 M900); 6.5" ('98 ST2);
Seat Height - 30.3" ('98 M900); 32.3" ('98 ST2); 30.3" ('01 M900)
Dry Weight - 407 lbs ('98 M900); 466 lbs ('98 ST2); 407 ('01 M900)

I did see a few other sources that stated a 24-degee/4.01" trail for all three bikes, but I chose to use the same source to gather the information above.

I figured the bikes were fairly close in specs, and having both an ST2 and an '01 M900ie at the house, I knew the ground clearance and seat heights were a bit different. I just didn't realize by how much.



I got the data from these pages:

1998 M900 (851-based suspension) - http://www.koups.com/sales/ducati/specs/1998/98_specifications.htm#1998%20Ducati%20M900%20Monster
1998 ST2 - http://www.koups.com/sales/ducati/specs/1998/98_specifications.htm#1998%20Ducati%20ST2
2002 M900 (ST-based suspension) - http://www.koups.com/sales/ducati/specs/2001/2001_ducati_m900.htm

[Mduc]

The longest I rode non stop on my S2R 1000 is 6 1/2 hours. Except for gas and some food I was on it. For me its very comfortable. My ass started to hurt a little after 5 hours and I had to adjust but other than that I love the comfort of the monster. My brother in law has an 06 Yamaha FZ6 which is very easy to ride and the seating position is very upright. I guess thats supposed to be more comfortable but I don't feel like it is. I can ride longer and feel better on my monster than his Yamaha. I don't get why the upright position of that bike doesn't sute me.

If you do not want the power of the 1000 you can look into the S2R 800. I saw plenty of good deals on used ones. 

[Jetbrett]

Wow Thanks to everyone who has provided input.   I really like the Monster, but the thread ".... about the learning curve" has me afraid to invest in a monster.  I am noobie!!!  At the end of April I am going to take the MSF course, but everyone I have talked to says that you always drop your bike when your learning.   I think I could get some killer deals on an S2R1000, but my biggest concern in dropping a ~$10K bike and the power.   I am older and enjoy reading the forums, which have been a big help thus far.  I am starting to second guess my original decision of getting an S2R1k  for my first bike.   A lot of power could spell disaster; however,  I really don't know which way to go now.

Whatever you buy, there is a good chance you will drop it.   My wife, the bagger  )  rides a Suzuki Boulevard C50T and while she is a very careful rider, she managed to drop pulling out of our lane.  Repairs on either bike will be spendy.   I had to replace the aluminium shift lever on my M695 after a low slide to the tune of $80.00. 

In my experience, the Monster is a great bike to learn on.  While the 696 will have significantly more power than what you ride in the MSF course, it comes on predictably.  It is very stable and will save you from your mistakes if you let it.  You will not find yourself in a surprise wheelie (unless you clutch it) or having the back tire kick out (unless you are ham fisted while cranked way over).  After a year of riding, the power in my 695 is still enough to put a grin on my face.  I ride mine to work daily (40 miles round trip) and being in the northwest, have had it out in rain, hail, and once in the snow (damn unpredictable weather).  I've gone on a number of 200 mile rides and while it is ok, I've been more comfortable.  I'm 5'11" and do feel cramped on long rides with the lowered seat.  I just put a taller seat from an S2r on it and plan on a ride from Seattle to either Reno or San Francisco this summer. 

Unfortunately, I haven't had any seat time on a ST.  If I was going to use it mainly to commute and/or go on long rides, that bike would probably be my first choice.  From the pictures posted earlier, it looks like you can also have fun with it at the track...who knew. On the other hand, if you are looking for a light weight bike for short (100-200), commuting, romping around back roads, city riding, and track days, etc, you couldn't go wrong with the monster. 

Why don't you get through the MSF course and then demo ride both of them.  That is the only way for sure you will know which bike is the one for you.  Just beware after a year, your riding style may change....I've had an 848 make regular appearances in my dreams.   [moto]

[yotogi]

Buy a used monster (620 or 695). Mod it for your comfort as you learn what you like and don't like about it, or just leave it stock. Start looking for a bigger bike after you have some miles under your belt. My 2c is to buy a used bike you can afford to drop since you almost certainly will like the rest of us have.

But no matter what, buy what you like. If you don't like your ride, it is probably just going to collect dust.