Need 2000 M900 Advise, Please.

[Q]

Hi. I'm considering the purchase of a 2000 M900 as a second bike (and third Ducati).  I currently have an '06 MTS 1000DS and have owned a M800.  This will be used as a second bike for me and, also,  a bike for my son so we can ride together.
While I'm pretty knowledgeable about Ducs in general, I don't know much about this particular model.  Any and all advice, warnings, trouble areas, quirks that you all could pass along would be much appreciated.  Like I said, the bike is a 2000 Monster 900 (injected) with 2500 original miles .  It's a local bike, locally serviced by the dealer.  It's being sold by the son of the original owner.  No damage history.  With the exception of some Staintune Conti Replica slip-ons, it appears to be all stock (even the canister is still there) and in very nice condition.
Thanks in advance.
Rich

[JEFF_H]

thats a good one.


i know slave cylinders failed on some. replacing with aftermarket fixes the problem and makes the pull easier

you may get tired of how LOUD those contis are.
other than that...have fun

[ducrider45]

Is it a "s"? I think that they had the cams out of the SS And it would have the upgraded rear shock.

[Duck-Stew]

All injected 900's had the SSi.e. cams (better than the carbed 'V' head SS cams, but not as hot as the ST2 cams) so you're good there.  An 'S' model would have an Ohlins rear shock and a floating rear brake caliper so those are both pluses.

IMO, one of the better Monsters of all time.  900 motors are nearly bullet-proof.  This one is injected but without the pesky immobilizer bull-shit.  Adjustable suspension too...

[Q]

Thanks guys.  I believe it's not an "s".  It appears from photos that I've seen it does not have adjustable forks.  Keep the info coming.  Thanks.
Rich

[Scottish]

Apparrently the metal tanks like to leak around the hinges..... but at least it's not a plastic tank, apparently they swell with the use of E10.

[zarn02]

I had a '00 900 for a while. Good bike, and didn't have many issues with it.

I don't think this qualifies as a "common problem," but one thing I had happen to me (twice!) was the chain-side adjustment screw for the chain tension backed out on me and broke, causing cosmetic damage to the swingarm and stranding me. When you adjust chain tension, make sure you torque properly, and maybe consider some mild loctite. This could just have been a problem with me being stupid, but I'll throw it out there since you don't mention owning a Ducati with a DSS.

That aside, pretty bulletproof bike, and good fun!

[bdub]

I had a 2000 900 dark for two years. It was (is) my first bike. No problems related to the machine. I got my rear raised and that helped the way it turned. Brakes are wonderful. Avoid grabbing to much front as that may (did) result in getting another bike.

[Jobu]

I had a 2000 900 dark for two years. It was (is) my first bike. No problems related to the machine. I got my rear raised and that helped the way it turned. Brakes are wonderful. Avoid grabbing to much front as that may (did) result in getting another bike.

That goes for any bike (even a bicycle).

[bdub]

Now you tell me

[junior varsity]

The 900's are wonderful. Yours will be like mine, but should start easier since its fuel injected, whereas mine is carb'ed (1999 model).

[redial]

Apparrently the metal tanks like to leak around the hinges..... but at least it's not a plastic tank, apparently they swell with the use of E10.

1. i have seen this twice, out of only  a handful of bikes i went to look at. one was even a dealer bike and they had no idea it was leaking until i told them (they thought it was the drain nut apparently which they replaced)
apparently lifting the tank with the weight on the hinge while its full of gas can crack the welds. DucPainter can fix this for a price  so pm him for details if it has the problem, or anyone else that sees this has this problem

2- the verticle cylinder seal supposedly leaks in that year range. PO of my bike had to put a new gasket in. (bone dry now)

have fun, and safe riding

[Markus]

I've had my '00 M900Sie for +4 years now and have had almost no problems with it. They're solid bikes with a terrific motor, very good handling, decent ergonomics. Mine has been a modified quite extensively but also does get ridden; it has a little shy of 20k trouble-free miles on it and counting.

If you end up with it I suggest you replace all the crappy Ducati fasteners and bolts with stainless ones. The Ducati ones corrode badly and I had to drill out more than one which froze in the block and broke. Eventually I wised up and replaced them all.

[Q]

Thanks guys. 

redial, when you say, " 2- the verticle cylinder seal supposedly leaks in that year range. PO of my bike had to put a new gasket in. (bone dry now)", what seal are you referring to? 

I should be able to see the bike in person later next week.  There are some "inconsistencies" with the pics and description that need to be answered and I'd like to get the VIN checked.  In the mean time, I sure appreciate the info. 

[junior varsity]

My 99 has had zero tank related leak problems, even after a crash+repaint.

+1 on Markus's comment about the fasteners. They are simply a pain. Here's the good news, many companies offer "bolt kits" just for Ducati's. And they Monster is the easiest because it uses the fewest, lack of fairings and whatnot.

Most bolts are M6 or M8, but the lengths vary (typically between 20-35mm, though some are longer). You can get stainless bolts (this is generally a good idea), or for bolts that are not load bearing, you can get some aluminum bolts - great for gas tank cap, headlight u-bolt, a few other places. Lastly, you can pony up and go with Titanium. This is also great, but remember your anti-seize.

My suggestion would be to put titanium, if you have the cash and feel like spending it, on the bolts that are "unsprung weight" (fork lowers - axle pinch, rotor and caliper mounts, etc) and do mostly stainless everywhere else. If your budget is bad ass, or you are going to do it slowly over time (that's me), replace a bolt or two every month or so with a titanium piece. Its the price of a few beers on the weekend, which helps me lose weight by skipping, and the bolts be lighter, which helps the bike lose weight as well.

Titanium comes in titanium color, gold and blue. Aluminum comes in all the colors in the skittle bag nearly. So that's fun. Black anodizing turns purple over time, so be prepared for that to happen.

I have a pretty good list going now on bolt sizes in different areas as I replace stuff. Today's nugget: Lower triple = (4) M8x30 socket head.

Electrically speaking, there are some wiring issues occasionally with Ducatis, and Monsters - the wires aren't super robust. DesmoTimes has starter cable replacements for $30 which isn't too bad, and also check out your ignition coils - best mod I've ever made to the bike has been the DynaCoils kit from CA-Cycleworks. I still need to drive to california to give Chris a hug for selling these to me. Check out his Tech Blog to see if yours might benefit from upgrading (some do, some don't, I don't know which is which off the top of my head).

Last note: Stock handlebars are "soft" - they bend quite easy. Just remember that if you are about to drop it in the garage because you forgot to put the sidestand down as you lower it off the rearstand. They'll bend quick, right into your tank giving you a lovely ding. Luckily, aftermarket clipon bars are stronger, as are good ol' Renthal bars and the Rizoma conical bars. (I'm good at breaking stuff, and then having the "opportunity" to review new products)