What Monster to buy?

[jimbonerz28]

I am  re-posting this from another section as suggested by a member here.

Hi, my name is Jimbo. I am from Midland, Texas. I am thinking of getting a Monster. Never owned a Ducati before but a couple of friends have them and have convinced me to go Italian. I recently sold my Honda cbr 954 and want something less supersport and more standard. I think a Monster might be the ticket. I have rode a 998, 999, 748 and a Hypermotard 1100S and like the ergos and attitude of the Hyper but they are outta my current price range.($3500-$4500) What can I expect from owning a Ducati and what do I need to be aware of, maintance wise, parts wise, problems, etc. Which Monsters should I be considering?  I am thinking 98-02 750 monster or maybe 900. I am an older rider and have a lot of experience. I been riding for 30 odd years and have owned many bikes, most recently an 86 VFR and 02 CBR, currently have a Suzuki Savage based bobber (pics) but want something for the twisties and maybe rode trips to Texas hill country, Big Bend area, and maybe a track day in there somewhere. Thought i would ask some guys opinions that own and ride Monsters any input would be helpful.

[Monsterlover]

My vote is for a 2000 M900ie.

There was no immobilizer on that year bike, and it has fuel injection.

The 900's are pretty much bullet proof.  Plenty of parts are available to upgrade the look and the performance.

900 is also higher on horsepower and torque due to better flowing heads and cams.

It's a pretty good value IMO

[silentbob]

My vote is for a 2000 M900ie.

+1

It is hard to go wrong with any of the years / models you mentioned but the 2000 M900 is one of my favorites right behind the S model.

There is not much to look out for in those years other than service records.  If the owner doesn't have documentation then expect to do a 12K service on a bike of that vintage.  If you built that bobber I would guess that you could do all your own service on a 98-02 Ducati Monster.  They are pretty simple.

The bobber looks great BTW.  I also had a 1987 VFR, another great bike.

[redial]

your budget is perfect for a 750-900 in almost any year.

I picked up a 2002 750 for right inside your price range and i couldnt be happier. If possible i would suggest getting 2002 or newer, as those models have a few little improvements, and it seems (from my searches anyhow) that more aftermarket parts are available for those years.

But as was said, you cant really go wrong. Good luck!


-check to make sure the hinge under the rear of the tank does not leak fuel

-check the verticle cylinder base seal for oil leaks.

check desmotimes.com for the LT snyder book, which details how to do your own 2v motor valve adjustments.

[Slide Panda]

what do I need to be aware of, maintance wise, parts wise, problems, etc. Which Monsters should I be considering? 

Go 900 - at 750 probably feel a bit anemic to you.  IF you can find a 2000 900 S grab it.  the 2000 S had some extra nice suspension goodies that the 99 or 01 didn't like an Ohlins rear shock.  Starting in 2000 the 900 was injected, but the smaller monsters didn't get injection until a couple years later on.

A little hunting around on here might help you form a battle plan.  If you're looking at an older bike, there will be all the normal bike maintenance, that I'm sure you're familiar with, that you would want to make sure is done.  For ducs, you also need to check on the Cam belts.  The book says they are a 2yr/12k mi replacement item.  SO if you find a low mileage bike (under 12k) it's possible those belts are old as sin and need to be replace pronto.

As mentioned - 900 engines are tanks.  That's what was used to power the Elefant Paris-Dakar bikes.  They don't need any special looking after outside of normal service.

The tank hinge weak point was covered... but that's common to all older metal tanked monsters.  Really.. 900s didn't have any oddities late in their run.

[Teutonics]

I'm biased, but agree on the '00-'02 900ie.   

I think one advantage to an '02 is that they came standard with adjustable suspension, whereas earlier models did not (unless it is an "S").

[Fresh Pants]

I also like the '00-'01 900's but I'm biased.
Did the '02s have immobilsers? Or were they sort of leftover '01 stock sold in '02?

[Teutonics]

Did the '02s have immobilsers? Or were they sort of leftover '01 stock sold in '02?

Yes, '02's have the immobilizer.

[jimbonerz28]

Thank you all for the information. It is much appreciated.

I am looking at a couple I found in TX\DFW area.  A 97 900 w/19k for $2900 but I am a little iffy about this one seems kinda cheap and don't know about the service schedule. Also a couple of 750s--A 98 750 w/19k $3500 Had complete dealer service at 18k--and a 99 750 ???k  $3500 new tires,brakes,timing belts,battery. I am still looking.

Not to concerned about the power aspect, my 954 was way more power than I used (except every once in a while ) and my old 700 vfr was enough power but not enough to get you in trouble [moto].

Anyone have a nice one they wanna sale in Texas. I am going to be in DFW at the Pate swap meet (Tx Motor Speedway) next weekend and will probably go home with a bike.

[Monsterlover]

Seriously, get the 900.

Forget the 750.  The word anemic is a good description.  The Ducati 900 twin isn't even close to what the Honda 954 engine would do.  It's not apples to apples.

[red baron]

Nice bobber.

[Slide Panda]

Forget the 750.  The word anemic is a good description.  The Ducati 900 twin isn't even close to what the Honda 954 engine would do. 

Of the more modern monsters, the carb'ed 750 has power/torque numbers similar to the 620.  My 620 was great fun, but for an experience3d rider, it might leave you feeling a little flat, and you'll be shifting a bit more often than w/ a 900.

I went from a 620 to a '00 900S.  The injected 900 has good low end torque that makes it quite fun.  Sure, it's not going to win any top speed contests... but in the tight stuff the lightness of the aircooled bike and the grunty torque make it a fun ride.

[love2bike]

Well I did the opposite of what most other riders have done. I had a 97 M750 and sold it for a 03 M620ie. Being fairly short and spending most of my riding in the mountains of TN and NC on the tail of the dragon I truly love the M620. It is not fast and does not have the power of a 900 but when I am throwing it around the curves which can be very tight in the mountains it performs just how I like it.

I think what is more important is finding a bike you trust and feel confident on. Its useless have a bike you are afraid of.

[Slide Panda]

That post reminds me of some of the fun I had on my 620.  One thing that hasn't really been mentioned is clutches.  The newer wet clutch bikes like the 620 have an Adler power torque converter clutch, a flavor of slipper clutch.  It makes for easier down shifts at speed as the clutch will let slip until the engine revs match the gear/speed which is handy in the tight stuff - also means you left hand doesn't get the same work out.  That and the clutch pull on the ATPC is a lot lighter than a dry clutch bike.  And as noted, the 620 is light light which is nice

You could probably find a 620 in your price range - so you might want to add that to you watch list.

[the_Journeyman]

Well I did the opposite of what most other riders have done. I had a 97 M750 and sold it for a 03 M620ie. Being fairly short and spending most of my riding in the mountains of TN and NC on the tail of the dragon I truly love the M620. It is not fast and does not have the power of a 900 but when I am throwing it around the curves which can be very tight in the mountains it performs just how I like it.

I really really enjoy my little 62HP M750 in the same areas you're talking about L2B.  A lot of it is I simply trust and understand the bike.  [Threadjack] What are are you in L2B? [/Threadjack]

I do agree with everything mentioned about the M900.  The injected 900 is a reliable a very fun motor.  I would venture to say with the quickness of the dry clutch and it's nice low-end power, it could overwhelm a new rider.  The 620 nearly matches the HP numbers for the M750 while the 695 passes it.

JM