What Monster to buy?

[jimbonerz28]

I also found an 05 620 for $4000. It has 2,700 miles. this is the bike I think I am gonna buy. I read alot of reviews and rider opinions about the bike and it seems a good choice. Does the 05 have injection and a 6 speed? I think thats what I understand, but can only find reviews on older model 620s with 5 speeds.

It looks to me on paper that the newer 620 is almost if not the same on power as an older 750 and maybe a little lighter.

The only 900 I have found in my area is a 97 and has some scrapes on the front fender and the tank. It has seen the driveway up close.

How can I tell the Dark models from the black ones? Are the Darks all flat black? Do the Darks have cheaper brake and suspension parts?

[ArguZ]

One front disk is the clear sign for a dark

[Slide Panda]

One front disk is the clear sign for a dark

Also the single disk flavor had a 5 speed gear box in many cases.  But there are 6 spd dual disc Dark 620s.  I had an 05 w. dual discs and yes any 620 will be injected.  They were introduced after/as Ducati transitioned all the monsters to injection.

Darks have the same suspension as the 'normal' 620.  They didn't come stock w/ the seat cowl or front fairing.  Also their top triple had risers cast into them, as opposed to being a separate piece.  Those items combined with the less costly paint job made the Dark models a few hundred less than the 'normal' ones.  Engine, suspension and brakes were same same between all the 620s - save for the more rare single disc flavors.

Most (but not all) Dark were painted a metallic black on the tank - and not clear coated.  W/othe clear coat they look matte.  Ther are some out there with other colors - I know they made a silver Dark.

One thing to note is that in 05 there was a transition.  620s made in early 05 had a metal tank and better 4 piston calipers mater to 320mm rotors.  Later 05, like mine, saw the introduction of the plastic tanks and those bikes got 300mm rotors and 2 piston calipers.

[erik822]

I say go with the 620.

I have a Dark 900 and love it. The parts on it are, as yuu mentioned, more basic. Think of the Dark as having the "middle" settings on a "regular" monster. So if you buy bikes and leave the suspension where it's at from the factory, then perfect. The dark has that. If you like custom paint jobs, great, the dark is easier to paint over. The Dark was the factory's nod to the custom market and the idea was that people could save by not paying more for parts they were just going to switch out anyway. Like a lot of people on this thread have said, they're easy bikes to work on. Don't like something on it? Change it out for a part you do. There's a lot of aftermarket support out there for these bikes.

And if you cruise the "parts for sale" section of the forum you'll often be able to find used parts that let you "upgrade" your Ducati to whatever you want it to be.

Whatever you decide to get, make sure it plasters a smile on your face. That's the most important feature of any bike.

[weemonster]

The single disc on the dark isn't always a bad thing.
depending on what you are gonna use it for. The other disc and caliper could just be extra weight to lug around.
the difference in acceleration is definately noticable.

The budget you mentioned should stretch to a 695. which is he one i would have out of the newer monsters.
I'm not a fan of the single sided swing arm.

[the_Journeyman]

The single disc on the dark isn't always a bad thing.

My M750 is the single-disc variety.  It has the better brakes & stopping ability than a lot of twin disc bikes.  It will (yes, it's 20ish pounds lighter, but still) outstop my dual-disc 900SS both solo and 2-up.  Downside is it's more likely to heat up in some seriously aggressive riding where you're on the brakes a lot compared to the dual-disc bikes. 

JM

[jimbonerz28]

Alright, I got back last night with my new Duc.  I picked up a 97 M900 with 19K.
Second owner bike and got some service info from local dealer with good news.
This bike is almost unchanged, still has factory rear fender but has had a 520 chain conversion.
Payed $2800, not bad deal but it does need new tires and a new clutch.
It needs a TLC to be top notch but I am very happy with it.
It is a smoke gray metallic color with silver Ducati letters and gold outlines, is this a factory color? Does not look to have been painted but I haven't seen any this color before. I will get pics asap. It has quite a few carbon fiber pieces I believe are stock.
Thank guys for all the info I am well on my way to being a very happy Ducatiist.

[somegirl]

Congrats!  Good luck fixing it up, looking forward to pictures.

[Slide Panda]

It is a smoke gray metallic color with silver Ducati letters and gold outlines, is this a factory color? Does not look to have been painted but I haven't seen any this color before.

Gold outlines?  Hmm that's not stock that I know of.  I would not be shocked at all to hears it's been repainted.  Monsters (with handle bars) common get the 'Ducati Ding'  from being tipped over at some point.  In that event, the stock bars will hit the tank, denting it.  Not too badly usually... but still denting it.  An 11 year old bike may well have seen a tip over at some point and then got fixed up.  You could go to an autoparts store and get a body filler tester.  Basically a magnet in a tube with a scale marked on it.  You place said gizmo on a body section and pull away until the magnet releases - then you look at the scale and note it.  Longer the magnet holds, the more metal you've got  - body filler will lessen the strength of the magnetic attachment and you'll see a lower number on that scale.  A little probing around where the bars might contact your tank might reveal there's some filler underneath.

Either way - congrats on the new ride.  I picked up a '00 900 with 18k a little bit ago - and now we're rapidly working towards 30k w/o a hitch.
Give it a little TLC and that 900 should run a looong time.

[erik822]

Silver "Ducati" with gold outlines was a stock color for older Monsters.

You can see a write up of the 97 Monster 750 here:
http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/ducati/first-impression-1997-ducati-m750-monster-14353.html

It also includes photos of a bike with the factory paint job. There are obviously differences between an 900 and a 750, but the paint job was the same.

[Slide Panda]

Silver "Ducati" with gold outlines was a stock color for older Monsters.

You can see a write up of the 97 Monster 750 here:
http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/ducati/first-impression-1997-ducati-m750-monster-14353.html

It also includes photos of a bike with the factory paint job. There are obviously differences between an 900 and a 750, but the paint job was the same.

Oh *that* look.  yeah dur... ignore my comments.  I was thinking it was the newer Sans Serif font.. not the older serif look...

[jimbonerz28]

Here are some pics of the bike. I dont think its been repainted, if so they did a good job. I am really happy with the bike. First bike I have been excited about riding in a while. [moto]








I think I am going to go all black motor w/gold pullies,clutch,ect. and carbon fiber cutout covers, gold frame and wheels, dark charcoal paint w/gold or white racing stripe and older Ducati tank logo to match. I kinda like the one (same scheme) that was in the monster challege series but with a few things different.

[erik822]

Nice looking bike.  That Monster has a few little extras. In '97 the Tachometer wasn't standard, and the carbon fiber pipes are definitely a part that one of the previous owners added. The paint is either original or the original style.

I, for one, think you got a pretty sweet deal.

[weemonster]

looking good. It looks so good that it doesn't matter if the paint is original or not.

Its not got all its tank decal tho. its the period lettering but i should have monster underneath the ducati.

But it is an almost 12 year old bike and newish paint is beter than scabby paint and chips and dents everytime.

Nice unmolested monster there .

SO GET MOLESTING !!!!!!

[ducpainter]

Those are stock decals, and are no longer available.

The 520 chain was standard on the M900.