Is this Monster 900 good bike to buy?

[masterh]

http://img.bonnint.net/slc/1041/104157/10415788.jpg?filter=ksl/gallery1

I was looking for monster 620 but found this one.

it's 2000 monster 900, 16k miles
options includes

New brembo brakes
Oil changed frequently
Rizmo rear view mirrors (small feature that adds an awesome look)
Custom Corbin seat for comfort on extended road trips
Racing levers
STM master cylinder (making the shifting very smooth and very effortless)
Custom signal lights
Arrow exhaust pipes

he said there were damages to the tank and lever.
I like the new paint scheme though

he is asking $3600 and I am trying to negotiate.
Is there something I need to know about this model other than dried clutch? (personally I like the sound of it )
any common problems?

[Slide Panda]

Looks nice, but buying used always begs some questions.

Belts - how old are they?  They are to be replaced at 12k or 2 years of age.  If they are older than 2 years, you should ahve them replaced right off.  That will run a couple hundred in parts and labor.

The brakes look like the originals - or at least direct replacements of the originals (if something happened to them)  So I'd want a little more explanation of 'new brakes'

Got any other service records for it?

Beyond the bike questions -
You say you were looking for a 620, but found this 900.  Were you looking for a 1st bike?

[Bun-bun]

+1 for belpts and service records.

Can't see any tank damage. Tanks are expensive to replace, figure 4-600 used.

Also, a 900 is a bit advanced for a first bike(I'm assuming here, tell me if I'm wrong.).

[lwszabo]

The 900 is a awesome bike. I have owned a 800, 900, and 1000 monster. To me the 800 was perfectally balanced, the 1000 never ever ever felt right....it was a 08 s2r 1000. and the 900 feels like a beast, sort of unrefined..in a good way.  To me the 900 is THE Monster. Your right  hand is the only thing that can tell you if its good for a 1st bike.  The are plenty of people starting on much more powerful bikes.  good luck!

[JEFF_H]

[jestor00]

A 01 900 monster was my first bike and it was a great choice, just be easy on the throttle at first.  It has good torque but its not crazy powerfull like the newer bikes.  I'm just getting to the point now where I want something more powerfull.  I've had it for over a year and put on 7 or 8 thousand miles.

[masterh]

no it's not my first bike. I could handle R1 no problem (in busy city)

I made a deal for $3150.

only thing I noticed was, when I accelerate after changing gear, I felt some vibration. I guess it was from the dried clutch? (never had one). the rpm needle was moving little bit when the bike was standing. I guess it's because it's 2 cylinder engine?

I am excited to pick it up tomorrow!

[Slide Panda]

Hmm, you'd have to explain the vibration better for any hope of us figuring it out over the net.  But a dry clutch itself isn't vibe-y.  Though if you're used to an i4 feel, then a 900 is going to vibrate a lot more.  Perhaps you're just noting the nature of the beast and there's no issue - let's hope that's it.

The idle set point should be 1100-1200 rpms.  I know 900s will keep going with and idle well lower than than, but tend to 'lope' a little - which would cause the tach to fidget.

The 900 is a awesome bike. I have owned a 800, 900, and 1000 monster. To me the 800 was perfectally balanced, the 1000 never ever ever felt right....it was a 08 s2r 1000. and the 900 feels like a beast, sort of unrefined..in a good way.  To me the 900 is THE Monster. Your right  hand is the only thing that can tell you if its good for a 1st bike.  The are plenty of people starting on much more powerful bikes.  good luck!

This is a pretty good summation.  900s lack the refinement of some of the other powerplants - but the lack makes them fun.  They are torque through the power band.  If you want to have some extra fun (if the PO didn't do it) change the final gearing.  OEM is 15/38, so going to 14/38 or 15/41 gives you some extra oomph at the bottom.

And last - more pix! 

[BumpaD_Z28]

Are you local to UT / ID .. I have seen that bike at USU before (previous owner I'm sure) ....

~DaVe

[weemonster]

i wouldn't personally leave the belts for 12k miles. i'd do them every year or about 4k.

The belts on their own should be about $80 from Ducati dealer and are quite easy to change.

Beware websites that offer cheap belts which actually cost more than from a dealers.

Folks think Ducati= expensive but not all parts are

[Popeye the Sailor]

i wouldn't personally leave the belts for 12k miles. i'd do them every year or about 4k.

Why not?

[masterh]

what belts are we talking about? 

he said sprocket needs to be changed. looks like I need to replace with a chain and small sprocket. not a easy DIY huh?
 

[Duck-Stew]

Belts = timing belts.  The camshafts (one in each head BTW) run off of rubber toothed belts to time them.  Easy to replace by yourself if you're mechanically inclined that is.

Chain and both sprockets should be changed at the same time.  Again, not hard, just maybe see if you can find a shop that will let you watch as the tech does the work...

Tach needles from the '99-'02 bikes were known to be finicky and move around some.  If it's jumpy, it's not normal.  If you remove the tach, there are some small brass screws in the back of it.  Snug them down and it may help.  I've heard about 50% of the time, that trick helps and the other 50% has no effect...

Sounds like you got a good deal on it!

[DCXCV]

Sounds like fun - they had great color schemes - post pics!

Also, a 900 is a bit advanced for a first bike(I'm assuming here, tell me if I'm wrong.).

You'd think so, but actually the 900 only made 78 hp and 75 Nm where the 695 was 73hp/61Nm and 696 is 78hp/69Nm

[Slide Panda]

Sounds like fun - they had great color schemes - post pics!

You'd think so, but actually the 900 only made 78 hp and 75 Nm where the 695 was 73hp/61Nm and 696 is 78hp/69Nm

Those numbers don't give 100% of the story.  Look at the torque numbers to give you an idea of the character of the 900.  While it's only got 6% more HP than the 695, it's got 22% more torque - it's that torque that give the 900 it's grunt.  Also, it's just something about how/where those mills make power that's just a little different.