The - NFG's First Monster - thread.

[NFG]

I'm excited about getting my first bike, something I've always dreamed of: a Ducati.

A local dealer has a 1994 Monster 900 for sale, with 30,000 km on it. It's an import, there's no service log (which I'm told is quite common for bikes) so no one knows if it's had the 20k timing belt change...

I've checked it out and it seems fine - the paint's in good shape, and it has what is described by the dealer as 'the usual corrosion and weathering' you'd expect for a 15 year old bike.  It rides like a dream, immediately comfortable, shifts well, brakes hard, sounds like my most delightful dreams.

I'm taking it to Ducati Brisbane for an inspection tomorrow, if all goes well.  Book value is apparently $7200, this one's up for $6990.  Apparently that's the high end, but...  well, what the hell do I know about bikes, eh?  If the Ducati checkup reveals it to be as nice as I'm told it is, it seems like a good entry into Ducativille.

Rather find out before spending the money that I'm making a bad call, so if any of the above seems silly to you guys, please let me know.  Otherwise, I'll be a member of your little club soon.  =)

[dragonworld.]

Does seem a tad expensive for that vintage, I'd be attempting to beat 'em down a whack. 

The old 750/900 carbed bikes are a nice unit with a character of their own. 

If you end up getting the beast, the first thing I'd be doing is getting a service, including belts and valve clearances so you are starting with known quantities as far as these things are concerned. [moto]

Cheers and hope to see you here in the future, introduce yerself on the new member thread. 

[heatherp]

It is not common for ducati owners not to keep a service log.  I would expect that story with imports though.

Compare price/bike with ones for sale on http://www.bikesales.com.au/all-bikes/search.aspx.   You may be able to get a local pre loved one for the same price then you would at least have some history of the bike.

Failing that do what dragon suggests and get it serviced asap so no surprises.   Use the servicing costs as a bargaining point to talk the dealer down.

Welcome to the Monster forum and Monster ownership  [moto]

[NFG]

Based on the things I've read on this and other forums, Brisbane Ducati is very reasonably priced when it comes to service.  It's all I can do to sit without vibrating off my chair till tomorrow when they can get me in to go over the bike.  Until they do, I don't really have much solid info, but my thinking is I'll get a full service and ask the dealer to knock that amount off the price.  That'll get me some peace of mind and a price that is certainly closer to a decent level.

Then a decent jacket and gloves, and no one will see me for the rest of the week.  Except when I'm stopping for food and petrol, of course.  =)

As for bikesales...  This bike does compare to others, it's a 1994 for $7k, there are two others: a 1995 for $8k, and 1997 for $8.5k.  My guess is they're all just priced to book value.

[Betty]

Use the servicing costs as a bargaining point to talk the dealer down.

No other way to go really.

I don't have much idea of the value of used Monsters ... probably because I don't want to know how little my baby is 'worth'. But a dealer offering up a bike with no service history for close to the reported book value just shits me. I mean, if you don't know the history can't you at least have it properly serviced before putting it on the market?

S'pose it could be worse ... they could have said it is all sweet without actually having any idea.

EDIT: Typing while you posted NFG ... seems that is the path you are taking.

[NFG]

It's worth pointing out I suppose that the dealer has sold my father two bikes already, and has never been anything less than perfect to deal with.  They're a the top-rated dealer in Australia for their marque too.  I am inclined to trust them when they say it was taken in trade for sale by them rather than dumped on a wholesaler because they believed it to be a good example of the year, in good condition with relatively few klicks on it.

The peace of mind I can buy from the Ducati mechanics is priceless though, really.  The seller knows bikes, the Ducati shop knows Ducati (one presumes, heh).  Fingers are crossed.  

If I do get the bike tomorrow, I wll be making that introduction post.  

[heatherp]

Who are you trying to convince  Sounds like you don't need any convincing and you don't need to convince any of us .

Sounds like it's already a done deal.  Reminds me of myself 3 years ago when I was justifying purchasing my Monster.   

If it feels right then you should do it. 

[monsta]

I have a 93, 85000k's on it now.   Bought it new, ...  a while ago! 

get them to check the head studs, If they are the still stainless type they will need changing at some stage. 
I had mine let me down on both cyls at different times, they need to be replaced with the steel ones.
apart from that, its just the usual stuff you have to look out for...

[NFG]

Thanks for that tip, monsta. 

Sadly, it being my first bike, I don't know the 'usual stuff'.  I've ridden pedal-bikes all my life, on the street and down the mountains in Canada.  I'm good with maintenance, bike-smarts, safety gear and all that, but...  Well, this bike is bigger and heavier than any I've owned.  It's about 90% new to me, and (OMG) it has a motor!

So yeah, I've got no experience to rely on when it comes to evaluating a used motorbike.  I'd probably be a lot less nervous if I did.  =)

[monsta]

http://www.clarity.net/~adam/buying-bike.html

[bazz20]

Thanks for that tip, monsta. 

Sadly, it being my first bike, I don't know the 'usual stuff'.  I've ridden pedal-bikes all my life, on the street and down the mountains in Canada.  I'm good with maintenance, bike-smarts, safety gear and all that, but...  Well, this bike is bigger and heavier than any I've owned.  It's about 90% new to me, and (OMG) it has a motor!

So yeah, I've got no experience to rely on when it comes to evaluating a used motorbike.  I'd probably be a lot less nervous if I did.  =)

dont clean your chain with your fingers 

[NFG]

dont clean your chain with your fingers 

Bahaha, solid advice indeed.  =D

Monsta: Great link, thanks.  Much of what's in there is stuff I think I'd have noticed, but there's a few things I wouldn't have thought of.

[NFG]

BIKE GET!!!

I talked them down quite a bit, and am happy with the price.  The savings will cover the 10k service (which I'll be doing after I get a few weeks of riding in, and learn what's in need of adjustment).

Interestingly, the speedo died 7.2km after I paid for the bike, no doubt this is a fine introduction to Ducati ownership.  =D

(Anyone know what I should do to try and fix it?)

[Spider]

take that bad boy RIGHT BACK!!!!!

they really are very reliable, don't think cause you're buying Italian that suddenly you can expect them to fall apart...you should expect it to be reliable!

[NFG]

I'm not too worried about it.  The dealer's going to fix it if I can't sort it out on my own quick n easy.  Rather do it myself than drag it back across town, ya know?

And I'm not worried about Italian.  Everyone tells me I can expect the electrics to always be trouble, but I drive French cars.  Everyone warned me off those too.  =)