Your thoughts on the 750/800 line of Monsters?

[dctex]

Hey, folks,

I currently ride a 2006 Yamaha R6, and I’m in the process of moving to a more “practical” bike.  In the mountains, the R6 is a dream, but on the days when I commute or go into town, the stiff clutch, short wheelbase and high-strung engine really put a damper on things.

All signs point me toward an SV650, which is a fine bike but it doesn’t get my heart pumping from an aesthetics standpoint.  I actually was leaning toward a Triumph Thruxton until I sat on one and felt the weight (100 pounds more than my R6 + much less power = significant concerns).

So that has me thinking about Ducati Monsters.  My thought is one of the air-cooled Monsters, perhaps the late-90’s 750 or the slightly more recent 800. 

To give you a better sense of what I want in a bike, I enjoy riding the mountain roads in West Virginia and commuting on occasion.  I don’t put a ton of miles on my bike on an annual basis due to my two toddlers at home, but I’ll do a 400 mile ride over the course of a weekend.  I might also hit a track day or two at some point in my life (but haven’t done one yet).  I have no qualms about riding in the elements and once took the R6 through a hailstorm (not by choice).  I’m no squid/power fanatic, so switching to a 750/800 twin (or a 650 twin, in the Suzuki’s case) from the more potent 600 I-4 doesn’t phase me.  I can do a fair amount of my own wrenching such as changing out sprockets, adjusting the chain, etc.—though, I have not adjusted the valves in my bikes (as of yet).

So all that said, could folks please weigh in on the pros and cons of getting a Monster for my purposes?  I’m looking at air-cooled Monsters from the standpoint of simplicity and price.  Also, in the case of the Monster 750/800 line, how is the clutch?  We’re talking DC metro area traffic, so I’d really like a relatively light clutch for stop and go traffic.

Also, how is parts availability for Monsters built during those years (say, 1999-2003)?  When I had a Triumph, I used a place online that got me (rarer) parts within a few days.  Is there something like that for Monsters, or is it a matter of ordering through a dealer and waiting (and waiting)?

Keep in mind that I’d like to have some extra $$ in the bank after selling my current bike and buying a new (to me) bike—hence, my thought of buying a used 750/800 Monster.  So that would probably eliminate the newer 696 and possibly the S2R 800 (from a price standpoint). 

At any rate, if folks could let me know your thoughts about the 750/800 line or some other line of Monster that I should also consider, I’d really appreciate it.

Thank you in advance for your feedback.

[grunte]

HI dctex,

A stiff clutch is really easy to fix by attaching a clutch slave.  This is a relatively inexpensive price (I think) and easy to put on eliminating this problem.

[vw151]

why get a 750/800 when you can get a 900 or 1000.  The air cooled liter twins will still be underpowered compared to your R6 so if you are looking for a naked that is a little slower I wouldn't limit myself to only the lower displacement monsters.

That's all I have to add.  Parts availability isn't hateful but might seem that way compared to a Japanese sport bike.  

[Scottish]

+1 go with the 900/1000.

[Raux]

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=29664.0

this could be your next bike

[kingbaby]

I agree with these guys about going with the Liter 2V. You are coming off of a VERY high tech bike. Everything from motor, clutch, fly by wire throttle & suspension.

With that being said: Without a doubt, the 06 R6 was the worst street bike I have ridden as far as modern (not Chinese garbage) bikes go.   fired up all the time.  My 749 was a gutless wonder, but a blast to ride. It's not about the power in spots,  but the useable power.    

 I'm also not much for non adjustable...(with ease should I say) suspension & little power (stock) of the 2 you are asking about.

Here is the one I owned for three months & put 3.2k on it.  
I can say I sold it for $510 less than I paid for it new.  It's good to know people.  

Good luck with your search!



Not trying to threadjack, but if you guys haven't seen the new BMW "Hot Rod", I'll post up pics on another thread.  It looks like this bike with a bigger (different) motor.  Don't they have enough money to build an all new, state of the art bike?  

I guess not.  

[Ducatl]

I have a '99 750 and love it.  Super simple bike, plenty of power for commute duty and If you don't mind shopping around/used parts are plentiful and cheap.  That said, I'd look for a 900 first as you may likely find one priced very closely to either a 750 or 800.  I prefer the carb bikes to the FI models simply for simplicities sake.

[triangleforge]

Where are you commuting from/to?  I used to do the daily back and forth along MacArthur Blvd to Canal Road & downtown (on the Monster 600) and it was a fun way to start & end the day.

One thing I REALLY wish I'd done before moving from DC was to switch from the stock 15 tooth to a 14 tooth front sprocket, or increase the rear sprocket size to achieve the same gearing change. The Monsters are generally geared high for emissions reasons, but in stop & go DC traffic you'll spend way too much time in first gear & slipping the clutch with the stock gearing.

If I was still there and in the market, I'd be considering a trip down to NC to take a look at the bike Raux posted above. You might also want to get to know some folks on the CAM  (Capital Area Monsters) list under the Local Club Boards link to the left, as they'll have an inside line on area Monsters for sale.

[dctex]

Hey, thanks for the prompt response, folks.  I thought about the 900/1000 as well.  My initial thought was that I'd trade the extra power for lighter weight (900/1000 versus 750/800).  The best thing about the R6 is being able to "throw" it anywhere in the corners since it's so light (something like 357 pounds dry).  

But now that folks have mentioned the 900/1000 (and now that I've done some more research), there isn't that much of a weight difference, is there?

But in terms of power, on paper, it's a difference of just 16 hp and 7 ft.lbs (if I've read the specs correctly).  Is there really that much of a power difference from a "seat of the pants" standpoint?

[teddy037.2]

from what I gather, the old carby 750 won't be nearly as feisty as the FI 800 (heads/valves/blah blah blah)

I have very few complaints about how my bike scoots... but then, I never was looking for mcbeastly power

[Raux]

well i can comment on this...
i had a carby 900 and a FI 696... the carby was SOOO torquey. gobs of pull in everygear. the 696 just smooth liinear power but not gut wrenching.

the 900 was rated at 74 at the wheel and the 696  80hp at the crank.. i know you can't compare.. but really night and day. if you like power at ALLL RPMs get the 900.

[Scottish]

But in terms of power, on paper, it's a difference of just 16 hp and 7 ft.lbs (if I've read the specs correctly).  Is there really that much of a power difference from a "seat of the pants" standpoint?

Think of it in terms of percentages. In a bike that is rated under 100hp, even 7-8hp is a 10% gain. I felt an enormous difference in my 695 by adding the Termi system and I think it's only rated to add 7-9hp. Totally different animal. As to the weight differences, you won't really see any BIG differences until you go up to a liquid cooled S4R model. All the air cooled bikes are in the same ball park.

[gOoIe B]

don't most of the 750s and 800s come equipped with wet clutches as well?  Those typically have an easier clutch pull than the dry-clutch-equipped 900s and 1000s...

[1KDS]

I sold my 06 R6 Raven and bought my 07 S2R 1000 for the same price and never looked back [moto]

[victor441]

I'm new to Ducati's but FWIW bought a 2003 800 a month ago and love it, plenty of power for my riding and waaaay more exciting than the Thruxton I test rode first.  The clutch is indeed heavy but after 1000 miles it doesn't bother me anymore, my hand strength must have improved  .....also +1 on the 14t sprocket, made a huge improvement, prior to installing it had to downshift to 1st too often on really tight mountain roads and 6th was rarely usable.