How long is my Monster going to last?

[mostrobelle]

I have a '94 M900 Monster with a little over 62,000 miles on it.  I had the top end rebuilt about 24,000 miles ago, and it seems that I've rebuilt, replaced, or modded just about anything on this sucker over the past several years.  There have been at least a couple of times where I figured that this was it--time to throw in the towel and get a new bike.  One time I was on my way to the shop for a repair that was beyond my skills when something else broke.     That was last year and I was sure that the fix wouldn't be worth the trouble.  As usual, it turned out to be something pretty minor and with a little patience and tweaking, I was back out on the road with no excuse to buy a new ride.  This year has been exceptional for me.  I've had very few mechanical woes and in fact, I'd say she's enjoying the abuse a bit.  I lose oil at an alarming rate, there's a surprising loud pair of squeaks eminating from two different parts of the front end and the darned thing eats up clutches and batteries like they're going out of style.  People tell me that it's on its last legs, but I think she's got at least 100K in her and can't figure out why I can't just keep fixing it. 

How many of you out there have ridden your bikes into the ground?  When did you finally decide that they were unsafe?  Why did you finally give up?  Did you find another engine and rebuild or did you get a different bike?

[He Man]

If you replace the charging system with something like a electrosport regulator, you should have much longer life on the batteries, but the charging system is still pretty crude on the older bikes.

Oil is going to be eaten. I dont know why, maybe lost of compression and the oil seeps by? Overbore it? My 44k mile 95 M900 ate about a 1/2 to 3/4quart every 1,000 or so miles.  No need to buy moto oil, so id get the car stuff and keep some dino oil to fill her up.

[Howie]

Your bike will last as long as you keep fixing it.  I have 55K on mine with few problems, a buddy of mine turned 80K, and then we have Phil B with, I think 170K.  Then again, if you no longer have confidence in the bike it is time to move on.  If you want to keep the bike, a trip to a good independent like Speeddog down in LA or Nichols, closer to you with a list of complaints is in order.  Then make your decision.  Your battery problems, for instance, may be as simple as a connection with high resistance that a good tech can spot.

[Spidey]

Your monster is going to last until two years ago.  Replace that POS already.   It pours a cloud of black smoke at me everytime you get on the gas. 

Actually, I like your bike a lot.  Like most bikes with a lot of miles on 'em and lots of mods, it's really well sorted.  Too bad it's sprung for a 12 y/o, cuz it's fun to ride.  Ride her til she collapses.  That said, there's no rule that you need one bike a time.  In the meanwhile, buy a babied 916 for when the monster shits the bed.  You can ride both, and enjoy both.  It may give your monster a few more years because of shared riding time, and you'll relish the daily agony of trying to decide which red Italian steed to use to attack Bay Bridge traffic.  

Vroom, vroom.  [moto]  


P.S.  Howie, she already has a great shop to work on it (Desmotosport in SF  ).  It's just that it keeps going in for big ticket items.  

[ab]

Like yours my 2004 620M at 42K is burning oil fast sadly.  Oil light came on for a sec and off last time and i had to ride it about 3 miles to make it home. Hope bike is ok.  I no longer get the oil temp on the guage for some reason after changing the oil.

I am hoping to get another 20K miles out this bike but the repairs are getting expensive for me.

Speed Triple is looking might fine for next bike if $$ availabl3  

[Howie]

<snip>

P.S.  Howie, she already has a great shop to work on it (Desmotosport in SF  ).  It's just that it keeps going in for big ticket items.  

Good, then part of the problem is solved

[superjohn]

Does PhilB still have the record? It's at 170K or so and still driven daily right?

[1KDS]

160k last time I heard, still daily driven.  New alternator bearing and piston rings at 122k.  New clutch basket at 140k

[Duck-Stew]

Like yours my 2004 620M at 42K is burning oil fast sadly.  Oil light came on for a sec and off last time and i had to ride it about 3 miles to make it home. Hope bike is ok.  I no longer get the oil temp on the guage for some reason after changing the oil.

I am hoping to get another 20K miles out this bike but the repairs are getting expensive for me.

Speed Triple is looking might fine for next bike if $$ availabl3  

You could overbore it to 88mm, put some 750 hi-comp pistons in it and have the heads gone through at the same time...  That would boost power and seal up the engine so it goes another 40K!  Hehehe...

And to the OP:  If you have lost confidence in the bike (seriously lost confidence) then it is time to move on which doesn't mean you have to sell it by the way...

[Michael Moore]

Geez girl, you could buy my bike - it only has 52K on it. 

[junior varsity]

until the bottom end goes out, i'd keep fixing it and all that.

when the motor truly goes (bottom end quits on ya), I'd start thinking about what you would be losing on getting rid of it (sentamentality) versus what you gain with a new bike.

you don't have to replace it all together, you might just end up with a stable-mate down the road.

[Spidey]

H, someone down in San Jose is selling a mid-90s monster with crash damage.  But it's got a hopped up 944 engine with lightened everything and flatsides.  If you are really committed to keeping yours, forking out $2k (or 1.5 if you haggle the guy down) for a donor bike with a complete (and hopped up) engine isn't a bad idea at all.

Check it:  http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/mcy/1491771103.html

[1KDS]

^That sounds like a pretty decent bike for the money as is

[darthmoto]

I think your monster should be the first old gen to run a M1100 motor and dash 

[Popeye the Sailor]

Meh, we've had this convo before. It'll last as long as you want it to.



I vote for either picking up a spare bike for parts, or a second bike-you won't care so much when this one breaks.