Which Monster to buy????

[Kopfjager]

What's a sargent seat?

http://www.sargentcycle.com/ducwsmonster.htm

[koko64]

What's a sargent seat?

Aftermarket seat manufacturer. A bit like Corbin.

You can use the money saved on the 2nd hand 1100 and have the stock seat rebuilt to you and your wife's needs, or buy a Sargent or Corbin seat.

But as others have said, you gotta test ride them first with the wife.

I rode custom Harleys for quite a few years before I got into Ducatis. Best thing I ever did. Dukes have the nice big twin feel but with a sporting edge when you want it. A bit like old Chevy V8 Vs Euro quad cam V8.

My wife and I initially test rode sports touring Ducatis, but she said she was more comfortable on the Monster! While the seat padding was not as good as the ST4, she liked the pillion position relative to the rider much better. I was surprised, but it shows that you got to test it first.

Good luck and cheers.

[DoubleEagle]

Just be careful with the Monster's front brakes...they are Monsters...... compared to H-D's.

Dolph     

[duc996]

I have the corbin seat and they're very comfortable,good for two up riding too.

[Edward_Wolf]

go for the M796, i have it, much better seating as 696, i had a 696.

[Slide Panda]

THough this is for the older Monsters, not the 696/1100 type ones - the Sargent seat is not so good for 2-up. Great for solo. but the passenger space pays the price. More room is given over to the rider saddle, and the padding for the passenger is about nil, due to the cut out for the smuggler tube under the seat.

I had a friend on the back of my 900 who was used to riding 2-up on a monster with a stock seat. After our 20 min trip her response to riding on the Sargent seat was, "Ow, make the beast with two backs, thanks for putting a piece of plywood back there for me to sit on." - So I'm figuring she didn't like it. 

[lethe]

What's a sargent seat?

aftermarket seat

http://www.motowheels.com/italian/myProducts.cfm?parentcategoryid=1204|Monster&productID=5366&showDetail=1&categoryID=1300|Monster%20Seats&vendoridtodisplay=0&filterFor=&collection=168|European%20Motorcycle%20Parts

[richard]

Test ride a monster first if you haven't ridden one. They're all pretty much the same, the difference is engine size, how much power you want. Go to the freeway and feel that chest blast of wind and see if that's ok with you. If you can, test the multistrada also. That's a pretty hefty investment you're making. Make sure you get the right one. Don't get buyers remorse after. Good luck to you.

[muskrat]

Just be careful with the Monster's front brakes...they are Monsters...... compared to H-D's.

Dolph     

not to hijack but I have BREMBOS on my HD 

[M1100]

I have Performance Machine brakes.  but there is no way to flip my bike over!!   I can't insert an image, but this gives you an idea why....

http://www.bigbearchoppers.com/bikes/sled/prostreet.htm#

45 degree rake makes it hard to flip.....   

[Blue]

A little more info:
I am 46 years old, the wife is not itty-bitty, about 5'6" or 5'7".
She rides a 9.5 foot long chopper with me (with a p-pad) that has no suspension, and doesn't complain about it.
Two up is really just for short distances, never over 60 minutes at a time.  Ever.
I want the bike for Denver traffic, then a bit of highway, then the mountains.  Need them mountains--the chop isn't too good there.  Seat hight of 19" and the 45 degree rake makes it that way.

I have a 2000 M900ie with the stock seat, above the triple clipons (grips are lower than with the stock handlebar), Ohlins suspension and the rear raised a couple of inches.  I'm 5'11" and my wife is 5'7" and we have no issues riding 2 up together on the Monster for a couple of hours at a time. 
Plenty of space and lots-o-fun for the sporting pace. [moto]

[M1100]

I am riding the Monsters tomorrow.... got a 1100 down to 11K even, plus sales tax (all other fees included).  I think if I like the ride I will be forced to get it because I think that is a killer deal--plus I get free extra bodywork!

It is a red one with red frame, and I think I'll go for black bodywork... that should look pretty good.  Some of the other colors look a bit weird and might not go with the red frame.

[the_Journeyman]

1100 9,000 plus tax, used with 1k miles

This gets my vote.  Plenty of power, decent price.  BTW a Sargent seat is a more comfy alternative to the stock seats that come on the Monsters. 

JM

[Veloce-Fino]

Get the Corse bodywork.

[M1100]

This gets my vote.  Plenty of power, decent price.  BTW a Sargent seat is a more comfy alternative to the stock seats that come on the Monsters. 

JM

Thanks. That dude was a Craig's List crack addict.....  He raised the price when he realized it was a good deal.  So I'm going to go new.