From new monster to old monster

[jvax]

Has anyone here ever gone from a new monster to one of the old ones?

I had a 796 for about a year, sold it a few months back (not cuz I didn't like it), and now I am seriously itching for an old monster.

Question is, what's the "downgrade" experience going to be like?  (I only say "downgrade" as in going down in model year, no disrespect to older monster owners).

The two things I'm concerned about are A. the dry clutch feel and sound, and B. the older the bike the more often things could go wrong (OEM part availability, maintenance costs etc).

Also, do I go for a water cooled S4/S4R, or do I stick with a 2 valver M1000/S2R?  The S4 foggy is particularly keeping me awake at night these days 

Appreciate any thoughts/advice.

[TJR178]

FWIW, I'll never get a "newer" Monster.  I love mine WAY too much.  The dry clutch, the rawness of the power, the Arrow exhaust, and all the customization that I've done.  It's just awesome.  Oh, and the steel tank

Parts availability shouldn't concern you in the slightest.  It's the best selling Duc model ever, so there are tons of OEM and aftermarket goodies. 

You can find some great deals out there, especially on the S4R models (like mine).

[Narflar]

2 valve is going to be much cheaper on maint.  The DS1000 motor is rock solid if you are thinking of moving up in size.  It's going to feel a lot different.  Personally, I find the newer monsters much more comfortable.  I sold my old one because it was killing me to ride it 

[muskrat]

water cooled is my vote.  Although mine has more power on tap that I regularly use it's nice to know I wont outgrow this beast anytime soon. 

[Goat_Herder]

If you are going back on model years, the S2R1K gets my vote.  IMO, it captured every bit of what a Ducati naked bike should be. 

[jvax]

Thanks everyone.

If you are going back on model years, the S2R1K gets my vote.  IMO, it captured every bit of what a Ducati naked bike should be. 

Yeah, the S2R1000 is high up on my list if I go air-cooled, along side the M1000.  Similar power etc.

I do like the SSS, but I wonder if I can fit high mount cans on both sides, a la Foggy...

[xcaptainxbloodx]

S2R800 will have a wet clutch if you dont like the idea of a dry clutch, but the S2R1000 is a far better engine and stock for stock is a better bike, speedymoto makes a "quiet" dry clutch cover.

OEM parts availability is fine for all monsters, aftermarket support gets better the newer you go. if maintenance cost is a concern stick with a 2V.

[chewcati]

Iv got a 2000 750M and my brother has a 2008 695...we both agree the 695 may have a bit more poke but the 750 is MUCH more comfortable to ride and is just a much much nicer bike. The 695 vibrates around 75mph, and gets really uncomfortable (even with a comfort seat) after 50 miles, and is impossible for a passenger for any distance. The 750 is smoother, lower revving and I can ride it 400 miles in a day without even thinking about it...and its got a metal tank.
There doesnt seem much difference and on paper the 695 should be much better, but for everyday riding there is no comparison.

[hillbillypolack]

The old Monster has such a bad-ass presence to it that I'd favor the older models.  A guy in my neighborhood just got an old M900, and must have slip-ons possibly an FCR.  The house shakes when he idles by.  Not in an I-4 shreik but in a comfortable bone-resonating rumble.  Plus the underslung cans are just so sweet on them.

The new Monsters are good, usable, and have better riding positions.  But to me they feel sterilized and less soulful.  Plus, the new design leaves me cold as if it's just been treated to a generic update with little sense of what the Monster means to the larger Ducati family.

My 2 pesos?  Older bike = character = possibly more maintenance = possibly more satisfaction.

Newer bike = more generic looking =  less maintenance = more riding time (?)

[Slide Panda]

I do like the SSS, but I wonder if I can fit high mount cans on both sides, a la Foggy...

yes - Zard and maybe some other co make slip ons for the S*R bikes that come up 1-to-a-side.

If you want a water cooled one, stay newer unless you're ready for bigger bills at the valve check time -or more of your own time spent doing it. The desmoquatro heads are a PITA to do the checks on. More recent head configurations make the process much less of a hassle.

I've got a (2000) 900 and it still runs like a watch at 33k+ miles. Starts on the first press of the starter and has plenty of grunt. Power wise it'll be similar to your 796, though might feel more powerful due to a bit more torque and less 'manners'. As far as your worries about parts, the comment above applies - there's tons of parts, OEM and aftermarket, new and used out there.

[The ModFather]

Can I get some years as to what defines old vs. new?

[jvax]

if maintenance cost is a concern stick with a 2V.

Thanks.  That's what I heard before so I'm leaning more toward a 2 valver.

Plus, I want to learn to do my own maintenance work, so a 2 valver sounds like the place to start.

[jvax]

The old Monster has such a bad-ass presence to it that I'd favor the older models.  A guy in my neighborhood just got an old M900, and must have slip-ons possibly an FCR.  The house shakes when he idles by.  Not in an I-4 shreik but in a comfortable bone-resonating rumble.  Plus the underslung cans are just so sweet on them.

The new Monsters are good, usable, and have better riding positions.  But to me they feel sterilized and less soulful.  Plus, the new design leaves me cold as if it's just been treated to a generic update with little sense of what the Monster means to the larger Ducati family.

My 2 pesos?  Older bike = character = possibly more maintenance = possibly more satisfaction.

Newer bike = more generic looking =  less maintenance = more riding time (?)

Thanks for the input.  Always good to hear others' opinions re old gen vs new gen monster.  Not that I wanted to start a debate or anything 

For some reason, I always thought the old generation monsters had a deeper lower rumble than the new generation.  When I had the  796, I found myself constantly impressed with the sound of a passing M900 or M1000, or even an SS.  It's partially the reason why I sold the 796 and am looking for an old generation monster.

[jvax]

yes - Zard and maybe some other co make slip ons for the S*R bikes that come up 1-to-a-side.

If you want a water cooled one, stay newer unless you're ready for bigger bills at the valve check time -or more of your own time spent doing it. The desmoquatro heads are a PITA to do the checks on. More recent head configurations make the process much less of a hassle.

I've got a (2000) 900 and it still runs like a watch at 33k+ miles. Starts on the first press of the starter and has plenty of grunt. Power wise it'll be similar to your 796, though might feel more powerful due to a bit more torque and less 'manners'. As far as your worries about parts, the comment above applies - there's tons of parts, OEM and aftermarket, new and used out there.

Yeah I think I'm going with an air cooled monster for now.  I'll rethink about water cooled when the SF848 arrives.

Power wise it'll be similar to your 796, though might feel more powerful due to a bit more torque and less 'manners'.

This is actually the second time I hear someone speak of "less manners" on the old gen monsters, compared to the new gen.

Are they difficult to handle?  less forgiving?  more responsive?  Can you please elaborate?

[Curmudgeon]

Are they difficult to handle?  less forgiving?  more responsive?  Can you please elaborate?

Can you say "parts bin"?