Engine Size, High Mileage, and Maintenance

[airyip77]

Hi all,

  I just joined this forum, and I currently don't own a monster but have been looking for a while to get one.  I currently have a suzuki GS500F, my first bike, and I've had it for about 3 years now and am ready for an upgrade.  I saw the monster, started reading about it and just got hooked and am set on getting one for my next bike.  I'm not too mechanically savy, or have too much of an extensive knowledge on maintenance, etc, on bikes, so I was hoping you could give me some of your advice/knowledge/experience.  Here's my questions, thanks!

  - I was going to go for a monster 620 because those seem to be sold more often on craigslist, but 2 people mentioned to me that that's not a big jump from a 500, and I would probably grow tired of the 620 quickly.  What do you think?

  - I'm currently looking at a 2003 Monster 800ie, with 19,000 miles, for $4000 firm.  The bike just had the full 18,000 mile service done on it (seller said ~$1000 for the service) 500 miles ago, and new tires about 1,500 miles ago.  It looks to be in good condition, never dropped, supposedly good condition.  So my question, 19K miles sounds a lot to me because all the bikes I normally see for sale are in the 3K~14K miles range.  How long do these bikes last for before they start going downhill, need more maintenance, etc?  Is 19K a lot?  The mileage makes me hesitant because it seems so high compared to others. Second owner, all the keys and original stock stuff to come with it.  not many mods.

  - I keep hearing that maintenance is really pricy on ducati's.  How much more expensive is it to maintain a monster and how much more often do you have to "take care" of things for it?

Thanks for you help!  I can't wait to get a monster, been trying to get one for the past 2 months, but because of bad craigslist stuff and bad sellers, etc, I've been thwarted 3 times already...it's getting frustrating, but I have the ducati bug now and really want one 

[VisceralReaction]

Personally I think that's low mileage. that only a bit over 2000 miles a year. I'll do 4000 in one trip, my ST3 is an 05 and I'm just about to hit 50K.
I've found Duc parts tend to be expensive if you get them from Italy. There are other sources that really help out cost.
As to keeping up with maintenance. Alot of us here all do it ourselves. Personally I couldn't afford to drop $1000 on a service.
but I can afford to measure the valves and put new shims in and replace timing belts and change fluids and replace bearings quite easily!.
Get LT Snyders book and jump in with both feet. it's more fun than you know and you'll get that feeling knowing you did all the work on it.

[PhilB]

First, the 620 is a very good bike, and is significantly more bike than a GS500.  A friend of mine has an '06 M620, and I've ridden it quite a bit, and it's capable of anything you need to do on the street.

The 800 is also a good bike, and of course is a bit more power and all.  Having few mods, and all the keys and such, and recent maintenance, is a very good start.  Maintaining a Ducati is more expensive than a Japanese bike, but not by a huge amount.  Figure an extra $3-400 a year.  The only real difference is the Desmo valve system, which requires tighter tolerances than a valvespring system, and thus more frequent checking.

If the maintenance has been kept up (and it sounds like it has), the 19K miles is nothing.  These 2-valve air/oil cooled motors are very durable.  The first time I had to have mine opened up at all was for piston rings and an alternator bearing at 122K, and I'm now at 198K without having had to open it up again yet.  It was dead reliable up to about 170K; since then I've had some issues with the electricals, carbs, clutch, and suspension.

Sounds to me like you should get the 800; you'll be happy with it, I'm sure.

PhilB

[airyip77]

Thanks for the responses!  That definately helps to calm the hesitation i was feeling.  That was really the one thing that bothered me the most.  I'm not a very big person for tricks or anything crazy, I just enjoy the ride...and the look    I would be using this bike mostly for excursions through the mountains around here, and to/from work and/or other short destinations.

After looking through a lot of other memeber's pics I have a lot of ideas I want to apply to the bike for mods for looks and such.  Thanks for the tip to get the "LT Snyders book", I definately want to get my hands dirty and learn how to take care of the bike...though I don't have a garage right now so hopefully I can find a place to work on it    When I get it (or get one, if not this one), I'll def post some pics and prob be on here more often with other questions when trying to keep it in good standing.

[Slide Panda]

SOmething to keep in mind during your hunt is the tank issue. In mid 2005 they changed to plastic tanks that are having swelling issues due to the ethanol in gas these days.

That 03 800 will be a steel tank, and just fine in that regard.

Other items to keep in mind when buying a used duc - the age of the Cam belts. they are specd to be replaced at 12k miles of use OR 2 years of service regardless of miles (assumed less than 12k).

18k service for a grand? Hmmm I'd want to see exactly what was done. If they just had the valves checked that's roughly $300/ 3 hours labor. But if they had the forks serviced and did other items then it might add up.

We've all heard that Ducs are expensive - and I don't buy it. Yes, you pay more often in smaller increments for the valve checks - that's true. But engines like the common i4 might go longer - but woe be to your wallet if they need a valve adjustment. It's brutal

[battlecry]

The '03 is a fine bike.  The '04 and later began to feel the pinch of rising euros and started changing equipment (steel swingarm, different brakes, etc.)  I'm very happy with mine. 

[The Mad King Pepe']

Topic: What is "high mileage" for a Monster? - http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=47588.0

High Mileage Monsters! - http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=43822.0

In general simple things break less and cost less to fix. Get the 800, you'll love it!

[bdub]

I just got belts and valves done on mine (900) and it was about 700$, but i had some other things done at the same time.

[Slide Panda]

And almost $100 of that 7 is the belt set.

Remember that unless you need new shims a check on many ducs is just pure labor. Don't confuse labor + parts into cost comparisons.

[Blackout]

I have a 2003 800ie. It has almost 60K on it. The bike runs great and has been very little trouble. I recently had the valves checked and only one was out of spec (the last time I had checked them was at about 18K mi ).
Maintenance is very easy on this bike even if you are not so mechanically inclined. Beware of a gas leak at the hinge of the metal tank.
Get the 800. Sounds like a helluva price.

[The Mad King Pepe']

And almost $100 of that 7 is the belt set.

Remember that unless you need new shims a check on many ducs is just pure labor. Don't confuse labor + parts into cost comparisons.

Let me add to that by pointing out that you can check your own valves and save some money. If and only if they need adjustment, then you can take the bike to your dealer to have him set the clearance.

[akmnstr]

The bike will next need valve inspection at about 24K.  At that time everything will be well worn in and you may not need any shims.  As these bikes get some miles on them they need less in the way of valve shim replacement.  If you learn how to do the maintenance yourself, the Duc won't cost you more than any other bike.  The air cooled two valve engines are easy and fun to work on. 

[DaveTheMailman]

Not sure where you're at but this guy's got a 2009 696 with 2000 miles for 5 grand.
http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2009-Ducati-Monster-696-97346669

[Steve.In.Atlanta]

I definately want to get my hands dirty and learn how to take care of the bike...though I don't have a garage right now so hopefully I can find a place to work on it 

Start going out to bike night. You'll start meeting people and usually find people who know how to do the maintenance and will usually do it for some beer. Even better, they'll let you use their garage to do your own work.

I too was hesitant about getting mine last year but once I found out how high milage they run, I was more comfortable. I got my 900S with 14K on it last september and have 22K now. It runs great and I don't have any regrets with the purchase.

[B.Rock]

First, the 620 is a very good bike, and is significantly more bike than a GS500.  A friend of mine has an '06 M620, and I've ridden it quite a bit, and it's capable of anything you need to do on the street.

The 800 is also a good bike, and of course is a bit more power and all.  Having few mods, and all the keys and such, and recent maintenance, is a very good start.  Maintaining a Ducati is more expensive than a Japanese bike, but not by a huge amount.  Figure an extra $3-400 a year.  The only real difference is the Desmo valve system, which requires tighter tolerances than a valvespring system, and thus more frequent checking.

If the maintenance has been kept up (and it sounds like it has), the 19K miles is nothing.  These 2-valve air/oil cooled motors are very durable.  The first time I had to have mine opened up at all was for piston rings and an alternator bearing at 122K, and I'm now at 198K without having had to open it up again yet.  It was dead reliable up to about 170K; since then I've had some issues with the electricals, carbs, clutch, and suspension.

Sounds to me like you should get the 800; you'll be happy with it, I'm sure.

PhilB

Not to hijack, but hey, you're back! I periodically wondered how many miles yours had on it now.

For the OP, I'd get the 800 personally over a 620.