Hello from GA

[pdog109]

Hi all, i've been lurking here a few weeks reading all the good info.
Two weeks ago i bought my first bike a 2004 Ducati Monster 620.
I'm a brand new rider, took the MSF course in September and bought the bike at the end of the month.
I wasn't sure what bike i wanted, i had been looking at getting a Honda CRF 250L, alot of people said get a 250 to learn on but then other
people said you will outgrow it. But then i saw a Ducati Monster and i felt something inside me get tickled.
So two weeks ago i did it and bought my monster, has 6500 miles on it and in great shape will get pics up soon.
The learning curve is a bit steep but i think i'm finally starting to get it.
I was real nervous at first and maybe regretting my purcahse but i'm no longer doing that i'm starting to have fun on the bike.  
Looking forward to sharing riding info and stories with you guys and gals, great forum!

[Curmudgeon]

Welcome!

Shouldn't be too much bike if you keep your head.  Has enough power to get you OUT of trouble too. 

Assume the bike has fresh oil, tires, belts, valve adjustment, hydraulic fluid? Got it from a dealer? If not, do those things soon or it COULD cost you $$$. Then you'll be set for 2 - 3 years unless you ride the wheels off. 

Where in GA?

Rubber side down!

[pdog109]

Welcome!

Shouldn't be too much bike if you keep your head.   Has enough power to get you OUT of trouble too.  

Assume the bike has fresh oil, tires, belts, valve adjustment, hydraulic fluid? Got it from a dealer? If not, do those things soon or it COULD cost you $$$. Then you'll be set for 2 - 3 years unless you ride the wheels off.  

Where in GA?

Rubber side down!

Augusta.
Got it in a private sale, he told me the belts were changed 2 years ago, tires look good, probably should change hydraulic fuel but haven't looked into that yet.
I changed the oil the first week i got it though and yeah i'll have to see about the valves soon there's a Ducati dealership in town i'll have to get a quote from them or buy the tools and attempt it my self. The bike came with a stand so that's helpful.
I already installed new grips on it yesterday my mechanical knowledge is limited but i'm learning slowly.
Also bought frame sliders but haven't had a chance to put them on yet, worried them damaging the frame if i drop it (worried about dropping it why is why i got the sliders in the first place) but i've read that the cyclecat IMS ones will break off before the damage the frame. :/

Oh yeah and i cleaned,lubed and adjusted the chain with a help of riding buddy who knows alot about bikes.
The chain was dirty with grease and stuff, put some kersone and scrubbed it down with a wire brush and wiped it off.

[pdog109]

Pics of my Monster.
Thinking of taking off the front fairing to see how it looks but not to bad as is.
Might end up putting the OEM grips back on, the new ones are nice but i got used to the old ones - i need to stop trying to change things. 





Next to my buddies CBR500

[Curmudgeon]

Augusta, eh? Have a son looking at a small commercial building on Broad St. as I type. Let us know how that dealer performs. Ducati - Triumph, right?

A lot of us here use Dupont Chain Saver which you can pick up at a few Walmarts in a tiny motorcycle section in the Auto department. Check online for location availability. Stuff stays clean and doesn't fling!  http://www2.dupont.com/Consumer_Lubricants/en_US/products/chain_saver.html

You can check the date code on the tires for age. More than 5 years and they'll be hard. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=11

There are plenty of 620 owners here to give advice. I do minimal wrenching on mine because I no longer find it therapeutic. If you decide to dive in, buy quality tools and research thoroughly before you break something expensive.  Post questions in Tech. You'll get loads of advice.

Check your tire pressures carefully with an accurate gauge and frequently. Try 32/35 PSI cold on a 620 according to Pirelli. Hope you got an owner's manual with the sale.

Ride carefully. NO one sees you! If you can, ride with some mature, experienced riders and watch what they do and figure out why they did it. That way YOU don't have to learn the hard way. Stay in your personal comfort zone. They'll wait for you at turns. 

Have Fun!

[pdog109]

Augusta, eh? Have a son looking at a small commercial building on Broad St. as I type. Let us know how that dealer performs. Ducati - Triumph, right?

A lot of us here use Dupont Chain Saver which you can pick up at a few Walmarts in a tiny motorcycle section in the Auto department. Check online for location availability. Stuff stays clean and doesn't fling!  http://www2.dupont.com/Consumer_Lubricants/en_US/products/chain_saver.html

You can check the date code on the tires for age. More than 5 years and they'll be hard. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=11

There are plenty of 620 owners here to give advice. I do minimal wrenching on mine because I no longer find it therapeutic. If you decide to dive in, buy quality tools and research thoroughly before you break something expensive.  Post questions in Tech. You'll get loads of advice.

Check your tire pressures carefully with an accurate gauge and frequently. Try 32/35 PSI cold on a 620 according to Pirelli. Hope you got an owner's manual with the sale.

Ride carefully. NO one sees you! If you can, ride with some mature, experienced riders and watch what they do and figure out why they did it. That way YOU don't have to learn the hard way. Stay in your personal comfort zone. They'll wait for you at turns. 

Have Fun!

Yeah its Ducati-Triumph, i haven't been able to go down there yet i'll need to call them soon though.
Yup got the manual and red key with the bike, manual has been helpful along with this place. 
I rode a few times with my buddy and have them ride behind me so they can see what I'm doing wrong and help me.
One time he did go ahead of me and of course i take the turns slower but still get there. 
I do need to buy a good tire gauge, i've seen the cheap-o ones at walmart should be good enough i think the tires are michelin haven't paid them much attention other than looking at the tread which looks ok for now.
Thanks.

[Curmudgeon]

If you opt for a cheap gauge, test it against a known accurate one. Not infrequently they are off +/- 2 PSI or more. 

The PO might have changed the tires already? Did you check the date code?  Pirelli usually lists the same pressures you'll find in the manual. It's always a problem finding a gauge which doesn't lose air when you check pressures. Accurate tire gauges for cars with long hoses often do this. If you know the error from a cheapie though, you can correct for that. Compact Bourdon tube guages are best but they are hard to find. Mine is 40 years old and can be recalibrated and was made in Germany. Better not drop it! 

Ride safe!

[pdog109]

Haven't been able to go down the ducati dealership but i hit up a local motorcycle store/shop that quoted me for the valve check for $130 and $300 if it needs to be adjusted. Not bad, not bad all.

[Curmudgeon]

It's not a Japanese I-4. Desmo valves are a different kettle of fish altogether. Wait for the Ducati dealer. A lot of that adjustment is done by feel too which takes experience. It's probably also going to cost you more X1.5 even in Augusta. You'll be good for a while though. That first adjustment is often the most critical. If done right, after that they don't move much.

Watch:

[pdog109]

The ducati dealer said it would be around $250 to check for the valves and more if they need to be adjusted, he seemed to point it would be alot more, 3 hours labor he mentioned too. He asked me about the belts i told him the previous owner changed them 2 years ago and he seemed incredulous at this.
My engine bike knowledge is fairly limited however. 
Seems like i would be dropping a pretty penny at the dealership, i know i bought a ducati and i should expect this, i've had several lads swear by the local shop guy though so don't know who to go with it here, dealership seems to be the safest/but most expensive and could be getting taken for a ride whereas the local shop guy has a honest and solid reputation.  

[Curmudgeon]

Others may disagree but I'd only want someone who does desmo valves frequently to touch mine. A lot of that is experience and "feel". The local shop guy may be a decent bike tech, but probably has no desmo experience. Do you want him to "learn" on your bike?  Doing conventional valve adjustments is pretty easy although it helps to know the quirks of that bike / valve train. Desmo valve shims are less forgiving and if done wrong can destroy some expensive rockers and forks, not to mention the valve seats! Watch the videos again.

Augusta is cheap. Up here a 7,500 service runs $600 - $700 on a 2-valve. There is a reason you hopefully didn't pay a lot for that bike. If there is any question about the belts, change them. If original, they are OLD. If a belt slips, you have 2 wheel rolling junk. After it's done, other than fluid changes, you will be good for 3 - 4 years and maybe 7,500+ miles.

Ducati suggest changing the belts every two years because they want to avoid liability. The newer belts are Kevlar-reinforced, so should be good for 3 - 4 years. The manufacturer says 10 years, but that's NOT on a Ducati. The dealer can also check the condition of the pulleys because those can fail over time as well.

My $0.02, play it safe!

[pdog109]

Others may disagree but I'd only want someone who does desmo valves frequently to touch mine. A lot of that is experience and "feel". The local shop guy may be a decent bike tech, but probably has no desmo experience. Do you want him to "learn" on your bike?  Doing conventional valve adjustments is pretty easy although it helps to know the quirks of that bike / valve train. Desmo valve shims are less forgiving and if done wrong can destroy some expensive rockers and forks, not to mention the valve seats! Watch the videos again.

Augusta is cheap. Up here a 7,500 service runs $600 - $700 on a 2-valve. There is a reason you hopefully didn't pay a lot for that bike. If there is any question about the belts, change them. If original, they are OLD. If a belt slips, you have 2 wheel rolling junk. After it's done, other than fluid changes, you will be good for 3 - 4 years and maybe 7,500+ miles.

Ducati suggest changing the belts every two years because they want to avoid liability. The newer belts are Kevlar-reinforced, so should be good for 3 - 4 years. The manufacturer says 10 years, but that's NOT on a Ducati. The dealer can also check the condition of the pulleys because those can fail over time as well.

My $0.02, play it safe!

Hmm you are swaying me to the dealership side.
Thanks for your help, appreciate the input.