thoughts on a potential purchase - pickup on or around Fri 24-Aug

[MN1200S]

New to the forum and about the join the Ducati owner world. . . I have posted an intro in the new guy area

I'm looking at a 2015 Monster 1200S and looking for feedback and opinions, you all have the experience that I don't. . .
~18000 miles, it's had its major service done, at the original dealer
I have access to service history, no known issues at this time
it's basically all stock and very clean
new tires as part of it's recent service
$9000 asking price

Is this a lot of miles for a Monster?
Good value at this price?
Planned usage is primarily a fun road machine, probably a couple thousand miles a year realistically
Some minor personalizing is definitely on the menu

Thoughts, experiences and opinions?
Thanks everyone

[stopintime]

I don't know much about the American market, but since buyers will rather pay premium for low miles bikes than reasonable priced 'higher' miles = often almost a bargain to buy bikes like this one at 18000 miles. Then again... a lower miles bike will catch a higher price a few years from now. It evens out.

18000 is not a lot! Unless you have reason to believe that the owner neglects it and/or abuses it.

[ducpainter]

I'd rather have a bike that's been ridden and cared for rather than one that's sat in a shed that needs service due to neglect.

18K is unusual for most Monsters. Most don't get that many miles in 3 years.

[MN1200S]

I agree, a long term sitting machine can dry up and have problems, this one seems to have been used regularly. And to the miles put on it, I'm thinking it's been ridden regularly and likely out on the road clicking off the miles. I'm told the past owner traded it and is now on a new touring machine, perhaps he has been touring the Monster as of late.

[Speeddog]

I've got very few customers that run that kind of mileage, ~3k per year is typical around here.

That said, not anything dramatic IMO, condition and mods more important.

[MN1200S]

Good deal, thanks for the feedback
And nothing dramatic other than MY FIRST DUCATI!!  
Condition and mods confirmed tomorrow morning I hope, along with a test ride

[roggie]

Good deal, thanks for the feedback
And nothing dramatic other than MY FIRST DUCATI!!  
Condition and mods confirmed tomorrow morning I hope, along with a test ride

Well, how was the test ride?

[GK]

+1.

[koko64]

+2

[MN1200S]

Well, how was the test ride?

The weather wasn't cooperating but I did manage to get a short ride in anyway, overcast and misting wouldn't stop. . .

The test went well and the bike looks and a rides great. Observations... (in no order)
-it really wakes up in the mid range and runs hard from there
-not a lot of foot room with those one piece peg mounts
-nice comfortable seat
-seriously naked front end from my seating position, my FJR w/all it's fairing completely different
-what's the ugly box, front left down low, near what I believe is the oil cooler? not on the 2018
-bar feels really wide, certainly plenty of leverage while riding
-low speed very easy, feels light
-with the damp roads, no real fun corning experience, bummer, but I'm not expecting any issues
-doesn't like to idle around at parking lot speeds, seems to load up pretty quickly, not a problem just different from my FJR
-sounds great, I imagine 18k miles has toasted the mufflers nicely, I like...

Need to decide, used or new... need to do this... riding season is half over already...

[roggie]

I'm not as familiar with the newer monsters but the ugly box is most likely the charcoal canister which can be removed. At least it was on my bike. Maybe the experts can confirm.

The rest of your comments seem spot on for a monster!

[MN1200S]

So I decided to go new, even this late in the riding season. '18 Monster 1200S in red should be here in a week or a little more. Funny, I rode an IBA SS1000 on my FJR yesterday, around Lake Michigan, and spent the whole time thinking about the new machine!

[roggie]

congrats!
post up some pics when you get it 

[MN1200S]

Tracking says arrival at the dealer tomorrow
And prepped and ready for me by the end of the week
It's going to be a long week. . .

[koko64]

You'll need to at least post links to a host site for the pics or follow the tutorial in the facts section.