Motor cycle advice [Archive]

69Nova

03-11-2007, 08:09 AM

OK so I'm looking for a little advice. I'm looking into buying a Ducati Monster. A friend of mine has it for sale. I only owned dirt bikes and the only street bikes I have been on are dual purpose dirt bikes(I have ridin 250's and 400's). Plus every bike I have had I purchased new. So I'm wanting to know what to look for when buying a used bike. Also if anyone has experience with a Ducati Monster I'd like to hear your thoughts and opinion on the bike.

Thanks guys

BA.

03-11-2007, 08:20 AM

I rode dirt bikes back when I was in high-school and now have had about 4 different sportbikes. (and seat time on about 5 others)

All I can tell you about the Monster is something you probably already know. The Monster is a great bike with great torque!

justforfun

03-11-2007, 09:09 AM

Other than the normal brakes, leaks, damage checks the big thing I feel for is head shake since bikes usually take impacts in the front. If your friend is a first owner maybe determining if it was wrecked before is not an issue. I don't know enough about Ducks to help you out with specifics about this bike.

James OLC

03-11-2007, 09:36 AM

My personal experience is with a 916 so take it for what is worth. Duc's are great bikes, tons of fun and the Monsters are just plain cool but services can be spendy - especially the first service. On the SP the first service was practically a complete dissassembly and freshening of the Desmo valvetrain. Other than that I have nothing but good things to say about bikes.

Restomod

03-11-2007, 11:44 AM

Reboot nailed it,Ducs are not Hondas they require belt changes and valve adjutments regularly. And everything is more costly than other bikes. But they do hold their value a little better than Jap bikes. I have not ridden a Monster but I had a 748 and the Superbikes are torture racks...low bars high pegs ect.

WS6

03-11-2007, 11:58 AM

if it's a monster 600 it's weak and not worthy. monster 900 is pretty damn cool. however, like it's been mentioned it's italian therefore it needs maintanence.

69Nova

03-11-2007, 12:38 PM

Ok thanks for the info guys. I guess I'll go and talk to the Ducati dealership in Jacksonville about the cost of service. I'm almost positive the bike is a 900. I was hoping that I could bring the bike to them anyway before I buy it so they could look over it and tell me what they think.

WS6

03-11-2007, 02:56 PM

if you like the monster and just can't afford it or don't find it comfortable, you should check out the Suzuki SV bikes. they offer naked models in both the 650 and 1000. very capable bikes and just plain great really. other naked bikes that kick ass are the Triumph speed triple and speed four. Kawasaki has the a couple models too. I think ZZr is the model. Yamaha has the FZ. Honda has the 599 and 919. Personally, I love Vtwins too much to consider any of the inline fours. I may look into a speed triple one day, but if it doesn't have the Vtwin rumble and sound, I don't care how badass of a bike it is.

Oh and Buell has the thunderbolt bikes. good luck. be patient and above all else, find a bike that's confortable and that you have fun on.

go-fish

03-11-2007, 03:46 PM

I almost bought a Speed Tripple and I loved my Buell. Alot of rednecks would always come up and say, "Sounds like a Harley, but it don't look like no Harley." No $h1t.
The Grey Beards thought it was cool.
Ducs are generally accepted as well. The guys that do my powder coating are Banditos and dig just about any V-twin.
The twins are torquey SOB's, don't be expecting to do 200 down the interstate. Get a 'busa for that. I love the Buell Firebolts and Lightning for there mass centralization. The fuel in frame, muffler under frame, it's a well designed bike and has THE best lean angle out there. If you are more interested in beating guys in the corners more so than the straights, Buell is for you. Also it is cheaper to service and there's a Harley store on every corner.
I'm a bueller, but all that aside, my dream bike is now the Duc 1098. OMG, have you seen it.
In the end, you need to look at how much this is going to cost down the road and if you feel it is worth it to accept the maintenance costs. There are alot of choices as far as scooters go and you should look around. I know this guy is your buddy but is the bike right for you? If it is then all is well, go for it.

BRIAN

03-11-2007, 04:22 PM

I have had about 5 early F1A, F1B , AND F1S models. In my opinion the best Ducati ever made. They are still reasonably priced and will be worth more than what you paid when you are tired of it.

Back to the Monster, they were great first Ducati Bikes. They then evolved into about 5 different models. Honestly there are so many I couldn't keep track. They probably have the most natural seating position you will find. Problem with the 600's is they really are stripped down versions. You are better off starting with a 750 or 900 platform. I even think the s4? version had the 714 engine??

Ducatis like any Italian product are bought because you like the sound and look of the bike. They handle very well and really are not any more to maintain than a Jap bike. Italians tend to keep things simple in the mechanics dept. Be ready for poor fit here and there and some finicky parts. Half the part of owning a bike is fooling with it. Plus the droan of their exhaust sounds great when you are on one but will kill your buddies behind you.

Try the DUCATI INDEX. It is a web site that used to be good but like others got carried away with nonsense. Anyway it is or was a good source of Ducati information.

Good luck!!

69Nova

03-11-2007, 05:52 PM

Thanks for the info guys. I'm going to e-mail my buddy tommorow and see if I can borrow the bike for a day to have it checked out and take it too some back roads to ride on. I have sat on the bike before so I know I fit and like it. Plus its a pretty good deal now(I think), last time I heard about it the price was 2,500(its a 2000 and I'm almost positive its a 900). On top of that he is having his first kid soon so I'm thinking that will factor in. And in the end of it all I really dont need this bike so if I dont get the deal I want I'm fine with just walking away.

vanzuuk1

03-11-2007, 07:37 PM

Buy a good helmet that fits properly,also jacket,gloves and boots.Wear them every time you ride.

WS6

03-11-2007, 08:08 PM

completely forgot about those items. good call vanzuuk. for jackets check out the tour master flex jacket. I have one and really like it. Joe Rocket has their alter ego jacket and it is similar.

for helmets do not get caught in the if your heads only worth $50 then buy a $50 helmet hype. before you know it you've bought a $700 helmet that looks cool. fits like crap and has horrible wind noise. buy a quality helmet that fits well and is a plain color. trust me, your helmet will get scratched. how would you feel if you scratched up a fancy looking one? wear ear plugs on any long trips or interstate running. wind noise will destroy your hearing. naked bikes offer no wind protection. I personally own an HJC that's old. If I was looking for a new one, I would consider them again.

oh and don't be a fool, wear a full faced helmet only. if you ever go down chances are your chin is what will hit the ground. besides getting hit in the face with bugs hurt.

Gordz32

03-11-2007, 08:31 PM

Monsters are awsome, I wanted one but couldn't give up the dough for one, so I too the next best thing and bought an Suzuki SV650 that had every bolt-on imaginable. It was an awsome bike and I regret getting rid of it. I used to be a tech at a suzuki/kawasaki dealership. Ducs are awsome, but there are the ferrari's of motorcycles. Fun, Sexy and every bit of cool, but be prepared for $pendy maintnence cost, and don't plan on it being reliable like the jap bikes. There fine as long as its not your only means of transportation. Have fun and ride safe! Also, don't take on more bike than you can handle. I saw it all the time and 9 times out of 10 the brand new bike was coming back on a wrecker the next morning.

go-fish

03-12-2007, 01:21 AM

If I got another helmet it would be HJC like my last one was. I will go ahead and repeat this because it can't be said enough, gloves, long pants, jacket (if you insist on not wearing one at least wear long sleeves), boots(not tennie runners), and a helmet (preferably full face). Oh, if you ride at night, slip on a orange vest.
There are enough bozo's in cages that don't pay attention to bikes so it's safety,safety, safety. Been run off the road too many times.
Too many times I've seen jack arses down in Panama City and elsewhere in FLA too, wearing flip flops and tank tops. Don't be like that. I know it's hot sometimes but DAMN.
A friends wife's ex-husband died right there in St. Augustine when he went over with no helmet. Left two teenage girls last October.

ProTouring442

03-12-2007, 03:16 AM

Full face for sure. I have never tangled with an other vehicle, but I have managed to fall off twice in 20 years, and both times I landed on my face. Lucky for me, though I may not always wear a jacket or boots, I never wear shorts, and I always wear a full face.

On that note, I think my next helmet will be a Shoei Multitech. I tried one on at a local show, very nice!

That Duc sounds cool... I am in the process of selling my Dyna and will be getting a nice old Suzuki VX800. Hard to find, but nice and cheap, and reliable as hell!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
'72 442 "Inamorata"
www.FQuick.com/ProTouring442

Steve Chryssos

03-12-2007, 05:33 AM

Ducatis sound awesome--especially wide open. Which is a problem, because stupid cagers are somehow conditioned to cut in front of you when they hear that beautiful sound.

So practice your panic stops or we will nickname you "Endo". Be safe.

69Nova

03-13-2007, 07:31 AM

Well I just got a message back fomr the guy selling it. He is asking too much for my taste right now. It has been recently serviced about 300 miles ago, but I just really dont want to spend 4000 grand on a bike. I'm going to look around to see if I can find any other good deals. Like I have said before I really dont need a bike but if I can find the right deal I will get one.

wantahertzdonut

03-13-2007, 07:58 AM

Too bad, it would be a fun bike.

The only reason I never went for a Duc was the cost of the Desmodronic (sp?) valvetrain adjustment, something like $700 every 5000 miles I believe? Not 100% on that but it was enough to make me look back at SV650's (couldn't find one) so I got a Suzuki Bandit. I've been very happy with that.

ProTeal55

03-13-2007, 10:23 AM

Monsters are wicked cool bikes, but as everyone said above hey are big $$ to buy and to own. Nothing better than a slammed Ducati rippin past ya on the tollway...

You could always do what I did to cure my bike "itch" , and go buy yourself a early to mid 70's Honda CB750 and make a little cafe bike outta it. Def. not as fast as a mosnter, but they are a blast to ride, get all the attention in the world, cheap to own, Cheap to fixup, and are reliable as anything with the name "Honda" on it..
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
I am almost done building a slimmer/more cafe bike outta a 1974 cb450 (in progress) -->
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/03/45018-1.jpg
I will have way less into both bikes than the yearly service of one Ducati..These little bikes cure my bike itch, so I can dump the main funds into the Bel-Air...

BADVELLE

03-13-2007, 12:17 PM

69Nova

03-13-2007, 01:28 PM

Thanks for the idea. I am still looking around at diffrent options. I'll defintly keep this idea in mind.

RobM

03-13-2007, 06:30 PM

cafe bikes are deffinalty really cool

ProTouring442

03-14-2007, 03:58 AM

If you feel like building a Cafe bike, I have an old XS650 Cafe project I am thinking of selling!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

69Nova

03-14-2007, 04:53 AM

I'm going to look into Buell's. I really dont want another project to take on so I'm going to try and find something close to what I want. Plus they seem to be cheap and I like the way they look.

Gordz32

03-14-2007, 07:37 AM

Buells in my opinion, are just as cool as the ducs, kinda like comparing a ferrari to a Z06 Vette. HAhaha, Oil tank is the rear swingarm, frame is the gas tank, airbox is under the fake gas tank. Awsome bikes!! By buddy back in Jersey bought one, and he loves it!

vanzuuk1

03-14-2007, 05:45 PM

Badvelle,those are cool bikes.

69Nova

03-14-2007, 07:37 PM

Nice bike Vanzuuk, is it yours?

I'm going to look at Buell's tommorow.

vanzuuk1

03-15-2007, 02:40 AM

Its mine, its in the middle of another makeover.

neki67

03-15-2007, 02:59 AM

What about a different kind of 996? Reliable, affordable and loads of fun with a very lively engine (red lines @ 11000 rpm, approx 120 bhp, 410lbs). I also used to drive dirtbikes and this is the perfect addition to it for me.

Martin71RS

03-15-2007, 05:45 AM

Nice streetfighter vanzuuk!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/03/gsxr1100w03-1.jpg

this was the one I built...and sold to buy the Camaro.

Indeed allways wear a helmet, gloves and protective cloath!

the CB caferacers are cool too! Just the brakes on those (or lack of :attn: ) is a neg.

Martin

Fuelie Fan

03-15-2007, 07:04 AM

My advice: whatever you get, put a lock on it! My F4i got stolen out of my parking lot two nights ago!

69Nova

03-15-2007, 07:23 AM

Dam that sucks. Yeah after I decided what I'm going to get I'm going to look into a good lock for it.

WS6

03-15-2007, 09:43 AM

You'll need to do more than lock it. Bikes are the type of possession that the only way to keep it from being stolen, would be to put it where it can not be reached. A lock will only mean the people will have to pick the bike up to put it in the truck to steal it. Two really strong guys or three normal guys and the bike is lifted and put in a truck and taken.

Sorry about your bike though Fuelie. I couldn't imagine how pissed I would be

go-fish

03-15-2007, 02:45 PM

A buddy of mine had his bike stolen at his apartment complex by some guys with an Isuzu box truck with a Tommy Gate (lift gate).
The neighbor called 911. When they caught them they had nine bikes with them. They were up all night doing snatch and grabs.
Just be smart about where you park it, even at the mall or the movies or anywhere.

72SSAbody

03-15-2007, 05:24 PM

If you go with a Buell get an XB.

A lot of guys/gals love their old "tube frames", but in all practicality the X1's EFI has too many issues (TPS needs to be reset constantly a lot of folks have found out).

If I had a choice for a tube framed buell I would stick with a carb'ed model such as the M2 cyclone with thunderstorm heads and upgraded "B" cams.

For the XB series, keep your eye out on the '03 models as some have an issue with belts wearing quickly and snapping. It's happened to my brother's "R" model three times now, but my '03 "S" didn't have an issue. It can be a hit or miss. If you do get an '03 just upgrade to the '04+ belt, idler and pullies.

The R models also have headlight buckets that seem to have an issue with the reflective coating inside them. The headlights progressively get dimmer because of this so if you buy a used one, pop them off and check. Replace with new OE's.

Also, don't worry about parts being expensive. They are some of the cheapest bikes to get parts for. HD has done a really good job in holding the profit margin down on these parts for the buell enthusiast.

Maintenance is a snap on the XB Merlin II powertrains so don't let anyone try to scare you away from them. The aftermarket is building and supporting these corner carvers with more parts each day. I'm about to CNC some rear sets for my brother's firebolt so they are like any bike in that you can customize them to the max.

If you buy a Buell, be prepared to answer a ton of questions at the gas station as they tend to draw a crowd that is use to seeing/hearing rice rockets all day long. Its a beautiful sound to hear at Daytona when you're use to inliners going around the track.

Joe

69Nova

03-15-2007, 07:26 PM

Wow thanks for all the info. I'm pretty sure I want a Buell. I went to look at new ones today just for kicks. They are exactly what I like. I'm defintly going to get a XB. I used to hear about all the problems with the old ones(My dad used to ride harleys, and I live next to the dealership). Now I just need to find the right deal for me. I'm probly going to look for a 03' since they would be the cheapest.

Ralph LoGrasso

03-15-2007, 07:34 PM

Its mine, its in the middle of another makeover.

I'm diggin' the new makeover, Dirk. Love the raw(brushed?) frame.

go-fish

03-15-2007, 09:18 PM

I had a Firebolt and will get another someday when the 'cuda is done (well it'll probably never be "done").
I had Revolution Performance's 90" Big Bore cylinders on the once 1203 making it something like 1470 cc's. www.revperf.com
I had a carbon fiber air box from http://www.americansportbike.com/ and Micron exhaust.
The thing I had problems with was the mapping on the ECM. If you mod these things to a ridiculous point, they are going to give you some problems.
I had the race ECM and couldn't get a good remap, it would sporaticly dump fuel and then run fine. I bought a DirectLink remapping tool to do it myself at home (which I think I still have?) and was waiting on a usb adapter to come in the mail and that's when it happened. I wrecked it, which put an end to my riding days so far.
There are tons of things you can do to Buells. For a guy that likes messing with hotrods and doesn't mind getting into a bike to upgrade performance it is IMO better than buying the typical Gixxer or Ninja. They will lose you on the highway so if you're out too break land speed records don't buy a Buell. If you want to chew corners up and spit them out then buy a Buell.
Here is a link to the demise of my XB14R. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/6817/214965.html?1154493673
The BadWeb is a pretty good Buell site and some very knowledgable people are on there.
Have fun.

ProTeal55

03-16-2007, 12:23 PM

Nice streetfighter vanzuuk!
the CB caferacers are cool too! Just the brakes on those (or lack of :attn: ) is a neg.

I agree with ya 150% on the brakes being not so great. Thus I did a modern mster cylinder offa Busa, all braided lines, and added a 2nd caliper and rotor to the mix. Also cross drilled both rotors as well.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
Now the thing stops HARD for a 30 year old bike. Still not as good as a newer rocket, but better than it was..

Martin71RS

03-16-2007, 01:10 PM

nice solution...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/03/gs84402-1.jpg

this was my cafe racer (early streetfighter)....aaah good old days:bananna2:

Turbo Rob

03-16-2007, 02:48 PM

nice solution...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/03/gs84402-1.jpg

this was my cafe racer (early streetfighter)....aaah good old days:bananna2:

Martin, mooie bril.

Rob

dogtag

03-18-2007, 09:08 PM

ProTouring442

03-19-2007, 03:54 AM

Love bikes but don't have one anymore.
Had Three Norton Commando's.
Can you believe they are starting to make Nortons again down in
Portland Ore.
This one is 953 cc and a little over 90 hp.
Not much power but when you consider the weight is around 450lbs it makes things a little more interesting.

DT

Actually, I think they went broke. Bummer too. And the new management/owners want to build them in China. Arg!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

Paul69camaro

03-19-2007, 09:31 AM

A buddy of mine used to work at the ducati and aprilia dealership here in town and he would bring home all these sweet bikes and let me ride em, and I've gotta say that out of all the bikes I have ridden, the ducati S4RS monster is my favorite. I used to have a triumph daytona 955i and loved it till i got spoiled by the monster. It's just so comfortable, you don't get as much hot air from the engine as you do with full fairing sportbikes, plus V twins are so much more fun to ride around town on, the fact that they'll wheelie on demand is pretty cool.