Ducati Monster maintenance?

thrown_hammer · 03-14-2006, 11:20 AM

How bad is it? I have always loved the Monster. Probably looking at a used one. Which model to get? Don’t need MAD power but don’t want to look like a shriner in a parade either. I am 6’ 230 pounds. What model would be the best fit? I was thinking at least a 750…

Another option is a used Japanese bike of the same style.

Mr_Wizard · 03-14-2006, 11:33 AM

Used to own a 916, loved to ride it, hated to work on it. Changing the oil was a pain in the a$$. Not sure about a Monster though. Could not tell you about the maintenance on it. I would say go for it though, but I would go with this one

http://www.ducati.com/bikes/my2006/ducatiModel.jhtml?family=monster&modelName=MS2R1000-06

Anton · 03-14-2006, 11:42 AM

Not bad at all. Valves ever 6k, cambelts every 12k, ride the hell out of it.

Old monsters were either 750 or 900 air cooled two-valve. Same bike, different motors. If buying an older one get the 900.

New ones come in 620, 800, and 1000 air cooled, two-valve; and 916 and 996 watercooled, four-valve. Stay away from the water cooled ones. Yes, they offer big power, but are more complicated, heavier, and expensive to work on.

If you can look for an S2R model, available for the last few years as an 800 and this year as both an 800 and a 1000, it has a trick single sided swingarm.

Flatbutt1 · 03-14-2006, 11:57 AM

Ducs can be areal pain to maintain unless you're into spinning wrenches. If you want care free riding get the ricer.

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

As mentioned, regular valve adjustments and belt change intervals... Other than that, gas and oil..

Oh, and if you have the older ones (2003 or older) I think you're changing out the voltage regulator at $300 a pop every 50 miles of so. I love my Duc but the electrical system is THE PITS!.

thrown_hammer · 03-14-2006, 12:22 PM

Chris,
No mad scientist fix for the regulator? Maybe a Hyundia Tiburon regulator would work? Get to work on that will ya?

Maybe I should get the Japanese bike…same look, same performance, lower price, less maintenance. But I would really like to have the clickity clackity clutch.

Anton · 03-14-2006, 12:40 PM

I had a 2000 M750. 20,000 trouble free miles. Had the valves done every 6k, local shop could do it in 2hrs, $125 plus shims. Did the belts myself at 12k, took me 20min. Changed the oil every three. Put a new chain and sprokets on. Ate a few spark plugs, but I kept it jetted rich. Wore out a few sets of tires. Cleaned the K&N when I changed the oil. Put a set of brake pad in, maybe $30 a caliper. I've owned 1 ducati, 1 triumph, 2 beemers, 1 Norton, and three hondas. The ducati was as reliable as any of the Hondas, and more reliable than the triumph and airhead Beemer, maybe not quite as reliable as the oilhead beamer. I would bother to compare it to an old Norton.

Steve Carlton · 03-14-2006, 12:51 PM

I don't think the 750 will have enough power for you. And I think the frame was changed and the stability was better starting in '02.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

www.ducatimonster.org

Jeff Higgins · 03-14-2006, 07:20 PM

sushinav · sushinav's Garage

Hey Shawn,
I'm getting ready to sell my 97 Triumph Speed Triple. They have a good chunk more power than Monsters, and are a superb ride. And there is no maintenance, unless you consider putting gas in it maintenance. If you like these, drop me a note here or on the GruppeB site.
Cheers!

Best advice is to go out and ride a bunch of different bikes.

David · David's Garage

I think the 750 is a little small for you. I used to be a Ducati mechanic and I didn't think it was too bad. Ducati recommended pulling the heads to adjust the valves. Of course that was in 1991 and I don't know if things have changed since then.

HardDrive · 03-14-2006, 09:54 PM

LOL. Instant classic.

Quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Higgins

thrown_hammer · 03-15-2006, 03:11 AM

Awesome Triumph. You have a PM.

The Duc may not work out for me. I love the Monster style but it sounds like there are similar bikes with less maintenence hassles for less $$ out there.

wcc · 03-15-2006, 04:34 AM

Personally I've always like the look of the full fairing.

I haven't had any maint issues. Just the routine stuff, tires, valves, oil, etc........

I get more attention with waves, thumbs up, compliments, girls flashing their ta tas, etc than both of my P-cars combined on this bike.

NICKG · 03-15-2006, 05:38 AM

i have a 1000ss, they are extremely reliable. the newre the better. the voltage regulater has been fixed in the later bikes and the older ones have aftermarket fixes that are bullet proof. check out www.ducatimonster.org www.rc51.com (use pull down to find the duc part) www.ducati.ms for info. with the skyrocketing prices on the asian bikes, the Ducati's are becoming more of a value and they hold that value way better than the asian's. the mainteance is not anywhere near what you think....it can be expensive but i found that it is not a heck of a lot more than the Jap bikes (if you do the services as they require, which most don't) Don't discount the monster because of what people say here...triumph's are gonna be a pia to get parts for btw check the sites i gave you out, BEFORE you buy

deathpunk dan · 03-15-2006, 07:29 AM

keep in mind the 750 is a much different engine than the 800/900/1000 2 valve engines.

The 750 is the final development of the pantah/500 sl engines that you saw on the aluzarras and pantahs etc. Not the same engine as the 750 F1 or 1989-90 750 sport.

The 750 supersports and monsters are 5 speeds with wet clutches vs the 800/900/1000 6 spd/dry clutch.

The early M750's have some minor issues, especially cagiva/castiglioni era ones. Not bad if you can find a cheap one, however.

The aircooled 2v ducs in general are very robust and durable engines. Not nearly as $$$ as 4 valve watercoolers ie 851/888/916/955/748/996 etc. I used to have a 94 900SS CR converted to SP specs,and my best friend has an 01 900SS. The low-mid range rush of a well tuned 800-1000cc 2v is awesome.