What's this Ducati Monster worth? (I promise, last post like this....)
 

Earlier today I went and saw this bike. The bike is in better than new condition. I literally got on the ground, and looked up at the bike and couldn't find a belmish. The owner pointed out a few scratches, but.....amazing condition. You can tell the guy is a hard core perfectionist. He is selling to get a Multistrada.

Asking $6000, I was going to offer $5600, settle on $5800.

Yes, I am letting my emotions get involved, but thats why we love machines, yes?

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/847878619.html

The market is very soft and it is the end of the season. The paint job nicks the price heavily imho, and it is an 8 year old bike. Unless you really love it and think you're going to keep it, you'll want to be in the $4K range. As a point of reference I bought my '98 ST2, 11K miles, dead clean, well farkled, for $4600.

A monster would be a fun bike for running around town and anytime the speeds are under 50 or so....BUT, if you ever hit the open road, you will want some wind/weather protection.

That kind of money buys a nice used ST4S, which has the 996 engine.....Just one opinion.....

The paint job is certainly 'a matter of taste'. It actually does look very nice in person, the flames are very high quality, fading from light to dark blue.

I think its too much money as well, but I'm not seeing a lot of Monster out there for a lot less, at least not in this condition. Does condition not play as heavily into the price of bikes?

Agreed the market should be soft. Especially for sport bikes. If the economy continues to dither you will see more of these on the market.

Insurance in particular can be a more of a burden for sport bikes than for other motorcycles and Ducati maintenance and parts will not come cheap.

Consider this before you buy. Most people do not.

Ducatis must be cheaper there, because I think that bike would easily get $5.5k here, maybe even more than $6k. Those are some pricey extras, of which the cost can't be expected to be recouped by the seller, but generally add some value to a nice bike. And from that price, it really shouldn't depreciate that much over the next couple of years.

Insurance isn't bad either because it's a naked bike (you're not insuring expensive fairings and body work). I pay just over $200/year for full coverage (liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist w/ medical, even roadside assistance).

The 900ie is generally considered to be "rock solid", with very few (if any) "common" issues. Maintenance really isn't as bad as most people make it out to be, unless you take it to the stealership. Regular maintenance (and modification) is easily DIY if you are moderately "mechanical".

I guess it depends on if you're willing to pay a premium for "perfection" and some goodies. It doesn't sound like a bad deal to me if you knew you were going to add some of those items anyway. $5k would be a good deal (here) if it were bone stock.

Check out ducatimonster.org (good archives) and ducatimonsterworldwide.org (currently more active, but relatively recent start-up) for lots of relative information... good sources for used parts too (if you need them).

(disclaimer: I may be biased though, because I have an '02 900ie. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions) :p

my $0.02

Do *not* go to ducatimonster.org. The board was bought out by verticalspace.com and they are total fascist jerks. Most of the braintrust went to ducatimonsterworldwide.

If you go to ducatimonster.org even to check the archives you'll be adding to VS's hit count and hence $$$. Just say no.

Monsters are cheaper in SoCal because they are fairly common. $5K is fair for that bike, but the reality is that I'll bet that bike has been for sale for awhile. The market is extremely soft, and sellers need to get lucky unless they price aggressively.

I REALLY like this bike. I know the flames are over the top, and I might find a different tank/tail for it. But I cannot express how clean this bike is. I talked to the guy for a long time. His shop is meticulous. He's in his 40s and runs his own business. No greasy kids stuff. The kind of guy you want to buy a machine from.

Thanks for the input guys.

If you love it, then buy it. A $K here or there all comes out in the wash. My only point is that you shouldn't expect to be able to turn around and sell it for what you paid if you're close to the $6K mark.

Monster is a solid platform that has been around a long time now. I don't fit the bikes (too cramped) but it is popular here. Sunday I did a group ride with about 20 guys and over half of them were on Monsters. They do just fine in the twisties. They didn't follow me onto the fire road though, nor were they doing 2-up :p

You can register on Puma.com (I think there's a "/ducati" at the end of that addy, too) to register to win a new Monster 696... I'd echo Todd's sentiments about a few hundred here and there. If you really like it, the few hundred won't be a big deal. I'd think that bike should be about $5000-5500, as it's 8 years-old, no matter how minty fresh it might be.

You know you really want a VFR...........

Looks like a good deal, especially at say $3,500 assuming the 16k service has been done.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/mcy/851293872.html

nice monster..i would say 6500 ish...has alot of very desireable stuff on it

Buy it, a few hundred theoretically overpaid won't begin to make up for something that's been well taken care of by a knowledgeable and careful prior owner. Plus you'll have it and can stop thinking about it...................:)

Its worth what a monster without the mods is worth plus maybe 500 bucks. Carbon and exhaust never increase the resale. The Ohlins, on the other hand, are worth something of a premium. I'm sure the paint is cool, but it decreases the value of the bike, so...

Its worth whatever you think its worth. Soft, soft, market right now.

That is approaching S4R territory. It is not worth the asking price. I'm thinking $4500.

Hmmmmm.....I gotta say, I don't think all markets are the same. Its seems like cars/motorcycles go for a 10%+ premium in the North West.

SR4s, regardless of condition, are at least $7500 around here. SR2s are $6000+. I only know of 3 SR4s on the market in WA/OR at the moment, and the cheapest is $8700.

We'll see. Not sure how flexible the guy is going to be. I guess I gotta buy something, because I bought a helmet today (at least that what I tell myself). Arai Quantum f, $225 off craigslist, near mint.

HD, i must have lost track of your 2 wheel status--i thought you had bought a 900SS? Must have been someone else. too lazy and one scotch in the bank to check, sorry.

I'm hot on the trail of a Striple R, so you know i like that bike...

Find a bike in LA or SF, fly down, ride it home. Easy.

Nope. That was me. I was hot on the trail of a 900SS. I went and looked at about 15 bikes at this point. I love the mid 90s 900SS. But I shifted my attention to monsters. I like the upright riding position, and I like the lack of body panels. Its been a while since I have been on a bike, and laying the bike down is certainly possible.

I'm going to look like a geek, but I'm thinking frames and axle sliders might be a good idea...

Check into Forward Air. Buy a bike for 2k less and pay $500 to ship it.

Nice monster

edit.

Here's an example of a local S2R, $5900

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/mcy/853798406.html