Thinking of going to a Monster

mano1192

mano1192

New member
A Ducati Monster was my first choice before I bought my FZ8, but the dealer closed up here in Vegas and I ended up falling in love with the FZ8 the first time I saw it.

Now that I've had it for a year, I'm starting to want something new. I've been searching for a newer 1100 or 796, but they are hard to come by. Would anyone else leave this amazing bike for a duc? I'm having serious breakup issues...:eek:
 
H

Hoover

Guest
The Monster is a great bike no doubt, I just hope you have deep pockets.
They are very fickle creatures over the long haul and maintenance is expensive and frequent.
I know several people that have Ducati's and although they love them, not one of them uses it as a daily driver. They all have a second bike and only bring the Ducati out on weekends.
I liken having a Ducati to perhaps owing a Ferrari.
 
FZER

FZER

Avid Rider
I have basically heard the same thing, lots of maintanance and it sounds like you don't have local dealership now. The valves have to be adjusted I believe at every 5000 miles.
 
lothodon

lothodon

Super Moderator
i too was thinking about a monster, was a day short of getting a mint used bike too. to be honest i'm glad it fell through as just a month later the fz8 was announced.

great looking but pricey for what you get. the fact that wisconsin has all of ONE dealership and it's not remotely close is also a huge factor for me. i've even got a 40 mile drive to my "local" yamaha dealer and that sucks as well.
 
mano1192

mano1192

New member
Good points guysi am lucky in that 2 of the best duc mechanics in the country live in Vegas and are well reknown in the industry, Irish mike and mike Lancaster. So service will not be an issue. But money is always an issue right? I do understand the reshimming issue at 7500, and there is no doubt it an never keep up with the Yamaha in the maintenance department. I asked my dealer yesterday when the valves need to be looked at and he said it was 24k!
 
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FZER

FZER

Avid Rider
No dought they are awesome bikes. Nothing else looks or sound like them. Even their super sports have a special look.
 
K

K-Gr.

New member
forget 796, looks badass but after riding fz8 you will be dissapointed with power and its delivery. It is slower and engine does not like low revs - if you want the new generation Monster, go for 1100 missile :)
 
C

Camo

Guest
If I was going to go over to Ducati, It'd be for the 2012 848 Street fighter or the Diavel. Bike porn!
 
C

calscrazy

Guest
i came off a monster to the fz8.

http://www.779cc.org/forum/main-lobby-new-member-section/318-two-dead-ducs-lead.html

ended up going with an r6 as a track bike instead of another 900ss. ducs are great and i still ride with mostly duc owners. dont kid yourself though. a valve adjustment on new ones will cost you $1200. obviously if you can do it yourself then you can save alot of money. it's very easy to do. problem is the new ducs require the dealer to reset the maint light and some dealers won't reset unless they do the work. their aftermarket parts are alot more expensive and most have to come from overseas. monsterparts.com or ca-cycleworks.com are great places. chris kelly at cycleworks is awesome and helpful. i was gonna go back with a monster but really don't like the new ones. the plastic snap-on pieces on the tanks just seem cheap and dont get me started on the plastic tank issues.

http://www.779cc.org/forum/bar/515-so-you-wanna-ducati.html

they are fun to ride but they do have some major issues. some of their owners are real **cks but most are pretty cool.
 
D

DJK1505

Guest
Dude, if you really wanna change; look at the MV Agusta Brutale 920 or the new 675. I really want to read some reviews on the 675 before I go out and buy one. But they look freaking sweet! I am def going to get another bike next year, pretty sure the MV is in my future, just waiting on the reviews. Not too worried about not having too many dealers in the US, just want a diff, bad ass bike!!!!!
 
J

Johnny5

New member
The air cooled Monsters are pretty reliable, but the maintenance costs are definitely higher. You HAVE to replace the timing belts every couple of years because if they fail your engine go boom. lol

Valve checks are every 7500 miles. Typically they will be in spec but you have to at least check. If you are mechanically inclined the valve adjustments are not all that hard to do, but if you have the dealer do them it can be costly, just because you have to do them twice as often then most Japanese bikes. And a lot more frequently than the FZ8.

I can understand the lust for Ducatis, they are killer bikes. The sound and feel of the L-twin is pretty intoxicating. I have plenty of friends that have Monsters that are daily drivers, seem pretty reliable.

Completely different ride than an FZ8 though, you should try one out. FZ8 is a bigger heavier bike, and much smoother. Ducatis are jerky below 3500 RPM, but that is typically fixed (or greatly helped) by dropping the front sprocket by a tooth. The Monster 1100 torque is ridiculous, espeically for a bike that is sub 400 lbs. Haven't ridden a 796.
 
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