750 Monster - I'm getting an itch

[2DFlyer]

I've lasted 16 months without a ride and am getting an itch in a place that's really hard to reach.  The monster sits high on the short list, but I know nothing about the 01 750's.  I found this one on Raleigh's Craigslist.  

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/mcy/998489933.html

What's the good, bad, and ugly on this bike?

[Rincewind]

That's a really nice looking Monster.  

Check http://www.ducatimonster.org/ for Monster info.  Here is their model comparo list showing that 2002 was the 5th generation of the 750 Monster.

[rockinjc]

For what it is worth here goes one of those 'I love my bike' posts.

I picked up one of those last winter after a year on the ST3s. An additional bike seemed like a good idea as the bigger water cooled Duc required restraint at all times and my previous bike, the Bonneville another runabout, was missed. Also, this makes a totally accessible guest bike. Even though the specs don't look very impressive, if you aren't a very large human it will stretch your arms pretty well. Lean angle is limited for a sport bike, but compares well against many many motorcycles, doublely so if you live in the hill county.

The price to me seems a little high. If it comes with the fresh belt change, valve check, oil change and tires right off the bat, that makes it look a little better. The customizations are nice, but as they say, the seller should not expect to get much of their investment in customizations.  In this economy and for the time of year, you might be able to find a fine example for as less, or with a bigger motor. Perhaps you'd be able to talk the seller down a bit. For reference my M750 has original pipes and needed a few consumables. I paid Less than four large for mine, it had a couple of bent controls, but was otherwise scratch free.

I love my bike and often opt to ride this rather than the liter bike, even on weekend trips. If for any reason I found myself with an insurance check for this guy, I would most likely pick up an water cooled Aprilia of the same displacement, mostly because I already owned on and would likely want to try something new.

Here is a 900 at a dealer with more miles and original pipes.
http://www.bmwmcgr.com/?page=viewbike&id=308

Good luck and enjoy,
jc

[FBRR]

One thing to look for on a Monster is the gas tank. 1) on older bikes they are prone to rust. ( as with anu older bike ) 2) Look at the underside of the tank, as Monsters are known to have issues if you do not take care when lifting the tank.If the tank is lifted when full, it can break the welds at the hinge, and leak. Monster gas tanks are both plastic and metal depending on year..

Also spend some time examining the frame. Hard drops from a wheelie can crack the frame rails, mainly at the steering head and the trelis frame over the engine. Also there are issues from abuse with the engine to frame mount.( It can break)

I too have been looking at Monsters, it pays to look very close at the condition, not just paint and miles.

[atadaskew]

The older generation Monsters ended up with plastic gas tanks.  Not sure what year those were phased in.  Also maybe not all of the models.  Fat lot of help I am!

[rockinjc]

My 2001 has a metal tank. I can tell because just like my head, my magnetic tank bag sticks to it.

jc

[jsanford]

I too have been looking at Monsters, it pays to look very close at the condition, not just paint and miles.

Big +1 on this.  I looked at all kinds of used Monsters last year with my Adam Glass Used Motorcycle Guide-inspired checksheet, and there was a big red flag on every one.  

I'd ask how long the brake and fork fluid has been in use. This one has low miles for an eight-year-old bike, the prior owners may have skipped them.

OTOH, the BMW oil reference is a good sign. BMW owners tend to be anal-retentive, detail-oriented propellor-heads and often take meticulous care of their bikes.

One mod not mentioned in the ad is the tail chop.  I'd also ask a local Duc dealer about this power-jetting stuff.

Worth a visit and test ride, for sure--but keep the emotions in check, or bring an impartial buddy with you.

[squidvicious]

I had a 2000.  Good bike.  Very reliable.  63 hp if your counting, but the handling makes up for it.  The price is a grand too high.  Yellow ones are faster.  

[2DFlyer]

Excellent!  All this good stuff and not one word about ventilated cases, smoking cans, or Lucas like electrics.  I take it that reliability is generally not an issue with this vintage Duc?  I had an 05 ST3 that I had become convinced would be a reliable ride before buying, but know nothing about anything any earlier.

Rockin I found the ST3 was all wrong for 95% of the riding I managed to get in - all round town.  So now I'm wondering if maybe less really is more.  All I'm looking for is something to kick around town with the occasional back roads strafing.  What I really crave is a 1000DS, but maybe the smaller bike would be a better choice.  A Bonnie is also a perennial short list bike for the same reason.

Check http://www.ducatimonster.org/ for Monster info.  

This is what I was looking for last night.  Lucky me he has way too much time on his hands.

Adam Glass Used Motorcycle Guide-inspired checksheet, and there was a big red flag on every one.  
Worth a visit and test ride, for sure--but keep the emotions in check, or bring an impartial buddy with you.

All excellent advice, especially the emotional part.  Funny isn't it, sit on a 919 or Fizzer and I think, yeah fine bike that would be okay to ride.  But throw a leg over a Monster (and for me a Buell XB, or a Bonnie) and the knees go all wobbly.  Smart guy that bought my Speed Triple had his wife - the real estate agent - doing the negotiating while he was off yankin' 2nd gear wheelies.  I never stood a chance...

The older generation Monsters ended up with plastic gas tanks.  Not sure what year those were phased in.  Also maybe not all of the models.  Fat lot of help I am!

You can help later when I've got one belt off, a carb torn down to parade rest an no idea how it all goes back together...

OTOH, the BMW oil reference is a good sign. BMW owners tend to be anal-retentive, detail-oriented propellor-heads and often take meticulous care of their bikes.

Maybe this is why I only lasted 9 months with the R1150R.  First oil change and it was time to move on.

Monsters are known to have issues if you do not take care when lifting the tank.If the tank is lifted when full, it can break the welds at the hinge, and leak.

Also spend some time examining the frame.

...it pays to look very close at the condition, not just paint and miles.

Never would have thought to go there.  Excellent!

Very reliable.  63 hp if your counting, but the handling makes up for it.  The price is a grand too high.  Yellow ones are faster.  

The very reliable part is what I've been wanting to hear.  I'm not counting HP.  I just want something that will put a smile on the face and, more importantly, keep it there for a few years.  Much as I enjoyed riding a different bike every few years - or months as it got down to the last few bikes - I really was sick and tired of constantly obsessing about the next one.  This is another part of the reason I've been without wheels.  I just want a 5 or so year keeper.

[JoBu]

Well...if you do get it, I've got a set of Throttle Meisters for it (black - heavy).  I bought them for my ST4s only to find out they were the wrong ones (thanks Ducati.ms guy).    Anyhoo, they fit Monster 750's and 999's (strange pair).  Let me know if you're interested.  You could buy these and then find a nice Monster to go along with them.  

BTW...beautiful Monster.  Best of luck with your search.

Cheers,

Joe

[Orson]

for around town and day rides, an air cooled v twin is all the bike you'll ever need  

touring without a fairing though, just can't be done.

impossible  

[rockinjc]

Yellow ones are faster.  

+1

Did you try out a Multistrada? If it does not look ugly to you, it does everything a monster can and tours a bit better. To me the looks of the Multi improved after I took one for a ride.

[2DFlyer]

+1

Did you try out a Multistrada? If it does not look ugly to you, it does everything a monster can and tours a bit better. To me the looks of the Multi improved after I took one for a ride.

I haven't warmed up to the MS yet but IMHO the 03-05 800/1000 monsters are in the top 5 best looking bikes ever.  Plus I don't have anywhere to go so really don't need a touring bike.  That's a mistake I made with the ST3.

[Alien VFR]

I had a 1994 Ducati 900ss for a couple years.  That motor was great, and the brakes were amazing.  

I've always liked the Monster, but if I were going to get one, it would have to be pure Monster sex for me; the S4r.

[Desmo Demon]

That is definitely a high price for the M750.

It has a few more miles, but I would rather spend a few hundred more and get the red 2001 M900 that Myer's has in Asheville (www.myersmotorcycles.com)....


http://www.myersmotorcycles.com/index.php?option=com_adsmanager&page=show_ad&adid=162&catid=1&Itemid=72

This past May, I picked up an '01 M900ie with Termi high-mounts and new Michelins and only 10k miles for $4900 OTD from a local dealer.

[2DFlyer]

That is definitely a high price for the M750.

It has a few more miles, but I would rather spend a few hundred more and get the red 2001 M900 that Myer's has in Asheville (www.myersmotorcycles.com)....


http://www.myersmotorcycles.com/index.php?option=com_adsmanager&page=show_ad&adid=162&catid=1&Itemid=72

This past May, I picked up an '01 M900ie with Termi high-mounts and new Michelins and only 10k miles for $4900 OTD from a local dealer.

Gorgeous bike.  I saw it but, being ignorant, was/am concerned about the mileage.  Is 20K on that vintage anything?
Something else I don't understand is the motor lineage.  Is the 1000DS motor descendant from this 900.  

I actually bought the R1150R off consignment from Myers and sold the ST3.  They're about 4-1/2 hrs from here but I'd but from them again.

[Desmo Demon]

Is 20K on that vintage anything?

20k for a 2001 is only 2500 miles a year if it was originally bought in January of 2001. 2500 a year isn't much at all....that's three good weekends for my wife and me. If I had the money, I'd go  look at that Monster after work, today. I'm itching for a 2001 M900ie after getting the one for my wife. If the bike was serviced and taken care of fairly well, I don't have any problems with buying a used bike that only averaged 2500 miles per year. As far as personal Ducati experience, my ST2 has 40k miles and my 748 has 18k on it. We picked up my wife's '98 ST2 last year with 22k, and her '01 M900ie had 10k on it, when we bought it last year.

Something else I don't understand is the motor lineage.  Is the 1000DS motor descendant from this 900.

Yes, the 1000DS is a descendant of the 900.

IIRC, originally there was the 900.....then the 750 was added.....then the 600....then the 620.....then the 695. (I omitted the 4V engined Monsters in this list)

When Ducati went to the DS engine, the 750 was punched out to an 800 and the 900 became the 1000, and then, naturally, the new generation is the 696 and 1100 Monster.

All of these 2V engines have the reputation of being "bullet-proof".

[2DFlyer]

All of these 2V engines have the reputation of being "bullet-proof".

That's what I've been waiting to hear.  So at 20K on a well maintained air cooled Duc has plenty of life left.  I traded emails with Todd at Myers today.  He said he'd taken a deposit on this bike so it's probably gone.  There will be others.

[Playinthestreet]

And with a set of aftermarket cans, the 2V sounds way better than the 4V.

[chornbe]

The price to me seems a little high. If it comes with the fresh belt change, valve check, oil change and tires right off the bat, that makes it look a little better. The customizations are nice, but as they say, the seller should not expect to get much of their investment in customizations.

+1

They're nice, to be sure, but I think you could hunt around a little. Of course, you might end up having to ship one in and be at that price or higher.

Good luck.