[updated:LAST EDITED ON 19-Jun-02 AT 05:17 PM (EST)]I hope some of you guys ride a Ducati and can give me your input. I'm looking to buy and can't make up my mind.
I tend to lean towards the Monster 750 or Monster 900. Their Italian styling, exposed frame, craftsmanship, etc. typify the perfect naked bike in my eyes.
Unfortunately I can't afford a brand new bike so I am looking at generally late 90s vintage. I have seen a few nice 750s that have already been tweaked a little (slip ons, jetted, etc) and appear to have been well cared for, that can be bought at a good price when compared to a new bike. Granted, I loose the second front brake and fuel injection. But, pipes and a properly jetted set of carbs will serve me just fine.
I have ridden my buddy's 907 Paso and REALLY liked the ride. VERY comfortable. A good sport touring bike! I like the torquey feel of a V-twin, but plan to keep my in-line 4 Honda for those occasional runs up to 11,000 rpm (I LOVE the sound!!).

SO....any comments/help/input guys ????
Thanks,
Brian A

 

I ride a 2000 996 Monoposto. If you can drop the chunk of change, get a Duc. I've ridden many bikes and the Ducati is the one I fell in love with. Not only are they great twist straighteners, but they are works of art as well. Being that my 996 is single seat only, the girlfriend really took it to heart when I brought it home. I haven't talked to her about it much but I might bring her home a Monster so she can tag along.

You might hear horror stories from people saying that Ducati's are always being worked on and such. From my personal experinces with them, it's not the case. Keep in mind that they are race tuned motorcycles right off the show room floor so of course they won't be as reliable as a Honda 750 or something.. but if you want that V-twin throaty sound with a bike that can be easily flipped around in the turns, look no further than a Ducati.

So I'm telling you to go for it.

Graffe

 

 

Remember - a 750 two cylinder, even a Duck, does not equal today's (or even the 1990's) 750cc four cylinders.

The actual class of engine is equivalent to the 600cc four cylinders, and I've seen big guys find out the 750 Monster was a bit too little of bike on long trips. Yes, it will do the job... but if you're over (about) 200 pounds, I'd think about the 900.

 

Brien,what do you want the bike for? Duc's are performance bikes period. If you want a second bike why get another crotch rocket? If you want a sport tourer there are many better options. They are just sex though. Oh that frame. I am trying to rationalise the cost. I want to get one sport bike before I get too old.
John

 

Thanks a lot guys. A little more info.: I currently ride an '84 Nighthawk S (700cc). It has a Kerker pipe, Dynojet stage IV kit, and K&N filter. While no match for today's bikes, it is plenty fast enough for me. I once did a shade over 130 mph on it, only once, just to see what it was like. It will lay rubber and go fast. Anything more (bike-wise)is just a matter of how much rubber and how much faster.
The lure of the Duck???? I love the way they look. I'm trying to educate myself a little more, but have developed a decent understanding so far. I am comfortable with the Ducati "package" based on what I have seen and read.
To Gamma Driver's point, I am 6' and 180 lbs. The 750 might be a tad small, but I have ridden that class of bike for 17 years now. Seems to fit me well. I believe that slips ons and jetted, puts a 750 Monster in roughly the same power class as my Nighthawk S. Obviously tuned to deliver torque and HP in significantly different spectrums as far as RPM goes. But, that's part of the appeal of the Duck. "Torquey" is the term we use.
I am shying away from a pure sport oriented liter class bike. I have 3 vertabre that have been fused in my c-spine and the riding position of the full blown sport bikes doesn't work well for me on longer stints. Hence the appeal of the Nighthawk S and now the Ducati Monster, sort of the best of both worlds.
More input and comments are solicited and appreciated.
Thanks,
Brian A

 

Well, I wonder if you're going to like a stock 750 Monster... I bet you will need to do quite a few things to it to get yourself happy with the HP... but besides the not-have-to-mess-with-it factor, if the 900 is any larger of a bike (size-wise), I bet you'd be happier (but I don't think the size of the bike changes between the two).

With the expense (and frequency(? I forget)) of Ducati tune-ups, I'd rather be using a 900 conservatively than beating a two cylinder 750 constantly to get around. I may be wrong in comparing it to your classic Nighthawk, but I believe the Ducati 750 is still a class below it - it definately is a class below most all of today's 750cc four cylinders, and that's just too little bike for me (5'10", 180 lbs.) for happy distance riding. Around town I know I'd be happy with it as a city commuter bike though.

As for your vertebrae - I'm not too sure any Ducati would be right for ya - their sport bikes stretch people out too much, and the Monsters might seem small for your frame. I'd bet you'd be more comfortable on a larger CB1000 or ZRX1200R naked bike. But if you've got to own a Duck, then you've got to own one.

 

Hey Gammadriver, there is no "use the bike conservatively". It's a Ducati! WFO man. But seriously, I do agree with your point about a larger bike being better.
John

 

Well, the 750 Monster I was planning to go look at today, sold yesterday. So, no pressure now. I'll take my time and see what crops up. Thanks again for all comments.
Brian A