I think the old one looked better... but more power is always a good thing! So is water-cooling. I'll wait'll I hear one on the street before I make any judgements. There's a Monster 900 with 2 Brothers cans on it near my house that sounds PHAT.
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Nice. Very nice. A bit expensive, but it sounds very, very good for mountain riding. I realize that one does not need insane horsepower to ride rapidly twisty mountain roads (which is my favorite thing to do). A broad power band, good handling, good brakes, and a decent riding position are more appropriate characteristics. Sounds like a great bike, but I'd have to ride one to see if the price is justifiable.
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159 Posts
Grrrreat! Now let's have a streetfighter shootout!!!
Monster S4 - Speed Triple - X1 - Raptor
(is this the first post?)
Monster S4 - Speed Triple - X1 - Raptor
(is this the first post?)
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159 Posts
If seriously looking...
don't overlook the Triumph Speed Triple. It's got a ballsier engine, about the same ergonomics, absolutely gorgeous sound (the triple barks) and also VERY distinctive looks. To top it all you can probably walk away from a dealership with a 2001 under MSRP (10.5K)... all that of course if you are willing to give up the Ducati name.
By the way most Triumph dealers offer test rides and some Ducati dealers do it as well. Check them out yourself.
don't overlook the Triumph Speed Triple. It's got a ballsier engine, about the same ergonomics, absolutely gorgeous sound (the triple barks) and also VERY distinctive looks. To top it all you can probably walk away from a dealership with a 2001 under MSRP (10.5K)... all that of course if you are willing to give up the Ducati name.
By the way most Triumph dealers offer test rides and some Ducati dealers do it as well. Check them out yourself.
I had a '97 M900... nice bike.. kinda miss it to be honest. Great fun.
I'd seriously considered buying a new M900S4 until I saw one in person. The radiator and gadgetry is just plain FUGLY! Our local Duc dealer has one of the Foggy S4s due in in December - I may take a look at it and see if it makes it worth reconsidering. If not, I'll probably get a Guzzi V11 Sport
Also makes one wonder how long it'll be before they shoehorn a 996 into a Monster.
I'd seriously considered buying a new M900S4 until I saw one in person. The radiator and gadgetry is just plain FUGLY! Our local Duc dealer has one of the Foggy S4s due in in December - I may take a look at it and see if it makes it worth reconsidering. If not, I'll probably get a Guzzi V11 Sport
Also makes one wonder how long it'll be before they shoehorn a 996 into a Monster.
A Streetfighter shootout should include a S4, a Speed Triple, a Raptor (they'll never get one in the US), a FZ1, a XB9R, a Bandit 12(since the TL1000 is no more) and a ZRX1220R. Too bad Honda doesn't have anything but then again maybe not it would likely be boring.
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730 Posts
The other monsters
I just got a 2001 Monster 750 Dark (I like the streetfighter look, so I went with matte black), and I paid 6,595 plus tax, title etc. and this is fantastic. Plenty fast, and the bike just wants to lean and lean and lean some more, it boggles my mind. Then again, my last ride was a 76 Gold Wing earlier this summer...
I have to agree though: the preload is non existent on the rear shock, and the front end does kind of dive a bit more than I think it should. But for that much less money, I got the same Brembos, the same rear suspension (the forks on the 750 are non adjustable, but otherwise identical I believe), the same seat, and no carbon fibre. Hell of a deal, and even the resident squids down the street look at it in awe as I ride by: they don't realize their Gixxers can blow me into the weeds!
Loving my Monster,
The Fox
I just got a 2001 Monster 750 Dark (I like the streetfighter look, so I went with matte black), and I paid 6,595 plus tax, title etc. and this is fantastic. Plenty fast, and the bike just wants to lean and lean and lean some more, it boggles my mind. Then again, my last ride was a 76 Gold Wing earlier this summer...
I have to agree though: the preload is non existent on the rear shock, and the front end does kind of dive a bit more than I think it should. But for that much less money, I got the same Brembos, the same rear suspension (the forks on the 750 are non adjustable, but otherwise identical I believe), the same seat, and no carbon fibre. Hell of a deal, and even the resident squids down the street look at it in awe as I ride by: they don't realize their Gixxers can blow me into the weeds!
Loving my Monster,
The Fox
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214 Posts
Interesting. For roughly the same price, I can get a Harley V-rod, which has a high-tech liquid cooled 8-valve V-twin, more than a hundred horsepower, cool, streetfighter looks, and a decent handling chassis, or I can get a Ducati Monster S-4, which has a higher-tech, liquid-cooled 8-vavle V-twin, more than a hundred horsepower, cool, streetfighter looks, a much better handling chassis, and still have $4000 to spend on engine and suspension upgrades.
Well, like the saying goes, speed costs money. How fast do you want to look like you're going?
Well, like the saying goes, speed costs money. How fast do you want to look like you're going?
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486 Posts
Or you can buy yourself a Honda Superhawk, get more than 100 hp in a sweet V-twin engine, and use the remaining $7000 to turn it into a one-of-a-kind naked streetfighter...
Or you can buy a FZ-1, get more than 100 hp, cool looks, a good handling chassis, and have $7000 left to buy yourself a second motorcycle
Or you can buy a FZ-1, get more than 100 hp, cool looks, a good handling chassis, and have $7000 left to buy yourself a second motorcycle
The monster series of bikes is what attracted me towards standards since they came out. I had (as my first street bike) a 93' bandit 400 which took some styling cues from the monster. I do feel however that buying a Ducati is similar in many respects to buying a harley. With a Ducati you get distinct styling, exclusivity, and resale value. Ducatis are not the most practical, affordable or even powerful street bikes out there however, they come as one neat little package that have to be fun to ride. I personally am a cheap SOB so I don't think that owning one is possible in the near future but I enjoy looking at them!
By the way, I just picked up a 01' ZRX1200 for 7300.00 out the door and love this bike!! If any of you are considering the Z-Rex and have questions please feel free to E-Mail me.
By the way, I just picked up a 01' ZRX1200 for 7300.00 out the door and love this bike!! If any of you are considering the Z-Rex and have questions please feel free to E-Mail me.
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155 Posts
A story that has nothing to do with scooters! Like, yeah!
Recent conversation at the Ducati shop in Ithaca (gratuitous plug: Progressive Powersports, www.pro-power.com, a truly great place) centered around the likelihood of a 916-motor SS, which would undoubtedly be (as scooter-rider Martha Stewart would say) a Good Thing. Ducati's increasingly steep pricing structure makes me wonder if it would be worth it, though.
Recent conversation at the Ducati shop in Ithaca (gratuitous plug: Progressive Powersports, www.pro-power.com, a truly great place) centered around the likelihood of a 916-motor SS, which would undoubtedly be (as scooter-rider Martha Stewart would say) a Good Thing. Ducati's increasingly steep pricing structure makes me wonder if it would be worth it, though.
3rd gear twisties are what Monsters live for. I have the little M750, and there's just about nothing I'd rather ride in 50-80mph bends.. It's just so satisfying to ride the torque curve and take advantage of the nimble handling.
I'm seriously considering swapping for the S4 to get the adjustable suspension, 6-speed box, better ground clearance, and of course that lovely engine..
I'm seriously considering swapping for the S4 to get the adjustable suspension, 6-speed box, better ground clearance, and of course that lovely engine..
I have drooled over Ducatis especially the Monster ever since I've been old enough to know better. Unfortunately as I've grown and my income has risen to a point where I can afford one, Ducati has seen fit to keep their prices just beyond my reach. Is this corporate masochistic torture or what. Guess I'll keep visiting my Honda dealer and buy substance over class.
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