06 Ducati Monster 800

[Bugnatr]

As much as I have fun on my FZ6 I have a hankering to own a Duc at least once but didn't find the new Monsters to my liking. Today I sat on a used 06 Monster 800 and wow this felt good due to the more rounded seat on the older Monster. Any current or former Duc owners who can give me some pros and cons about this bike?

 

[Niehart]

The S2R 800 cc is the smallest Monster in the SR family, developed to explore a previously uncharted segment: that of the naked machine with a race personality. This model soon hit the headlines with record sales, making waves in the biking community thanks to its exceptional mix of iconic styling, sheer performance, and accessible pricing. Equipped with an 803 cc twin cylinder powerplant, with dual valves and air cooling, the S2R 800 maintains the classic looks of the SR family with a distinctive colour scheme thanks to the racing stripe extending from the rear fairing to the headlight shell.

FZ6 is smooth and fast and almost generic. The 800 just has more personality. The Duc is also more expensive to maintain.

But my '07' S4RS Monster is going to be in my garage for a long time.

 

[Hudson]

When Niehart comes rolling in with his Monster, no one is thinking about upkeep costs.

We're too busy wiping the druel from our face. That S4RS looks as good as it sounds. I only wish I had more garage space...

 

[Old Michael]

When Niehart comes rolling in...
...busy wiping the druel...

Noted.

 

[rockmurf]

But my '07' S4RS Monster is going to be in my garage for a long time.

It is going to be in his garage because he probably waiting for parts from Italy. Ducs are a maintenance nightmare. Once you have had a japanese bike and experienced reliability and relatively good parts availability you will be hard pressed to accept what a duc gives to you. If you have another bike or bikes than it will be more tolerable. If you are economically depressed than a duc is not for you. I base all this on my bud's experience with his monster and its 15k regular maintenance which cost him over $900 for labor (11 something hours), he supplied the parts, and further evidenced by one of the parts being defective once they opened the box and having to order it and wait on it tying his bike up for another week. A duc is not for the week kneed or dollar deprived. If you want that kind of rush you would be way better with an fz1 or even a triumph. good luck.

 

[Niehart]

Do "My buddy" and "Once upon a time" all make you wonder about the story!

 

[Bugnatr]

Thanks Niehart, you are correct about the FZ6 being smooth and quick, it is my day/play bike I use for riding the twistys here in the Sierra's. Would I be disappointed with only a 800? Should I look for a 1000? Is the 2 valve cheaper to maintain? Is the air cooled motor hotter to ride in the summer compared the water cooled?

The real hassel with the service side is the dealer is 45 minutes away.

No doubt the S4RS is a sweet bike.

 

[FJRBluesman]

I've never really been a Monster fan myself, just me.

I had a 900SS SP, I loved it. Not real powerful but very forgiving and handled well. I dig twin torque and power.

My friend has a 1997 (I believe) TL1000. I really like that bike, it seems to handle well (I haven't ridden it that much) and it's got plenty of power, but for me... it's not a Duc.

I'd like another Duc but at least a 996 or 1198. Of course $$ is the driving factor. I keep dreaming though.... :dribble:

Really get what you want and what you feel you'd like. Maybe don't go to overboard on price in case it's not what you thought and then you need to unload it.

Good luck, keep us posted.

 

[Niehart]

Would love to have a 848 but ...

My Monster now weights 416 pounds wet [was about 446] and make 121 horsepower at the rear tire [was 101 horsepower at the rear tire] but does want premium gas. 998cc's liquid, nice thing about the water & oil cooled models, you can build some hp and not kill the engene. And it sound like a Duc! :good:

 

[beemerdons]

When Niehart comes rolling in...
...busy wiping the druel...

Noted.

Man, I've wanted a Ducati for a 100 years; well, only 47 - I turn 62 this year. Real cool people like Niehart & FJRBluesman ride them! Want either an ST4 or ST3; ABS.

 

[RadioHowie]

Want either an ST4 or ST3; ABS.

Don, you want too much. You want a Duc before or AFTER the Tenere??? Or a nice, fat Michelin for the back enf of the Feej?

Make up yer damned old mind. :blum:

 

[beemerdons]

Want either an ST4 or ST3; ABS.

Don, you want too much. You want a Duc before or AFTER the Tenere??? Or a nice, fat Michelin for the back enf of the Feej?

Make up yer damned old mind. :blum:

RadioHowie: If I get a Tenere, I'd get a Tenere 660; new 1200 Tenere is way too big and fat for off road work; but then again, I'm too big, fat, old for off road work!

I really want to put a nice, fat Michelin on the back end of my Feej, Miss Lucy Liu! But I have to consider the grief I'd have to endure from my Numero Uno Riding Compadre, SkooterG. I took Skooty to breakfast at Village Inn in Mesa Tuesday, to pay him back for mounting a voltmeter on Lucy; he did a nice job, looks and work great. Over pancakes I mistakenly mentioned how cool your Feej looked with its Michelin and how you expected to get 50K miles wear out of it. SkootyG went nuts!

Jesu Cristo, a simple car tire on Feej comment put GreggieM on a freaking half hour tirade. I had to listen to him explain you and Eric couldn't have had nice mothers!

I've "Mad Money" for an ST4 or ST3-ABS, I just don't have the room to store it. I bought another rental property yesterday, maybe I can make a deal with tenants!

 

[MotorToad]

The 800 is a bit underpowered, IMO. There was a 1000 S2R that I think would fit better for the real world.

 

[flyingz06]

The 800 is a bit underpowered, IMO. There was a 1000 S2R that I think would fit better for the real world.

new ducs are not, not a maint. nightmare. i have a 1098. great bikes. monster is in my future.

 

[Bugnatr]

I am reading your replies. Keep em' coming.

I may take it out for a test ride.

 

[beemerdons]

I am reading your replies. Keep em' coming.I may take it out for a test ride.

Bugnatr, also have Ducati's on the brain. Here's an informative website: https://www.ducatisuite.com/home.html Can I count on you to check out some NorCal Ducks?

https://www.cycletrader.com/find/listing/19...TI-ST4-96200624 This 1999 Duc ST4 for under $5K and under 12K miles gives me a blue-veined diamond cutter Woodie!

 

[RadioHowie]

.....gives me a blue-veined diamond cutter Woodie!

Dream on, old feller!

 

[beemerdons]

.....gives me a blue-veined diamond cutter Woodie!

Dream on, old feller!

RH, I NEVER said what SIZE it was!

 

[Khunajawdge]

Uh Oh!

I saw one of these today parked in the parking lot of the Fast teller at my bank.

The 2006 Ducati Classic 1000 looked remarkedly like my Dog!

= Woof, Woof!