[Introduction] Noob Q&A

[junior varsity]

hmmm guess I'm not clear on what to look for then. 900 ss? or is there a bigger monster than the 750?

Monsters come in lots of varieties - if you are looking at a 750, get a 750ie, or a 750Sie (upgraded suspension). Pre-2002 M750's will be carbd. Look elsewhere unless you are in to hopping the carbs up with Keihin's.

The Monster 800 (M800) is fantastic. All fuel injected.
The Monster S2R 800 is fantastic. All fuel injected. Single Sided Swingarm.
The Monster 900 (M900) is fantastic - the M900S is better, the M900Sie is better still. Pre-2000 (non-IE) are carb'd and may be down on power depending on the heads (V or W stamped) - the IE models have hotter cams from the factory.
The Monster 1000 (M1000) is fantastic (M1000S is better). All fuel injected.
The Monster S2R 1000 is fantastic. All fuel injected. Single Sided Swingarm.
The Monster 1100 (M1100) is fantastic and lighter than predecessors. The ABS version is neat, the M1100S is better still. All fuel injected. Single Sided Swingarm.

Note that the new M696 is lighter than previous generation 800's while making the same power. The 796 is like a 696 with an extra helping of good stuff (Good stuff being horsepower and style).

[hiero]

hey now, I still have my 750 monster from the very beginning and still find it a wonderful change of pace from the 748!  I ride both pretty much the same amount of time and it's a great powerplant with no issues at all!  Great city bike and does just fine on the track too  

btw, I'm 6'0" 210lbs, and the 750 does just fine  [moto]

[junior varsity]

I think they are still a ton of fun to jump on, and a lot of that has to do with the responsive chassis

got to be a lot more comfortable than your 748 for casual riding (meaning riding where one might have to stop for a minute without dismounting)

[xRANDOx]

I'm going to look at the ST this weekend. Any tips on getting a bike in and out of a truck bed?

[muskrat]

Be careful 

[CajunR]

Be very careful!     (I once watched a salesman try to ride a just-purchased '05 Monster up a ramp into a truck bed...  He lost momentum halfway up, pinned it while falling to his left, and launched the bike sideways.  He ended up in a heap under the bike, which ended up half on and half off the tailgate.) 

[junior varsity]

I'm going to look at the ST this weekend. Any tips on getting a bike in and out of a truck bed?

Friends.

Use a long ramp - I do not "run a bike" up the ramp: The bike is off - I do physically get some momentum going by getting it rolling via me running it up to the ramp. Use a hill to your advantage: Park vehicle at low point, so the ramp coming out is against the hill and thus at a less steep angle, use gravity to help you come down the hill onto the ramp and into the truck.

Use a Canyon Dancer / Soft-Ties / Bar Harness and gently compress forks - you want it very firm, but not fully compressed, lest you like replacing fork seals. Two more ties go to frame points and to the truck's sides.

[muskrat]

look, I loaded my old Roadstar by myself on several occassions and it weighted some 700 lbs.  get lots of momentum and don't FREAKIN stop half way up the ramp.  Once you're committed you are going to make it or you will be regretful. 

[fastwin]

Get a ride there and ride it home. If you are not experienced at loading bikes in pick up beds borrow a trailer. Better still ride it home if you buy it. How bad would you feel if you crash your new bike off a ramp and you haven't even ridden it yet? 40 years experience loading bikes says you should ride it, borrow a trailer or get lots of help. Just saying.

[xRANDOx]

yeah it's just a 2+ hour drive and my room mates aren't very understanding... they don't understand Ducati > homework/studying

[fastwin]

Get new room mates.

[muskrat]

worth considering http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/mcy/1951966776.html

if you need help loading post up, I'm sure someone will be around.

[xRANDOx]

Talked to this guy today ^^^

34,000 miles. He wrecked it and has fairings for it but they need to be patched and are mis-matching colors. Said he would come down on the price though. Said it runs great still just the fairings and mirrors and the tail light is all that needs to be fixed... He said he'd send me some pics tomorrow I'll post them up

[muskrat]

ouch, I take it back.

[junior varsity]

i'm not a fan of that body style SS personally, so I would pass on it regardless of price. Well. Unless it was under 2K and mechanically fine. He would have to provide papers showing that the frame was straight though (and nobody wants to go through that hassle for "maybe" two thousand bones). The 98 and older ones are the sexy ones in my book - check out RichD's!

Keep looking, chief - there's a bike out there for you.