Going to become a Duc owner in Upstate, SC

[Gadgetech]

I'm looking at purchasing a used Ducati Monster to have something I can do a little carving with.  My main ride is a 2011 Harley Road Glide that I absolutely push the limits on as my floorboard brackets can attest to.  There are two bikes I'm considering, a 1997 M900 w/21k on the ODO and a 2005 Monster 1000S with 8700 on the ODO.  I'm leaning towards the 1000S due to the lesser number of miles and it is slightly cleaner.  Neither bike has a service history that I know of but I'm going to see if the local dealer will run the vin for me.  I didn't see any oil leaks for either bike on the motor case or on the floor.  Both bikes started without effort and didn't smoke or anything of such.  The owner of the 2005 has several Ducatis and I feel is familiar with the product and would be aware of issues as he does some of his own work.  If there's anything I should think of in helping to decide b/w these two, let me know!

[Count Zero]

Heh.
I just recently joined because I'm looking for a used Monster as the same kind of compliment to my Street Glide.


As I put it to the wife (who rides a Fatboy), it's like a polar opposite bike to our Touring beasts.

It's like having a big American musclecar, and wanting a little Ferrari to go with it. 

[Gadgetech]

I found a great deal on a Monster 2008 S2R1000 with ~3500 miles at the local dealer.  The dealer is also the original selling dealer of the bike and they are very familiar with the original owner.  I feel like I'm getting a great deal on a great used bike!

[DuctheMonster]

You won't be disappointed, great bike.

[Slide Panda]

Congrats and welcome.

I you haven't signed the papers on it, see if you can get them to replace the belts. If it hasn't been done recently it needs a new set of cam belts. They are spec'd to last 12k miles OR 2 years of service. So they are past that 2 year mark.

[Count Zero]

Gratz on the find....I think I've also found my perfect deal.    Monsters are great compliments to a Touring bike, I think.  You get both ends of the spectrum covere.



Cam belts only last 12K miles or 2 years?  That seems awfully short for a dry-belt lifespan...wonder why.

[Curmudgeon]

Cam belts only last 12K miles or 2 years?  That seems awfully short for a dry-belt lifespan...wonder why.

It's largely precautionary. Really ugly consequences if one fails. Good time to check the rollers too. Back in the day we used to change them when they started throwing off black powder or were stretching, thereby throwing off the timing.

The newest OEM belts with the red lettering are Kevlar reinforced and may last longer but Ducati hasn't gone so far as to lengthen the recommended interval

[Slide Panda]

Folks have run the belts a lot longer - miles and age. But ounce of prevention blah blah. I'd rather replace the belts, a job I can do for parts cost than pop a belt and deal with that. Lose a belt and it's bad times. A local shop has a 2v head from a bike that lost a belt while a valve was full open. Snapped the valve off and banged it around the inside of the head/jug. So a belt's a lot cheaper than a headJugValveCombo

[Count Zero]

Yea...not planning on testing how long they'll last on any bike I get, because them snapping on the highway would be an epically bad thing. 

I'm just used to the kevlar final-drive belts HD uses, and they can last upwards of 75k+ miles.
But if nothing else, the cam belts are easy enough to get to and replace on Monsters, can't see it being that big a deal.


oh, and Hope you get and enjoy that S2R, gadgetech!   /threadjack

[Gadgetech]

I'm with count zero, I wouldn't have thought there would be any issue with the belts based on experience with the HD belts.  I will definitely ask about the belts when I visit the shop.  I plan to pick it up Saturday which will be a nice sunny mid 50s that day.

[Curmudgeon]

They are not big final drive belts!  They drive cams and work hard in a high temp environment. (Think timing chains.) BTW, BMW has Kevlar final drive belts on some F-Series and suggests 30,000 changes but often they fail before that if the F forum is to be believed.

[Gadgetech]

They are not big final drive belts!  They drive cams and work hard in a high temp environment. (Think timing chains.) BTW, BMW has Kevlar final drive belts on some F-Series and suggests 30,000 changes but often they fail before that if the F forum is to be believed.

You get no argument from me...I'm not familiar with these bikes like I am the Harley so obviously I have some stuff to learn.  Thanks for the free education!

[Count Zero]

Yea, I'm having to learn the whole Overhead cam bike motors..

Didn't think about the heat difference between those and a final drive belt.  Good point.  Of course, most cars that have belts for cams that still last a lot longer than 15K.  But oh well.  Simple to swap, no harder than the oil.

I'm actually surprised at how simple the Monster motors are.  I expected them to be a lot more complicated compared to Harley V-twins, but really they're not.
(one more reason why I say Harleys & Ducs are a great combo)

[Curmudgeon]

Ahhh... But 90 degree L-Twins are so much smoother when you wind them out!  90 degrees = perfect primary balance. Also a much lower center of gravity. Just don't lug them!

The valve gear is really a work of art, particularly the 4V. Generally the 2V has more "character" of course. 

[ducatiz]

Cam belts only last 12K miles or 2 years?  That seems awfully short for a dry-belt lifespan...wonder why.

iitttty bitty cam gear
hot environment
paranoia