2006 Monster 1000 Suspension Questions

[stopintime]

Your M1000 parts catalog shows, lists and mentions an adjuster (from the bottom up)

[lasse28]

My owners handbook also describes said adjuster, in the bottom of each teleleg, with nice drawings
BUT SAME HANDBOOK, DESCRIBES THE TWO 1000 MODELS WITH SAME MOTOR, NAMELY MINE STANDARD, MISSING THE ADJUSTMENT POSSIBILITIES, & THE OTHER 1000 MODEL, CALLED "S"!
This "S" model has all the suspension mods..

I am sorry, the parts catalog cannot help me - after all my model remains the "simple" Ducati Monster 1000...

[koko64]

Ok. You need a suspension specialist. It will be money well spent to have your suspension examined and then modified to your weight.    At 120kg you are well outside of the stock suspension parameters, I am at 90kg so you definitely are. Look for a suspension expert and start saving money for the work.

[S21FOLGORE]

Okay, now I understand what's going on in this discussion and what OP actually has.

The confusion comes from the fact that many of us are located in US, and the particular model you purchased had never been sold here.
That's why when you keep saying your bike's front forks have no external adjuster whatsoever, people get confused, thinking you might have non standard forks, or you just couldn't find the adjuster, etc.

So, look at the photo below.
That's the photo of M400 (400cc Monster, specifically sold for Japanese market).



You can see the fork top cap. There's no adjuster.

The OP's bike has (essentially) the same, 43mm non-adjustable forks, could be Showa, could be Marzocchi.

The cartridge in these forks are non serviceable.



Any kind of work / mod to these forks will be labor intensive, and you will see very small improvement.
In other words, don't try to modify these forks. You are fighting the battle you've already lost.

You have a set of budget forks Ducati decided to use on smaller engine and / or cheaper grade models,
which have awful low speed damping characteristics.
(Note: Low speed here does NOT mean the vehicle's speed. When we are talking about low/high speed damping, that means how fast the suspension travels.)

Another thing that's causing confusion is that you keep saying your forks are "stiff","heard "progressive springs will solve the problem" (which will not.).

Your forks are NOT stiff. (The rider being 120kg with stock springs, there's no way these forks can be stiff to you.)
Your forks have WRONG low speed compression damping, that makes the forks very reluctant to move when going over the bumps, etc.

So, the answer to your (OP's) original question.
There's no easy fix.

A set of progressive springs will not fix your problem.

Changing to iighter weight fork oil (5w is the lightest, and actual viscosity depends on the brand of oil) will make very little change.
BTW, look at the cartridge photo again. A tiny hole on the right (which is the bottom side of the fork), that's where the fork oil go in and come out.
You can imagine when fork oil change is done, there's no way the old oil can be completely drained.

To solve your problem, you have to change the compression damping characteristics.

In order to do so, you need a set of forks that has the adjustable feature.

[Howie]

If they are non adjustable Showas you can change the cartridge and shims.  This is even possible on the  Marzocchis, but very expensive since you need to replace all the internals, assuming kits are still available.  If your forks are Showa they will have the logo on the inside, facing the wheel and the cap will have a 17mm hex.

Ok. You need a suspension specialist. It will be money well spent to have your suspension examined and then modified to your weight.    At 120kg you are well outside of the stock suspension parameters, I am at 90kg so you definitely are. Look for a suspension expert and start saving money for the work.

Couldn't agree more.  Might even be cost effective in the long run.  Again, you need to know what spring is in there now and nothing is broken internally.  Local is important too.  Mine have softer high speed vales, compensated with stiffer shims.  Difference between California's roads and New York goat paths.

[lasse28]

Many, many thanks to FOLGORE HERO!
Now, the confusion seems to be completely clarified…
I was somewhat embarrassed, because people thougt I couldnt find "my" adjusting screws, - becuse they never were there.

Since the motorcycle is running very well, I am now looking for a set of used front tele legs, WITH adjusters - in my mind the best and most economical way to remedy the situation.
About my weight: You think I am a fat person, but I am not!
I am 194 cm. tall - very broadshouldered, with a heavy skeleton (so says my doctor) - I never had any thoughts, concerning my weight, on my numerous motorcycles during times.
Is it really true, that the Ducati brand are extremely weight sensitive?
Until now, I have been happily driving my Monster, without other problems than the "unresponsive" front.
The rear suspension (which IS adjustable on my model) has been set up now to my weight, and with more rebound control, works fine.

In 4 weeks time, the bike will be expertly remapped by a Ducati specialist, I will keep you posted!

[caperix]

The monster models, especially the non adjustable fork bikes are set up for extremely light riders.  I am around 72kg and the front forks on my 620 would bottom out & cause vibrations when braking.  I know the adjustable 1000 forks can get expensive even used so it may be worth searching other fork options.  Most other options will require some extra parts but may come out cheaper.  Either way the new forks may still need to be resprung & revalved to work properly.  I did a set of 998 forks on my bike that needed new/modified tripples.  Others have used gsxr forks that fit the tripples but need the brake calipers changed.

[Howie]

I never assumed you are fat nor would I assume anyone was over the internet.  If you buy Monster 1000 adjustables they will still need springs. 

[lasse28]

OBS - Now I found a pair of "as new" SHOWA adjustable front tele legs - top 50 mm - bottom 54mm
They will fit Ducati models: ST2 - ST4 - ST45 and 50-54 forks.

Can some of you very knowledgeable folks tell me if they also will fit my 2005/2006 Monster 1000?

[Speeddog]

OBS - Now I found a pair of "as new" SHOWA adjustable front tele legs - top 50 mm - bottom 54mm
They will fit Ducati models: ST2 - ST4 - ST45 and 50-54 forks.

Can some of you very knowledgeable folks tell me if they also will fit my 2005/2006 Monster 1000?

At 50/54, they will fit your triple clamps.

Best to get a measurement of the length of the outer legs, ST forks are typically longer than Monster forks.

[Howie]

If you have handlebars they might interfere.  If they do you will either need to get risers for the handlebars or go with clip-ons. 

[stopintime]

At 50/54, they will fit your triple clamps.

Best to get a measurement of the length of the outer legs, ST forks are typically longer than Monster forks.

My ST4s fork is the same length as Monster forks 

The adjustable forks are not good just because they are adjustable. If they are correct for you, you MIGHT get something out of the adjustments, but if they are not.... adjustability won't help much/nothing at all.

[Speeddog]

My ST4s fork is the same length as Monster forks 

The adjustable forks are not good just because they are adjustable. If they are correct for you, you MIGHT get something out of the adjustments, but if they are not.... adjustability won't help much/nothing at all.

This ^

[lasse28]

Following your warnings, I decided NOT to buy the adjustable telelegs.
But I wonder, why SHOWA produce two types of legs, when the most expensive of them seems to be useless...

[S21FOLGORE]

You mean, you are wondering why SHOWA makes adjustable and non-adjustable forks?
Because you think (based on the posts above), adjustable feature is useless?

You really need to find a local suspension specialist and learn the basics from him.

All adjustability on the suspension system is useless if they are not correctly set up for your weight, riding style, the road you ride.

That’s what they (Speeddog and Stopintime) meant.

In other word, don’t expect the adjustable forks you just purchased from eBay to magically transform your bike.
You WILL need to do some work on them.

And, that’s the main reason to get a set of adjustable forks.
The most important difference between the forks on your bike now, and the adjustable ones are that they are serviceable.
They can be re-valved, to change the damping characteristics.


Yours, cannot be disassembled.
If you want to modify your cartridge, you will have to cut it up and re-weld after work, which, no one wants to do.