Any Ducati Monster fans on the board?....

I have to admit, I am somewhat smitten with the Ducati Monster. Yes part of it is emotion...let's face it...a large motivator for buying any motorcycle. An uncorked Ducati...even the 2V variants like S2R 800 and 1000 with termis sound wonderful with a deep almost roar...but I also love a naked bike...Monsters are comfy with upright ergos and light weight. So what does the VFR collective have to say if you have been also tempted by a Monster's charms? For me the sweet spot is a S2R 1000 which is close in performance to the VFR in terms of acceleration. Bringing an air-cooled engine to a water cooled VFR gunfight is well...like bringing a knife but the cubes make up for it. I don't need the 135 ponies of the 4V either as I don't want to spend too much time in jail. :smile:
Please let me know your thoughts,
George

 

I actually am a current Ducati owner being drawn to the VFR. The Ducs are great bikes, and I will keep mine for a long time. The air cooled engine is one of the reasons why I am shopping for a liquid cooled commuter/tourer.

My Duc was a complete emotional purchase that has never waned for a second. You can't go wrong with a bike that makes you open the garage door before you go to bed just to make sure it is still okay.

Monsters are great bikes, loads of fun with the uncanny ability to draw a crowd at every stop.

 

I like the Duc's alot & definitely wouldn't mind having this in the garage:



While I have the $$$ to make that happen, I would rather get the wife a VFR so she quits bugging me to ride mine.

KC-10 FE out...
lane:

 

It is that undefinable Italian flair for design. The Monster has such a cool look with that Trellis frame. The tank and tail flow beautifully and love the minimal front fender. Have to say a VFR at full song is music but a Duc at full song sounds like a beast...a different sensory delight.
Thanks for you comments.
George

 

Hi Jason,
That dry clutch is funny really and certainly adds to the Duc mystique. You likely know the S2R 800 has a wet slipper clutch which is a marvel unto itself for downshifting and the more beefy 1 liter S2R has a dry clutch.

Duc's are just plain cool...even the old ones have a lot of charm. The 900SS ergo's don't work for me but none the less a desirable bike. As to the maintenance, Ducati has come more into the times with better reliability. The 2V Monsters aren't bad. I really don't need a S4R...but am afraid the S2R 800 wouldn't have enough pull for me. I might have to sell my fun car to make room for one...thinking about it.
Cheers,
George

 

I just love this sound:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7SkL9RuCxo&feature=related

George

 

The super S4R honestly is too much bike for me...would get in too much trouble...the S2R 1000 I believe is the sweet spot for the street...I am no track guy. Yeah, they discontinued the S2R 800 for '08. I believe they felt and correctly so it was too close in performance to the S2R 1000 and their new 80hp 696 will fit that gap nicely which I believe is true. If you aren't a big power hound the new Duc 696 baby Monster is a great bike for the money.
George

 

Even when the housing is closed, that dry clutch still makes a racket...lol.
The S4R has cult status for a reason. You nailed it...bad a$$'ed to the bone.
George

 

I've had two Ducati's. One was a Monster. 'Thoug I loved the looks of the Monster, it really didn't do it for me from a riding perspective. My 900SS SL was, however a wonderfull motorcycle. (To me) I listed every bike I had for sale trying to thin the herd. The 2 Ducati's and a Concours went right away followed soon by the GSXR. Then, with room in the gerage, I got my VFR. So, now I'm back to 4 bikes in the garage. I miss the looks of the Monster but not it's perfomance. I like the VFR much better as an all around and in town bike.

 

I have done quite a lot of research on Monsters. After 2 years on the DucatiMonster.org board, I decided that the bike wasn't for me. However, I love my brother's 748 and his 900SS. Very cool! They are totally fun carvers. Monsters don't occupy a niche I want filled right now, but I think a S4R is the best of the lot. I have heard quite a bit of disatisfaction with surging issues with the fuel injected 2-valve dual spark bikes. Check out ducatimonster.org for yerself. The Monster lineup is beautiful, no getting around that! Er, except the new 696 looks a bit Wonky to me with the half trellis - half cast frame and the perforated fuel tank. Ugh.

 

As a Fazer rider the Monster is my confirmed enemy. That's like telling a guy who drives a Camaro how much you want a new Mustang.

 

I bought a new M900 in 96 , It turned out to be a very good and reliable bike. Over the years it received a set of 41 mm flat side carbs, full Arrow exhaust, Ohlin’s shock, Race Tech springs and gold valves, Rich's Custom seat, and lots of carbon fiber parts. I really liked that bike and wish I had never sold it (in 2004). It was a lot of fun to ride and was oh so good looking but was not as fast or nearly as easy to ride as my 99 VFR. I rode the Monster at Reg Pridgmor's “Class” school at Pacific Raceway in Seattle in 1998 and the VFR at the same school in 99. I was way faster in 99, mostly because I was riding the VFR.

Funny this thread should come up because just tonight my wife and I were out doing the town and she brought up the Monster ( she used to ride it occasionally) and was whishing I had never sold it.

I strongly recommend a Monster as a second bike. In my not so humble opinion they are not comfortable enough or versatile enough to be a primary bike.

 

Thanks a lot guys for all the great advice. In summary then for those that have owned a Monster, do you prefer the VFR as an overall choice?
Shoe you wrote that the Monster is not as comfortable as a VFR. I believe if anything the Monster has a more upright riding position referred to a std. postion with conventional handlebars whereas the slightly more aggressive VFR with clippons is between a sport bike and a std. Could you expound a bit Shoe on why you find the VFR more comfortable...is comfort in your opinion more then riding position?
Thanks,
George

 

I had a 2005 Ducati M620. It was a great reliable bike, handled well and very fast. But it was not suited for long rides, so I looked to upgrade to a larger ST class. It was narrowed down to the Multistrada vs VFR, the VFR pricetag was $3K less, and it just offered more including great looks! For that 3K difference I could get a lot of accessories, like Helibars for comfort.

 

The VFR is more comfortable (i've got a 4th gen) There is less wind, better seat, better ergos to the pegs and narrower bars. I can do 600 miles on the VFR. maybe 200 on the Monster in a day. (I'm huge, 6-1 at 230) Also, the VFR feels more stable and better planted in the corners. But, the Monster had way better brakes and suspension should have been better. Still the Duc was cool looking. Good in town only bike.

 

Sounds as though a theme is emerging that in general the VFR is a more comfortable bike then the Monster if not more solid overall.
Please keep the observations coming. I am also 6'1" btw.
George

 

The biggest reason I found a VFR (with Heli bars) to be more comfortable than the Monster is leg room; I couldn’t ride the Monster for more than an hour without getting off to stretch my legs. Also to clarify my earlier post about handling; I did not mean to imply the Monster was not a great handling bike because it is. I just found the VFR easier to ride fast.

The 1000cc 2 valve engine Ducati has been using the last few years has plenty of power and a very nice power curve but it vibrates a lot more than the old 900 cc motor. I tried to fall in love with the Multistrada when they first came out but the engine vibrated too much (and the seat was a deal breaker). I rode a new 1000cc Monster at the time to see if they all vibrated as badly and it did also. The clutch and transmission were much improved over my 96 though. That being said, a lot of people really like the 1000cc DS engine so you might find the vibration to be acceptable.

Older Monsters are getting very affordable; you might consider finding a nice one and using it as your second bike.