Ducati 400M

[placidfemme]

Hey

I'm looking for info on the Ducati 400M (The 400 Monster or looks like a monster anyway... not looking for the full fairing 400's). I've done a search on the net and can't find any stats or decent pics...

there was one on TradeMe yesterday listed as "Ducati 400M" for about $7,500 (The auction has since expired)

Is that a decent price? Also is 400M the actual name? I looked on Ducati's website and couldn't find any 400's. The TradeMe ad listed it as a '97 model. Does anyone know if they produced them after 97?

Any other info on this bike would be appreciated!

PF & Chucky

[avgas]

They were popular in Japan - i imagine this 1 is a Japanese import. slower that what you are riding right now.

[laRIKin]

Here you go a link to find out a bit more.
They were made at least up to 02

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/ducati/ducati_400_monster%2002.htm

I'm not sure what they are worth.
But more to the point, it is what it is worth to YOU.
I have ridden one and they are great fun.
If you do a search on KB they have been talked about before.
So you will find more info there.

[vamr]

It's a nice looking bike, especially with the twin aftermarket exhausts (one of motohaus' ones sold on trademe had them) although seems a wee bit heavy and would hardly be an upgrade powerwise (not to mention the single disc front brake) from your zxr but hey, what do I know. :P

Here is a review.
http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=751&fArticleId=226491

[imdying]

Yep, I'd put my money on it being a JDM. See if eMoto will get you one.

[desmo dave]

Hey

I'm looking for info on the Ducati 400M (The 400 Monster or looks like a monster anyway... not looking for the full fairing 400's). I've done a search on the net and can't find any stats or decent pics...

there was one on TradeMe yesterday listed as "Ducati 400M" for about $7,500 (The auction has since expired)

Is that a decent price? Also is 400M the actual name? I looked on Ducati's website and couldn't find any 400's. The TradeMe ad listed it as a '97 model. Does anyone know if they produced them after 97?

Any other info on this bike would be appreciated!

PF & ChuckyThe M just stands for monster thats all. as some1 said very popular in japan with a few 2nd imports comming to nz. for $7500 you should be able to get a few more cc than 400cc.

[placidfemme]

thanks guys.

lol I'm not giving up my ZXR for a Ducati (unless it were a real flash Ducati).

Just looking around for different options for my partner Sam (aka Chucky), she really loved the Monsters a while back, and because of the price she decided to have a look at the bandits/hornets (they all look the same to me...), but the 250's in those models where too high for her short lil legs, and so she scrapped the Monster idea because we assumed it would be too high too...

Then I saw the 400 and in the ad it said "very low ride hight". So yeah...

You reckon the power is equal or less than the ZXR250? Thats not a very good Ducati lol

Thanks again... I'll keep checking it out :)

[YLWDUC]

Hey Femme,

The 400 is a lot of fun to ride, but I may be a bit biased. Here are the facts.
Ride height= excellently low:yes: , I'm 5'7 but with short legs and I can sit flat foot no worries. its also not too long a reach to the bars, and they're nice and wide, easy to steer etc.

power wise= not a smudge on an inline 4:bye: , mine puts out approx 45hp with the exhausts cored and a k&n air filter.

maintenance= Its going to be higher than on a jap bike, and given the small size of the engine you may end up paying a lot more, comparatively speaking. :shit:

looks and sound are the best bits of the ride. Mine is a 2000 and is a carbuetted version with only a single front disc. 2002 models had a dual front disc and may have been fuel injected.

[placidfemme]

Thanks for the extra info :)

[Jimmy B]

Hey Femme,

The 400 is a lot of fun to ride, but I may be a bit biased. Here are the facts.
Ride height= excellently low:yes: , I'm 5'7 but with short legs and I can sit flat foot no worries. its also not too long a reach to the bars, and they're nice and wide, easy to steer etc.

power wise= not a smudge on an inline 4:bye: , mine puts out approx 45hp with the exhausts cored and a k&n air filter.

maintenance= Its going to be higher than on a jap bike, and given the small size of the engine you may end up paying a lot more, comparatively speaking. :shit:

looks and sound are the best bits of the ride. Mine is a 2000 and is a carbuetted version with only a single front disc. 2002 models had a dual front disc and may have been fuel injected.


Great unbiased info Y.Duc :yes:

[desmo dave]

thanks guys.

lol I'm not giving up my ZXR for a Ducati (unless it were a real flash Ducati).

Just looking around for different options for my partner Sam (aka Chucky), she really loved the Monsters a while back, and because of the price she decided to have a look at the bandits/hornets (they all look the same to me...), but the 250's in those models where too high for her short lil legs, and so she scrapped the Monster idea because we assumed it would be too high too...

Then I saw the 400 and in the ad it said "very low ride hight". So yeah...

You reckon the power is equal or less than the ZXR250? Thats not a very good Ducati lol

Thanks again... I'll keep checking it out :)There all Flash mate.that should get the knockers going.:yes: :Punk:

[placidfemme]

There all Flash mate.that should get the knockers going.:yes: :Punk:

I personally don't see the facination with Ducati's. Very pricey for a bike that is only slightly better than the jap bikes... I don't see myself riding a bike bigger than 600cc, which rules out most of the Ducati's for me anyway... and I'm not into non-fairing bikes... so that rules out the rest of the Ducati's for me...

*would rather have an Aprilla*

[Jimmy B]

I personally don't see the facination with Ducati's. Very pricey for a bike that is only slightly better than the jap bikes... I don't see myself riding a bike bigger than 600cc, which rules out most of the Ducati's for me anyway... and I'm not into non-fairing bikes... so that rules out the rest of the Ducati's for me...

*would rather have an Aprilla*

Hi PF, thats a reasonable point of view and one that I shared as well but you know tastes change and the more Monsters I see the more I am kind of liking them. There is a Chicky that has an M900 and she parks not too far away, I walk past the bike most days, sometimes if I am lucky she rides past. The bike sounds and looks really cool, this has helped. The one that I would have in my dream garage of about 10 bikes is this:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-85246807.htm

[vifferman]

I personally don't see the facination with Ducati's. Very pricey for a bike that is only slightly better than the jap bikes... I don't see myself riding a bike bigger than 600cc, which rules out most of the Ducati's for me anyway... and I'm not into non-fairing bikes... so that rules out the rest of the Ducati's for me...

*would rather have an Aprilla*
How about a Cagiva then? They're 'Italian' so have the styling, but have Suzuki engines, so they're reliable and lower maintenance than a Ducati.
My wife sat on a Cagive 650 when we were looking at helmets in Colemans, and she could sit flat-footed on it (she's not tall - about 160cm, I think.)

[idleidolidyll]

Hey

I'm looking for info on the Ducati 400M (The 400 Monster or looks like a monster anyway... not looking for the full fairing 400's). I've done a search on the net and can't find any stats or decent pics...

there was one on TradeMe yesterday listed as "Ducati 400M" for about $7,500 (The auction has since expired)

Is that a decent price? Also is 400M the actual name? I looked on Ducati's website and couldn't find any 400's. The TradeMe ad listed it as a '97 model. Does anyone know if they produced them after 97?

Any other info on this bike would be appreciated!

PF & Chucky

that seems pretty expensive but given their rarity in NZ, and if you are really focussed on one, you might just have to pay whatever is asked.

i reckon you'd get a good 750 or 900 monster for that. BTW: a freind of mine has a 900M and she's just 5'1" tall. The bike has been lowered a little but that wasn't a huge problem.

[gixermike]

we were looking for one for my gf before christmas coz she lurves ducatis.... only found a couple and they were relatively high priced...but within her budget.

Main prob I had was as they are imported 2nd hand, there seems to be absolutely no history/warranty for them at all...so no idea if it's even had an oil change etc.. not a big deal on a jap bike as they'll put up with a lot, but on ducatis the servicing seems to be the key to keeping them going, and if you let it lapse it gets very pricey.

In the end we got her a bandit 250, and even with somewhat 'hobbiton' leg dimensions (she's 5 foot...erm, and thats it)it is fine for her. Actually lower than her old CBR125 in the uk, and the seats not too wide either.

she'll still be getting a 600M next year though...girl has expensive taste...
mike

[placidfemme]

How about a Cagiva then? They're 'Italian' so have the styling, but have Suzuki engines, so they're reliable and lower maintenance than a Ducati.
My wife sat on a Cagive 650 when we were looking at helmets in Colemans, and she could sit flat-footed on it (she's not tall - about 160cm, I think.)


Yeah we've considered the Cagiva... Noel mentioned it to us when he popped over once. Main problem with them is that they are fairly new... and so out of our price range by a couple or grand...

[JimO]

Yeah we've considered the Cagiva... Noel mentioned it to us when he popped over once. Main problem with them is that they are fairly new... and so out of our price range by a couple or grand...


there were a couple on tardme the 1000 are the same size as the 650, i like mine

[Riff Raff]

I took a 400M for a test ride 2 years ago and wasn't impressed. It really didn't feel much different to a 250 so I would have been bored with it pretty quickly.

[desmo dave]

Hi PF, thats a reasonable point of view and one that I shared as well but you know tastes change and the more Monsters I see the more I am kind of liking them. There is a Chicky that has an M900 and she parks not too far away, I walk past the bike most days, sometimes if I am lucky she rides past. The bike sounds and looks really cool, this has helped. The one that I would have in my dream garage of about 10 bikes is this:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-85246807.htm I think you would have to do something with those wing mirrors though.There must be so many forsale at jap auctions.

[YLWDUC]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=41449&highlight=ducati

Have you seen this one advertised for sale? I'm not sure if he's still got it, but with the chrome tank it does look pretty sweet.

That said, if you want to try a 400 Duc on for size, I should be at the ATNR in west auckland on a semi-regular basis

[JimO]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=41449&highlight=ducati

Have you seen this one advertised for sale? I'm not sure if he's still got it, but with the chrome tank it does look pretty sweet.

That said, if you want to try a 400 Duc on for size, I should be at the ATNR in west auckland on a semi-regular basis

i paid that for a new 1000 cc cagiva

[desmo dave]

i paid that for a new 1000 cc cagiva
I wouldnt pay even half that.

[laRIKin]

I wouldnt pay even half that.

:corn: :corn:

Well at the end of the day the 400 is a small bike.

But I must and feel I must say.

For a small bike it was a lot of fun to ride and I was surprised at how much I liked riding it.
It just did the basics real well, it stopped and turned a treat in the hills and was so light and flickable.
And would give bigger bikes a run for there money.
I would have one in my shed if money was no problem.

[desmo dave]

:corn: :corn:

Well at the end of the day the 400 is a small bike.

But I must and feel I must say.

For a small bike it was a lot of fun to ride and I was surprised at how much I liked riding it.
It just did the basics real well, it stopped and turned a treat in the hills and was so light and flickable.
And would give bigger bikes a run for there money.
I would have one in my shed if money was no problem.Lucky you were on a hill aye. shit loads forsale at Jap auctions later modles even have injection.

[laRIKin]

Lucky you were on a hill aye. shit loads forsale at Jap auctions later modles even have injection.

I'm sure I would not like to ride one on a tour.
You could if you wanted to, after all some people tour on smaller bikes.
But here on the Port Hills I would ride it all the time, in and out of town and maybe as a track bike.
Like I said I found it great fun to ride, so small, so light and so flickable.

[TonyB]

although seems a wee bit heavy and would hardly be an upgrade powerwise (not to mention the single disc front brake) from your zxr On the track there isn't much of a power difference between the 400 and my 750. I guess on the road the 750 would be easier to ride, but going hard out, the 750 only has slightly better acceleration. My 750 also has just the one disc, its not an issue, the thing has ample stopping power and doesn't fade. Remember, the brakes are all Brembo gear, and Brembo really is as good as its reputation.

[laRIKin]

On the track there isn't much of a power difference between the 400 and my 750.

Thats not what my bank balance wanted to hear TonyB.:scratch:

The man that dies with the most toys wins, right.

PS: And the 400 M and a 750 SS I rode only had one disc and trust me they stopped real good.

[JimO]

the cagiva has brembos

[desmo dave]

the cagiva has brembos by now then.So Jim what do you think of Brembo then:yes:

[JimO]

no stoppies but had a good ride to roxburg bit windie though

[McJim]

Fitness for purpose. It is indeed a little bike but they handle very well - it's not always about power and top speed (well for me it's not).

Most people that buy Ducatis buy them because they are, well, Ducatis - it's an emotive brand. Most people that try a Ducati tend to comment favourably on the subject of handling too - a 400cc naked V-Twin bike with USD forks - should be very flickable in the twisties given the torque the V-Twin puts out - a machine built for corners not straight lines.

I suspect the 400 is there to capitalise on some Japanese learner/restricted regulations and would suggest that you maybe look at a 620M instead.

So looking at fitness for purpose -
Do you want a bike to pose on? If yes then 400M is good.
Do you want to cane it in the twisties? If yes then 400M is good.
Do you want a bike that delivers power fairly gently? If Yes then 400M is good
Do you want 180kph as your top speed? If yes then 400M is good.
Do you want to do 20,000 km per year? If Yes then 400M is bad
Do you want a straight line speed over 200kph? If yes then 400M is bad

etc...

[desmo dave]

Fitness for purpose. It is indeed a little bike but they handle very well - it's not always about power and top speed (well for me it's not).

Most people that buy Ducatis buy them because they are, well, Ducatis - it's an emotive brand. Most people that try a Ducati tend to comment favourably on the subject of handling too - a 400cc naked V-Twin bike with USD forks - should be very flickable in the twisties given the torque the V-Twin puts out - a machine built for corners not straight lines.

I suspect the 400 is there to capitalise on some Japanese learner/restricted regulations and would suggest that you maybe look at a 620M instead.

So looking at fitness for purpose -
Do you want a bike to pose on? If yes then 400M is good.
Do you want to cane it in the twisties? If yes then 400M is good.
Do you want a bike that delivers power fairly gently? If Yes then 400M is good
Do you want 180kph as your top speed? If yes then 400M is good.
Do you want to do 20,000 km per year? If Yes then 400M is bad
Do you want a straight line speed over 200kph? If yes then 400M is bad

etc...So you reckon i should lube me chain then.

[placidfemme]

Well the dude who is selling the Duc 400M on TradeMe has finally replied to my email.

He said the ride height is about 800mm. He also said he doesn't know what the top speed is due to the speedo "playing up over 140kph". Doesn't sound like a good bike investment... not this particular one anyway...

[laRIKin]

Doesn't sound like a good bike investment... not this particular one anyway...

You will never know unless you look at it.
And when you are thinking like that, that is you will not buy it.
Is the best time to look at it and see if you can get a good deal.
Because you don't care if you buy it or not, so you can be as cheeky as can be, about the price you will pay.:msn-wink: :blip:

[avgas]

What about a 350 goose. bloody nice the 1 i rode

[bounce]

So looking at fitness for purpose -
Do you want a bike to pose on? If yes then 400M is good.
Do you want to cane it in the twisties? If yes then 400M is good.
Do you want a bike that delivers power fairly gently? If Yes then 400M is good
Do you want 180kph as your top speed? If yes then 400M is good.
Do you want to do 20,000 km per year? If Yes then 400M is bad
Do you want a straight line speed over 200kph? If yes then 400M is bad

etc...

Good plan. let me know when you get around to mapping out your analysis on the 900ss. Might help me out too ;)

[R1madness]

Hey I can get you a really tidy M400 Dark (BLACK). Fuel injected. Very Tidy. for about $7500. I would pay half the freight to get it to Auckland. Oh yea we put a full warrentee on all our used bikes.........

[placidfemme]

Hey I can get you a really tidy M400 Dark (BLACK). Fuel injected. Very Tidy. for about $7500. I would pay half the freight to get it to Auckland. Oh yea we put a full warrentee on all our used bikes.........


Thanks for the offer, and it sounds really sweet... (being black and all :)) but unfortunatley we're just checking out all our options. Sam will more than likely end up with a Duc Monster at some stage, she tried sitting on the Cagiva 650 and was no-where near the ground... so too high... so its looking good for a Duc 400 but not just yet... we need to save some more $$$ first

[WickedOne]

Hey Tam, just be aware that when looking at Ducati you will be spending a lot more on servicing and parts than you would with a Jappa!!!!

[placidfemme]

Hey Tam, just be aware that when looking at Ducati and Cagiva you will be spending a lot more on servicing and parts than you would with a Jappa!!!!

Yeah I'd assume so... But Sam can't make up her mind what she wants lol So right now I'm happy to settle for anything she's happy with over trying to convince her otherwise...

[WickedOne]

Yeah I'd assume so... But Sam can't make up her mind what she wants lol So right now I'm happy to settle for anything she's happy with over trying to convince her otherwise...

I think she should go down to Barry's Point Road and sit on as many bikes as she can at Holeshot, Cyclespot and Spectrum Motorcycles and then may have a better idea. I would even go with her one weekend if she wanted me to.

[Jimmy B]

Hi PF,

Just to confuse things:

Buell Blast!!!!

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?p=985238#post985238

[placidfemme]

I think she should go down to Barry's Point Road and sit on as many bikes as she can at Holeshot, Cyclespot and Spectrum Motorcycles and then may have a better idea. I would even go with her one weekend if she wanted me to.

I think that would be awesome! Sam's biggest issue with test "sitting" bikes is that shes really nervous about dropping the bike and so only gives it a half-assed effort because she's nervous.

I think it would really help her to get "motivated" about getting her A into G and start planning on getting the next bike, because right now she's bouncing around so many ideas shes not totally focused. I just want her to find the bike she wants and be motivated and start working towards it... if that makes sense?

[placidfemme]

Hi PF,

Just to confuse things:

Buell Blast!!!!

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?p=985238#post985238

Do you have any pics of the Buell Blast? I don't know if Sam is keen on Buell's, our landlord has one but she's never taken enough interest to even stop and perv at it lol

[WickedOne]

That does make sense, you need to have a goal to achieve it!!! have a word to her next time you speak about it because i would be happy to go with her if she would feel more comfortable.

[Jimmy B]

Do you have any pics of the Buell Blast? I don't know if Sam is keen on Buell's, our landlord has one but she's never taken enough interest to even stop and perv at it lol

Try here mate

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-88846386.htm

[Jimmy B]

try here Mate

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-88846386.htm

[WickedOne]

These bikes sound great!!!

[placidfemme]

Try here mate

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-88846386.htm

Ahhh, sweet, I'll print that out and show her, somethings gotta motivate her lol

[placidfemme]

That does make sense, you need to have a goal to achieve it!!! have a word to her next time you speak about it because i would be happy to go with her if she would feel more comfortable.

PM sent :)

[Jimmy B]

These bikes sound great!!!

They sure do and from what I can see, very very reasonably priced

[JimO]

Hey Tam, just be aware that when looking at Ducati and Cagiva you will be spending a lot more on servicing and parts than you would with a Jappa!!!!

dont see how the Cagiva has a TL 1000 suz motor

[WickedOne]

dont see how the Cagiva has a TL 1000 suz motor

It was more the Ducati I was referring to, sorry, wasn't too clear. (Although you would have the same problem with the Buell)

[placidfemme]

dont see how the Cagiva has a TL 1000 suz motor

Is it tge TL or the SV?

The lady at the bike shop said they had the SV 650 and SV 1000 motors.

So yeah cheap to maintain and stuff... just costly to buy new lol

[Jimmy B]

It was more the Ducati I was referring to, sorry, wasn't too clear. (Although you would have the same problem with the Buell)
You maybe right about the Buell, I don't really know but belt drive, unstressed nakid single sounds pretty darn low cost to me.

[crazybigal]

the raptor 1000 has the Tl motor, and ive heard also the TLR
the raptor 650 has the sv650I i think)
there may be a newer raptor 1000 with the sv power plant but ive not seen one.
Cant give most raptors away! most find them ugly and you may as well get the TL.


Is it tge TL or the SV?

The lady at the bike shop said they had the SV 650 and SV 1000 motors.

So yeah cheap to maintain and stuff... just costly to buy new lol

[crazybigal]

yeah and buell parts are well priced not like suzuki!


You maybe right about the Buell, I don't really know but belt drive, unstressed nakid single sounds pretty darn low cost to me.

[JimO]

the raptor 1000 has the Tl motor, and ive heard also the TLR
the raptor 650 has the sv650I i think)
there may be a newer raptor 1000 with the sv power plant but ive not seen one.
Cant give most raptors away! most find them ugly and you may as well get the TL.

haha coming from someone witha rf900 pfffffft the v raptor has the tlr motor and side by side they are identical to a monster, better looking at the back and front on the difference is the revcounter and radiator