Ducati Monsters? Owners who can tell me the truth

**dragon_fly** · 18th June 2010, 21:16

guys i am moving on up to my big bike.. i have been shopping around and have taken a monster for a ride... really like it but have heard bad things about their servicing costs....
(the guys who sell the oposition say ducati service averages $1500) (where as the ducati sellers say $600 and dont need to be serviced as often as other makes.... anyone who rides one able to tell me the truth...lol

**DJSin** · 18th June 2010, 21:20

Probably depends on the year of the bike

My 2010 monster cost $300 for it's first service

A belt service might cost around $1,000 - that sort of thing happens around 24,000kms

**Quasi** · 18th June 2010, 21:25

Go for it. Awesome bikes. I budget $1000. per year for servicing but not that much every year (cam belt years will be that and more), and a small price to pay for the best riding i have every had. Cant put a price on passion

**dragon_fly** · 18th June 2010, 21:28

i put a pic up of the black one i really like it has been lowered so perfect for my short legs lol.. cant remember what year it is...

**JMemonic** · 18th June 2010, 22:35

Learn to do the oil and filter yourself, its an easy job, the belts cost about $100 per belt and there is two of them, on the monster I believe depending on the year belts are either 24,000Km for the earlier ones or 40,000Km for 2008 and later but someone will be along who has the correct details.

If you like the monster your options in other brands are limited, SV650 or SV1000 or Gladius in Suzuki, I am not sure if there is much else, Cagiva's perhaps that is if its the styling that takes your fancy.

**mnkyboy** · 19th June 2010, 04:03

Definitly reccommend learning to do basic servicing (oil/filter/belts) yourself. Easy enough to do. Even the clutch is easy enough to sort.

The suspension from factory is average ( what isn't ) the stock cans are too low. They need a tail chop and to drop one on the front sprocket.

Other than that they're the bidness if you like small naked bikes.

**JimO** · 19th June 2010, 08:53

get a raptor 650, more power than a monster and low maintenance engine......http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/at...9&d=1275306719

**thepom** · 19th June 2010, 10:09

trx also trellis frame and good motor,cheaper to run and insure than a duke and better reliability...

**DJSin** · 19th June 2010, 10:17

I sold my raptor to get the monster.
I found the clutch was a hand killer around town and the monster is lighter

**RDjase** · 19th June 2010, 10:30

Originally Posted by JMemonic

Learn to do the oil and filter yourself, its an easy job, the belts cost about $100 per belt and there is two of them, on the monster I believe depending on the year belts are either 24,000Km for the earlier ones or 40,000Km for 2008 and later but someone will be along who has the correct details.

If you like the monster your options in other brands are limited, SV650 or SV1000 or Gladius in Suzuki, I am not sure if there is much else, Cagiva's perhaps that is if its the styling that takes your fancy.

I got belts from seaco bearings for $50 each, Same gates belts and part number without Ducati written on them, will find out the gates number and seaco number and post later,

Mines a 2 valve carbed 900 , nice and easy,

**hayd3n** · 19th June 2010, 10:54

cb 900 hornet or cb 600

**JMemonic** · 19th June 2010, 11:17

Originally Posted by thepom

trx also trellis frame and good motor,cheaper to run and insure than a duke and better reliability...

Parallel twin is not something I would think about going back to, I just like the V-twin to much, the look is mostly right to compare with the monster but there is a question I must ask, how do you come to the conclusion that a Yamaha is cheaper to insure than a Ducati? Personally my insurance is based on the value of the bike to replace than the brand. As to reliability, that comes down to servicing and maintenance more than manufacturer now days, check the workshop manual and I suspect you will find most other brands have similar service intervals for major work like shims and belts.

**nallac** · 19th June 2010, 12:44

Originally Posted by hayd3n

cb 900 hornet or cb 600

not even close to the same style bike,Price's may be similar but the story ends there.

Had a 900 hornet good fun bike, but lacking in soul/character.....
got a Buell X1 now,
its along the lines of the monster, 100hp, bloody fun to ride, makes an awesome sound,
love it more every time i ride it.

**R1madness** · 19th June 2010, 13:19

Generlly speaking Monsters are a very reliable and easy to maintain bike. Do the cambelts at 20000km (yes they recommend 24000km but earlier for safety) and the shims at the same time. Usually a major (20000km) service costs around $550-$600 (incl belts, shims, oil, oil filter, brake fluids, fork oil etc) on a 2 valve and between $700-750 for a 4 valve. More if it needs parts like steering head bearings, fork seals, chain and sprockets etc. A minor service (5000km) should cost about $200-220
We do sell and service a lot of Ducatis here so the guys are possably a little quicker than most on them.