Opinions on Late 90s Ducati Monster M900? Compared to a naked SV650?

[juha_teuvonnen]

I see a few late 90s Ducati M900 monsters that are relatively inexpensive. I rode a 620 and 750 and compared to a well sorted SV650 the impression was generally "Meh, nothing to write home about".

How are the old M900 monsters comapred to SV? It seems like they M900 has less Hp than 2nd gen SV650. It's not a fair comparison, I know, but I can get either one in exchange for a very similar wad of cash.

P.S. Are these (say 97-99) maintenance-intensive? I know the early 90s ones were. I have rebuilt engines and transmissions before, but I'd rather be riding than wrenching.

[Kurlon]

The M900 has more torque, but is choked on top by heads designed for the 750SS.

[Paul_E_D]

The Monster 900 is much more of a brute than an SV even though power is similar. The Monster is an ICON of design, and the SV is well... The monster is pretty bulletproof, but so is the SV. Depends what you are looking for.

[juha_teuvonnen]

The Monster 900 is much more of a brute than an SV even though power is similar. The Monster is an ICON of design, and the SV is well... The monster is pretty bulletproof, but so is the SV. Depends what you are looking for.

Looking for a dual-use street and track bike. I prefer naked bikes. I rode an 07 zx10r for 5 years, so I am no stranger to heavier and more powerful bikes. I had an SV650 and I kind'a liked it, except for stock brakes and suspension.

I want something that I can ride at Loudon, and while I am perfectly comfortable riding a liter bike on the street, I don't think that I want to ride something like zx10r on a technical track. An SV on the other hand, could be a lot of fun. If Monster M900 is like TL1000S I probably won't like it, just like I didn't like the TL (lousy suspension on the "TL1000S" over all, PITA to ride).

[Paul_E_D]

Looking for a dual-use street and track bike. I prefer naked bikes. I rode an 07 zx10r for 5 years, so I am no stranger to heavier and more powerful bikes. I had an SV650 and I kind'a liked it, except for stock brakes and suspension.

I want something that I can ride at Loudon, and while I am perfectly comfortable riding a liter bike on the street, I don't think that I want to ride something like zx10r on a technical track. An SV on the other hand, could be a lot of fun. If Monster M900 is like TL1000S I probably won't like it, just like I didn't like the TL (lousy suspension on the "TL1000S" over all, PITA to ride).

Ok. Sv it is

[juha_teuvonnen]

Ok. Sv it is

One thing that strikes me as odd is why 750 is seemingly inferior to SV? I read a bunch of articles that stock Duc heads of that vintage left much to be desired. I was wondering if may be a 750 monster with a heads and cam package could beat an SV? Stock SV suspension in crap anyway, and proper rear shocks are close to a grand. I am wondering if Monster 750 could be a better starting point than an SV.

[nhbubba]

I hear the 800ss is the air cooled duc to have over the 750. That's the extent of my duc knowledge.

Buy this. Drop ~$1200-1500 into the suspension, braided lines and some good pads. Maybe put a pipe on it. Save the rest for track time and for the Penguin basic when you go for your race license.

[Paul_E_D]

One thing that strikes me as odd is why 750 is seemingly inferior to SV? I read a bunch of articles that stock Duc heads of that vintage left much to be desired. I was wondering if may be a 750 monster with a heads and cam package could beat an SV? Stock SV suspension in crap anyway, and proper rear shocks are close to a grand. I am wondering if Monster 750 could be a better starting point than an SV.

Those vintage monsters are a lousy start for a track bike. The seating positon is too low an far back, the footpegs are too low, etc. etc. The motor will never match the SV because of the 2 valve configuration.

The SV is THE gold standard for budget racing because it is an excellent starting point for a trackbike. Sure, the stock susp needs some work, but all street bikes will need work. and there is a massive community of SV racers so the tuners know how to make them really good.

This is a no brainer if there ever was one. and I had a M750 when I started track riding.

[Chippertheripper]

I had a m750 too, for a street whip, and whip it did not. That motor was a turd.

However, the 2v 1000ds motor is a fucking sweetheart. Like so good I still pine for it.

[juha_teuvonnen]

I hear the 800ss is the air cooled duc to have over the 750. That's the extent of my duc knowledge.

Buy this. Drop ~$1200-1500 into the suspension, braided lines and some good pads. Maybe put a pipe on it. Save the rest for track time and for the Penguin basic when you go for your race license.

I have seen 2nd gens in the 2K range that need relatively minor work. Penske shock starts at $700-ish, forks could range from expensive (AK-20s over a grand) to cheap (emulators) to mid-range (GSXR internals or GSXR swap). Plus braided lines, Brembo master, better pads. I'm figuring we're could end up in 2K category. I have owned a 2nd gen in the past, but never a 1st gen. I heard that the 1st gen can be made just as fast, with good cams and carbs. I have never done it, though. I don't like the idea of carbs, because the 2nd gen SV fuel injection is fine and smooth.

[onenut]

I have a 99 m900s, it is the most fun bike I have ever owned for the street....but I would not say its a good choice for the track for the reasons others have stated...I took it to one trackday and it was fine but I prefer my XRR sumo over it as a trackday bike....But stoplight to stoplight I will never pass up riding the m900...keep in mind my m900 is worked too FCR's, full exhaust, light flywheel, custom suspension. I have rode the 750's and 800's and they can't get out of their own way compared to the 900.

I'm personally planning on getting a SV as my trackday bike in the future as I think they are a good deal....but I can't imagine an SV ever got anyone laid

[csmutty]

Neither did an R6. Or a 1000. Or a motard.

[boosten lebaron]

Try looking at my newest love if you want a dual purpose , the Honda 919. I picked one up cheap a few weeks ago and I would say with a a good suspension these bikes are a force to be reckoned with. I has gobs of power and torque for an online 4 so its more like a twin. Chassis is very good as well.
I didn't really give these bikes a second look but didn't know what I was missing. These bikes are seriously fun and dead nuts reliable. Aftermarket is getting weak for them but you cab still outfit them with most race stuff if you look around if you wanted to.

[OreoGaborio]

I have seen 2nd gens in the 2K range that need relatively minor work. Penske shock starts at $700-ish, forks could range from expensive (AK-20s Ktech over a grand) to cheap (emulators) to mid-range (GSXR internals or GSXR swap). Plus braided lines, Brembo master, better pads. I'm figuring we're could end up in 2K category. I have owned a 2nd gen in the past, but never a 1st gen. I heard that the 1st gen can be made just as fast, with good cams and carbs. I have never done it, though. I don't like the idea of carbs, because the 2nd gen SV fuel injection is fine and smooth.

Fixed Ktech is the gold standard now. Makes AK20's look like poop considering the price

That said, emulators or intiminators are very good bang for the buck up front and if you search long & hard enough, you can find a good used Penske in the 500-750 dollar neighborhood. That combo is easily good enough for teens at Loudon.

Brembo master isn't needed... stock mc is actually quite decent. Solid pads & lines are all you really need for decent brakes.

Unless you're racing you really don't need to go all out on an SV for it to be a solid, enjoyable performer.

[nhbubba]

I have seen 2nd gens in the 2K range that need relatively minor work. Penske shock starts at $700-ish, forks could range from expensive (AK-20s over a grand) to cheap (emulators) to mid-range (GSXR internals or GSXR swap). Plus braided lines, Brembo master, better pads. I'm figuring we're could end up in 2K category. I have owned a 2nd gen in the past, but never a 1st gen. I heard that the 1st gen can be made just as fast, with good cams and carbs. I have never done it, though. I don't like the idea of carbs, because the 2nd gen SV fuel injection is fine and smooth.

Penske yes. Elka would work too. Cheapskates would tell you to get an adjustable super-sport rear damper off ebay and just run it. I say pony up for something fully adjustable and rebuildable, that has support from the local suspension shops like GMD.
Forks.. meh, I'd go the other way; emulators and springs tickle my pickle. ~$250 all in? Yeah, I'd do that. Why spend more?
Brakes.. lines and pads, master not needed, although a lot do it.
Add some bling/ergonomics help : clip ons, rear sets, frame sliders..

No carbs? Bah. They are easier to tune. Another nice thing about the 1st gen is they are far simpler. Mine has been positively bomb crash proof. Down side is parts sources are drying up.

Chipper called it, the SV really is the goldilocks of motorcycles. Get him in the right mood and he'll tell you he misses his SV too.

[Chippertheripper]

Oh I do. Mine was done right, and handled like a dream.
Someday when I'm rich and famous I'll get another.

[juha_teuvonnen]

I did some more research and realized that the late 90s Ducatis had low(er) compression old-school engines. I mean 2 valves per cylinder, air/oil cooled engines. That explains the differences with SV, which has a high compression 4 valves per cylinder water-cooled engine. I still think that a Monster 900 is a fine machine for street riding, especially with supersport heads. I wouldn't want to ride it on the track, though.

[cdovego]

I have a monster that could hang in the Dash with a competent rider.

[juha_teuvonnen]

What year and what mods did you do, if you don't mind me asking?

[cdovego]

What year and what mods did you do, if you don't mind me asking?

It's an '07 and it's stock. Go find yourself a S4Rs and you'll get 130hp/80+tq right from the get-go. All you could ever want for the street and plenty to make a trackday exciting. Does remarkably well 2-up at the track, too.

[SwiftTone]

I have a monster that could hang in the Dash with a competent rider.

Lol that's cheating

[SwiftTone]

I have the Monster S2R 1000. It has the dual spark motor. I came from a RC51 and can't say I made the wrong switch. I friggin love the thing but sometimes do with I had another 20hp. I'm def having more fun with the Monster. If you don't want to step up to the S2R1000 or S4R/s, you can try the S2R800. It's got more power than the SV, sexier, Ducati appeal (tons of attention) and just more unique.

The suspension will need to be upgraded though as the shock is just junk.

[juha_teuvonnen]

Looked at S4R and S4S. Looks like replacing the 2-valve air-cooled lump with a proper 4-valve water-cooled engine did the trick. Compared to the 2-valve ones, the s4 bikes are worth real money, not that it's any surprise. Looks like they are outside of my price range.

[brady]

In case no one has said it yet, if you decide on an SV find one that's already set-up (forks and/or shock already upgraded) and save yourself $500.+ and a bunch of time.

[nhbubba]

Best advice NESR ever gave me.

Rear shock is the biggie, IMO. But then rear sets, clipons, braided lines, sliders and yadda yadda add up really fast. A complete woodcraft rear-set kit will set you back $350 alone.

That said, finding a dual purpose track/street bike that is "set up" is a tall order in my experience. Normal people that street ride SVs don't upgrade them much. Kids that bling them out make all the wrong upgrades. And track/race guys loose the title and toss the lights.