What Next?

[MilesB]

Congratulations - you’ve bought a Monster… But is it the last bike you ever plan on riding ??

Is the Monster all you’ll ever need, or is it just the stepping stone along the way to something else ?
Are you a slave to fashion, and when Ducati (finally) replace/upgrade the Monster, you will be first in the queue?
More cylinders or less? More power or less?

Random thoughts and considerations please…

PS: The poll allows for Multiple entries

[Mrs Soup]

Ran my 600 for 6 years and just traded up to an S2R. :D :D :D

Our garage is strictly Ducati only, with the next aquistiion to be another monster.

Absolutely Addicted

[MilesB]

What can I say...

I'm told that I'm NOT ALLOWED to sell the Monster (by my other half - the one who got me into biking) :o

Also, I absolutely love the Monster Owners Club and the people who make it what it is - so to leave the club is unthinkable. But the club does have non-Monster owning members :rolleyes:

I'm getting to that age where I know I'm not gonna live forever, but also know that I don't feel 'Too old to Rock and Roll' and don't worry about my mortality too often ;)

I don't need more power from a bike, and don't want acres of plastic - not my thing, but I wanna try other bikes too. I'd struggle to go on an in line four, but Triples, Twins (V or parallel) and Thumpers are on the wish list.
I'm down to inherit a couple of Matchless' bikes (500 twin and 350 single), but the thought of a 675cc baby speed Triple (rumoured to be coming from Triumph in 2007) catches my attention.

More relevant are these suspects :eek: , which maintain a certain 'Monsterness' :rolleyes:

[fatbloke]

I quite like Monsters I think I'll stick with them.

and you do meet a better class of owner (oh yes you do)

[MikeG]

Had my Monster, M600, for 4 years and 42,000 miles. It has NEVER let me down and I commute 300 miles a week. So why would I change? BUT more cc's is most definately an option. I don't think the finances, or the Missus, would allow that change at this time. One day.....
I do fancy a 748/9 but finance, missus and comfort make that unlikely.
Hey ho!
Of course the UKMOC is another reason for sticking with what I have, never yet found a problem that cannot be solved with the help of the chaps and chapesses that frequent this site. :D

[Runningman]

As a fairly new rider (3 years and counting) I've only ever ridden monsters, (M750 & s4), so I realise there is a whole world of bikes out there waiting to be ridden.

My curiosity is roused by the following:

Triumph Speed Triple
BMW 1200GS
Buell Lightning
Suzuki Hayabusa
KTM Duke

But don't worry everyone, as I feel completely at home in UKMOC, I shall always retain a Monster of some shape or other (maybe my s4, possibly a M1000)

Be seeing you.
r

[fatbloke]

As a fairly new rider (3 years and counting) I've only ever ridden monsters, (M750 & s4), so I realise there is a whole world of bikes out there waiting to be ridden.

My curiosity is roused by the following:

Triumph Speed Triple
BMW 1200GS
Buell Lightning
Suzuki Hayabusa
KTM Duke

But don't worry everyone, as I feel completely at home in UKMOC, I shall always retain a Monster of some shape or other (maybe my s4, possibly a M1000)

Be seeing you.
r

IMO
Triumph Speed Triple----Noooooooooooooooooo!!!!
BMW 1200GS----Has been beaten with the ugly stick
Buell Lightning----It will break
Suzuki Hayabusa----You will die or if lucky just loose your licence
KTM Duke-----great bike

[Runningman]

IMO
Triumph Speed Triple----Noooooooooooooooooo!!!!
BMW 1200GS----Has been beaten with the ugly stick
Buell Lightning----It will break
Suzuki Hayabusa----You will die or if lucky just loose your licence
KTM Duke-----great bike


Thanks for the feedback. Speed Triple it is then!

m

[Phoenix]

Had my 600 for 4 years - done endless miles and now race it and will do next year too.
When i've done that Max will be back on the road probably for the duration of my biking life.
I've ridden other bikes - i've looked at other bikes - but I could never bring myself to replace Max, why should I - he does all that I want and then some.
If Max had to be retired for some reason before me then the only other thing that would grace (a different) shed would be a Ducati.

[Will]

I had a break from bikes but when the time came to get another, Ducati was the first choice - I had owned a Ducati 250 Street Scrambler many years ago (among other bikes) and loved it - I liked the look of the Monster and it was a cheap way of getting another Ducati, so I bought one!. :cool:

I will probably keep the Monster, but I'm unlikely to buy another one, because I need a bike that's capable of covering serious miles on all types of roads - so I bought a BMW 1200GS. :cool:

Still got room in the garage for at least one more bike and I quite like the idea of a dedicated sports bike, most likely a Ducati.

[MilesB]

I quite like Monsters I think I'll stick with them.
Terry - you stll got that Yamaha Bulldog as well :confused: :rolleyes:

and you do meet a better class of owner
No argument there :cool:

[fatbloke]

Terry - you stll got that Yamaha Bulldog as well :confused: :rolleyes:


No argument there :cool:

yup but its for sale ;)

[Runningman]

yup but its for sale ;)


Is it now...very interesting. Mind if I ride over the weekend and take a look?
m

[fatbloke]

Is it now...very interesting. Mind if I ride over the weekend and take a look?
m


of course you can (not saturday tho)

[Runningman]

Thanks Terry - I'll pop up Sunday mid morning.

Could be my new commuter bike.

[A Yerbury]

If I haven't given it any thought can I just not vote? I have though, and I would like a bit more slap and tickle, prob in the form of severe engine carb modifications..has anyone put an 888 into a 600?

[gary tompkins]

Just bought my 3rd monster - another 900ie project bike. Which come next spring will be a very different kind of monster :eek:

As they say - watch this space :D

[craigie]

Love my wee bike and find it enough to get myself into trouble on our public highways but with the new found thrill of trackdays I would like a bit more in the engine, mind you then my excuse for not passing too many folks would be shot to hell....

[bigredduke]

Having owned an S4R since May (first rode a 900ss 25 years ago and owning a 'v' twin ducati has been a longstanding ambition) I have no intention of letting it go. I know there are much faster bikes around but at 46 my headdownarseup days are thankfully over. I love the look of the 999's but I think it might be too easy to lose life or licence - either of which I don't fancy much.

It's amazing the envious looks the bike gets (from youngsters to old guys) either parked up or tootling through town - massages the ego tremendously!

I guarantee that if the bike is parked amongst a mass of Japanese machines which don't get a second look, people always stop for a look at the Ducati. :D

My 10 year-old daughter absolutely loves going on the back and the offer of a rideout is a great incentive for her to get her maths homework done!

As far as UKMOC is concerned - what a fantastic site! Everyone is so helpful & friendly & I have made a couple of local ride-out chums as a result!

I will probably keep the bike for 4 or five years. Would I have another? You bet!

[bod]

Monster yes ......Strada(after my last go on one maybe:)
At least it still has a monster engine :D

[JMo]

Smeegal has just passed 31,000 miles now, and is going better than ever (thanks to Moto Rapido and my new credit card...) - hope it never gets to the point where it is uneconomic to keep it, although I have another project idea now, and a second Monster would be the ideal solution...

But I'm fortunate to have the space (if not the funds at the moment) that means I wouldn't have to sell my monster just to own something different, rather I'd choose to suppliment the stable with a few other bikes... already got the best trail bike ever (no arguments, goat riders x) - my XR400, and would really like one of the Anniversary versions of the 1150GS Adventure (ooooooh, white tank/blue seat!) as an everyday hack... A Matrix 998 would be nice too, but I know I'd rarely ride it to be honest...

Then there would be a monkey bike of some kind, and a Blata mini-motard, a dedicated motocrosser (CRF450 - mmmmmmm!), a fat-tyred custom chop project, and a Quad of course, and and and...

xxx

[Julie]

... already got the best trail bike ever (no arguments, goat riders x) - my XR400,

xxx

Well i used to think that i'd want a bigger monster when i first bought my 620. Thats becuase i thoughtthats what happened - you'd buy a 600/620 then move up bit by bit....However over the years of owning it and riding with all sorts of people i realise now that my 620 is just enough for me. I've seen natty boy race around mallory on his old M600 whipping S4r's into shape and a wise kev bunny once said its the riders who are fast not the bikes. I know that the bigger monsters are of course faster than my 620 but for the road the 620 IMHO is just perfect. So No i don't want another road bike or a bigger monster.

And I've got the best trail bike ever (who needed the AA to get the XR home - which bike starts frst time on the button...) My KTM400. The only thing i fancy doing is putting SM wheels on it - just for a laugh. So once the pennies will allow i'm going to get SM wheels for the KTM and laugh all the way home.

As i said in one of my other threads its the monster people that i like just as much as my bike. Who'd of thought that buying a bike would buy me such wonderful freinds?
I don't get that with the KTM - in fact i've never met another woman who rides a KTM. They are all blokes who like to show off - which is fine but can get a bit tiresome.

So i'm lucky that i have the two bikes that i love and wouldn't change.

I do hanker after a monkey bike tho.

[Pedro]

Not selling mine, it's defintely a keeper! Could easiy make space for a few other things though if finance allowed.

The list so far
1. 888 - loverly and having a had little spin on Nattys', they're fab
2. S4R - as above!
3. A Ducati desmo single of some description
4. A big Supermotard - Husky or KTM, silly motor & sticky tyres

Oh and a Tuscan R for days when the sun doesn't shine!

Ped

[MilesB]

Just got the latest (October 05) edition of 'Motorcycle Sport & Leisure' - the only biking magazine worth reading :rolleyes:

In it there is a 5 page review of the production Moto Morini 'Corsaro' - the 1200cc V twin trellis frame naked roadster with underseat pipes :cool: .

The review - by Alan Cathcart, who usually knows what he is talking about - ends thus...
"after riding the 1200 Corsaro, you'll have to pinch yourself to be convinced this isn't the modern-looking, re-engineered Evo version of the Monster that Ducati really should have built any time in the last five years, but hasn't yet. Maybe now they'll have to."

I gotta say it looks the biz, and at £7400 ish its less than the S4R it's closest to. I think I'd wait for the slightly more retro and smaller engined "9 1/2" due out next year before I pass judgement.

Also in the magazine is the 1000DS powered Bimota DB5 Mille... :cool: :cool: :cool: Good thing I ain't got a spare £17K lying around :eek:

Miles

[JMo]

(who needed the AA to get the XR home - which bike starts frst time on the button...)

Don't get smart missy - I had a puncture, not a broken side stand (twice) or leaking fork seals, or wobbly steering, or flaking frame paint, or a pitted swing arm, or a dodgy brake light switch, a front brake that needs bleeding, or a faff-around oil change every 500 miles...*

Ahem.

xxx

(*not that any of those let you down of course, but I don't need that sort of hassle on a trail bike x)

[SazzaG]

Well, I bought an S4 to replace my 620, rode it twice, got scared, kept the 620 (well, Rog is happy - he has an S4 to himself!).

Like JMo, I don't have a space problem - why bother putting a company car in the garage? Seriously thinking about getting an off roader next year, which will probably lead to getting a second off roader (unless Rog can get his much longed for Bowler Wildcat...).


Can't see myself selling the Monster unless financials get really dire.

[w108rna]

I love my Monster to bits and don't see me getting rid of it unless forced. My first ever bike was a Yellow 750 Monster (P520HJC any takers?) followed by a Red 900 SS (M906ACC any takers?). My current 900 Monster is lovely and all i ever really need.

However, if my lucky numbers came in i'd really love the new Paul Smart Caferacer in Yellow, dribble dribble. Think i would have to have a Buell tucked away in the garage somewhere and a Guzzi too. Fingers crossed for that lottery win!!!

[birchie]

It's in the blood now so shant be selling mine.

My 748 injected it first and now me s4r injects it with out the paracetamol n once a month visit to the back bloke.

We have a Ducati only garage, took me years to convince Nikki my better half but she has just bought a strada sds in black with the ohlins bits on it. Trust me if you have never ridden one of these, don't, i had to turn away, say the lords prayer and scream begone satan it's that good.

If anything gets changed on my ''Italian bitch'' as Nikki calls her, it'll be gold with yellow springs they are awesome.

Tempted i was but Nik has been told ''the bitch is here to stay''

[Lost Again]

I think that the monsters definately here to stay, especially after my winter rebuild. Being young and daft tho I do want for more power, which is why I've convinced my lecturer that tuning my engine to buggery is worthy of a dissertation. Its only a temporary fix tho, 748 block next winter! If I decide I'm daft enough to stay on for a masters tho I may be experimenting with 916 block/supercharger combo.......

[gary tompkins]

Just seen the new 1000DS engined S2R in MCN.

Oh yes! :D

[paul620sie]

had a monster 620 for two years (my first bike), now on a daytona 650 but keeping my member ship going on here 'cos i suspect i'll be on a monster (S2R?) again in the future.

[Lona]

It's air-cooled Monsters for me from now on (though I have a slight hankering after a Senna S4).
I've had a SZR660 (don't laugh, that single was a bugger to ride, despite the low seat height), a NS400R (barking!) and an R6, so I've done the "plastic rocketship" bit". I've just got a stage II Dynojet and K & N filter in my M900 to go with the Termis, and find Monny much more fun to ride than the R6 was, despite the power differential. Also, I'm no spring chicken, and have arthritis in my lumber spine, so the sports riding position was getting a bit painful.

[MilesB]

For those of you who are considering something else, Moto Guzzi have just added this
http://www.motoguzzi.it/griso/home.asp?lin=eng
to their website :cool: :cool: .

WAAAANNNTT!!

[gary tompkins]

My friend Richards Guzzi (1100inj Cali) has just gone into 3X for its 3nd major engine rebuild in 7000miles. It's just trashed its cams, followers tappets and oil pump for the second time, and only 1800 miles since it was last done!

He bought it brand new, and paid nearly £9K for it 18 months ago but it's been off the road nearly six months waiting for repairs/parts. Needless to say he's not impressed, and Guzzi have now announced a recall on all 1100 cali's produced at the same time as his. 3X have stopped selling new Guzzi's and offered him a decent part X deal on his when its fixed - maybe on a Triumph.

Mind you he has had a 620 Monster on loan while the Guzzi is in, which he said he's really impressed with, and may consider a Monster as a replacement in the near future.

[Lady-Bob]

Also, I absolutely love the Monster Owners Club and the people who make it what it is - so to leave the club is unthinkable. But the club does have non-Monster owning members :rolleyes:




Awwwwwhh! Thanks hun.... we luv you too :bunny:

Bumble took my cat for a quick ride to charge up the battery last week..... he came back wanting it 'cos it was "much more fun than his S4 !!!" :D

As for the Non Monster Owners..... I'm not prepared to get rid of some of them like JamesH.... he's cool AND he won the mini-moto and got a wicked trophy to boot. (I'll get that fiver from you later JamesH !!! ;) )

[Mr C]

Im on Ducati No2 now, Will prob keep the Monster But am still drooling over owning an MV Agusta F4, Seen one or 2 at the £5k mark

[SAMMYE]

Looking to sell the Monster soon and buy a house then return to Monstering when funds permit!

[Fred]

Just sold my 750 monster and bought a Yamaha XJR 1300.

Fred

[Ratchet]

loved the monster but carry wife around too much, so just traded up to st4s
as love ducatis/ hate jap crap. :burnout:

[MilesB]

I'm told that I'm NOT ALLOWED to sell the Monster (by my other half - the one who got me into biking)

More relevant are these suspects :eek: , which maintain a certain 'Monsterness' :rolleyes:

Purely in the interests of science, I am carrying out a number of Test rides on ‘alternative’ Monsters…

This began with the Buell XB12Ss ‘Lightning Long’ last Saturday. The test was undertaken at Robinson’s Foundry at Canterbury, I have no connection with them apart from hiring a Road King last year – they knew I was interested in the Buell’s so phoned me up and offered at test ride. As it would be rude to refuse ;)

A very interesting hour was spent on the bike, unfortunately in Saturday traffic conditions.

Although ‘streeeched’ with a longer wheelbase and less steep steering head, the Ss is still a small bike, especially as you sit so far forward. It also felt surprisingly tall: I was unable to put my feet flat on the floor both sides (as on the Monster), but was OK on the balls of my feet. The bars are low, and relatively close to the seat, which makes the whole thing feel a bit like a Supermoto. The lightness and handling of the bike only reinforce this. This does make the ride position very comfortable :) .

The handling was fantastic – as I expected, although being snarled up in Saturday traffic did not allow full appreciation, and the brakes were awesome – which is just as well – but we’ll come to that. Power delivery was amazing, with torque everywhere. There are only 5 gears, and was left wondering why it needed that many, as the only time I got into 5th was when I was testing the high speed buffeting (ahem :burnout: ). Power delivery was smooooth, despite the mirror vibrating vibes below 3000 revs.

Fed up of going fast, or sitting stuck in traffic with only the occasional manic overtake (Monster 900 style – no gears necessary) I eventually headed for a very minor back road I sort of new – those of you who ride with me will know what I mean :twisted: – so see how things went when it really got gnarly.

A couple of blind 90 degree bends later I realised why the brakes were so good – there was practically no engine braking :eek: ! I suppose you don’t really notice these things when you ride with them all the time, but engine braking is one of those things I love about my bike, and it is totally suited to my style of riding – smooth and flowing. See a corner coming up, throttle off – which slows me down, crank it over, round we go while winding the throttle back up. A bit of back brake if I’ve over-cooked it a bit (and occasionally a big handful of front at the last minute :o ).

I expected a two valve 1204cc V twin to have loads of engine braking, but no. My in house mechanical engineer (Susan - MIMechE) explained that you get most engine braking with cylinders at 90 degrees, and as the angle of separation decreases, then so does the engine braking. Now I knew this, and expected less, but not what felt like none. I suspect that it is a combination of a relatively heavy flywheel maintaining the engine momentum, plus the light weight of the bike :confused: .

So, in summary I quite liked the bike, but the engine characteristics means that it’s now off my wish list.


I thought Susan might enjoy it though – especially as she is used to the lack of engine braking on her TDM.

I was right – she reappeared after a ride with a grin that was clearly visible from over 10 foot away whilst still wearing a full face helmet. “Hooligans bike!” she said.

[Mr Cake]

My Monster will be for sale very shortly after its had a new chain and I get the photos put onto CD. I test rode a 748 and loved it :D

Dave

[A Yerbury]

I plan to sell the monster soon and invest in some form of angelic being that can carry me across time, apparently the entire journey is akin to a hump-back bridge, which is in itself about a 1/12 of an orgasm, either that or a large pile of explosive material to propel me into the next world, nothing to declare. Or a bigger engine as stated earlier.

lex.

[Mr Cake]

Well theres a lurvely M750 here when you're ready for the leap of faith :D

Dave

[A Yerbury]

I'll give you two hundred English big ones and a pie for the engine, the rest I have and love. Thanks for the offer though.

[Vincent Jones]

You asked for random thoughts and this is mine. I recently bought my Monster S4 and I’m in love with her. She’s a naked superbike with attitude. I recently got back onto a Japanese bike and apart from feeling I had just got onto a moped I found that my concentration wondered. As reliable as they are, Japanese bikes, in comparison, are to my reckoning so boring. When I first pulled away on an S4 during a test ride, I became aware very quickly that this bike demands respect. She’s up through 80 mph without so much as a blink and the mid range (5000 rpm) feels so incredibly lively. You have to give this bike 100 % of your concentration. It’s the only bike I have ridden that even after 4 hours in the seat you don’t want the journey to end. She’s Ducati red and gorgeous. I just can’t get enough of her!