Thinking of a Monster......

[Brian.]

Originally Posted by motomartin11

I understand where you are coming from and can recommend the early Monster models for lightness of weight and ease of handling.
I'm 6 years younger than you and quite a few years ago decided to sell my heavier bikes due to the weight of moving them especially around my workshop.
I find my '96 750 Monster quite light in comparison to many larger capacity bikes.
I owned 2 GS750s back in the day and a 550 and 1000 but when in 1987 I swapped my GS750 for a 1986 GSX550 the difference in weight was very noticeable bearing in mind I was then only about 30 years of age.
I'm sure you know how temperamental some of the Ducatis can be but overall they are still great bikes to own and ride. I think the later FI models run better but are more complex and you also have the plastic tank swelling issues (I used to own a 2004 620i which was also very light) but note you are looking for an older model to suit the VMC purists.

Thank you for your reply I do love riding my GS750 and thought about a GS550 but there's not a great deal of difference in the weight. Also, the centre of gravity of my Suzuki is high, it's top heavy as well as just plain heavy.

Talking of temperamental, I do remember one or two interesting times with my 900SS I've heard of plastic tank issues, not just with Ducati either, but they are steel on early Monsters aren't they? Which reminds me, one of the interesting times I had with my 900SS was the petrol tank rusting through underneath, me patching it up temporarily because I couldn't find a rust free replacement, and then the regulator/rectifier going up in smoke. One of life's sphincter-twitching moments

The 25 year bit with the VMCC isn't exactly for purists, it's because some of the rides & events etc I like to participate in are for classic bikes only, for many of the rides it doesn't really matter what we use.

Brian.