Hello, Last week I finally sold my FZ6 (my first bike, I passed test 2 years ago after a mid-life crisis I've had a monster evo in my head for ages. Luckily out of sheer coincidence I went to a Triumph dealer to check out the Tiger and they had all the other bikes I've been looking at (FZ1, S3, Evo, Z1000). From sitting only (no test rides allowed) the Evo felt and looked the nicest and I ruled the others out for various reasons (no abs, comfort, reach, etc) so I've been on the look out for a Monster evo. I finally found one that I like (2011 61 plate evo, low mileage, termis) but it's 240 miles away in Essex (Hyside, if anyone's heard of them). Couple of questions: Would you risk buying the bike and having it shipped up assuming you can trust what they tell you over the phone/photos about it's state and never having ridden a Ducati before and find it hard to find anyone to let you test ride one? Dunno if I fancy a 5 hour train journey and riding it for 6 hours cross country back home in the wet Also, this will be mostly commuting with a bit of filtering, I'm getting worried by reading about stalling/shuddering issues at low-revs, reading monster's aren't keen at going under 3000 revs (I'm thinking the termi and possibly a 14T sprocket would alleviate), the engine kind of 'pulls' you round corners if you're gearing is wrong, etc. plus my brother in law with an older monster (recentlly hit from behiind after stalling!) is telling me half of this What's the truth in all this and is moving from an Inline 4 FZ to a twin such a big deal? Of course, if anyone lives next door to Hyside in Romford and likes looking at bikes....... Thanks.
Most of us here will be biased of course as Ducati owners but I think you really need to test one first, they are not to everybody`s taste and the 1100 is a very lumpy engine. That is not a criticism, I had one and loved it, the best road engine I have ever used . Find your nearest dealer and try one. If you do and like it and miss out on the one you mention , don't worry, another one will turn up. Good luck
I am just up the road from them and know some of the staff as I buy spares there. Their bikes are always in vgc and the mechanics know their stuff. I've no work tomorrow so can take a ride there and have a looksy over it for you if you want. Anything in particular you want me to look out for? As dukesox says tho best to try before you buy and that won't be a problem there, you'll need both bits of your licence and credit card as deposit. Get a lift, train or bus down and ride it home if you like it.
That would be awesome (assuming it hasn't been sold, which it wasn't today). It's the 61 plate red monster for £7495 with the termi exhaust. I'm just interested in it's general condition, maybe see if you can get it started up if it's outside. I expect it should be fine, he said it is a one-owner who traded it in for a Diavel. I think the only thing I noted was is the tyres look a bit close to needing changing. I'm afraid all I can offer is thanks and possibly a cup of tea if I come down and buy it. As for trying one, M&S in Newcastle is about my only option and they haven't got any demo bikes so it'd have to be the 5 hour journey, but it's good to know they'll let me ride it - I'd be bringing down the money anyway. I never tried my FZ before I bought it and that turned out lovely
Ok you're very welcome, It'll get me off the couch. I'll take a ride in tomorrow morning if its dry, only 20 mins away and past my mates house who's due a visit. pm me your email/mobi and I'll send you a few pics and maybe a vid. Cheers Keith.
I strongly suggest test riding a monster before you part with the folding stuff, they are a very different ride to an in-line 4. I don't find mine to be too good around town, the change of gog may help but I've not done this as I like the low revs at higher speed. As for stalling, you might find you do this a few times as they are less forgiving of poor clutch control but you'll get used to it quickly. Not being allowed to test ride the bike your thinking of buying, thats just not on. I walked away from two monsters because the dealers were not willing to let me test ride but I found one in the end. Good luck
900streetfighter, that's really kind mate. Good work and as others have said; a test ride is advised if u can find one. Even then get one for as long as u can, I did 95 miles on my 848 Evo before I decided to get it, I was selling already very loved Daytona 675!
I have a M696 and love it because you can use the whole rev range. For a V twin I find it really smooth and agree over 4000 rpm its incredibly smooth. I was seriously interested in the M1100 (just changing for the sake of changing) but after speaking to a very knowledable friend who switched from a M696 to a M1100 I changed my mind as he found the M1100 very lumpy at low speeds and not really a pleasure to ride. He didn't keep it long and now has a Triumph Tiger.
I'm 6 foot 2, the 696 is just too small for me and the 796 felt just a tad too small too, but also figured the DTC might be useful when I'm being a spaz with the throttle. As for being lumpy I'm hoping from what I've read the non-stock exhaust and a 14T sprocket will smooth things out a lot, and I can always leave earlier in the morning I'm assuming the termi will have been a factory fit and the ecu and stuff are all spot on. I ruled out the Tiger, btw, because it was too ugly. The tiger sport looks ok, but beyond my price.
the engine is lumpy at certain revs, mainly under 3000, doesnt matter what you do with the ratios, if you are at 2500 revs it will be lumpy. I didnt bother changing the sproket, couldnt see the point for the type of riding I do. Are you sure it would benefit you ?
Don't say that, after 900StreetFighter kindly had a look and gave it the green light I'm ready to buy What exactly do you mean by lumpy: vibrations, tardiness or noise? cheers.
Shake , rattle and roll. Well, maybe not roll. Just ride one, it is the only way to get the only opinion that really matters.
Would take a risk with £500. I wouldnt with £7.5k. I'd never buy a bike without using my own eyeballs. Plus I'd need to ride it. Dont rush. Plenty of bikes out there. Wait till one closer comes up. Will likely be cheaper and better anyway as that is the Law of the Sod.
too late, I've bought it. Well paid the deposit 900StreetFighter had a look and said it was spotless other than needing a new tyre at some point and this is a single owner had it bought and serviced from the same place and was trading up. Yes, admitedly I haven't rode it but I didn't ride the last bike I bought either so I'm just hoping for the best. If all else fails I can always sell it and I won't lose that much as it was a good price. btw, is it sacrilege to put crash protectors on the frame of a monster Neil.
Now a gold plated one that hadnt been ridden since Angelina Jolie went commando on it will crop up for half the price.
Awesome! I had a Monster 696 today while my bike was being serviced, loved it. The 2v motor is super smooth compared to my 848. Let us know when u get it.
My receipt arrived in the post today and the courier are going to ring, but it should be next week Thanks to everyone for their help, I'll let you know whether I made a good choice later. Pity the weather has changed I'm already thinking of minor mods to my bike and worried about the effect on it's beauty http://ducatiforum.co.uk/f5/monster...endations-will-they-stand-out-too-much-15576/
