Ducati Monster question.

[stevie-p]

Hi, i have just seen a 1994, 900 Ducati Monster for sale thats only done 6000 miles. My question is, how reliable are monsters from this year as i haven't heard many good things about italian bikes, and how much should i expect to pay.

[Rockhopper]

Fairly reliable really. Keep on top of belt changes and valve clearances etc and it'll be fine. Carbs are prone to icing, watch out for blown fork seals, knackered batteries etc, flaking paint on engine cases, petrol tanks leak around the hinge at the back (where it tips up). Clutch is heavy and can't be made lighter like later bikes, its underpowered compared to jap 600's (very), poor turning circle (very poor!!), lumpy around town and at low revs (14 tooth front sprocket needed) handle well though and are a hoot to ride.

[TheFoxyDuke]

[TheFoxyDuke]

Try here as well

https://www.ducatisti.co.uk/

https://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?action=forum

https://www.ducatitech.com/

Loads of info on those

FoxyD
____________________
Currently : Ducati Monster S4R 2005, 996cc, Blue with Corse stripe, Open Carbon Clutch Cover (TokaTokaTokaToka), Marchesini 5 Spoke Wheels, 117BHP.
Wanted : Ducati 749S 2005 onwards.
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[Zimbo]

The above posts pretty much cover any potential problems, but don't be put off - it's a cracking bike! I wouldn't agree that it'll feel underpowered compared to a jap 600, the power figures are relatively modest by today's standards (around 75bhp at the back wheel) but there's bags and bags of torque and it'll pull from 3k to 8k like a train and lift the front wheel in first and possibly second off the throttle alone, they just run out of power after 8500rpm and thus make less peak horse power, torque from e3-8K however is greater throughout than the peak torque produced by a jap 600. Engines are bulletproof as long as they're maintained, belt change is a half hour job and £40, 45mpg, light and confident handling and easy to ride fast on twisty roads, and of course it's an Italian style icon! Don't forget the frame is lifted directly from the WSB winnning 888 superbike. Clutch is heavy as standard but can be lightened easily with an aftermarket slave cylinder.
The early (pre '96) 900 monsters are preferred as they have the big valve heads and decent cams of the 900SS, later ones got softer cams and smaller valves which limits their tuning potential.
Value - depends on condition, £1200 - £2000 as a guide I'd say.

[Rockhopper]

My bad, i miss read the OP, though it was a 600 he'd been looking at. All still applies to the 900 though, but yes, its a good engine with loads of potential for tuning.