Ducati M900 the new toy

[K2-K6]

Yes they feel so weildy,  almost like sitting on a bicycle as so narrow, light, and big bars to lever it about.  But with a sledgehammer blow of torque relative to physical presence.

The name is a tongue in cheek take on being made of pre-existing parts, the monster,  so they knew they were creating something a little controversial.

As I understand it,  it's a 888 chassis with aircooled motor and street fighter layout, a pivotal bike for Ducati.

I persuaded a friend to buy one a couple of years ago,  almost mesmerisingly good to ride.  For those that haven't,  they really can't be more wrong. He felt the same and both of us describe it like an open class moto-x bike for the road. Front forks come into their own when you really get it going some, but as you say a bit strong for slower work.

[MarkCR750]

Yes it’s the bike that saved Ducati financially, agree with your comments, I’m genuinely impressed with the way it handles/goes, I’d never been a fan of the way they look but a couple of weeks ago I looked at one in Matlock and thought, I like that!, maybe it’s because they are old enough now to have developed something of a classic look but anyway I’m a convert now 🙂

[SteveD CB500K0]

Is that true? Or is it another “DB7 saved Aston Martin” story?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Green1]

The Cavalier saved Vauxhall 

Every new bike saved Ducati like all Italian brands they have changed hands so many times no one knows who owns what.
But I still love them

[K2-K6]

I guess before that one they were essentially very niche so you'd have to really be pointedly into them to buy one. In Ducati terms the monster was mainstream.

https://sites.google.com/site/infoage1/ducati-links-list/ducati-monster-production-distribution-table

All the different iterations keeping selling,  so ongoing income isn't bad from something born of a bit of a gamble initially.

[K2-K6]

There's an interesting connection to this bike and the Honda SOHC bikes.

The Monster designer Miguel Galluzzi, went to work for Honda at a small design studio in Italy and one of the designers involved there was Hitoshi Ikeda (the Japanese designer credited with design of the CB750) who asked what bike did Miguel have.  It was a Ducati 750ss which Ikeda went to look at,  started it and remarked "This bike has a heart-we Japanese are never going to be able to make something like this" from then on every time Ikeda visited that office he got the key from Miguel and started the Ducati to listen to it.

This story is related in classic bike mag feb2019 which has reviews of both CB750 and design process of the monster.

Interesting that they can both appreciate the other's different view of motorcycles.

 

[MarkCR750]

Interesting that K2, I wonder if Hairygit ever will? 😄

[Laverda Dave]

Maybe this was the sound Mr Ikeda was hooked on....
https://youtu.be/DrukZIqDbMg
As an aside to the Monster saving Ducati, the Laverda RGS was the bike intended to save Laverda, unfortunately it didn't due to being late into production and being expensive to purchase. Anyone who has ridden one will agree what a fantastic bike they were. Laverda had a policy from the outset of only fitting the best components available such as Bosch, ND, Reynold, etc and were not constrained to fitting Italian only products. Laverda were essentially hand made motorcycles as Ducati were at the time and consequently they couldn't compete with mass produced Japanese bikes. The Jota was more than double the cost of a Z1 at the time.
I love all bikes though, they all have their individual merits and long may petrol engines continue to fulfil our biking desires.

[MarkCR750]

I’ll second that!

On my 900ss I have high level carbon cans , they have exit reducers fitted rather than full baffles, when I change gear or throttle off it makes that “Bwoarrrr” sound as in the video you posted, it’s a really evocative and addictive sound, (I just have to be careful not to throttle off if there’s any police around!).

[Darkness]

I’m very happy with my M900 Monsters, but very different from the Honda 4s to ride.

An interesting alternative to the Monster is the Cagiva Elefant, provided you are reasonably long in the leg.

[MarkCR750]

Yes, the main differences I have noticed are that the Ducati steers superbly, stops rapidly and accelerates really quickly!, the Honda 750 4 does none of these things very well!, 🙂, (it’s OK I’m just trying bait Hairy git), in fairness the 750 is from a different era so can be excused it’s dynamic inferiority.
If you compare the monster to one of its Honda contemporaries then in most respects the Honda is superior, I’m thinking Fireblade of course (maybe swapping bike genres a little but you get my point).

PS to the disgracefully rude so called “bikers” that had the temerity to criticise my bikes silencers you’ll be pleased to know that the carbon cans are in the post.

[MarkCR750]

New silencers, discs, bit of paint here and there, still a lot to do but at least it’s looking presentable now.

[Green1]

Looks good Mark.
But what do I know I thought it looked good before.
I consider my Aprilia to be tidy and now I realize just how ratty it is

[SumpMagnet]

Those pipes make a massive difference to the look ...and, I suspect, the sound of the bike

[MarkCR750]

Looks good Mark.
But what do I know I thought it looked good before.
I consider my Aprilia to be tidy and now I realize just how ratty it is

Cheers Mick, you’re aprilia just needs a little love that’s all, couple of spray tins and a days work and it’d be a minter!