I need your help: Should I buy this Ducati?

[gs50000e]

its 1999  monster 900 with 8k miles said to be in excellent shape.  The pics look great and the seller seems to be very genuine.  Says he bought it new and has babied it ever since.  Just rode with his wife on back for fun but now has a child and no time to ride.

It has a nice aftermarket exaust, jet kit k&n  new dunlops and a windscreen.

He agreed to sell it to me for $4400 cause thats all i have.  But I would have to go on his word, pay the money and have the bike shipped to me.

How safe is this offer?  Should I just wait until something really new, technology wise, comes out...or is the monster a great bike?  Thanks  Dilly

[sukigirl85]

buy a japanese bike,

i don't know how he'd ride his wife around with a toolbox strapped to the back seat :nana:

haha, sorry, depends what you like, how long have you been talking to the guy? and have you talked to him before the bike deal came up, or is that all the conversing you've had with him? i still say for the money you could find a bike that runs 3 times smoother and is 4 times as reliable, but they do look pretty

[kyzee]

The monster is a sweet bike. Great handling and well designed. Down side is it's farking expensive to maintain and parts don't come cheap. I can't comment bout the price tho. Go with your heart.  

[The Buddha]

its 1999  monster 900 with 8k miles said to be in excellent shape.  The pics look great and the seller seems to be very genuine.  Says he bought it new and has babied it ever since.  Just rode with his wife on back for fun but now has a child and no time to ride.

It has a nice aftermarket exaust, jet kit k&n  new dunlops and a windscreen.

He agreed to sell it to me for $4400 cause thats all i have.  But I would have to go on his word, pay the money and have the bike shipped to me.

How safe is this offer?  Should I just wait until something really new, technology wise, comes out...or is the monster a great bike?  Thanks  Dilly

Sounds like a freaking scam... Deal with a escrow... not one he suggests... find a big reputed one...
Cool.
Srinath.

[Jared]

Let me guess ...he wants you to western union the money???

Definitely do an escrow service as Srinath says if you want to buy the bike. Seems awfully convenient that the price is just what you have to spend.

Lots of scams going on....watch yourself...

[gs50000e]

hey Srinath!  hows it going my old friend?  Yea I guess I should go with a used Honda 919 over the Ducati huh?  I can get one of those for $5000.

I need a faster more capable bike that still has the nibbleness of the gs.  I would like to keep my gs for  my friends or brother or gf to ride.  Therefore I need something around $3000.

What do u recommend?  Do you have any access to another gsxr 1100 shock for me?  I also need a corbin seat and some fork springs, or new forks.

[gs50000e]

Well the price was $5100, I just negotiated to what I had Jared.  I dont think its a scam, just a good deal.  However, I need something I can maintain and not get screwed on part costs.

[The Buddha]

OK if its in US send someone from this site to see and talk to the guy...
Escrow after that.
Cool.
Srinath.

[juggernaught]

First of all i like the escrow idea...a lot.  Secondly i would ask the guys at this site the same question as they've been pretty helpful:

http://www.ducatimonster.org/smf/index.php

Third...check and see...i'm not sure...but many of the '90 monsters cannot be started with the kickstand down...even in neutral...something that takes a bit of getting used to.  I own an '04 M620 dark that has 2k miles on it and it has been a most wonderful and reliable ride.  I even rode it through a couple of the monsoons we had here in NYC.  But as has been mentioned they can be pricey to maintain  My 2 cents...

[pantablo]

Since it has 8K miles on it doesnt that mean its due one of its major services soon. Thats often the timing of a ducati owner selling...

dont buy such an exotic bike without at least having someone local check it out, even if it has to be his closest ducati dealer. Repairs, if necessary, could add up.

Buying any bike on owners word alone is a crap shoot, no matter how sincere he sounds.

[Laura]

I've heard the 2002's and up are a lot better bikes. Less "quirky".

Laura

[cernunos]

Ducati and Harley Davidson. Two bikes that are absolutely wonderful to own and ride. Just make sure you love them VERY much. The relationship with either one can get extremely close and personal. If you know what you're doing it's a piece of cake (I know, I know, people have choked on cake), if not it can get very expensive. Also as far as escrow accounts, make sure you use someone who is a TRUSTED escrow entity...not someone of the seller's choosing. I love the White Owl, the forum and Ducati motorcycles.

C.......

[Mk1inCali]

My dad has a '00 Ducati ST2 sport tour-er, and we've figured it out, compared to my mom's '03 YZF600R, it is about twice as much in maintenance costs per mile to run versus the Jap 600.  Of course,in my opinion the Ducati does have MUCH more character, but it's up to you whether it would be worth that extra cost to maintain it.

That being said, I love Monsters, esp. the dark versions, and would have a hard time going with a Japanese bike over one if I found one for a good price.


Good luck if you get the bike, hope it treats you well and you have a happy relationship!!!

[Ed_in_Az]

Yes, Ducatis look cool. Meanwhile, back in the real world as others have said, the maintenance costs are evil. I'd think a step up to a fine SV650 would be easy for the same money. Cheaper maintenance, major aftermarket for upgrades, similar ergonomics, just lots of pluses. Or, you could pick as nice Japanese 1000. :dunno:

[juggernaught]

620 Monsters are comparable in price to japanese bikes of the same size.  And some dealerships offer coupon deals that cover the infamous 600 and 6000 mi. maintenance.  My '04 offers a 2 year warranty on parts with towing service or reimbursement included.  And i won't say the Monster can outperform an SV650 in some things but a Monster has a much better suspension i think.  And having had a GS500 as a first bike for 2.5 years i simply cannot imagine any GS rider trying a Monster and not feeling right at home.  I bought my 04' 620 Dark for $6500 brand new.  Now with 2500 miles and not a single problem thusfar i don't consider i made a bad investment.  And like most other bikes there are places and people offering parts at less of a cost than you might think.  But no...not as cheap as you might think either.  Insurance is another issue.  I heard that Progressive dropped Ducati altogether in Jersey because of thefts.  Nonetheless i got a pretty decent deal for NYC.  (basically if you don't live in NYC...think of what you pay for in insurance then multiply by ten...).  Anyway...i loved my GS...and i do love my Monster.  I see way too many Gixxers, and Harleys on a daily basis...but every so often i see a Triumph, or an Augusta, or an Aprilia and for whatever reason it just gives me a bit more insight into it's rider.  Not all of them but a good number.  And they have been pretty nice people.  Like the ones in here..