To buy, or not to buy

[savage925]

Hi guys

I was about to buy a 2007 Monster then I noticed a few problems that made me rethink the deal.

2007 695,
15,200 miles
$4,300

The heads have some kind of coating on them and I also found an oil leak. I have attached a few detail pictures of the lower head, both heads have some sort of permanent "protective" coating on them that looks like crap.

There was also a significant amount of oil on the under side of the bike(its hard to see in the picture but the most of the bottom of the engine was coated), the owner said it was from to much oil in the bike, I didnt agree with that. Also the oil was pitch black, which concerns me about the level of maintenance.

I have never owned a monster before but have owned many motorcycles, and I have doubts about purchasing this bike now. It seemed like a good price but I have a feeling it will give me problems in the future. What do you guys think?

[nextfriday]

This bike looks like it was never washed so crud has built up and caked itself on from the heat. Fresh oil in an air cooled motor is so crucial to help keep temps down. Black oil shows it just wasn't changed regularly. Miles aren't too high, so if you can get it at a basement price.....it's still a Ducati.

[caferacermike]

I can't get a feel for your location from your post, but that sure looks like salt corrosion to me on that head. I lived in MI for over half my life and in winter the roads were heavily salted. Our toys would look like that come spring. I can see a lot of light rust on the steel bits as well. A well maintained bike that was cared for wouldn't have rust on the cylinder head studs. I have bikes from the 60's that don't have that much rust. On the other hand, the owner may have taken good care of the bike, but like many riders, chose to ride as much of the year as possible. Usually you need to wash a bike or car once a week, even if it's just a rinse, to rid yourself of that salt.

Again I'm just guessing. Basically I'm saying that if that bike is from a wintery State, that could be normal wear, if it's from New Mexico, run.

Ok so while searching all of Craigslist I see you are shopping in Bethesda, Maryland. That bike has had a lot of work done to it. I'm betting the owner took reasonable care of it considering all that was done. The higher mileage and his comment about commuter goes hand in hand with the current condition. I'm also sure there is a lot of salt corrosion on the bike. It is a shame it wasn't washed and waxed more often to prevent this, but as a commuter bike it may have not sat still long enough.

Just did a CL search and in Dallas there is an upgraded 08 with low miles for $5,400, a rebuilt Salvage in new Braunfels TX for $3,900 with lots of Rizoma and Ducati Corse throttle bodies, 07 with 3,000 miles for $4,500 and extra fuel tank in New Orleans, ultra clean in Brentwood TN with 7,000 miles for $4,800 with Leo Vince Ti pipes, black one with Termi's and 4,200 miles in Charleston for $4,700, one listed in Miami with 2,000 miles for $4,800 (pics don't show up), Found yours in Bethesda MD.

Ok so after looking at only 4 pages out of 31 I've noticed an average price just under $5,000. If you want a cleaner bike for the same money, or less, you can pick one up in several States. If you don't want to travel, that one isn't horrible. Personally I'd print out some of the others and use them to knock at least $600 off the asking price, however they may refuse due to the amount of aftermarket equipment.

[chelseaboy]

I think its expensive for that many miles, even in good condition. I got my 2007 695 a year ago for $4,500 with only 3250 miles on it.

[SDRider]

Originally Posted by caferacermike

I can't get a feel for your location from your post, but that sure looks like salt corrosion to me on that head. I lived in MI for over half my life and in winter the roads were heavily salted. Our toys would look like that come spring. I can see a lot of light rust on the steel bits as well. A well maintained bike that was cared for wouldn't have rust on the cylinder head studs. I have bikes from the 60's that don't have that much rust. On the other hand, the owner may have taken good care of the bike, but like many riders, chose to ride as much of the year as possible. Usually you need to wash a bike or car once a week, even if it's just a rinse, to rid yourself of that salt.

Again I'm just guessing. Basically I'm saying that if that bike is from a wintery State, that could be normal wear, if it's from New Mexico, run.

Ok so while searching all of Craigslist I see you are shopping in Bethesda, Maryland. That bike has had a lot of work done to it. I'm betting the owner took reasonable care of it considering all that was done. The higher mileage and his comment about commuter goes hand in hand with the current condition. I'm also sure there is a lot of salt corrosion on the bike. It is a shame it wasn't washed and waxed more often to prevent this, but as a commuter bike it may have not sat still long enough.

Just did a CL search and in Dallas there is an upgraded 08 with low miles for $5,400, a rebuilt Salvage in new Braunfels TX for $3,900 with lots of Rizoma and Ducati Corse throttle bodies, 07 with 3,000 miles for $4,500 and extra fuel tank in New Orleans, ultra clean in Brentwood TN with 7,000 miles for $4,800 with Leo Vince Ti pipes, black one with Termi's and 4,200 miles in Charleston for $4,700, one listed in Miami with 2,000 miles for $4,800 (pics don't show up), Found yours in Bethesda MD.

Ok so after looking at only 4 pages out of 31 I've noticed an average price just under $5,000. If you want a cleaner bike for the same money, or less, you can pick one up in several States. If you don't want to travel, that one isn't horrible. Personally I'd print out some of the others and use them to knock at least $600 off the asking price, however they may refuse due to the amount of aftermarket equipment.

Agreed. If he has all the receipts for the maintenance I wouldn't discount this bike. My last bike was a 2008 and I put over 16,000 miles on it in the 3 years I owned it. It was ridden in SoCal though and garage kept so it still looked brand new when I sold it.

That oil leak on the other hand might be a pain to fix and a deal breaker. I can't tell but is it a engine side cover gasket? If you have to split the case to replace that seal I'd say no way but if it's just one of the engine covers that should be pretty easy to fix.

[savage925]

Thanks for the input guys, I am located in Baltimore and the bike is in Bethesda.

It appeared to be a leak under the bike and not on the covers. I think I am going to walk away from this deal, it could be fine but I just dont want to take the chance. I have had plenty of project bikes and I dont need another.

As for the head, I tried to wipe it off but no luck, it was shiny and hard like an enamel. It was also evenly applied to all surfaces, looking more like someone applied it to the bike, rather than natural causes.

caferacermike - thanks for the leads, what site did you use to search all of CL?
The one in Charleston looks interesting

Chelseaboy - it sounds like you got a great deal!

[caferacermike]

charleston craigslist > for sale / wanted > motorcycles/scooters - by owner
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2007 ducati monster 695 dark - $4700 (Charleston)
Date: 2011-11-19, 12:21PM EST
Reply to: sale-hzb3u-2710747789@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
Babied Ducati, with Rizoma Bars and Grips, Bar end mirrors. Termignoni High mount carbon fiber exhaust, Ducati performance comfort seat and tank grip.4200 miles but I am driving it on nice days still. oil change 500 miles ago.

Location: Charleston
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

image 1
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PostingID: 2710747789

[caferacermike]

I use Search Tempest. It's an easy format, takes a second to learn how to navigate the returned ads but easy as pie after that. You enter your zip code, how far in miles from the zip code, a description, heck you can even set your maximum buying price to weed out your list a little more.

I'm not sure if my search will work if you open the link, but figured I'd try anyways. Basically a nationwide search without a max price. http://www.searchtempest.com/results...min&maxAsk=max

[savage925]

Thanks for your help, I was able to buy a 2007 695 with only 750 miles on it!
It is mint.

[chelseaboy]

post a pic!