[ScottRNelson]

It will be at least a month before I can ride a motorcycle again (after I get this annoying cast off of my left hand). Since the Monster is totalled, I've been reconsidering what I want to replace it with. If I go with a new bike, the Multistrada is at the top of my list. If I go used, I want to consider all options.

I have no interest in any inline four-cylinder bikes, but there are other interesting bikes out there. For instance, I just looked at an ad for a Moto Guzzi V11 that seemed to be reasonably priced.

I'll be getting less than $5000 total from my insurance company to cover everything. Do I really want to spend another $8000 on top of that to own a multistrada? I could take the settlement money and get a new KLR 650, then spend a few more bucks on saddlebags and stuff and become an "adventure tourer". I could invest in a DRZ400 and return to my dirt roots.

For some reason I'm no longer feeling the enthusiasm for Ducati Monsters that I've felt for the past six years.

Do any of you want to try to talk me into getting another Monster?
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http://www.ducatimonster.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=SFBMHA;action=display;num=1065312800

 

[Guest]

as much as i love my s4, your situation DOES offer the opportunity to try something different.
not sure if i'd personally go with a multistrada because of the cost factor you just pointed out. but getting a KLR or DZR's just of no iterest to me.
if i was in your position, i'd make an effort to find a "totalled" 999 to convert it to a naked bike. if that wasn't possible/available, i'd seek out a pre'99 900ss to play with. reasonably comfortable (used to own one) and there's TONS of work that can be done to make it a real weapon. but it's also a matter of what you want your motorcycle to be.

don't worry scott, we'll still like you even if you opt out of monster-dom!

 

[Duc_N_Har]

Scott, the Monster is a great BEAUTIFUL bike. It handles well, ( most of the time~ exceptions as you know...but that is with any bike), it rides nice, Ducati is an elite bike. You are in a small percentage of lucky people to own one! You stand out in a crowd , cause you don't see that many( on my trip to Fla. I saw only 4 Monsters and one other Ducati!!) Don't forget to look around and see what you like.... make sure that Monster or Ducati love is still not in your heart!!!
What ever you decide, get something different, you don't want to park in a crowd and go to the wrong bike cause there are a dozen parked there!!! Make it your own true love!!
Test ride many and pick what you want!!! I wouldn't trade my Monster for nothing!!! But go with your heart and get what you will enjoy!!!! But make it your own true creation!!!!
And don't leave the DML, no matter what you decide, I want to hear all about what ever bike you get and your adventures when you get back to riding!!! Heal fast and ride safe!!!! Deb ;D

 

[Juan]

Hey Scott, I am happy to read that you are considering and thinking about what your next bike will be. It shows your strength of mind and the high caliber rider that you are. I am sure that you will always be welcome at any gourp ride regardless of what bike you ride. I like my monster, and when I replace it, I will replace it to a larger engine, a 900 or so.
Hope to see you riding soon ( on a ducati ;D)

 

[MonstaS4]

There are a lot of nice twins out there. Give it some thought and whatever decision you make you'll be happy with it.

As for a direction, what do you feel like doing on your next bike of choice? If you aren't in a big hurry a used bike might be the way to go. With the market being in the buyers favor you should be able to pick up a Multistrada (if that is what you decide to get) in a year or two for considerably less than what you would pay new.

I am with Strati though, I wouldn't get rid of my bike but if I was in your shoes a naked SBK would be tops on my list. ;D

 

[Fillmore]

I have a certain connection to my Monster (we've been through a lot together), so I'd have a hard time getting rid of it, but if I was just going to have one bike I think it'd be a Multistrada as well.

Talk you into getting another Monster? Well, for me, I've never felt as connected to another bike as I have to my Monster.

 

[sivan]

If there was anyone who could talk people into getting Monsters, that was you. All I can say is that maybe in time you'll separate the memory of the incident from the bike. Other bikes I'd be interested in are the Multistrada or a supermoto.

 

[ScottRNelson]

You've said that you've wanted an 888. Good prices on those right now, too. Beautiful bike to ride fast, and even more beautiful to look at. I'll admit however that I'm not particularly fond of riding mine around town. It's just a fish out of water in stop and go traffic...

I've seen very few 888's for sale and most want at least 10K for them. If the right one becomes available, I could get one.

If you're thinking about something in the monster vein, but just looking for a change... Ride an Aprilia Falco. I've ridden them twice, and both times I've thought to myself, "Never ride this bike again... This is the thing that could get me to trade in my Monster."

I've ridden a Falco and was very impressed with its behavior. It might be a bit faster than what I'm after, though, and the styling doesn't especially stand out._________________________________________________Thanks to all for the replies so far.

 

[Guest]

I'd look around and ride everything that inerests you. 6 years is a fairly long time on one bike, and they haven't really changed all that much. There's nothing wrong with a little variety. The Monster is a great bike - I love mine - but its not perfect, and its not for everyone. Right now even after 6 months, if I wrote mine off I'd consider looking at something else, even if it was only to make sure I still wanted a monster!

There are people that love each type of bike just as much as we all love our monsters. Its not a crime!

 

[CRASH!]

Interesting question you've posed.

I've been thinking of a second bike (pure pipe dream!); something in the sport-touring vein. I would NEVER consider selling my Monster, only supplementing it.

Yet... if my bike were to be stolen or totalled, I'd have to seriously ask myself if I wanted to start all over with a clean Monster (and basterdize it as I've been doing from day one ;D), or shift over to a light, quick sport tourer.

Let's hope I'm not faced with the dilema any time soon.

 

[Fillmore]

I've seen very few 888's for sale and most want at least 10K for them.

 

[Trent]

Damn.... Fillmore called my KLR an Escort.... ouch!

I love my KLR. It was a cheap purchase (under $3k), carries a bunch of crap(in my top box), can go about anywhere (lots of suspension travel), runs fine in the cold and doesn't take forever to warm, doesn't complain about being left in the rain, and hand guards keep the winter freeze off your knuckles.

I was really pumped when I got the KLR primarily because I was finished adding parts to my Monster. I'm happy with the state my Monster is in and don't want add anything else to it. When I got the KLR I got to go nuts with upgrades on it and its nice to have something different.

Fillmore: My brakes work great after adding progressive fork springs and a braided front line.

 

[Fillmore]

Sorry, my bad... I didn't mean to bag on anyone's bike. :-X

You just listed a bunch of the positive things about KLRs that make lots of people use them as commuters and such. Kinda like the F650, I just find them too compromising to be noteably good at any one thing, but maybe that's an asset in itself. Personally, they just don't grab me, but I say that about those I-4 600s that the magazines like so well, too.

Part of my problem is that I tend to compare the KLRs to the KTM LC4 line, but as you point out it's a completely different price point and probably target market.

--Fillmore

 

[Mark1305]

Scott, like a lot of folks have posted I love my Monster. Don't ever want to get rid of it. But, you have recognized a loss of enthusiasm for them at a time when you are having to break clean with yours and replace it with something.

Over the last 35 years I have been passionate about several diverse interests from boats and boat building to motorcycles (a couple of different times) to Lincoln MK VIIs (a cult almost like Monsters ;D ).

One thing I've realized lately is that in some cases I hung on to an interest too long past that point of losing enthusiasm. That was usually because there was no clean break point to catalyse a change in direction. You have the good fortune to recognize that you may want a change exactly when the opportunity to make a change has been forced upon you by the accident. I say go for something new - if you find later you miss Monsters, they will be around. ( I came back to bikes after 21 years of not actually knowing that I missed them).

I knew a couple when I was stationed in New Orleans back in the 90s that admittedly got into new hobbies head over heels and did everything to the max for about 5 years or so, then would sell off everything from that hobby to go off after something else. At the time they were diving into the Honda GoldWing scene head first Their modus operandi of max involvement, then move on approach had a certain wisdom that I appreciate more now that I've seen myself waste time and resources on hobbies that were no longer a passion for me.

So much for the philosophy side. Making a decision on what to try next would send me over the edge - There is SOOO MUCH to pick from these days. Multistrada could be good. Dual sport adventure bike could be good - consider finding a good Cagiva Gran Canyon if you have a lot of 2V tools and stuff and want to keep that sound ;D. Undecided about what kind of personality you want to find in the next bike? May be the time to pick up a "plain vanilla" job like a clean Honda ST 1100 or equivalent and focus some effort on LD touring in real comfort with few hassles for a couple of years. Your imagination is the limit. And you can actually plan to try something "temporarily" for as long as it's fun.

PM me if you want more philosophical ramblings or to toss some ideas around. Good luck!

 

[jrfuisz]

Call me crazy but have you seen the new '04 Harley sportster customs? and the price?

Not sure what you'd do with one, but it is nice little package.

My other bikes were all thumpers - various Suzuki RMs and a Yamaha SRX600. There is something about them that is very appealing, which would lead me to a KTM, but then I'd get greedy and want one of those Italian Vertersomething or others. Then I'd realize I can afford one and watch another episode of Cordin's Ride On. I'd wonder if I could go to Sturgis or Daytona on a Sportster and not get beat up - assuming my wife lets me. I would then consider building a bike from parts I could buy in the back of chooper magazines. Then when the alcohol wore off I'd drive my measily M620 home and realize it is a very fine machine. I'd even think about throwing the sportster brochure out I have in my jacket....

 

[caxys]

Although I'm still a newbie, I know I'm hooked on all things motorcycle related. I've even daydreamed about owning another bike already. Yeah, it's a pure pipe dream for now, but my eyes do wander over to cycle trader every so often just to window shop. Frankly, I love the looks and appeal of the 748 and 916 family. What I would give to have a garage with one of those next to my Monster! I think too much is made of what particular bike you ride, and I am NOT referring to folks on this site. Surfing around some of the other motorcycle web forums, it amazes me how antagonistic people can get. Bottom line, you love to ride. Ride what you want! For me, right now, it's a Ducati, and she always makes me smile! ;D

 

[Guest]

No!!!!! Hurry, and get this man to a Ducati dealer right away,Go and get your head checked out!!!!!!!!!!!!!.Maybe buy (2) bikes (used of course), BUT in the end YOU WILL MISS YOUR MONSTER!!!.

 

[midwest]

This has nothing to do with whether Scott should get another Monster or not.
But, I have to comment on what a cool board this is.
Most of us have been on other boards and seen the less than adult responses to serious issues.
I would just like to thank everone on this board for being "nice". I love you guys! (Guys applys to Gals too.)

Oh yeah... Scott, get a Monster!!!

 

[midwest]

Whew!!! I was just re-reading the post above... and was afraid I had said, "Most of us have been on other broads."... Of course most of you kids don't even know that "broads" used to be (about 100 years ago) a slang term for, shall we say, "ladies".
Thank you and good night.

Rob

 

[Lee]

Like Pogo says....Just get a broad to ride. (Is that what he said?)Regardless, being in a position to be able to "choose" is cool in itself. What a great country thees Amedica is!!!
At least try and stay Eyetalian won't you?

Good Luck Scott...You'll make the right decision.