| Author | Message | ||
     Todd_martin |
I have a line on a nicely maintain and optioned X1 as well as a nice Ducati Monster 900S. I am looking for information from people who have ridden both. What did you like about one compared to the other. P.S. I know about the desmo valves on the Duc. I am one of those weirdos that is intrigued by it. If I get the Duc I am looking forward to the first valve service(maybe not the second).  | ||
| R1DynaSquid |
Ask Roger..aka Grndskpr...Comparing the X1 to a Monster is a no brainer to me...go go Monster. The X1's have had far too many issues, you dont see very many with high mileage on them...there is a reason for that. Now if it was a well optioned M2Cyclone vs the Monster than it would be a lot closer. | ||
| Needforspeed2 |
I now have an '04 Ducati Monster S4R and two Buells,an'03 XB9S and a '96 S1. I've owned a'97 Cyclone and an'01 X1. They've all been excellent motorcycles in their own way, so it really boils down to what your particular tastes are. I've seen this type of thread on a Ducati board that I frequent and it always ends the same way-" buy the Duc!". I'm not really sure that is what I'd recommend, though. The Ducati is more polished, refined and a lot more powerful the any of the Buells I've owned. Of course a lot of of it's due to the desmoquatro 998 engine it's got ! The Buells are exactly as advertised " Different in Every Sense". Roaring exhaust (with the right pipe), decent acceleration and a cool factor from everyone wondering what kind of bike it is. Like I said, ultimatley it's up to you. Good luck ! (Message edited by needforspeed2 on September 29, 2004) | ||
| Rocketman |
Hey Needy, please post some pic's of your S4R. Rocket | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
Similar... but different  IMHO The air-cooled Monsters are one of the few bikes you can compare with X1's etc... A friend had an M900 with Termi's and Corbin seat and a few other mods, but it's a few years since I rode it. To memory, the performance was "similar" to my X1, but different character - good/ok low end, GREAT mid range and nice top end, very happy to rev out. I remember the handling was good, but can't remember enough to describe it in detail. Brakes were comparable to japanese twin disk/4-pot calipers if that helps. The other thing I do remember is the bike felt really small and easy to throw around, and the seat height was low too. My X1 feels taller, more on the bike than in it (but I never get cramped legs on the X1). It shakes a lot below 2400rpm, but I kind of like that, and you quickly learn to ride around it. The X1's/M2's have great low end grunt. Great fun riding in traffic - it doesn't really matter what gear you're in! My X1 is also a very confidence inspiring bike - easy to ride as quickly as you feel like There's plenty of tips here on X1's and M2's, and I'm sure there's heaps of stuff on the Duc boards, but from experience with the M900 and my ex-girlfriends 750SS, the carburetted Duc's do benefit from a jet-kit and smaller than standard front sprocket. For me, I love my X1 It has the biggest grin factor of any bike I've ridden. But that's me. Take 'em both for a ride, try and take them for a long ride if you can. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts. cheers, lemonchili | ||
| Fastco |
Hunter S. Thompson's "review" of the Duc... http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html | ||
| Rick_a |
Being one that goes through parts fairly regularly, having a fairly small budget and a love for tinkering, the Buell was my choice. If I wanted something more polished and refined the Duc would be a clear choice. | ||
| Road_thing |
I simultaneously owned an M900 and a '96 S1. I still have the S1, sold the Monster. Lemonchili's remarks mirror my experience exactly. The M900 was smoother, faster, quieter, more refined but , to me, just not as much fun as the S1. I have no direct personal experience with X1's, so I can't comment on them. rt | ||
| Djkaplan |
This was exactly the decision I had to make in 2000 - a 900 Monster or a Buell Cyclone. I always wanted an Italian exotic and that was as close as I ever came to actually buying one. Funny as it seems, I bought the Buell because it was slightly quicker(!) and I thought it would be more reliable. | ||
| Djkaplan |
Oh, btw - my 2k M2 has been reliable (as of 22,000 miles). | ||
| Todd_martin |
Road Thing Why do you like the S1 better? What if anything do you miss about the Duc, or better yet when if ever do you wish you had it instead? | ||
| Road_thing |
Todd: I kept the S1 because I like the low-end torque and the raw, hot-rod look of the bike. Also, I have a great relationship with an independent HD shop that can bail me out if I encounter a maintenance/repair issue that's beyond my capabilities, but I don't have a Ducati dealer nearby. The Duke had the smoother ride and the better seat. If I had to choose between the two bikes on the basis of comfort and suitability for longer rides (like maybe 100+ miles at a time) I probably would have chosen the Monster. But I've got a Road King for touring. Bottom line for me: If it were going to be my everyday ride and my only bike, and if I had a good dealer handy, I'd choose the Monster. But the S1 has a cool-factor and an aura of exclusivity that I really enjoy; it's more of a lust object than a practical appliance. Incidentally, my S1 has been stone-ax reliable for about 17,000 miles. I also had no issues with the Ducati, but it was low-mileage when I got it (in trade) and I only put a few hundred miles on it. Hope this helps! rt | ||
| Kevyn |
I've had a '99M2 & '98S1W long enough to comment. Have now a '96S2T and an '02 900ss Duc. The Duc is terrific, smooth and fast enough. Well put together, easy to maintain, easy on the eyes and hard to leave in the garage. I'm ready for a 999 or the Multistrada 1000S DS. If I'm fortunate enough to get the 999, it will be my last sportbike. Oh yeah, S2T is for sale $4000obo. | ||
| Cerbero |
fastco: thanks for the link! it's a great tale. everyone: i test rode a new monster and a used cyclone a couple years ago... i went with the used cyclone. | ||
| Rocketman |
I'd bin the Cyclone in a heart beat. It's the Ford Transit of Buelldom. The Monster 900 has everything better thrown at it, which is why the better adorned S1's are a closer comparison to one. If you were comparing the S1's against the M900, the S1's would win hands down on looks alone. Rocket | ||
| Cerbero |
rocket: ha! that's a good one... i'll be taking my "transit" out to straighten some twisties tomorrow... just like the roadrunner used to... then i'm gonna pick up a dozen sheets of plywood. <grin> | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
Todd - A quick note - My friend still misses his Monster. Why? It was red, it was Italian and it sounded amazing (One of the best sounding bikes I've ever ridden, deep and rich at low revs, manic up high) He did quite a few miles on it, had a few problems but probably more to do with the dealership he took it to than the bike itself (he doesn't go to that shop any more!) He has thought about buying another Monster, but he rode my X1 and is thinking of an XB12R  cheers, lemonchili | ||
| Kevyn |
I'm thinkin' a Monster S4 would absolutely rip the appeal off an XB12R.... I will admit that the Buell's do have some nice fit and finish! Clean. | ||
| Todd_martin |
I ended up with the Monster. I put a couple hundred miles on it this weekend. It is great. I am sure the X1 would have been to. It was a tough decision(but a nice tough decision to have). By the way if I was comparing an Monster S4 to an XB12S, the XB12S would win in a second. I do not like the look of the water cooled Monsters. Now the Monster 1000DS/XB12BS would be another tough decision Thanks for all the input and feedback. | ||
| Jmartz |
I have quite a few miles on the Monster s4 (not the r). Bike accelerates as fast or faster than my 100 HP, 6-peed S1 of the line. It is quicker at modest speeds 40 to 70. Looks are not bad but I prefer the S1. Only negative is the s4 uses the touring st2/4 chassis and does not have as crisp handling as the shorter wheelbase S1. The bike is also top heavy at slow speeds. | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
Congrats Todd - Enjoy | ||
| Todd_martin |
Thanks Lemonchili_X1. I will still be out here quite a bit. My decision was tough because I am drawn to both the Ducatis and the Buells. My Monster is clearly slower than my previous Zx-10, but just so much fun. I can hear it now, the advice to get two bikes. That just is not in the numbers. My main hobby is shifter kart racing. It takes up the rest of my time and money. Do any of the Ducati owners out here have a recommended Ducati sight for information or parts. thanks Todd | ||
| Kevyn |
http://Ducati.ms or the Speedzilla message boards or search for Monster list | ||
| Grndskpr |
I have owned an M900, and still own a Buell S3, both bikes have +'s and -'s, and i can try to sum up with what I(read me, not you, not anybody else, just me) feel First off i loved both bikes, and found, belive it or not, that the Ducati required less work to keep it running right, 7500 miles of only gas, fuel, oil and air/oil filters) the Buell required more work but also has higher miles, the Duck might have gotten that way but can not tell you The Ducati however has an very, and i mean very high price on replacment parts cost, a clutch is 169, stock pipe is 738, gas tank is 1850, so from a parts stand point, Buell wins out From the perspective of new bikes(have done some reading) the 10k tune up on a new 04 ducati monster and a new 04 Buell are within $10, no difference From a power perspective, Buell has far more power down low than the ducati, Ducati has far more power up top, reves better, but is geared toward a euro market, you will need to drop the front sproket but a tooth so it feels close to the Buell, over all they were(a guess) very close, especially in stock form The Ducati is lower than the tube frame bikes, and lighter, making it feel better in the turns, however it also is a very "loose" bike in the turns, once you get used to it, its hard to beat, but the comment i recived the most was, you look smoother on the Buell, but your faster on the Ducati Ducati has several Monsters in the line, the Dark version has no adjustments in the front end, and very little in the rear, all Buells have some form of adjustment in both the front and rear Both bikes have a very high web precence, Buell has an OK web site, Ducati has one of the best in the industry, Buell has some great web groups, and so does ducati Buell=badweb sacborg atc and a few others Ducati= Ducatimonster.org speedzilla.com Ducati monster web ring Monster man's how to site Overall, both bikes are great, the one thing that kills older tube bikes is the aftermarket, Ducati has far more aftermarket then Buell, you can buy just about anything you would like from numerous suppliers, however if you looking for something for the X-1, lots of parts are no longer made(aftermarket only) so if your into the mods, your out of luck, for the most part, on the X1 Riding position X1 is harder on the back than the monster, and i have decided if it feels better, your going to ride it more If i was going to choose today between an X1 and a monster, i would pick a monster If i was going to choose between a monster and an XBS, it would be hard, and i might lean toward the Buell later R | ||
| Kevyn |
A Ducati plus: chain. You can easily change that front sprocket and the rear sprocket. Typically, it's down one tooth in front, up 2 for the rear. Chain minus: clean and lube regularly! I find it easy and a bit relaxing with a sense of accomplishment and confidence after. | ||
| Grndskpr |
You could look at it like this: Buell plus: Belt, most belts on the tubers last at least 25k miles, mine has 30+k Greg had/had one on his Dyna that has over 50K Changing front or rear sprokets are about the same for both But changing a belt is a pain, but they last about 4 times longer(at least) R | ||
| Outrider |
changing a belt is a pain, but they last about 4 times longer And that is a good thing, except when they pop in the middle of BF Egypt. Belts may last, but I still won't trust one for long distance solo travel on my Buell. Feel a little more comfortable about them on my Harley though, but not much. Guess that's the price you have to pay if you want to play with HDI products.  | ||
| R1DynaSquid |
Over 61K on the stock belt & it still looks like new. On a high powered sportbike I would prefer a chain...unless someone develops a belt that can withstand big power & still last. But overall I much prefer the belt, no adjustments required after initial break in, no lubing, etc. | ||
| Lornce |
A T-Stormed race kitted S1 is way more Monstrous than any air-cooled Ducati. What's an X1?  | ||
| Newfie_buell |
My chain has so far lasted over 21000km with very little adjustment. Keep it cleaned and lubed. I won't be going back to a belt any time soon. |
