new biker

23-04-2014, 07:11 AM

Hello All,

I have had my Ducati Monster 796 (2011) for a week now, it is awesome!

I am a new biker and have little knowledge of bikes, so my first question is: with a bike like the 796 what is the best way of cleaning them, sounds simple but it is already overly dirty due to the weather and hopefully you guys have some short cuts. Second, what are your recommendations for riding in the wet? In the way of can it effect the electrics etc?

Looking forward to hereing from you,

Cheers,
Ollie

smiffyraf1 · 23-04-2014, 08:49 AM

i use muc off you just pre wash squirt on leave for a bit then wash off removes all the road cack of mine. just be careful not to leave anything on too long as can stain the paint. never had a problem with the monster in the wet. my ss used to lose the forward cylinder until i waterproofed it.

LouSCannon · 23-04-2014, 08:53 AM

Welcome... fan of muc off here too, although I've seen some say it's a bit harsh I've had good results.

Modern Monsters don't seem to have to worry about the wet as much as the very old models, that said the new shapes are reaching the stage where people have had them for a few years and possible ageing gremlins may start to show... but I doubt it... best recommendation for riding in the wet is make sure there's a good brew waiting for you at your destination!

23-04-2014, 09:27 AM

Welcome! My monster hated riding in the wet ( 1995 model though) until I changed the original HT leads (that were arcing to the head) and all was better then! good luck and have fun!

Oh and keep the pressure washer away from the bike, use a hose and sponge/cloth instead!

J.P · 23-04-2014, 09:45 AM

Welcome to the club Ollie.
Worth noting that after a good clean with whatever product you use it's worth looking at spraying with something to help protect the engine against the weather. Something as simple as WD40 around all the cylinders and under the engine, or sprays like F365, AC50, they help keep the grime from attacking the paint on the engine.

Darren69 · 23-04-2014, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by don_matese

Welcome! My monster hated riding in the wet ( 1995 model though) until I changed the original HT leads (that were arcing to the head) and all was better then! good luck and have fun!

Oh and keep the pressure washer away from the bike, use a hose and sponge/cloth instead!

Thats good advice about the pressure washer, the previous owner of my old ss had used one and had got water in all the electrical conectors etc, caused a lot of niggly faults/breakdowns.

23-04-2014, 11:26 AM

Welcome

Like the rest of the guys are saying i use muc off and spray the engine casings/heads with WD40 once it's clean!!

Dirty · 23-04-2014, 02:02 PM

Welcome

I just don't ride the Monster in the wet, saves a lot of messing about and cleaning

23-04-2014, 05:38 PM

Hi guys,

Thanks for the advice!

I have just knocked of the RH indicator on my bike after getting off, evidently a rookie error but does anyone now of a quick fix and a recommendation for the future, ie a suitable mod or anything of the sort? has anyone had this themselves?

Cheers,
Ollie

smiffyraf1 · 23-04-2014, 05:42 PM

the whole unit or just the lens?

23-04-2014, 05:49 PM

The whole unit, at the part where it attaches to the tail tidy. Will that mean I have to replace all of the tail tidy as well?

smiffyraf1 · 23-04-2014, 06:14 PM

hmmm not sure can't have been on very well if it just 'knocked off' can you get a picture?

smiffyraf1 · 23-04-2014, 06:15 PM

they are normal just a screw thread with wires down the middle and a nut to hold it on to whatever its fixed too

Albie · 23-04-2014, 06:15 PM

I am just changing mine for rizomas as 1/3 shorter in length and more solid. Watch out for front ones catching as can break the headlight casting. Dont get too much water near the wheel bearings either. Mines been good electrically over nearly 5 years and same battery never charged up manually.
Enjoy the ukmoc and the bike

Funkatronic · 23-04-2014, 06:45 PM

for quick tart up of , the vulcanet wipes are excellent

for more serious cleaning i prefer sdoc100 as a cleaner for most of the bike. its very effective degreaser and and more gentle than muc off . its also supposed to leave an anti corrosive film when it drives
i use Paraffin on the chain and sprox and other parts then get hit by chain lunge

if you ride in all wethers then ACF50 is great stuff as protecting the bike from moisture, but it leaves a sticky film over everything so does make the bike look filthy (albeit nice and clean and uncorroded when you wash it off)

i have found muc off can mottle/dull some plastics and also carbon parts

23-04-2014, 07:11 AM	#1
HereticBalloon Guest Posts: n/a	new biker Hello All, I have had my Ducati Monster 796 (2011) for a week now, it is awesome! I am a new biker and have little knowledge of bikes, so my first question is: with a bike like the 796 what is the best way of cleaning them, sounds simple but it is already overly dirty due to the weather and hopefully you guys have some short cuts. Second, what are your recommendations for riding in the wet? In the way of can it effect the electrics etc? Looking forward to hereing from you, Cheers, Ollie

23-04-2014, 08:53 AM	#3
LouSCannon These must fit a Monster? Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Stockton Heath Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 1,036	Welcome... fan of muc off here too, although I've seen some say it's a bit harsh I've had good results. Modern Monsters don't seem to have to worry about the wet as much as the very old models, that said the new shapes are reaching the stage where people have had them for a few years and possible ageing gremlins may start to show... but I doubt it... best recommendation for riding in the wet is make sure there's a good brew waiting for you at your destination! __________________ "Sometimes it takes a whole tankful of fuel before you can think straight."

23-04-2014, 09:45 AM	#5
J.P No more Monster... Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Bike: Other Not a Ducati Posts: 4,326	Welcome to the club Ollie. Worth noting that after a good clean with whatever product you use it's worth looking at spraying with something to help protect the engine against the weather. Something as simple as WD40 around all the cylinders and under the engine, or sprays like F365, AC50, they help keep the grime from attacking the paint on the engine. __________________ J.JP ------------------------------- My Mum says, there's no such thing as Monsters.

23-04-2014, 02:02 PM	#8
Dirty Bockloks Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London Bike: No Bike Yet! Posts: 4,601	Welcome I just don't ride the Monster in the wet, saves a lot of messing about and cleaning __________________ Wounds heal, chicks dig scars, glory lasts forever Beware of eBay

23-04-2014, 06:15 PM	#14
Albie Fanactical volunteer Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Kent Bike: M900 Posts: 9,033	I am just changing mine for rizomas as 1/3 shorter in length and more solid. Watch out for front ones catching as can break the headlight casting. Dont get too much water near the wheel bearings either. Mines been good electrically over nearly 5 years and same battery never charged up manually. Enjoy the ukmoc and the bike __________________ http://albies93m900.blogspot.co.uk/

23-04-2014, 08:49 AM	#2
smiffyraf1 Silver Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lincoln Bike: M1000ie Posts: 594	i use muc off you just pre wash squirt on leave for a bit then wash off removes all the road cack of mine. just be careful not to leave anything on too long as can stain the paint. never had a problem with the monster in the wet. my ss used to lose the forward cylinder until i waterproofed it.

23-04-2014, 09:27 AM	#4
don_matese Guest Posts: n/a	Welcome! My monster hated riding in the wet ( 1995 model though) until I changed the original HT leads (that were arcing to the head) and all was better then! good luck and have fun! Oh and keep the pressure washer away from the bike, use a hose and sponge/cloth instead!

23-04-2014, 11:26 AM	#7
jdp683 Guest Posts: n/a	Welcome Like the rest of the guys are saying i use muc off and spray the engine casings/heads with WD40 once it's clean!!

23-04-2014, 05:38 PM	#9
HereticBalloon Guest Posts: n/a	Hi guys, Thanks for the advice! I have just knocked of the RH indicator on my bike after getting off, evidently a rookie error but does anyone now of a quick fix and a recommendation for the future, ie a suitable mod or anything of the sort? has anyone had this themselves? Cheers, Ollie

23-04-2014, 05:42 PM	#10
smiffyraf1 Silver Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lincoln Bike: M1000ie Posts: 594	the whole unit or just the lens?

23-04-2014, 05:49 PM	#11
HereticBalloon Guest Posts: n/a	The whole unit, at the part where it attaches to the tail tidy. Will that mean I have to replace all of the tail tidy as well?

23-04-2014, 06:14 PM	#12
smiffyraf1 Silver Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lincoln Bike: M1000ie Posts: 594	hmmm not sure can't have been on very well if it just 'knocked off' can you get a picture?

23-04-2014, 06:45 PM	#15
Funkatronic another year another bike Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: London Bike: S2r 1000 Posts: 1,597	for quick tart up of , the vulcanet wipes are excellent for more serious cleaning i prefer sdoc100 as a cleaner for most of the bike. its very effective degreaser and and more gentle than muc off . its also supposed to leave an anti corrosive film when it drives i use Paraffin on the chain and sprox and other parts then get hit by chain lunge if you ride in all wethers then ACF50 is great stuff as protecting the bike from moisture, but it leaves a sticky film over everything so does make the bike look filthy (albeit nice and clean and uncorroded when you wash it off) i have found muc off can mottle/dull some plastics and also carbon parts