Well.......

[Flip]

.......No one actually!!!

As Mrs Flip had taken our little one swimming and given me couple of hours to myself on Saturday it saw me take advantage of the dry weather and get out on the Monster for a little whizz about.

After a most enjoyable pootle around the B2139, A283 and A29 loop which saw me back at Whiteways car park for a warming cup of coffee before heading home I pulled in expecting to see at least a few bikes there as it was dry but oh no, not a single one (and only a couple of cars)!

The closest was a bloke (and his mate) who came (almost) running over to look at my bike and then proceeded to tell me how he had the Japanese version- an SV1000!!! Really????

I bit my tongue, smiled and nodded while drinking my coffee thinking how his comparison missed the point as he enthusiastically told me how it 'sounded just like a Ducati'.

When they'd left and I'd finished my coffee ready to leave- I smiled as I thumbed the starter and my old 900 broke the silence with it's usual burble from the straight through Ferracci pipes and the rattle from the open clutch and I thought to myself for a moment 'the only thing like a Ducati IS a Ducati and there is NOTHING like a Monster'.

[J.P]

Great that you took advantage of that bit of sun we had. Bike looks cool.

[Darren69]

I think a TL1000 is actually closer to a Ducati than the SV but its still not the same, it a v twin that's about it and nothing can compare really. Saying that I wouldn't mind a TL. Am I allowed to say that?

Bike looks great Flip hoop stands out like a statement to say I'm the one lol.

Also noticed your Michelin tyres I have a set sitting in the garage waiting to go on.

[SteveG]

Originally Posted by FLATTOP

Bike looks great Flip hoop stands out like a statement to say I'm the one lol.

Also noticed your Michelin tyres I have a set sitting in the garage waiting to go on.

Yes... Bike looks ace.. How are them there tyres by the way? You rate them ?

Originally Posted by SteveG

Yes... Bike looks ace.. How are them there tyres by the way? You rate them ?

Hi Steve I have used these tyres on a completely different bike and really did get on with them they inspired great confidence in wet and dry conditions.

I have yet to try them on my Monster it's been holed up for the winter it's coming out this week new tyres new Motobatt battery and a full service.

[Flip]

Cheers for the kind comments about my bike- it's well documented that I love it more than ever even after seventeen years of ownership. I think it'll always be a work in progress kind of thing to a degree but as it gets older I am more sympathetic to what I do cosmetically with it especially as it being a '97 model it is using the last of all the Cagiva parts before TGP really took hold and brought Ducati into the 21st century but most of all I won't ever stop riding it and can never see myself selling it.

The yellow hoop was just my little nod to the original and it's 888 heritage, bought off ebay and painted yellow last year when I carried out a bit of a refresh. Something the 20th Anniversary model couldn't replicate unfortunately.
I still have the original along with all the other original parts packed safely away just because I'm a bit of an anorak like that.

As for the Michelins, I am still a little undecided to be honest. Personally I think they have slowed it's steering to a fair degree. Not so noticeable when riding normally but more so when at filtering (or slower) speeds making the bike feel like the front tyre is underinflated (it never has been) but I know others here who don't describe a similar feeling so maybe it is either me or the way I have set up my bike.

I'm going to give it an oil change and a check over in a week or two so I shall experiment with raising the rear ride height a little more and then maybe running a higher tyre pressure but I cannot fault the grip or the apparent lack of wear so far but then to be honest I never could fault the grip of the Pirelli Diablo's I had on previously. But my all time favourites were the old Pirelli Dragon Evo's MTR21/22 they just seemed to suit they way I had the bike set up and my riding style.

Had a TLS myself

Great engine terrible suspension unfortunately

[MerlinPV12]

I managed a ride out too on Sunday morning. Nice to be out on the Monster but the traffic around West London is ridiculous, I gave up after a measly 18 miles as whichever way I went it was gridlocked. To go anywhere you need to leave around 8am, on a Sunday! Bike looks very tidy Flip

[Davy]

Cracking looking monster.

Cracking looking bike! I also have the Japanese version, the SV650?

Hahahaha

[Darren69]

Yes, great bike. I used to own an American version, but I came to my senses!

[Dirty]

I've got the il4 version

Nice to meet you Saturday, Flip :-)

[Darren69]

Nice photo, but woah its huuugee!!!! Dark owner your brake/clutch the fluids look a bit 'Dark' too, maybe need to change those?