Common problems with the used 900s

06-06-2006, 10:46 PM

Anything in particular that I should be checking before committing my cash to a lovely monsterly Duke?

I'm mostly looking for pre2001 900 monsters.

Cheers!

Pedro · 06-06-2006, 10:56 PM

Oil smoke! If it's puffing blue smoke whe hot figure on a top end overhaul (valve giudes etc) and new rings

Other than that look for a good service history, no big gaps between services etc. Lower mileage would be better but history is what to look for

Ped

gary tompkins · 06-06-2006, 11:31 PM

Unless it's a real bargain - steer clear of a bike that's been used through winter, or stored badly with little TLC. You would see the obvious signs of salt damage/corrosion if it has, and it could turn into a money pit and be a PITA to sort out.

07-06-2006, 10:45 AM

Check the bottom of the forks (just run your hand over them) to see if they've been scratched up from the bike going down. It's common for bodywork, bars, levers, etc to be replaced after a bike going down (usually coz they're buggered) but frequently/usually the forks are fine except for some scratching.

Obviously, anything that has been down the road is potentially more of a risk. Not to say it WILL be a dud but it's certainly a bargaining point to get the price down.

Also there's a register somewhere (peoples, please?) which will tell you if the bike has ever been an insurance writeoff. Again, doesn't mean the bike is duff, but it won't be worth as much and possibly more difficult when it comes time to sell .

Ciao,
Geoff

07-06-2006, 01:47 PM

no history, been down the road, high mileage year round commuter. Cost me 1500 on a 97 plate - can you tell that I bought with my heart?

Anyway, fixing it is half the fun innit?

07-06-2006, 01:53 PM

same here, no history, unganranteed mileage, looking like a picasso, but i got it for Â£1150 on an Rplate.
(turned out to be a 600 frame with a 900 engine+900 bits. but no regrets !)

30-06-2006, 09:50 PM

The main problem to watch out for is your life being taken over by an ace bike,requiring lots of time spent staring at it ,doing mods on it,oh,and riding it!(2000 M900ie-best colour-DARK!) Sorry 'bout that

06-06-2006, 10:46 PM	#1
zxebeast Guest Posts: n/a	Common problems with the used 900s Anything in particular that I should be checking before committing my cash to a lovely monsterly Duke? I'm mostly looking for pre2001 900 monsters. Cheers!

06-06-2006, 10:56 PM	#2
Pedro Ciao, come stai? Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Somewhere Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 4,158	Oil smoke! If it's puffing blue smoke whe hot figure on a top end overhaul (valve giudes etc) and new rings Other than that look for a good service history, no big gaps between services etc. Lower mileage would be better but history is what to look for Ped __________________ Monster 1200R! KTM 990 SuperDuke

06-06-2006, 11:31 PM	#3
gary tompkins 1/2 man - 1/2 pogo-stick Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Dartford, Kent Bike: M900ie Posts: 7,241	Unless it's a real bargain - steer clear of a bike that's been used through winter, or stored badly with little TLC. You would see the obvious signs of salt damage/corrosion if it has, and it could turn into a money pit and be a PITA to sort out. __________________ GT Fully paid up member of the S.A.S. (Scottoiler Appreciation Society) 27,000 miles on original chain - and still going strong!

07-06-2006, 01:47 PM	#5
DesmoDog Guest Posts: n/a	mine was allof the above no history, been down the road, high mileage year round commuter. Cost me 1500 on a 97 plate - can you tell that I bought with my heart? Anyway, fixing it is half the fun innit?

30-06-2006, 09:50 PM	#7
johndark Guest Posts: n/a	Problems? The main problem to watch out for is your life being taken over by an ace bike,requiring lots of time spent staring at it ,doing mods on it,oh,and riding it!(2000 M900ie-best colour-DARK!) Sorry 'bout that

07-06-2006, 10:45 AM	#4
Geoff Avern Guest Posts: n/a	Check the bottom of the forks (just run your hand over them) to see if they've been scratched up from the bike going down. It's common for bodywork, bars, levers, etc to be replaced after a bike going down (usually coz they're buggered) but frequently/usually the forks are fine except for some scratching. Obviously, anything that has been down the road is potentially more of a risk. Not to say it WILL be a dud but it's certainly a bargaining point to get the price down. Also there's a register somewhere (peoples, please?) which will tell you if the bike has ever been an insurance writeoff. Again, doesn't mean the bike is duff, but it won't be worth as much and possibly more difficult when it comes time to sell . Ciao, Geoff

07-06-2006, 01:53 PM	#6
stef Guest Posts: n/a	same here, no history, unganranteed mileage, looking like a picasso, but i got it for Â£1150 on an Rplate. (turned out to be a 600 frame with a 900 engine+900 bits. but no regrets !)