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Ok, I was going to wait to ask about this until after I looked at the bike but I'm excited and everyone in my office is sick of hearing about bikes... I'm going to look at a 2003 Ducati Monster 620 IE when I get off work. It has 4,600 miles on it "garage kept, excellent condition" and the picture looks clean but isn't a very large picture... Is there anything I should be looking for specifically besides the obvious scratches, dents or poor repairs? He is asking average retail according to the NADA (to the dollar) but I'm not sure what is reasonable and I'm not sure what "average mileage" would be, but I have a feeling 4,600 for an 03 is within it. I would never pay full retail price for a used car from a private seller but if it is as clean as he says would it be standard to just pay the retail or negotiate a couple/few hundred off? Thanks for any advice. I will tell you guys more when I get home.

I would bring a mechanic with me. I *know* that I wouldn't be able to evaluate a bike properly. (I kinda rolled the dice and got reasonably lucky, but don't count on it...).

Oh yeah, if it has a few scratches on it, it's actually for the better. That way when (not if) you drop it, it will not be as traumatic.

always try to haggle, worst he can say is no. Usually sellers ask higher than they are willing to get out of it.

Counter offer with some thing less than the max you're willing to pay. You'll end up right about what you wanted to pay and what he was willing to accept.

Ask for maintenance records, specifically for the 600 mile maintenance. Make sure the chain doesn't have rust on it (sign of not being lubed), and make sure it rolls straight. Oh yeah, make sure it fires up too... haha

I don't know how experienced you are, but if you are comfortable that you wouldn't drop it, request a test ride, if only around a parkinglot or neighborhood... so you can feel how the bike runs.

thats a hella-sexy bike! good luck if you buy it. i'll be jelous.

Ok, I just got back from checking it out. It would probably be reasonable to start being jelous, don't want to jinx it... Pretty much it is mine after we work out the details (price) which I don't think will be to difficult. I've already talked to the bank and they will loan the full amount on it but it is at the high end of what I was thinking of spending so I'm thinking I will offer him $500 less for starters and see if we can come to an agreement. He also said he would bring it to my house as I don't want to ride it accross town for my first real ride on it. The only things that I could find was that one of the bolts that holds the rear seat cover down was lost and the dealer replaced it with a bolt that looked different and he pointed out to me that the clutch lever and end of the handlebars on the left side was scratched. He fessed up and said he dropped it at a stop light, even though I didn't catch it and hadn't asked the dropped question yet, but he said he couldn't find anything else on it and neither could I and I looked it over very very well for any little flaw. He offered to replace the clutch lever but I figure if he did I would drop it the same damn way first time I got on it and you wouldn't even see it if you didn't know it was there. The valves need adjusted at another 1,200 miles or so (6k service) and that should be a few hundred (I drive a BMW and I have yet to take it in for service and spend less than $400, so I think I can handle that) and he said the rear tire was a new metzeler and the front was a parnelli (sp) but other than those small things it was perfect as far as I could tell. 4,770 miles which is about what he said over the phone (4,600) and he said he wasn't 100% sure. It started right up and ran great. He offered to let me ride it, which I thought was insane. It was very smooth and even with my little experience and, what is it you say, hamfisted hands? it didn't give me any feedback that seemed like a problem or anything but smooth and predictable which is exactly what I want. I really appreciate everyone who commented on the CB and gave good solid information and opinion based on experience because this bike fit me like a glove! (much better than the CB) This is the first (street) motorcycle I have thrown a leg over that I liked, no loved, the fit of and I could fully plant both feet on the ground. I don't think I could ask for a layout that I would be more comfortable with. I'm going to get off of her and give him a call so I can get the info the bank needs to them tonight and get everything rolling. I'm going to pay for the overnight fedexs for all the info (about $25 extra) so I should have it in my garage by Tuesday if there aren't any delays with his bank

Nice!! I hope you get it. They are REALLY nice bikes, I was considering getting one before I got my VFR.

Also, there is an aftermarket valve set that cost ~100-200, that you can get whoever does your maintenance to install. It pushes the valve check interval from 6k to 18k miles!!

I definitely think it is worth the investment. www.mbpducati.com is where you can get it.

And this is how you can install it: http://www.ducatitech.com/2v/maint/adju ... ollet.html

cool

Ducatis seem to be in a class of their own. Everyone I know who has one loves it. Definitely try to negotiate on the price and close the deal soon.

I dont like the frame style of the monster. now the multistrada mmmm. Anyways I know on craigslist there are a few near me that are 4 yrs old but they all want $5000-$6000 for them and thats practically price of a brand new one.