Should you buy a pre-owned 2018-2020 Ducati Monster 821?

[@problemslayer3538]

Ducati have a very well sorted set up for street bikes, suspension forks seating rake power to weight ratio tyres brakes, all of this out the crate is unrivalled by any of the others. The engines are also very reliable

[@GettingthruLife]

I would agree, a very fun and performance oriented machine. Plus they look pretty cool too. I love looking at my 821.🤩

[@Saddoggiemm]

I was thinking of exchanging our Harley Street 750 for a 2016-2018 monster 821 which has its desmo service already done

[@GettingthruLife]

@Saddoggiemm Yep Ducati way difference experience and vibe for the win. Harley just not at all my thing. The Triumph's street triple have always been pretty cool too. What first caught my Interest a few years ago before settling in on the pre-owned Ducati was a new at that time Aprilia RS/Tuono 660.

[@markjefferson9799]

My 821 has done 38000ks runs great .Its like a 250 on steroids keep mine on touring mode has full hp without being to snappy

[@GettingthruLife]

Like a 250cc ninja? Closer to a 600R 4 cylinder with a little less hp feel but more pull and in town torque. The near perfect motorcycle for its sound and the Italian vibe it lets you taste.

[@PremkumarsamuelMoto]

Healthy Report for a pre owned 821 from an Experienced True Biker. Thanks, Love from India ❤

[@GettingthruLife]

Year 2025 is when Ducati recommends the 5 year cam timing belt replacement. Coming up soon and costs $1,000 plus, but this bike is worth that $$$ money. Maybe get it done middle of 2025. I have not be hard on the bike much.

[@mikecritchett5310]

I'm totally distracted by the cockroach that runs across the floor (bottom left at the 3:44 mark).

[@GettingthruLife]

I live in Texas, freaking bug/insect central and now it's going to be an unreal year/warm months because of all the rain.

[@mikecritchett5310]

@@GettingthruLife LOL. Well outside of that, I appreciated you video. I have an opportunity to by a 2019 821. Your video helped.

[@GettingthruLife]

@@mikecritchett5310 If everything checks out on it and ducati dealer shows history/recalls fixed under its vin then should be good purchase. Just depends on where you are in life versus what you specifically want out of your bike. You folks like more full sport bike lean and look. more mature folks may like touring or naked sport look. Definitely test ride if possible so you know you love it. It truly is a swiss army knife of motorcycles. I wish I could take mine to a road course track and ride hard but that's risky. One good fall pushing it and the bike would never be the same.

[@orshaked9409]

😂

[@scampaboy]

Threw me as well 100% couldn’t concentrate after that. I’ve got my slipper in my hand as I speak

[@pauldudaryk6046]

I'm the owner of the same 2020 Ducati Monster 821 bike, it's very interesting for me to get some opinion from the owner of the same machine. Thank you for a content. Partially agree about riding modes: urban is for bad weather conditions more than for city streets (max level of traction control, max level of abs) when you don't feel that grip is good, I prefer touring mode in most of the cases, sport only when the weather conditions are good (min level of abs and dtc) and you want to push yourself really hard.

[@GettingthruLife]

If I recall you can adjust the levels of abs and tc in all three rider modes.

[@pauldudaryk6046]

Yes, each riding mode could be adjustable in the menu, also you can reset it to the default. You can change level of abs, traction or engine breaking, disable quick-shifter (don’t know why).

[@GettingthruLife]

@@pauldudaryk6046 yea, I see the quickshifter DQS, I'm sure not to disable that. I'll have to play with engine braking to see what fits me best. I'm used to 4-stroke motocross bikes typically with loads of engine breaking early 2000 - 2010's.

[@pauldudaryk6046]

Maybe one day I’ll try off-road bikes but currently it’s not safe to ride out of roads (I’m from Ukraine).

[@GettingthruLife]

@@pauldudaryk6046 Yep, so so sorry to see all that's happening there. I could not imagine. Hang in there and try best to stay positive.

[@MrLute101]

Urban mode limits the power

[@drbyers]

Long time rider looking to get back into riding after a few years off and looking at an 821 just like yours. Worried that it may be out of my budget to maintain. I'm also afraid I'd drop it.

[@GettingthruLife]

@drbyers Being a experienced rider with many years riding under your belt means you can handle the monster 821. Depending on what you rode. The downside and the negatives of this motorcycle is its low speed manuverability (turning radius, higher CG feel, it's bulk in combination to semi tall seat height). It's by no means terrible but just something to be aware of. Engine heat is another downside unless cool/cooler outside. Maintance isn't bad. The 5yr Motor valve belt replacement/adjustment is a high expense but every 5 yr thing. Mines coming up. Oil change once a year or1.5 year. Tighten chain/lube -inspect every 5-6 months. I don't ride in dusty conditions so airfilter no issue. Use only Super unleaded gas. And expect to buy lead acid battery every couple years unless buying a lithium quality battery. New video coming out today, I highlight this stuff.

[@drewmorg.]

The one thing that always steered me away from Ducati (besides the maintenance) was engine heat... now in Texas I know you have to deal with it even worse than us in So Cal. How has that been for you?

[@GettingthruLife]

Knock on wood the bike had 1,100 miles when I bought pre-owned, now I've put on another 1,300 miles in 4-4.5 months. No quality related or mechanical issues so far. Would be extra expessive to fix due to dealership costs. Heat in the end of summer was hot. Not necessarily the end of the world for me as far as I'm able to cope with it, more about I don't want to hurt the bike with high idle temps. It hits 220-226 max at lights before fans kick on and then hovers between 216-217 and 225-227 degrees. The number of traffic lights, the time sitting at lights and traffic/congestion is pretty awful here and grown worse over last 5 years. What would make it more doable would be to shut the bike off at the really long lights or lane splitting/move to the front of the flow would help a bunch. Texas is not a lane splitting state. I used to be against the idea. Now I'm 100 for the legal personal choice, option to do it. (The factory radiator fluid is pink, its like a watery, jello like consistency or a heavy sugar water. I have experienced when cold outside now, below 40 degree that this radiator coolant fluid expands and dribbles on garage floor from overflow. I got really confused because didn't feel like usual coolant fluid but it was/is. I stuck my finger in it to smell and rub between fingers to try to determine if oil and it felt very strange. Kind of like car steering fluid or auto trans fluid. Makes me think...would straight water or Engine Ice coolant work better to keep temps in check/down??? Ducati specs this for some reason. They have to know something I dont. I'd love to try switching to a more normal fluid-like coolant but I don't want to damage the bike because I'm by no means a ducati guru, know-it-all.

[@drewmorg.]

@@GettingthruLife You have a point about potential overheating and yes I agree that lane splitting is the way to go to keep your nuts and the bike from frying. I would defer to the track guys to see what they run to keep temps down. Even fluid that keeps you down another 10-15F might be a game changer. I'm sure some guys also ECU tune the bike so fans come on sooner -- that's another popular thing guys do for desert race vehicles.

[@GettingthruLife]

Also, let me add that this bike/brand is so amazing feeling/ the experience/the package, my personal opinion, I can't stay away. Every time, every day I ride and get off, I have the biggest smile and favorable opinion. It does ride hot in the summer/warmer ambient temps but it's a wonderful machine. Just need to keep moving and have a little airflow through the bikes radiator.

[@GettingthruLife]

@@drewmorg. I contacted my ducati dealer soon after i bought it and asked for them if they could hook up their laptop and tune the fan to come on at 202-203 degree and they said they will nolonger tune outside of Ducati's recommended parameters. Told me straight out won't do. Reason they claim if a problem happens from the tweak then they are on the hook, ducati washes their hands from any support. They told me I was free to seek a independent motorcycle ecu tuner but they told me everything would be on me where their support as far as any warranty or sales support would end. The actual bike warranty might have ended, I don't kniw the Ducati warranty period but the dealership where I bought the bike does offer continued mechanical support if reasonable use/conditions.

[@josephlilley9249]

For the transmission and shifting on a monster, I’m not to worried about the gearbox not being super smooth as I’ve been riding ktm the last few years and shifting is pretty clunky on them lol

[@GettingthruLife]

I agree, pretty clunky and notchy feeling trans.. Sort of have to manhandle and shift with authority. I find it helps some to have the levers and shifter properly adjusted to the riders' hands, feet, and type of footware. The Ducati Quick shifter up shifts under throttle are pretty smooth. It's a great feeling and sound. DQS Downshifts again are notchy and clunky. It's just the Ducati personality and unique. The Japanese motorcycles, KTM, Triumph, Aprilia are generally more smooth and less clunky which in a way is a nice feature.

[@AnthoAntho-t5k]

I found a good deal on a 2018 monster 821 and a monster 1200S but i’m not to sure which one (its my very first bike ever) and im up for the challenge, would you recommend?

[@GettingthruLife]

@AnthoAntho-t5k I would not recommend one of these as a first road worthy motorcycle. They a heavy, have a fairly wide turning radius, slow speed manuverability is not great, they run hot in 80 plus degree heat climate, and 1,200 monster has a ton of torque/acceleration and the 821 monster is not shabby either. Stick to bikes like CBR500, ninja300/400, Yamaha YZFR3/MT03/MT07, KTM390, Suzuki sv650. Buy one of these new/used ride for 1.5--2-3 years then buy into a bigger, higher hp/torque motorcycle. Also cheaper if you wreck it, lay it over and cheaper insurance. Get motorcycle lic. The monster is a good bike but the things I mention are easier overcome by more experienced riders except the engine heat for summer time. This is an ass whooping in traffic, also depends on where you live as how much traffic and bumper to bumper sitting you will be seeing.

[@davidscb3632]

I will get this as a beginner, bc I think I would like the challenge. I found a good deal of 2018 version for 8K€ with 6000 kilometres on it. But I have a really old Yamaha to practice on in my first season as a rider :)

[@GettingthruLife]

A great bike for sure. A downside for some with less experience with this bike, maybe other years too, is they feel heavy and bulky at slow speeds 0-5 mph maybe up to 10 mph. This is where a lot of people struggle to maintain balance. Once moving, it feels great and can inspire confidence. I have 43 years experience moving around bikes in a room/garage. My mother let me keep all my different dirtbikes in my room in our nicely decorated home. Plus I've worked at 3-4 large motorcycle dealerships so moving bikes around by pushing is part of the job. Huge bikes like monster-sized cruisers 1300cc -1500 cc and tall adventure bikes. Note: pushing this bike around (2020 monster 821) and not dropping it, tripping or losing balance and falling over is a daily challenge. The side to side steering lock range is so small and limited turning. Anyways, just things I notice compared to many other brands and sizes of other bikes. The ducati monster is a fairly fat/wide bike but so is the Aprilia 660 and the naked version too the Tuono.

[@davidscb3632]

@@GettingthruLife thank you so much for the advice! looking forward to you vids! All the best from Germany

[@dontlikeheights9217]

​@davidscb3632 hope you got it bro, I started on this early this year

[@davidscb3632]

@@dontlikeheights9217 dude, i did. and it was best decision ever made! Man I Love that thing so much already did 15k km on it! Ride safe brother !

[@GettingthruLife]

@davidscb3632 in my opinion it's a different experience riding a ducati from the other bikes and it is wonderful.

[@yesidtac7863]

Gran moto

[@cotto6531]

What's your opinion on buying a 2015 ducati 821? It has alittle over 10,500 miles.

[@chrissanchez9218]

Idk anything but I bought a 2016 with 8k miles for 5,200 the dude said 5k flat is the lowest he’ll do but felt like I was robbing him so gave him 5,200 he was only 24 years old like I am but it’s a fun bike the turning radius is kinda bad I struggle to go into tight spaces but over all it’s good … originally I wanted an mt09 that had more torque and a bit smoother but I’m happy with purchase cause it was a hell of a deal

[@GettingthruLife]

Yea the ducati is definitely rougher running, is more clunky to shift, wide turning at slow speed, top heavy low speed,,,,but its character and breed/history is on a different playing field. Higher-end components, higher-end feel, the exhaust note is intoxicating, the vibration are glorious, and my 821 with the exhaust and proper exhaust tune installed along with DQS is fast as fudge. The torque from a big, twin piston motor is almost always greater than that from a 3-4 smaller piston motor. Not as fast top speed and high rev acceleration but streetlight to streetlight and on city streets is where I ride.

[@GettingthruLife]

It all depends on the things I cant see from sitting behind my computer screen. How many owners?, what kind of owner/s had it?, has all the services been done by ducati?, service history?, condition?, wrecks? clear title? how does it ride?,

[@Finalesc234]

Do you see any differences between the 2015 - 2017 model and 2018 - 2020 model? I still considering the 2015 because it's cheaper but peoples said it has more problems than the 2018 models. Can you help me out

[@GettingthruLife]

@@Finalesc234 I can not tell you good info on this because I don't know.

[@mandarbhide31]

❤liked the video ..

[@GettingthruLife]

Thanks for viewing. Good to know people watch and get something out of them.

[@HumanBioPlus]

Thanks for the video. What is your height? I'm 6'4" 230lbs. It is my understanding the seat is adjustable? Are familiar with the touring seat that adds 25 mm? Thanks

[@GettingthruLife]

Thank you, I have the standard seat. I am 6 foot tall. Standing at a light I could see if I were taller it would still be comfortable. When seated might/could be more cramped based on if you ride on the balls of feet or your footware more towards your heal area. I run the factory footpegs as well. They have some rubber dampening and they look great. You might enjoy a taller seat if one is still offered. I can only imaging what that cost would be if it says ducati on it. (a true suede seat with red stitching like what comes on the 25-35k Streetfighter/Diavel/Panigale would look and feel insane.

[@HumanBioPlus]

@@GettingthruLife What are your thoughts on the heat build up of the bike? Especially for summertime riding? I live in Santa Cruz, CA so I fortunate that the summers generally don't get too scorching out her.

[@GettingthruLife]

@@HumanBioPlus Things do heat up even when it starts to climb into the mid 85 degrees. As long as you have long pants on it is very doable and you are not stuck in stop and go traffic for 15-20min. When it's 95+ it becomes questionable but if you love to ride then you just ride and try to find ways to stop less. Fortunitly, there in California you get to jump up to the front of lights instead of setting behind 5-10 cars absorbing their heat they are putting out plus less airflow thru bike and over you. One day here I'm going to do some homework and find out if dumping the factory red tinted jello coolant for 30% bottled water and engine ice and see if this helps to get motor at light under 210. I'm thinking these Ducati's are likely setup for European weather trends and not some of our state's 93-105 summers at 50-65% humidity. I definitely don't want to do something damaging to this bikes coolant system so I have to move with caution. I'm coming to Santa Cruz in April to photograph the 1505 Ocean Street Hampton Inn for their updated advertising. Last few years Ive been to San Diego, went to the border crossing for fun, and been to cities all inbeween up to San Francisco and even a hotel photo job in Santa Rosa and Sacramento. Ive driven the coast highway from San Diego up to San Fran. For the most part I enjoy it there. I applied to a photo job yesterday in Mission Valley. I'm likely not to get it but you know what the heck, worth a try. (can motorcycles there get inspected without their small catalytic converter? I bought mine with the termiginoni exhaust and I was not offered the factory back half of the exhaust).

[@HumanBioPlus]

@@GettingthruLife Thanks for all this! Can get inspected without their cat? Sure they can get inspected, but will they pass . . I have no idea but doubtful.

[@alexshmalex]

@@GettingthruLife great videos, thank you for sharing. It's really interesting to get the perspective of other Monster owners, especially operating in different environments. Mine gets reasonably hot in a UK summer but never an issue - you guys are definitely dealing with far hotter temperatures over there.

[@lexbydal1]

Great bike, have one 😀

[@GettingthruLife]

Love it, fantasic and now that it's getting cooler I can start to enjoy it as a leg and but warmer again:)

[@PedroOliveira-sg2ut]

Top !!!

[@GettingthruLife]

One of the top naked bikes. I'm blown away at the overall package and speed of the Italian motorized steed.

[@terenceng3146]

Hi there ! what is its a 2017 model without the TFT display ? i found a used one with about 4000miles on it only. is it a reliable ride you think ?

[@GettingthruLife]

Ride it of course, check everything out. Run the Vin number at Ducati dealership and look for history/service. Look at bike for signs of being in a wreck and being repaired/parts replaced. Check oil level and condition. Look for coolant drips and oil residue spots which could indicate problems or soon to be problems. Look at chain tension and sprocket wear. Thing about motorcycles when compared to a car or truck is less on a motorcycle to go wrong and most of the whole package is easy to see/view. Ask your local ducati dealership service manager if he could take a ride on the bike befor you purchase and get one of the dealerships trained people to offer their opinion. You will be a new customer for them if you buy the bike so good business practice for them. Good luck. Price range on this still crazy and upside down market cars/trucks/motorcycles: pay like between $8,700 to 9,500. I paid 11,495 for my 2020 821 model with 500 off their asking price.

[@vishaln8598]

hey can i buy a 2016 ducati monster 821 preowned and let do desmo for it is it good sign to go

[@GettingthruLife]

I would have your local ducati dralership look up the VIN and check the history and tell you what service you need or will be needing and the time frame. If it looks good, rides OK and price is OK, then buy if it makes you happy.

[@vishaln8598]

@@GettingthruLife thank you and i have another question does carbon fibre heat protectors really works to protect heat during city rides what do yu think

[@GettingthruLife]

Carbon fiber panels or parts aren't going to stop the heat from the motor heating your body up. One thing I have considered adding is the exhaust wrap sometimes labeled titanium exhaust wrap. I have not done it yet but could help some. A lot of heat comes off the exhaust pipes.

[@RicMura]

4:02… close to his foot 😮

[@GettingthruLife]

It's a bug for crying out loud. Bugs live everywhere on this planet.

[@guzboyron]

It runs out of the garage at 2:23. I think it’s a mouse.

[@inFamousAnto]

im literally buying an 821 in the beginning of september 🥹

[@GettingthruLife]

@inFamousAnto I love mine. A amazing machine. I love to look at it. I rode today at 102 degrees outside to go eat. That rear exhaust header by the rear shock might as well be a 2000 watt heat gun blowing on right leg passenger side. I need to get some ceramic heat tape and go to town wrapping the exhaust headers. The only downside of this bike.

[@inFamousAnto]

@@GettingthruLife i am INCREDIBLY excited, its gonna be my first big(ger) cc bike, does the windshield make a noticeable difference for highway riding? also maintenance wise, what would be THE most important things to keep an eye out for? mine comes with 6600 miles

[@GettingthruLife]

@inFamousAnto small windscreen no much extra wind protection. Maybe a little. More for the look it provides. As far as things to look for, make sure maintance was done. Look up in ducati computer. You should see the first 1000 service was completed and then likely the 5yr timing belt service. Check fluid levels and color. See how well it starts up or if takes time to crank up. My factory lead acid battery went out which I then upgraded to more powerful and lighter weight lithium battery as seen on my ducatu 821 videos. kzbin.info/aero/PLn7cNMuD04ZTGlQtr9XQemRpsPGaPHIQh&si=Dih3JAw_fyMUyuji

[@tomspaulding1214]

I hope you're not looking at the same one as me LOL are you in Southern Florida