Been knocking around in the back of my head that I want a Mh900e. Loved them since they went on sale and now they are coming up sub 10K with some miles and nice modification. I would buy one just to stick in my living room at this point but that's not going to happen. Figure 3K miles a year.
How much maintenance to the older 900ss motors really take. I have visions of the service costs on a good friends 748 running through my head.
The aircooled 900SS motors are pretty robust and not that hard to service, the odd bits being setting desmodromic valves. Also, the require rather frequent timing belt replacements but according to a friend of mine who's had a 750SS for over ten years, once you've been shown how to accomplish either tasks it's DIYable.
748/996s have a different watercooled engine and that's not cheap to service as you've noticed.
There are a few special tools required for the belts and valves, but once you eat that cost ($300-ish) it isn't rocket science.
I too love the look of the Mh900e, but since I think that the 900 supersport that my friend has is the least comfortable motorcycle that I have ever ridden, I doubt that I would want the Mh.
I love the way they sound, dry clutch and all. Never been into one of the motors though. I seem to recall they don't use head gaskets?
I was looking at them a bit, I have heard that the maintenance isn't too hard but I don't have any firsthand knowledge of that. Another issue is plastic gas tanks that deform due to ethanol, I forget what year they started putting those on.
In the end I wound up with a Guzzi (which also has a plastic gas tank and I haven't had any trouble with it). The Guzzi is extremely simple to service, valve adjustments take less than 15 minutes.
Rusnak_322 wrote: There are a few special tools required for the belts and valves, but once you eat that cost ($300-ish) it isn't rocket science. I too love the look of the Mh900e, but since I think that the 900 supersport that my friend has is the least comfortable motorcycle that I have ever ridden, I doubt that I would want the Mh.
Thanks for all the help, at 6 foot and some small change the mh900 I actually fit on. I image its horrible in town but not to bad once moving. The small number of reviews that I have seen of people actually living with them say something similar.
Wife still wants another Harley that we can both ride comfortably.
Get a Honda Valkyrie that you and your wife can both ride on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAc_us6bTog
I just looked up what a MH900e was.
So we are all on the same page.
The aircooled motors, to me, are the proper Ducati experience. Lovely noises, good grunt, clean lines. The MH particularly is a uniquely attractive bike.
I would recommend some research on owners' experiences with the plastic tanks. New formulations of gas are not playing well with plastics. May not be an issue, but it's worth looking into, I think.
Otherwise, if you have the means, I highly recommend it.
In reply to wearymicrobe:
YES!!!!!
Had a Cagiva Gran Canyon and what BoxHead Tim said is right on. They do make valve collets that seem to be the rage to extend the valve interval. MBP Valve Collets
Have fun and enjoy the trumpets
I have a 900ss which i've had for 10 years and 18000 miles (have two other bikes) and maintenance has been pretty simple.,2 timing belts i, ( straight forward job as long as you know where the timing marks are and no special tools needed) 2 valve adjustments(not so easy as it needs shims but my dealer charges $125 and they check over the bike ), numerous fluid changes,one set of tires and a chain and sprocket set. I think its been a great bike .I love the sounds this bike makes. If this bike was more comfortable for daily commuting it would be the only bike i own.
Check the capacity of that tank, I remember it being tiny
OOOhhhh just remembered the downside to the Duc
Dry clutch basket. Tends to beat themselves to death. Really rattles.
Other than that i think you have it all covered.
extremely cool ride, good luck in your search.
FlightService wrote: OOOhhhh just remembered the UPSIDE to the Duc Dry clutch basket. Tends to beat themselves to death. Really rattles. Other than that i think you have it all covered. extremely cool ride, good luck in your search.
Fixed it. 
Will report back looking at it this afternoon.
Rusnak_322 wrote:FlightService wrote: OOOhhhh just remembered the UPSIDE to the Duc Dry clutch basket. Tends to beat themselves to death. Really rattles. THIS CAUSES YOU TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE FACTORY CLUTCH BASKET WITH AN AFTERMARKET UNIT THAT'S NOT CHEAP. BUT LEAST THEN YOU CAN HAVE NEW CLUTCH DISCS AND STEELS. THE BENEFIT IS ALL OF THIS CAUSES YOUR WALLET TO BE ABOUT A GRAND LIGHTER SO YOU CAN GO FASTER. Other than that i think you have it all covered. extremely cool ride, good luck in your search.Fixed it.
Fixed your fix.
Took a look and threw my leg over it and its a no go. I have no idea who designed the ergonomics but they need to be forced to actually ride the bike they designed.
Talked with the owner its good for a quick 20 mile blast but unridable to the end of the tank which ends at ~80 miles.
looking at it and lusting after it is better then real life, still like the idea and some new clipons would make it more comfortable. Still thinking it would look good in the living room.
They are art...but it sounds like they're not usable art. Time for an ST2?
.
Yumm ST2...
wearymicrobe wrote: Took a look and threw my leg over it and its a no go. I have no idea who designed the ergonomics but they need to be forced to actually ride the bike they designed. Talked with the owner its good for a quick 20 mile blast but unridable to the end of the tank which ends at ~80 miles. looking at it and lusting after it is better then real life, still like the idea and some new clipons would make it more comfortable. Still thinking it would look good in the living room.
I was hoping your body type would fit. Mine didn't either. Motorcycles are like a suit. Pitty too.
Just get a 900 Monster and put a fairing on it. You can get the idea.
or you can go the other way
not a 2000 era monster - but pretty kewl -
There sport bikes are just so darn sexy, but I simply do not have the skill to operate them.
I don't have the skill to ride one either, but I have the skill to ride what rides them.
"I need 1 Viagra and a good dose of priapism please."
The one I posted is a monster with a fairing. If you can ride a monster (or a Mh900e) then you can ride a sport bike. It isn't like going from a HD 883.
I am lusting after this - http://cleveland.craigslist.org/mcy/2705662774.html
1999 BMW R1100S - $3750 with Ohlins front and back.
No affiliation - just found it on CL yesterday.
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