I'm thinking about getting a f4, but I want to be able to take a passenge and be able to have the mono look. If I buy the bi-posto version can I buy a mono seat and interchange the two? Thanks.

-- Eric (Ducatisuperbikeracer@hotmail.com), December 20, 2002

Answers

Yes, you can convert from bi to mono. The other way around would be more difficult. I'm not sure what the costs and difficult involved would be.

Fortunately, the bi-posto seat look 95% as good as the mono. You don't loose anything like the Ducati 996 did. 996 Mono has more vents than the Bi's flat seat.

Personally, I would prefer the mono, especially if I had other bikes to carry passengers. But as I mentioned before, the difference between the two aren't too much.

-- Allan Gibbs (Phoenix, Arizona) (Agibbs996@aol.com), December 20, 2002.

If you want the option of doing both (as I did), start with the 1+1 version. (Personally, I never really needed the 1+1 capacity and prefer the look of the solo; but, I figured it would give me a bigger audience at resale. Of course, now I realize how silly that was since I'll probably never sell the thing. It also let's you put a rear tail pack on the bike for weekend trips without scratching up the pain on the solo unit.) Anyway, removing the passanger pegs is a doodl. If you have two "complete" tail sections, removing the old and re-installing the new is snap as well. Otherwise, you'll be forced to remove all the hardward from one seat and put it on the other. This turns a 30-second job into a 30-minute job and will cost you a bit more. Good luck.

-- dm (i8foie@msn.com), December 20, 2002.

I purchased the monoposto due to the fact that I purchased the motorcycle for myself and not to share with anyone else...(I know kinda selfish but once you own it you will understand) As someone stated earlier, the look of the bi-posto is amazing on this machine. I was at an MV dealer looking at one of the customer's motorcycles in the service area and had been looking at it for several minutes before I realized it was a bi-posto and I own an MV for goodness sakes. Actually, I was in awe because everything was polished and it looked beautiful (although I prefer a stock look.)

It turns out it belongs to Derek Strong, a basketball player for the Orlando Magic and it was basically having everything that can be replaced with carbon fiber done.

Bottom line, you can't go wrong either way as they are both stunning looking machines.

-- Pete (pistonpete@hotmail.com), December 20, 2002.

How tall is that guy? I have pictures of me on the MV and I look like a mutant and I'm only about 6 foot...

I bought the mono model because it was a leftover 2001 and I got a decent deal on it. If I would have waited about a month there would be a good chance I would be riding Allan's bike right now... Don't know if I'm glad I bought the mono because I took a lot of grief from my girlfriend, and she's going to give me more now that I'll probably only have the MV and a track bike at some point... I don't know. The 1+1 is fine with me.

Andy

-- Andy Ruhl (quadreverb@yahoo.com), December 20, 2002.

Thanks for the response fellas. Is the sub frame on the mono version weaker then on the bi version. What is the weight limit? Thanks!

-- eric (ducatisuperbikeracer@hotmail.com), December 21, 2002.

YeaH, I saw Mr. Strong's bike as well. The rims looked nice. He's a 7 footer but I don't think he rides the bike. It's a 2001 and the rear tire looked like it might of had 10 miles on it.

-- Kevin Warner (kwarner@11thhourbiz.com), December 21, 2002.

eric, yes, the sub-frame is different and weaker. The tail unit contact points are different as well. For the 2002 bikes, max weight is: 325 kg (717 lb) for solo mount, 405 kg (893 lbs) for the 1+1.

-- dm (i8foie@msn.com), December 21, 2002.

Go with the 1+1!! I own a 2001 1+1 and i couldnt imagine not having it. although i really dont take anyone riding but the way the bike draws attention you will hate yourself the first time a beautiful lady asks for a ride and you cant take her. After getting the 1+1 keep your eyes peeled for a mono seat on ebay or something. I picked up a perfectly good solo seat for $200 and its a snap to switch out.

-- Robbie (rpaggen@hotmail.com), December 27, 2002.