New Monster 821 owner with noob question.

For some this seems to be a substantial problem. For older folk not so much. As you probably already know most of motorcycle history doesn't include a fuel gauge but that of course said the answer to your question is; you get to know your bike, your general average fuel consumption, your odometer or trip odometer readings, how much fuel the bike takes on when you stop for gas after your low fuel warning and as always knowing your distance from the nearest gas station. You also fill up as often as is practical.

I've been riding without a fuel gauge since the dawn of history and before there was running water and where I'm sure a fuel gauge would be convenient it's absolutely not like driving blind.

You'll figure out your fuel management scheme on your own.....one way or another!

Open tank
See fuel?
Yes - 'gauge' how much.
No - shake bike to see how empty it is.

Congrat's on the purchase Benway...

I agree here with JosephHanna - You are certainly not flying blind.

It is fairly easy to estimate the expected distance until empty, based on your average fuel consumption and by resetting your trip counter each time you fill up. The tank on the M821 is approx 17 litres.

Additionally, when your fuel light comes on, the bike will show a trip counter of how far you've ridden since it reached the reserve level. Depending on your style of riding, this will determine how far you can make it until you're walking

Enjoy the new bike!!

Thanks for the tips guys. Guess I've got a bit of figuring to do! Even my old harley had a fuel gauge so I guess that spoiled me (traded that in for the Monster- woot!).

I'm sure I'll get used to it!

Also, I'll keep the noob questions to this thread

Question #2:

So far I've been riding in 'sport' mode. Does this only affect the ABS setting? The reason I ask (and since I'm new to sport bikes), it seems to rev awfully high about 60mph in 6th (like I need another gear). I guess 4k RPM seems high to me, haha. Is this normal to push 5-6k RPM when on the highway?

I'm not entirely sure about the 821 (I have a 796), but that is the low end of where these engines are happy. I go out on my dads harley often and yes, you shift around 4k. On my monster, I putt around town at 4k, 60mph on the highway is 4500-5000 in 5th, 6th gear is 70+mph at just shy of 5k.

tjs5012 said:

I'm not entirely sure about the 821 (I have a 796), but that is the low end of where these engines are happy. I go out on my dads harley often and yes, you shift around 4k. On my monster, I putt around town at 4k, 60mph on the highway is 4500-5000 in 5th, 6th gear is 70+mph at just shy of 5k.

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Thanks, that makes me feel better. I was always afraid to wind the Harley out too much, but these style bikes seem to be happy at higher RPM.

Oh, love that bit of fairing on the bottom of your 796. That come stock?

The belly fairing is from a company called Xcentrik Performance. In my opinion it really completes the look of the previous generation monster

tjs5012 said:

The belly fairing is from a company called Xcentrik Performance. In my opinion it really completes the look of the previous generation monster

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Ah, no such thing for the 821 yet. Nice touch though.

tjs5012 said:

http://www.ducati.org/forums/ducati-monster-821/62569-new-821-bellypan.html#post790898

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Yeah, I saw that. Not sure I like full underbelly coverage and blunt nose though and it's quite expensive... I like the minimal 'shark fin' yours has though.

Ah well....

As far as RPM's go, keep it over 4K

Hold Fast said:

As far as RPM's go, keep it over 4K

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Agreed, Ducatis hate to be lugged down low. Benway, Wait till you open it up past 7k. :drummer:

RDT said:

Wait till you open it up past 7k. :drummer:

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No kidding! First time I did it after the break-in period I was like :yo:

Yeah, I've noticed as I've spooled it up to about 5.5k, it actually seems to smooth out and like it better (and it does dog below 3k)

Just have to shake being used to the low growl of a Harley.

heavy acceleration from 6-8k is absolute euphoria on two wheels on my Monster.

my dealer downloaded a different tune to my bike when it was serviced at 600 miles, it was a bit smoother in the mid range after the new tune

Hi ,
i still have difficulties in riding without fuel gauge .
Does anyone knows if the folowwing fuel gage would be compatible with the monster 821 ?
Koso Motorcycle Fuel Gauge Multiple Sender Range Compact Design PLS Read Listing | eBay

don't know about the 821 but my 696 is best happy at 6k , just seems to smooth everything out , however , if planning to pass any thing I select a gear that runs about 4.5--5k to grab all the toque I can up until 7k for best acceleration