Ducati Monster Forum

I just bought a 2006 s2r 800 1000 miles on it and didn't do much research on the reliability because i figured a duc is a duc and  was getting an awesome deal on this bike anyways. I only hear great things... Now that i bought one I'm beginning to read more and more about guys having problems with their valve guides around the 6000 mile checkup. please tell me about this and your experiences on this. Should i find another if the valves are going to be giving me problems so soon???

You probably see more people posting with problems because people with out problems got better things to do...like ride.  [moto]

Where are you seeing all these posts of valve problems?

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In other news, research, then buying leaves less worry. More at 11.

Ive read about 4 or 5 forums between here and ducati.ms and other parts of the web on valve problems and some people are saying that its a common problem and others are not. just wanted to get other peoples input.

i think the issues are with the 1000ds, not the 800.  at least i have never heard of issues with the 800. 

Valve guides on my '04 M800 were a problem on the rear (vertical) cylinder at 6000 miles.  It was a costly repair, in part because I ordered a mild porting job and some MBP collets at that time, too.  ["As long as the heads are off....." [laugh]]

I really have no info on how 'common' this problem is.  Frankly, I wouldn't sweat it 'til you find a problem with the valve guides on your bike. 

I have not heard of that problem with the S2R and I did a lot of research before buying mine. Good news though, no problems when I had my 6k service.

No problems with my S2R800. 

Just put on your gear and ride it like you stole it!

I have an 05 800 and I'm almost to 19k with no issues, and I ride the living piss out of it :)  You already bought it right?  I say stop being a hypochondriac (from one to another) and ride her.  I'm not saying you should ignore little clicks or weird mechanical issues, but dollars to donuts you're going to love it either way. 

i was told no problem at my 6k service (s2r1000)
however, i just found out at 10k that at least one of mine is bad. did it happen between 6-10k? dont know...

I've got an 06 800 with 9300 miles on it and zero problems.  I would like to upgrade to a Hyper, but the fact that I have no issues and get 60 mpg and the bike is plenty fast enough for me means I'm keeping it.  Good luck with your new bike.

my '05 s2r 800(purchased new) has 18k+ miles & never one problem on the entire bike. [drink]

Well if you wanted rock-solid reliability you should have gotten a Honda which is not completely 100% rock-solid but it's as close as you can get. Even Hondas have issues. With that said you bought probably one of the most reliable engines Ducati has produced. The 800s are pretty good. Not many issues with them. The valve guides may or may not give you trouble. The only thing you can do is be sure to use the best fuel available, change your oil on time with good motorcycle oil, keep the valvetrain maintenance on schedule and ride it.
I have the 800 approaching 6k with no visible symptoms of bad valve guides. The 6k service will determine the condition of the valvetrain, but right now it runs fine.

Does anyone have a picture of a messed up valve guide? How can one diagnose as to weather they're shot?

I think that if your bike is using oil and the valve stems have too much axial play the guides are toast

From all the research I did before i bought my S2R800 2 years ago, the 803cc S2R, while not being the fastest, most powerful, loudest, and most exciting ducati out there, is indeed one of the most problem free, and reliable models.

your bike is fine. ride it to 6000 miles, and get it serviced.

do be prepared for the cost of maintenance though. it's not cheap on these bikes.
tires, oil, valve checks, hydraulic fluids, belts... it all adds up, and will nickel and dime you. but it's worth every penny in my opinion.

With the load off the valve, you can grab the valve stem and try to rock it back and forth. There should be no play.

also if you get blue/black smoke from the exhaust at cold start, you may want to investigate for worn/bad valve guides.

I got free service due to this valve guide problem they found it when I took it in for a defective tank so just IMo the 800 is a POS, my first one the timing belt staped at 1500 miles causing the top end to be rebult then i totaled it,but that was not the bikes fault lol . my S2R1k has been flawless
now I only use my wfes 800 if my 1k is in the shop or if Im going on a long freeway ride i just dont trust them JUST MY OPINION make up your own mind there are tons of 800 out there with 0 problems. Maybe I am just the lucky one  [bang]

Sorry to hear you had so many issues with the 800. Yes, they are known to be  bullet proof. Interesting on the cam belt problem. Did you run with the covers off? I have heard of the 1000DS having some valve issues. Probably cause they stem isnt as large diameter. 6mm vs 7mm on the 800.

Ride the piss out of the thing. Ducs seem to have issues when they are pampered.

never ran it without covers and between the three bikes I have put  17k miles in 2 years riding the piss out of them was not the prob just bad luck. and even Daniel the service rep for Ducati know this is a prob so if you find that you have this prop take it to a dealer Ducati is the best at taking care of its customers

ime if you use this test every single 2v motor will need new guides at pre delivery.  they used to come out of the factory very loose, and back when we did valve clearances at first services you'd wobble them around, shake your head then put it all back together.  i think a lot of the valve guide issue is due to more play than expected, but not neccesarily more play than acceptable if you get what i mean.

i disagree. i think it depends more on the dealerships relationship with their rep (and your relationship with the dealer.)

i was just denied a claim on my 06 s2r1000, which is 18 months out of warranty (12 of those being winter, non riding months.) I am not done trying, but i may need to try a different shop, or go to DNA customer service. Also, since i just moved to the area from the other side of the country, i dont have much of a relationship with the local dealer yet.

that sounds about right. I would contact DNA that sounds like your best bet. I have found that quite a few dealers are snobs unless you spend your whole paycheck there but that is not just ducatis that is all forms of wheeled fun.

I was told progressive symptoms include burning oil (blue smoke out the tailpipe) and rough exhaust/stalling at idle RPM.



ditto - mine were OK at 6K miles but starting to show signs of wear at 13K miles.  Bought the bike at FbFerracci in Dec '04, but had it serviced at another Duc dealer a few miles from where I lived from '05 to '09.  Went back to Ferraci (moved back into the area in '09) and they wouldn't even make the effort to call DNA!

That's the latest - and last - of the crap experiences I've had over there.

So, I'll make the call myself - here's hoping Ducati man's up to this one.

Is your bike burning oil?

Just a note on the above comment:  Fuel quality does not equal it's octane rating.  Never use fuel with a higher octane than what you *need* for the bike.  Excessive octane will leave excessive carbon deposits on the combustion chamber and piston top.

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