I'm sure I'll get biased answers considering this is a monster site, but I really want to get the right bike. I can't seem to get to ride the Yamaha, but there are great deals on new 2008's. I'm really in love with the monster and I'm wrapped up in the whole Ducati thing right now. I rode it and really liked it too. I'm just concerned with the maintenance and some things Im reading here about leaky tanks and what not. I don't want to end up with a bike that has alot of quirks, I don't mind resonable maintenance, but I do not want to end up broken down on the side of the road.
Are there any of you who have owned or have experience with both bikes?
Thanks
Quote from: rileysdad on July 07, 2009, 12:25:24 PM
I'm sure I'll get biased answers considering this is a monster site, but I really want to get the right bike. I can't seem to get to ride the Yamaha, but there are great deals on new 2008's. I'm really in love with the monster and I'm wrapped up in the whole Ducati thing right now. I rode it and really liked it too. I'm just concerned with the maintenance and some things Im reading here about leaky tanks and what not. I don't want to end up with a bike that has alot of quirks, I don't mind resonable maintenance, but I do not want to end up broken down on the side of the road.
Are there any of you who have owned or have experience with both bikes?
Thanks
FZ1 = faster, less maintenance
Monster = better looking, better sounding, more exotic componentry
I don't think many people here have been " broken down on the side of the road ", in fact my Japanese bikes (VFRs) have given me loads more problems than any of my Ducs, including my 900SS, my ST2, my ST4S, my first S4R, or my current S4R.
You can't go wrong either way. I love my FJR as well [thumbsup]
Seriously - buy what turns you on. [moto]
Cheers,
Adam
Quote from: rileysdad on July 07, 2009, 12:25:24 PM
I'm sure I'll get biased answers considering this is a monster site, but I really want to get the right bike. I can't seem to get to ride the Yamaha, but there are great deals on new 2008's. I'm really in love with the monster and I'm wrapped up in the whole Ducati thing right now. I rode it and really liked it too. I'm just concerned with the maintenance and some things Im reading here about leaky tanks and what not. I don't want to end up with a bike that has alot of quirks, I don't mind resonable maintenance, but I do not want to end up broken down on the side of the road.
Are there any of you who have owned or have experience with both bikes?
Thanks
Also, if you read enough about any bike you're going to find issues.
FZ1 = fuel injection that sucked and difficult throttle response @ low RPMS
FJR (up to '06) = tons of heat coming out of the engine
VFR = R/R problems
Plastic tanked monsters (S4RS / S2R 800 / S2R1k): Expansion and tank deformation
ST2 ('98) = R/R problems
etc. etc. etc.
Don't get stuck in analysis paralysis - a zillion people own bikes without a single issue, it's just that no one usually goes on forums to go "Wow, my bike is awesome!" :)
Cheers,
Adam
I noticed you have a very nice S4R, Have you experienced any problems, especially the tank? ;)
Quote from: rileysdad on July 07, 2009, 12:48:01 PM
I noticed you have a very nice S4R, Have you experienced any problems, especially the tank? ;)
LOL
Nope! Not with the one I have now, nor my last one. Even after my last one hit the road at ... oh, about 60MPH :o
Cheers,
Adam
Wow! my bike is AWESOME [thumbsup]
Quote from: Duc Fever on July 07, 2009, 01:33:45 PM
Wow! my bike is AWESOME [thumbsup]
Mine too ;D ;D [thumbsup]
uhhhhhh
get two?
I ride the Monster back and forth to work and around town, the FJR is the better tool for old farts going more than one tank of gas in one shot.
Not FHE, but one of my riding bud's had an FZ1 and loved it, good handling, power, everything and low maintenance. If you dont do your own maintenance, i.e. valves, that is a consideration.
you will not find yourself broken down on the side of the rode. - has nothing to do with that. Sounds like you need a Yamaha. :'(
LA
Actually you'll likely not find many biased answers...many guys will say if you're asking just by the fizzer.
How do you like your motorcycle motors? That's a big thing. thunder? screamer?
Is it a tool or is it a guilty pleasure?
a car is a necessary practical device. A motorcycle is a toy...so buy with the heart not the head.
(unless you're using the bike as a tool in which case Ducatis will drive you bonkers, despite what a few hardcore guys here will say)
I bought an S4 because I've always wanted a little hot rod twin, and it's been a load of fun. I'm sure my old CBR900RR that I sold to my brother will still be alive 5 years after this Ducati dies, that's just because that is the way it is. I can pretty much buy whatever I want, within reason. This time I bought a Ducati. It was that, or a KTM Supermoto or Superduke, an SP-51, or something of the sort. Next, who knows. I know I'll never be done messing with these 2 wheeled things, at least until I'm in a wheelchair.
Buy whatever tickles your fancy. I have no idea what I'm going to want next, but my history reveals, I keep something for a year or two or three, and get something else. Short attention span I suppose. But I never look at them like it's the last bike I will ever buy.
Quote from: LA on July 07, 2009, 04:40:37 PM
you will not find yourself broken down on the side of the rode. - has nothing to do with that. Sounds like you need a Yamaha. :'(
LA
I think more accurately, he wants a ducati but has heard so much BS about "those italian bikes" that he can't make up his mind. I've been there before ;D
Adam
Corndog, I'm more like you. I'm always changing what I like. I consider myself a motorcycle "enthusiast" meaning I like all kinds of motorcycles. There are not many motorcycles I do not like and every few years or so that go by I find myself wanting something else. I've owned so many different bikes, I'm not somebody who is brand loyal or even loyal to a specific type of bike. I've gone from sport to cruiser, back to sport, back to cruiser again and now I want a naked sport. Right now my heart is telling me I want a monster. I really do like torque more then redline power, which is what is really making me lean towards the V-Twin. Thanks for all the replies.
Quote from: rileysdad on July 07, 2009, 05:58:04 PM
Corndog, I'm more like you. I'm always changing what I like. I consider myself a motorcycle "enthusiast" meaning I like all kinds of motorcycles. There are not many motorcycles I do not like and every few years or so that go by I find myself wanting something else. I've owned so many different bikes, I'm not somebody who is brand loyal or even loyal to a specific type of bike. I've gone from sport to cruiser, back to sport, back to cruiser again and now I want a naked sport. Right now my heart is telling me I want a monster. I really do like torque more then redline power, which is what is really making me lean towards the V-Twin. Thanks for all the replies.
You could always get a Tuono - if you can get past the " guy on a sheet of acid put the stickers on it " factor [laugh]
Adam
Quote from: pompetta on July 07, 2009, 03:52:13 PM
+2
+3 ;D
Ask the guy (on the Yamaha) I left behind on the mountain Sunday morning. 8)
Gotta luv a lightweight twin two valver when it gets tight.
The older FZ was nice but had crappy suspension and needed carb work out of the box. The newer FZ is not as well liked as they killed the linear power band which made the FZ such a fun bike.
Adam,
I already looked at a tuono, I didn't like the riding position, my legs are way too long and having had 4 knee surgeries I can't have my legs compressed like that for long. Plus it kinda looked, ah, whats' the PC phrase, not heterosexual. Every time I buy a bike, I get caught up in numbers and stats and whatnot, I never get something just because I want it. For example, I've found that most people that don't ride and want a bike want a Harley. Well, I just WANT a Ducati. I have to go to Newbury MA tomrrow, I'll try to hook up with you before that if it's nice out.
I used to own a 2003 FZ1 with a number of mods: Holeshot jet kit, AIS removal kit, timing advancer, slip-on exhaust, etc. I also dropped a tooth on the front sprocket. It was really a lot of fun to ride, easily pulled a wheelie in first gear with a twist of the throttle, was extremely stable at speed, really comfortable (couch rocket-wise), and the pipe really sounded great when I wound her up, really great. What it lacked out of the box was a bottom end, but the jetting/gearing etc. helped that significantly, though it still didn't have v-twin grunt. My only Monster experience is an S2R, so I can't speak to the 4-valvers, but I thought the S2R had plenty of power for the street (even though the hp was about half what my FZ1 had), and loved the low end grunt, since it gave you the power where you normally ride on the street, not at >5500 RPM. All that being said, you could have a blast with either. My FZ1 never had other than normal maintenance issues, and the maintenance schedule included a valve check at 24,000 miles, but most guys I knew found they still didn't need adjusting by then. I'd advise you to ask this same question on the FZ1 board: www.yamahafz1oa.com (//http://). The guy that runs the board, "wardog," is an S4RS owner and shows up in the maintenance forum sometimes. There are others there that either do or have owned Monsters.
My advice though: go look at both and follow your passions. Motorcycling is alot about passion.
Quote from: rileysdad on July 08, 2009, 12:10:13 PM
Adam,
I already looked at a tuono, I didn't like the riding position, my legs are way too long and having had 4 knee surgeries I can't have my legs compressed like that for long. Plus it kinda looked, ah, whats' the PC phrase, not heterosexual. Every time I buy a bike, I get caught up in numbers and stats and whatnot, I never get something just because I want it. For example, I've found that most people that don't ride and want a bike want a Harley. Well, I just WANT a Ducati. I have to go to Newbury MA tomrrow, I'll try to hook up with you before that if it's nice out.
A good friend of mine has a Tuono, he loves it, it's like riding a 500cc two stroke dirt bike, wheelies pretty much any time, any place, and it's been real reliable, after all the engine is made by Rotax. This guy has gone through KTM 990's, FJR 1300's, a couple of them, FZ1, a couple of those too, a KTM 690 Supermoto, just all kinds of stuff, but he still has the Tuono (but the make the beast with two backser won't let me ride it!!!). It seems like a quality piece. He really liked the KTMs too.
Get whatever turns your crank. If it isn't your cup of tea, get something else. I really like riding different bikes every year or two, the ole lady is sort of getting used to. Sort of. But like someone said above, I pretty much like riding anything. Next might be a big Honda or KTM Dual Sport. Or maybe not.
I don't believe there is any I-4 out there will give you the same smile as apexing a tight uphill turn on a monster and hearing the glorious sound as that desmo V-twin forcefully pulls you out of the turn and uphill under load. I admit to never riding an FZ1 but I can't imagine it's a much different feeling then any other I4.
There are always cheaper, more efficient, more sensible options but if that's probably not what got you into riding in the first place.
And I haven't had a single maintenance issue with my S4Rs other than those darn tires don't seem to last!
Thanks guys. I think I'm going to go with a S4R but it looks like the one I've been interested in is sold. :'( Oh well, I'll keep looking!