Ducati Monster Forum

Hi guys I am new to the Ducati world - currently riding a Harley Fatboy. Very interested in a 2008 S2R 1000 that my local dealer has - says I cant test ride it?? Anyway I am keeping the Harley - this would be a fun bike. Feels comfortable in the dealership. I am 6'1" 225lbs. My question is - any other bigger guys riding these?  I looked at the new one and I dont think I could have kids if you ever hit a bump. I dont know who they designed that gas tank for. Anyway - I looked at the Speed Triple also - just doesnt do it for me like a red Ducati does. Any comments? Thanks

Get the Duc! 

To keep the valuables from the tank you need to be an active rider. Weight on your feet and squeeze the tank with your thighs. Lots of tall riders on Monster - not a problem, although it's different than a cruiser.
Me, I would be pissed off at a dealer who wouldn't let me test ride. It's a sign of how they normally treat customers?

When I took a test ride on the Monster that I bought I crunched the boys pretty hard at the first stop sign.  I definitely wasn't aware of the stopping power of the Monster's front brakes so I grabbed a big handful of front brake and saw stars  :o.  Like stopintime says, you just use your legs to keep from sliding forward.

There's been at least one thread here about test-riding bikes and opinions are divided but I don't think I'd buy one without a test ride.

I'm 6'1" and range from 210 to 235.  I've got almost 50,000 mi. on s*R Monsters and love em. The longer/more you ride them the better they are.

+1 on the "active" rider thing to keep position on the bike. When you get used to the hooligan type riding, you will understand why the forward position is good. Although very controllable, the front ends will loft at will.

Corbin or Sargent aftermarket seats help in so far as the position on the seat thing.

Great bikes. [thumbsup]

La

Got that right!
I have a S2R1K, I'm about 6'2" 195lbs and no comfort problems for me.  Of course I came from a more aggressive R6 not a big cushy HD

where are you located? if you can make your way to long beach, i'll let you ride my 05 m1000- if you pass the interview. of course after you ride it you'll need a towel, and a down payment for the new bike. 

     pm me

I'm 5'11.75 and 200lbs give or take. I have no problems on my S2R800  [moto]

get it.

5'11" , 240 and pretty serious back issues. I have a blast on mine. I've always loved the monster ergos. And reality is, the back pain feels better after a long ride.

Duc ! Duc !! Duc !!!   [thumbsup] [moto]
And take it easy on the  [bacon] and   [drink] for a while then all is  [clap]

I'll be blunt here

If I had to do it over with, I'd go speed triple.  The ducati S2R 1000 is a great bike, but its not as durable as the Speed Triple and the S2R 1000 has its issues.  With the S2R 1000, you will most likely encounter all the wonderful problems with the "Stock" version (stock exhaust, mufflers, and ECU), so be prepared to throw some money at it to make it right.  

Back to durability,  I specifically chose the S2R 1000 as a commuter bike to go to work and home.  After 10000 miles, I've spent far more on this bike on maintenance and other issues than any other bike or car that I've owned.  

As much that has gone wrong with this bike, the only thing that hasn't happened is the gas tank "expansion problem" ...but its just a matter of time now.

My bike is a 2007, the one your thinking about getting is a 2008,  both bikes are essentially identical.  

In these tough economic times, be smart.

6'3 250lbs

12,000 miles on my duc.  I love love love it.

I've ridden a speed triple and it was fun, and faster and I have no doubt it's more reliable but I'll take my duc.  Thanks,

and of course I'll whore a pic or 2

(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r197/vw151/monsterkneethunder.jpg)

This is it when I got it,
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r197/vw151/Ducati/Picture015.jpg)

This is it now
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r197/vw151/IMG_0066.jpg)

and this is an animated gif
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r197/vw151/Exhaust.gif)

and this is it again
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r197/vw151/IMG_0267.jpg)

+1 on the best Monster out there.

Get the Duc... 195lbs 5'8" Monster 620...

I love my bike, but why would they not let you ride it first? It's not like you're some 18 y/o kid who's never been on a bike before...

Would have to pass on the Speed Triple, that has to be one of the most ugly motorcycles ever produced.

Go to the other Ducati dealers in your area, and tell them you are interested in buying one, but it must pass the comfort test. Since its most likely a used bike, they should be willing to let you test ride it.

I bought one back in May of '07, and thats when I was around 6'1", around 215 lbs, and I had a bad left hip.
I could ride the bike for a while, but because of how the bike splayed ly left hip outwards, I couldn't enjoy it on a longer ride at all. I sold it to my friend who is 6'7" tall, and also about 215 lbs. He loves it.

Our biggest complaints on the bike is how small the stock footpegs are, and how the guards for the exhaust pipes on the right side interfere with where your foot wants to be as you ride the bike.

As for maintenance costs, I've done all the work myself, even after my friend bought it from me, and in 20k miles so far, Its needed 1 set of cam belts, 1 set of spark plugs, 3 oil filters, 3 gallons of oil, 1 fuel filter, 4 opener valve shims, and just recently, 1 replacement fuel pump that we got off of ebay for $150 when the one on the bike crapped out last month. Oh, and tires. I think its on its 4th set of tires. All the work was done by myself, and that saves ALOT of expense by not having to take it to the dealers.

BC.

Did you get the bike?

I think from the replies you can see the majority is drifting towards you buying the S2R. +1 on that my friend. And I seriously doubt that everyone is having issue with their S2R as noted. I've had no issues with my S2R. I even run it with just the bladder and she runs fine. Get it bro, it's a true classic. I think that is why I bought my S2. I wanted a classic air cooled bike that I could take on 100+mile rides...

6'1, 245lbs after dinner. 

Let me pimp out my S2 real quick:
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3627/3587367892_7164230985_o.jpg)
DO IT!!

Edited to reflect my opinion with my 2008.

It IS a nice bike.  But for what I paid at full MSRP, I think there's no excuse for an under-engineered clutch pull, choked exhaust and super-tall gearing.  After owning my S2R for a few months, I have to say that adding the "necessary" $2500 in Termignoni system, ECU, slave cylinder and gearing was ridiculous.  It made a $10K bike into a $12,500 bike, but that's the nature of accessories.  I understand that.

After getting over the financial shock, I don't imagine that I'd part with the bike anytime soon.  I have ridden Triumphs, BMWs, and several other Ducati models.  The S2R 1000 is as close to what I'm looking for in a light(er) air cooled twin. 

That said, your experience may change if you take a look at other brands or models.  BMW R1200R, Aprilia, Triumph Street Triple, Tiger, KTM SuperDuke, and others have varying riding positions, weight balance and engine configuration.  It's a buyer's market.  Be smart, do some test riding (the Sport Classics have the same engine as the S2R if your dealer has one to "feel" the engine) and research.  You'll get something really good with all the great bikes being offered now.

i like my s2r1000...but i would go with the speed triple if i had to do it all over again. actually since that bike is way to tall ofr me, id go for a street triple R if i had the choice.... or daytona 675 (but thats not comparable).

theres a lot of things i dont like about ducatis and the s2r1k specifically, but theres also alot of things i do like about it.

I love my S2R 1000 and haven't had any rideability issues with it.
Gas tank hasn't deformed.

The post two up is complaining about the tall gearing but I never had a problem with it.....I like the tall stock gearing... it pulls from gear to gear just fine. 1st-4th city, 5th/6th freeways, 6th interstates or other cruising, 3-5th twisties. If you don't like it a $30 countershaft sprocket cures it and makes it feel like you added 5-10 hp.

No idea what he's talking about on the clutch pull... maybe just limp wristed... a Harley Rider will be amazed at how light the clutch is  ;D

Only "Mods" i feel are must do's are Poorducrider fairing supports $30, CRG barend mirrors $150.

My full Ti Arrows system while not cheap by HD standards was purchased for $1250.
I've got about $650 in CarbonFiber fenders etc so all in all only about $2000 in aftermarket

In another 10 years that triumph will be just another strange buggy looking bike and people will still be walking up and staring at the S2R like the work of art it is!

I'd buy my S2r1k again in a heartbeat.  I'm 6'4" about 210 lbs.  The bike is plenty comfortable for me and I love the way it looks, handles, and hauls ass.  I've done a lot of work to mine, so cheap it has not been, but that should sort of be expected when getting a ducati.  I'm planning on changing out the seat soon to an aftermarket one, as this one just kills me after a long ride.  The only other thing I'd say is beware the mod'ing...once you start it is very hard to stop.

6'0" 200lbs - commuted 3,500 miles this summer.  Love this bike!

6'2" 210

'06 s2r1k

~31K miles

(http://inlinethumb58.webshots.com/11129/2311689860081642538S600x600Q85.jpg) (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2311689860081642538RAifyQ)