Ducati Monster Forum

Hi All,
I may or may not become a newbie here depending on what I decide to do on Tuesday...

I'm in my mid 40s and have ridden all kinds of bikes over the last 30 years or so. Today I have been out shopping for a "sundays" fun bike as the touring with the wife will probably be reduced quite a bit over the next few years at least. Wow, "naked" sport bikes have come a long way (my last bike of that kind was a 99 ZRX1100)

Long story short it comes down to a "new" zero miles '08 FZ-1 or a '04 Monster S4R with 6500 miles, "recently serviced". Both to be had for about the same $$.

I rode both bikes twice for about 20 minutes each and came away very impressed with the FZ-1, sneaky fast, very elastic motor, smooth, but the handling wasn't perfect - tendency to fall into the corners a bit (just like my old FJ1200 used to do) and a little loose rear end on bumpy stuff.

The Monster of course with Ohlins all around was planted and nimble like, well, a bike with top-notch suspension. The engine is more brutal in response, less refined and therefore may feel a bit faster but I don't think it actually is. Coolness factor of course is 10:1 for the Duc.

The FZ-1 is the more 'resonable choice' but the Ducati would be the emotional choice. I'm just a little afraid of maintenance and cost of ownership. This may become my only bike if the touring becomes too infrequent (using a V-Strom for that) and then mileage may accumulate more quickly. I do my own basic maintenance but I would probably not touch the valve train in the S4R.

Any input, including what to check for on the Duc, will be appreciated.

Welcome

The 996 in the S4R is pretty raw...I like that.

Maintenance on the Duc will be more expensive. I won't lie to you. The need for adjustment does become less frequent as the miles accumulate though...and I wouldn't be afraid to tackle the valve adjustment yourself. You'll find all the support and help you need right here.

Check to make sure the Duc has had a set of belts within the last two years...and buy it. You won't regret it.

this sums it up nicely.
you understand the difference...no need to 'convince you'

our household has 4 ducatis and one yamaha
08 Hypermotard 1100
01 M900Sie
97 M750
95 900SS/SP

06 Yamaha Vino 125
 ;D

The FZ's are very good bikes but lacking, like you said you are after a fun bike...no comparison.  I assume the recent service included valve adjustment and new timing belts, other than that not too much to look for on a bike that new.  You are not going to get too many votes for the yami in here.

I join Jeff. When it comes to riding a motorcycle, what do you really want to be? Reasonable ??? Emotional? [moto]

You will have a great group of lunatic friends here [thumbsup]

follow the member to which the blood runs fastest; my bet is the Duc will do it  ;D

I look at it this way. If both bikes are going for about the same $ then you are getting more bang for the buck with the Duc, this will help offset the more expensive maintence.  ;D

Seriously, the Duc, and DP is right the valve maintence sounds way more intimidating than it actually is.

Besides, visually speaking do you need two bikes that tickle the same spot?
(http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv42/piratepugwash/FZ1.jpg)
(http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh102/grdaemon/Suzuki_V-Strom_65.jpg)
Or do you want to add some of this to your stable....
(http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj283/Luca_047/Monster_S4Rs.jpg)
The defense rest your honor.

what makes the yamaha a more reasonable choice? 

+1 on what others have said.  Since I have both a Vstrom and a Duc, I can say, if you can have two bikes, don't buy two "pratical" bikes, you need at least one that stirs the passion.  And if you live someplace where weather sucks occasionally, its a lot more therapeutic to look at and clean an Italian piece of machine art in your garage than the alternative when you can't ride  ;D

larger dealer network, closer shop
cheaper (and less frequent) maintenance
two-up capability in case I ditch the V-Strom down the road
(at least perceived) reliability
new bike for the same $

Never thought of it this way...  [roll]

you can ride two-up on the monster.

maintenaince isn't really that much more frequent.

the yamaha dealership near me will work on any bike.  it doesn't have to be a yamaha.

i looked at yamaha's before i bought my monster.  i made the choice to get a monster because (1) i wanted something more unique than what most people have and (2) the riding position of my monster is more comfortable.  granted i helped make it that way with risers and a new seat.  

plus, most people are impressed just by hearing the word ducati.  

I will check on the belts and valve adjustment. Hopefully that was done as it is due at 6k, right?

Did I mention the bike had a full Arrow system (CF) and I will get the stock pipes.

I felt the bars were a tad low for me (6'2" with 34 inseam). Can you add risers to the S4R without replacing brake lines etc? It looked like it was pretty tight in there. The brake lines were neatly tucked to the upper triple clamp.

Depends when the 6K was done.

Belts are a time/mileage item.

The bike could have been sitting for a few years.

i'll let someone else answer this. i have a 620, so it may be different, but i didn't have to replace any lines.  i'm 6'4" and i felt the bars were too low and the stock seat sits you up too high.  a corbin seat puts me down lower, which feels much better.  

Its really not a reasonable comparison. It seems that you are making the evaluation primarily because these are the choices $11k can get you.
Consider a new Monster 1100 vs the new FZ1. Or, consider a 2004 FZ1 and the SR4. I suspect you will have your answer rather quickly.
Best wishes with which ever choice you make.

For me it is. These are the two bikes I can have for what I can spend. Comparing the 2004 S4R versus a 2004 FZ1 wouldn't be fair either as there would be a 3k price difference, carbureted vs. FI, etc.

I would never try and convince anyone to buy a certain type of moto. You need to make your own choice. There are far too many nice motos these days.

Out of all the bikes available today, I wouldn't try to tell which to buy either.  But between these two, not make the beast with two backsing choice.

Buy the S4R.  You can thank me later.

What color? Not that it matters, but the Blue and White striped ones were tits.

Jack the back end up one inch over stock, make sure there's a 14 tooth front sprocket on it, some new Michlien 2CT's or better and have at it. [thumbsup]

Ohlins? Cool.

LA

Actually I thought these were ohlins components (quick look) but I think they were stock. the TiN coating fooled me. Showa?
Still better planted than the FZ1.

every time I hear a Duc engine with a good after market exhaust fire up something deep and primal in my soul stirs....................should be a no brainer !   [thumbsup]  [evil]

I would go with the Monster. It's not a bike you'll see everyday and there bad ass, dry clutch and beautiful  [bow_down]

Hey, I'm early forties also...
Had several yamaha rockets and they are great bikes...
I recently got a Monster 11000 and it is a completely different animal.
Not to wax existential but the Yamaha's feel "soul-less" in comparison. The Ducati handling, the torque, the excitement of the Italian bike just wins hands down IMHO.

I'll likely be the only one, but I vote FZ1.  I'll take the inline 4 every time, and there is likely a fix for your suspension concerns.

It's funny - after riding an I4 for the past nine years and loving every minute of it, I got a HawkGT a few months ago....
Now I feel like I'm cheating on my CB-1. I forgot how much I *love* riding twins.
The torque ... the sound.... the feel....

When I first encountered the M900 I was living in Vancouver, BC.
I sat on it and immediately fell in love.

I heartily vote for the Monster.

. . .

That being said... get the one that /feels/ the best to you. Don't logic it out.
Get the one that  you first think about when you are still lying in bed half-asleep in the morning.
When you think "motorcycle" and "fun" and "exhilaration" which bike springs to mind?

I guess I am the opposite.  After hearing people rave about twins, I decided to try the 696.  After a season with the 696, I am still an inline 4 fan.  However, having both would be great.  The OP already has a twin (V-Strom), so I say go for the FZ1.  

RC Fan - you are backed up by this... just found this comparison test
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/roadtests/122_0509_naked_bike_comparison/handling_style.html (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/roadtests/122_0509_naked_bike_comparison/handling_style.html)
hmmm... maybe the stock suspension settings on the FZ are less than ideal for my riding style as I did not have the chance to play with them.

Interesting comparo. Have you gone on an FZ1 forum?  I see there are several.  If there is a concern with the suspension, I am sure those on the forums have found a way around it.

I agree. When i started looking at motorcycles, my final decision was really based on which bike best "fit" me. I must have sat on every motorcycle available so that I could make a fair assessment of body position, pressure points, ect... Ultimately, I narrowed it down to two and the decision was pretty easy. Displacement was far less important (to me) when I was considering a motorcycle. In the end it's your money that you're spending, so get what you like best!

Yes I have - thanks for suggesting - and asked them the same question. Obviously most of the folks there are biased the other way but many said essentially the same things that were said here (and some of them are obvoius enough - one just has to hear them spelled out).
The consensus there seems to be that setup is critical and may fix my issues and of course there is always the aftermarket.
Performance-wise the FZ should flat smoke the S4R anywhere it's just that it does not feel that way because the Ducati motor is so much more raw and the FZ is so smooth and stealthy.

Are you leaning one way or the other?  Are your dealers in the area decent?  My Ducati dealer also sells Yamaha, so I am eagerly awaiting the FZ8.

The Yamakawazuki dealer in town is decent, and we have Boulder Motorsports - supposedly a very good Ducati shop. The main reason I'm leaning FZ is that - if it became my only bike - it would still be a decent perch for my wife - once in a while - and probably be more worry free for everyday use...

Why do you think the Yamaha should be winning the hp battle so hugely? The s4r puts out 117hp or 130hp if this is one with the Testastretta engine, this is something worth looking into.

The Yamaha makes 150hp but weights 487, the Duc weights in at 390lbs. That is almost 100lbs of difference... or to put it another way the difference in weight of riding 2up with your wife all the time.

Consider also the torque curve on the bikes, the reason the Yami feels sneaky fast is that it isn't hitting as hard or early as the Duc.

Here's a couple sites to open in your browser to look between and ponder... yes ones a wiki, it seems no one wants to post the Yami hp numbers.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/ducati-motorcycles/s4r/testastretta.htm (http://www.webbikeworld.com/ducati-motorcycles/s4r/testastretta.htm)

http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/2007/146_0609_2007_ducati_s4r_testastretta/specifications.html (http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/2007/146_0609_2007_ducati_s4r_testastretta/specifications.html)

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/yamaha/yamaha_fz1%20fazer%2010.htm (http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/yamaha/yamaha_fz1%20fazer%2010.htm)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_FZ1 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_FZ1)

The half fairing on the FZ1 is definitely an advantage if it will be your only bike.  I get a lot of windblast on the Monster--a freeway bike it is not.

It's not the testastretta for 2004.
390 is dry weight, 487 is wet (all fluids, tank full) - new rules about that in 2009.
I would expect the Duc still to be about 40 lbs lighter but not a wife's worth.

AS many others have said, get the bike that you like. Of course we're biased towards Ducati on this forum, as the members on the FZ forum are biased towards the Yamaha. Another thing is to check out the local board for your area. I believe that you said Boulder was your closest Ducati shop so check out: http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?board=23.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?board=23.0). 

I know that the Ducati riding hooligans ;D in Colorado are a fun group, the trip I took to Ouray in '07 was a blast.  [thumbsup] [moto] [drink] [beer]

When i bought my bike I threw caution to the wind.   I bought the bike that I liked and always wanted, simple as that.

Hey I'm trying to "convince" if it takes a little fudging to get the right bike so be it.  ;) :-* [cheeky]

Ah yes and an excellent point, from Krolic if you get the Duc we have Ducati in the Rockies...

(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc260/WannaDucBad/motorcycles/Viewfrom92.jpg)

(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc260/WannaDucBad/motorcycles/Telluride2.jpg)

(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc260/WannaDucBad/motorcycles/Telluride.jpg)

(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc260/WannaDucBad/motorcycles/SkinnerandRick.jpg)


(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc260/WannaDucBad/motorcycles/Ouraysunset.jpg)


(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc260/WannaDucBad/motorcycles/rockthemake the beast with two backson.jpg)

(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc260/WannaDucBad/motorcycles/MomandI.jpg)

(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc260/WannaDucBad/motorcycles/megettinit.jpg)

It's not just a motorcycle... it's a lifestyle. An adventurous lifestyle with curvy roads, and a lot of Starbucks.

ooohh Telluride. Yes a lot of nice riding around there. And between here and there :-)

go look in the action pics thread.

then test ride a big Duc twin at your local dealer.

then find your local guys and go have a drink with them and talk bikes.

then go buy the damn thing and start riding the snot out of it and doing track days.


(although I have to throw in my normal caveat about if your local dealer sucks your Duc ownership experience has the potential to suck too if you use them for anything)