Ducati Monster Forum

so ive got ~450$ to spend on upgrading the front end.

Ive found some low mile 05 s2r 1000 forks for 427$ and im aware of the gsxr swap, which is doable but will probably come out to more $$ in the long run. I would buy 06 gsxr750 forks, 05-06 r1 brake calipers, get new lines and then try and find a shop to machine the spacers, which is a crapshoot. not even sure if I can run my master cylinder with it.

ive also heard of a few other ducati forks that fit (sport classics, ss900...rumors really) but I cant afford new triples and I dont want to ditch my tommasellis. my brakes are great right now (999 masters with upgraded lines and what I think are the goldline brakes, not sure but theyre not stock. I may have a line on a cheap sport classic fender too.

any advice?

as a side note, anyone got a lead on some fork mounted headlight ears?

update on page 3

i'd get the 1000 forks if they are in good shape.
no other mods needed to fit  [thumbsup]

+1 on those forks.

http://www.aztec8.com/catalog/c4_p1.html (http://www.aztec8.com/catalog/c4_p1.html)

SS900 forks will fit, and extend 2-3" above the top triple.  The later ones ('99-'01) allegedly have better internals than the earlier ones (<'99), and have the correct caliper mounts.  Just FYI.

I like the extra length on those ss900 forks, Id rather have my clip ons mount above the triple. are they as direct a swap as the s2r 1000 forks?

also, the forks I was looking at sold. the only other ones have deep, impact type, scratches that I dont want to gamble on. so looks like its back to hunting.

yes, direct bolt on.  i have a set on my s2r.

the only Ducati bike forks you will need to do mods for are the SBK forks or older 40mm caliper type.

anythin after 2001 on the SS, Monsters, or STs will bolt on, use the same triples, wheels, brakes etc.

you can upgrade the brakes while you have them off, the stock calipers/master stink.  i put a set of 4 pad SBK calipers on mine, but that required different rotors too (320 narrow band).

those forks are probably the second best upgrade you can do on the s2r800 for the money.

i want to get rid of my forks and brakes (s2r1000) to throw on a set of 848 brakes +forks. :P

848s would be nice but I dont have the cash to drop ~1G on my forks alone.

so s2r1k,s4r, ss, and st all are bolt on, low hassel swaps.

I assume the monster forks would be the best for comparable application with the ss better for aggressive riding and the st better for touring/cruising?

that accurate?

pretty much all the same except for length.  i think the st is sprung with slightly mushier springs, but ppl don't mind.  there isn't THAT much variation in the forks on these bikes  you can swap out with any of them (except for the length) and probably won't notice the difference (compared to the other adj models)

the s2r1000 forks, while adjustable, have crappy progressive rate springs in them. you'd want to swap those springs out for some good linear rate ones from racetech, then you'd be good to go. easiest quickest route really. i'm in the midst of getting some 999 forks swapped onto my S2R800... i'll let you know how it goes... so far, it's a bit intimidating.

intimidating?

I wanted to drop 848 forks and get rid of my S2R1k forks and brakes. my forks got a race tech kit in them too.
Afterlooking at monstermashs thread, it seems pretty much a direct bolt on if i get my triples bored out and 3 shims made.

Fixed it for ya.  (I think - not positive on the Monsters and STs)

My '99-'01 SS900 forks came with the standard crappy progressive-rate springs that are only ~0.62 kg/mm in the soft part.  When I attempted to fit new RaceTech 0.85 kg/mm straight-rate springs, they wouldn't properly clear the valve in the forks, the ID was too small  [bang].  Worked a deal with Speeddog for a set of ST2 springs (0.84 kg/mm) that are the correct ID and are the correct length too - no spacers needed  [thumbsup].

intimidating when your most extensive project to date was removing your wheels for new tires [thumbsup]
i'm not worried though, i'll get'er done. it's not so much the fork swap, but rather just being sure i tightened everything down properly...

So Ducatiz, what in your opinion is THE best upgrade mod you can do on an s2r800?

it's a pretty subjective thing...
are you looking for awesome, incredible, road&track type forks? or are you just looking for something better, with at least SOME adjustability. from the sounds of it, you're looking for the latter, in which case i think (other opinions may vary) that a good used set of S2R1000 forks with a new set of linear springs and new oil will be your best bet. would bolt right on without any other modifications whatsoever.

for the money, swap the udder with straight pipes.  looks better, sounds better, and if you open the airbox and add a PCIII, you can get more out of the bike.

if you have more money, then upgrade the brakes to SBK 4-pad with the appropriate rotors (narrow type). 

apart from money, the tail chop is the best thing, but it's not a performance enhancement.

i'd have to agree.
up until recently, i was never really bothered that much by the non-adjustable suspension. i bought my bike used, and sometimes wonder if the PO had some preload shims installed or something. it never seemed THAT soft. I mean, clearly the suspension and brakes are the bikes weak points, but the bike is still a blast, plain and simple. I did exhaust mods and a tail chop and a bunch of blingy mods before i even THOUGHT about doing suspension work...

ive already done the tail chop and exhaust as well as a few other mods to suit my riding style.

i need some adjustable forks so I can take the bike over to GP suspension and get it dialed in for me. then I can start messing with hp.


but as I said before the forks I was looking at sold so im hunting for a good set, if anyone has  any links to some that are $430 shipped or less (dear god I could do with the less) I would appreciate it.

well, i wouldn't spend too much time trying to find "the perfect set..."
you're going to need to respring most likely... or they will be old enough to merit new oil anyway...
i would say that if you're unwilling to get into changing/modifying triple clamps, that you should hunt for s2r1000 forks, or ST3/4 forks and get them resprung for your weight, bolt em on, and you're good to go.
you could likely get through that process entirely for around $450 if you are patient on the fork market.

sorry if this is off topic BUT are the S4RS direct bolt ins?

PM'd you.  999 forks, bore the top triple, done.  [thumbsup]

im not looking for perfect. just serviceable forks in decent shape.

i planned on new oil/springs in  a few months, GP suspension runs some specials early/mid-season that would take care of the front and rear, wont be doing much spirited riding until may/june anyway.



Id like that, Its just a bit more work than I was initially thinking. boring the triple plus, more expensively, new clip ons and new oil and springs may push this too far out of my range. whats the length like? does the axel and fender bolt in alright?

pm sent

Good luck on trying to find monster adjustables for less than $400. I searched and waited months before I found a set of s2r1000 forks for sub $400. They were a little scratched but functioned perfectly.

A little tlc and some racetech gold valves and springs... They are ready to mount.

I had the top tubes anodized and the bottoms pc'ed

(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff27/charlieff/photo-19.jpg)

the brakes are not stock. I replaced those years ago. Brembo gd 4piston 2pads with 320mm discs

not sure it's QUITE that simple...
i will let you know, but i'm pretty sure the rotors on the 999 have a 5mm offset, vs. the zero offset monster rotors... thus a 5mm caliper spacer is needed.

also, yes... different fender... CF excuse. [thumbsup]


and charlie... awesome looking bike man, it's really coming together!
black out that oil cooler bro!

damn you Corey!!  You're giving me more work!! See anything missing?  [cheeky]

(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff27/charlieff/photo-29.jpg)

Looking good so far!!! Cut that air box maybe? Dunno what exhaust/ECU you are running though.

charlie any further details on how you were holding up the front of the bike?
did you have a bar going UNDER the horizontal cylinder?

the ratchet straps are holding the bike up for the most part.  I've got two front...two rear...attached to eye hooks in my ceiling.  The jack stands are on my frame sliders.... just to give a little more support . 

ah, now i see them!
im a little weary about the cieling beams in the old garage i'm in... i'm think im going jack stands + tube under the horizontal cylinder... i've heard of people doing this before...

is it a load-bearing ceiling?

are the ceiling beams 4" or 6" or bigger?  if they are 6" then you shouldn't have any problem, just run a 2x6 across 4 or 5 of the beams, and run 3 wood screws into each (#8, 3" long).  put two or three eye studs on the 2x6 before you put it up with some big-ass washers between the beams.  make relief holes in the ceiling for the eye stud nuts and paint it all and you're done.  it will hold easily.

if you have 4" beams, i wouldn't bother trying unless the span is very small - 10 to 12 ft most.  there is just too much flex in them.

my garage is under the master bedroom so the ceiling beams are load-bearing 2x8's.  I have a 2 2x8s going across 5 beams and you don't even notice it upstairs when i hoist something.  i don't know what the limit would be, but i am not going to try anything more than one bike at a time.

it's a small 2-car garage that is really old, and more of a "really nice shed" than a garage... i mean, it has cement floors, cinder block walls, and a peaked roof... but the beams only look to be 4-inchers, and seeing as it's not exactly MY garage, I'm not willing to take any risks at pulling the damn thing down... Haha that would be EPIC though.

I'm pretty confident in the old bar under the horizontal cylinder to hold up the front of the bike. The rear is still going to be on a rearstand, so i'm really worried about stability.

to hold up the front end, i would take off the air cleaner cover and run that pipe thru the trellis.  it is much more stable.  i did the same thing when i swapped my s2r forks before i had a garage. i got a set of carpenter sawhorses and used a piece of 2" pipe wrapped in vinyl tape.  take off the air cleaner cover and you have plenty of room to slide it thru.  you might have to lift the gas tank first.

i would not support the front elevated with just the head.  it isn't wide/square enough to be stable imho

Trade it in on a S2R 1000.  

Only slightly kidding.  I recently changed the springs and fork oil on my S2R 800 and it has really improved the overall feel of the bike.  Firmer Racetech linear front springs and 5 wt oil in the forks, and a firmer spring on the shock.  Total expense was $185 and an afternoon's sweat equity.  Got lucky and nailed the sag numbers on the first try.

Here's my front end support stand. 

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/orangelion03/IMG_6242cropsml.jpg)

that looks nice, but you could just buy a under triple stand that combos as a fork stand. it would be easier to lug around and can be had for a great price by t-rex.

So I called my shop guys and got taken over to gp suspension where I was informed they need an s2r 800 to test new internals in 8) I get it back in a week with forks all done up and tested and a new spring in the rear

 [bacon]  With a helping  [bacon]-sauce!

My stand = $20

T-Rex stand =  $80 plus shipping

Granted, I'm not planning on lugging mine around anyplace.

got the bike back today. it is an amazing difference from stock, money well spent.

the GP cartridge kit runs compression on the left and rebound on the right, is fully adjustable and uses fork tops that are taller than stock and poke out of the top about 1/4". the finish on them is great, gun metal grey with dark blue adjusters.

the rear spring I got is about DOUBLE stock. im not a big dude either (5"10ish and about 175lbs). also, its red [bacon] [laugh]

I ran it in the rain for a bit to get a feel for it but ill be doing a track day sometime soon to get it fully "broken in".

big  [thumbsup] to GP suspension in oregon city, those guys know their shit!

That sounds interesting, but where are the pictures ???

 :D

Did you get all that done for $450?

No pictures, ......

 [popcorn]

sorry about the lack of pictures, it was a beautiful oregon day (drifting between rain and monsoon)  Ill snap a few in the morning.  GP is also supposed to be sending me some pictures of the install (and maybe manufacturing?) process too.

it was a bit over the $450 I was shooting for but the result is a suspension far better than what I was looking for. the fork cartridges are a MASSIVE upgrade but to have the rear resprung and both set up properly for my weight and riding style...its night and day.

next comes the new chain and sprockets (stock rear, 14t front, gold XW chain), the new headlight mount and painting the thruxton fairing. sizing up to be a great summer.

Left fork(http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i82/realityfooeldme/securedownload-1-2.jpg)
Right fork(http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i82/realityfooeldme/securedownload-2-1.jpg)
(http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i82/realityfooeldme/securedownload-1.jpg)
(http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i82/realityfooeldme/securedownload-3-1.jpg)

heres a shot before the work was done, cant remember if ive posted it.
(http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i82/realityfooeldme/securedownload.jpg)also, the U bracket got ditched today, adel clamps made it much more stable. the headlight does poke out about an inch more now though. looks fine to me.

did they do this with the stock forks??

yep. drop in cartridges that replace all the internals.

shit, that sounds great.  i might do that with my stock forks.. i assume they can do it on pretty much any model...  i have a set of clean, unused forks i want to put on my 600SS but they are plain-jane non adjustables.. those drop-ins look ideal.

Any update on how they are working?

they are phenomenal. I figured I would get a better feel for sporty riding but loose some comfort or low speed handling, maybe a bit less responsive 2 up...but no.

With the cartridges GP made combined with the beefy eibach rear spring and a bit of dialing in (by GP) every aspect of handling is improved. I cant imagine that another mod will make as big a difference as this (unless some CF or magnesium rims fall in my lap)

I just got back from a 2 up ride in the rain at night, everything behaved as it should and better than it used to.

biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig  [thumbsup] to GP suspension for everything they did

What is the first best upgrade you can do to an s2r?

first best"performance" upgrade you can do for your money is, fit a Penske fully adjustable rear shock. First best safety upgrade is to fit Speedymoto frame sliders.

For your rear - did you retain the stock sachs shock?  I'm sorry if I missed this.

I really like those red eibach springs [thumbsup]

i think forks are way more important than the shock.

so what was the final damage$ for the forks??

retail on the cartridge kits are 1,295$+labor and the rear spring is ~100+labor.

Because I was the prototype I got out for....CHEAP.  ;D ;D ;D

4 months later the suspension is absolutely the best mod you can do. It may not sound as nice as a set of termis or bling like a box from rizoma (hell, look at those pics I put up, not much to look at)  but when you dive into a corner and the suspension "just works"  its prettier than anything else ive done to the bike.

$1300??

make the beast with two backs that.  i picked up a used set of SS forks for under $400..

i am sure yours are tuned far nicer, but sheesh, that's ridiculous.

all the cartridge kits I could find are over 1k$

I went in to GP talk about swaps as they are all around 400-600$ all said and done but there are a TON of different forks that can work and for the 200$ difference between them all I wanted to get the best possible set up, through that conversation he decided I would be a good candidate for them to test on and that they would meet my budget to do so.

I have no idea where cartridges would rank in the list of possible upgrades for the S2R. Ive never ridden on Ohlins or sbk forks,I would assume its in the upper tier with them. they arent lacking tools or knowledge and if your going to re-design internals for a $$$ kit, why would you pull any punches?

 I will say that these kits are amazing, and because its done by one of the best suspension shops I know that if anything ever happens, or my attitude changes, I can take it to them and get it handled without effort.

just wondering........
could you take the innerds out of a set of s2r1000 forks and dropp them into the s2r800 forks

well you know thats funny.........I did my front end first as well against the advice of many that race. It did help a lot ,but nothing compared to doing the rear shock. That made a huge difference. I wish I had done that first, so I base my findings on personal experience.

maybe your front end was already good to begin with.  you might be one of those lucky few for whom the stock forks work well -- weight, etc

my stock setup on the S2R was crap.  i swapped the forks for adjustable ST2 forks, spent about a week tweaking them and it was 1000% better

I know its rude to mention weight but I suspect you might be lighter than the rest of us chasing fork upgrades and thats why you may not have noticed a huge difference. With the S2R800 forks, the more you weigh, the worse it is.

Please take that as a compliment.  ;D

I shall take that as a compliment! [thumbsup]
Oh yes I will!! [thumbsup] [thumbsup]
But the stock forks on the S2R800's were about as usefull as a turbo on a harley. At the end of the day its still a harley. The stock Marzocchi forks are bargain basement forks and completely useless.I tried different springs .lighter fork oil etc and the bike still handled like a wet noodle. I finally bought a set of fully adjustable showas and had the guts removed, custom springs,shimstacks and valves put in by Dave Hodges at GP Suspension. Yes it was better, but the real performance handling kick happened when I stuck a fully adjusatable Penske on the back end.
Setting the sag helps as well. If your bike handles like crap always check front tire pressure first when the bike is cold. Set it at 28-30 psi if you are a canyon carver.32 psi for fast road use/highway commuting.The tires will deflate in cold weather, so in spring when you first start to ride always check tire pressures. I have had as much as 7psi leak out over a winter. Not good hotshotting into a corner at 90 with 23psi in the tire..............oops! [bang]Also if you jack up the rear it'll make the front end turn in quicker, I raised mine about 10mm and that makes a huge difference............
Yes the rear shock I think makes the most bang for the buck difference, and thanks for the comments about weight! I love you guys!
Erica.

I think its not so much about forks vs. shocks as it is about a complete suspension system. without the rear dialed in, the front cant work as well (and vice versa).

pics pls

here ya go..........I hope that you can see the rear shock with remote reservoir and the adjustable showa forks.I have an Eibach (blue) spring on the rear shock.
(http://i47.tinypic.com/2uzxu9w.jpg)

first off, you have a sexy bike.  I have the same model Monster

but of course, we were talking about pics of you on the bike.. :D

(http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/utf-8BL01lZGlhIENhcmQvQmxhY2tCZXJye.jpg)