Ducati Monster Forum

I need some advice regarding a leftover 2005 S4R.  The bike is brand new but has been sitting on the dealer floor for 5 years. 

Besides the usual stuff, like changing the belts does anyone know if there is a downside or a problem buying a liquid cooled bike that hasn't run since leaving the factory 5 years ago?

Any advice is appreciated.

I'm assuming it has a warranty.

If the price is right I wouldn't be afraid.

Wow, cool find.  Ensure it is completely drained, belts replaced...and most importantly, the price is reflected of a used bike.  The minute you leave the showroom the pricing will be reflective of the bike being used

+1. It's not a one day old bike the day you drive off-it's a five year old bike that appears to have not been used enough to keep maintained/healthy.

Would the tyres be a concern?

concern - yes.  Need to be replaced right away - probably not. 

mitt

If the bike has been stored inside the entire time (climate controlled, out of the sun); never ridden, the tires are probably not dry-rotted. However, for peace of minds sake, why not just swap them out. After all, they are the only thing keeping you sunny side up.

nice find.  personally I would change the tires.  why worry about that and belts when it's a hell of a lot cheaper than replacing you or the motor?

Make sure they give you the original warranty.    5 years sitting on the floor without being started.    It's never had the original setup service done?   

I would check the tires,fluids,change the belts...Great find,i know a guy here in the forum that bought a 07 brand new s4r.Good luck and enjoy the ride!

Not sure if Duc is referring to me, but I just bought a new 2007 Moster S4R.  One thing I think you will struggle with is getting the dealer to sell it as a 5 year old used bike, as some members are saying.  I know I was not able to do that.  At the end of the day, the dealer still wants to make alittle coin on the bike.

In my situation, they had taken 3-4k off the bike from 2007 to 2010.  I guess you could say I paid what I would expect to see the top value of a used bike.  I have not replaced much yet, but will look into it.  No visible dry rot on the tires, grippy as ever.  I am sure the fluids have seen better days, but that will come.  The one you are looking at is another 2 years older, so I would look into replacing those things.  For my bike, the dealer started the warranty one month before I came in... something about incentives, so ask about that.  I still got 1 year 11 months, so no worries there.

In all honesty, I would do the same thing right over again.  In my mind, I got a killer deal on a brand new bike.  Sure, it will be a few payments until the amount I paid matches what it is worth on the used market, but oh well, if you love it, then go for it!!  I was already planning to spend 8-12k, so whats the big deal paying a slight premium to get something I absolutly love.

If you love it, go for it.  Nothing more comforting than knowing I am the first to own my bike.  It's easy for people to give advice around here, and I truly appreciate that they do, but in the end, if something is worth it to you, then maybe getting the absolute best deal is not always the best option.

good luck!
-Jim

Another thing that would worry me more than the bike itself is the dealer.  Most good dealers will not have a 5 year old new bike sitting around.  There is something fishy there, like they have been trying to get too much out of it and not what it is worth. 

I had the chance of buying a 3 year old s4 at another dealership when I bought my m1000, I passed.  Then 6 months later that dealer quit carrying ducatis.

mitt

That's a great point, and worth considering.  Most of the time you go by a dealer and they have a few left over model years that are discounted.  Having one 5 years old... who knows whats going on.  I do not know that end of the story for the one I just got, and would like to keep it that way ;).

where in teh wold did you find a new 05 bike?  damn that is cool.

Last post, I promise... for some reason this thread just got me thinking alot as I made the same move recently.

What if all this is just conspiracy theory?  I asked the same questions to friends/family/message boards and everyone also had the same responses... must be something wrong and all that jazz.  I think they have a point, and those are all things to consider, but I also think there may be a beautiful 2005 Monster S4R sitting at a dealer waiting to be snagged by some lucky person.

Alright, now that I account for 25% of this threads posts... and really don't have any solid facts, I am done!  :)

-JimmyTheDriver

Tyres, belts and all the fuilds.

Don't worry about  the age as I know were theres a new MV brutale 910r thats been in the dealers for 5years, seems nobody wants it now that theres more upgraded models which is what might have happened with your S4R, just get it sorted as I've suggested and go and enjoy  [thumbsup]

 [coffee]

If those belts don't show any sign of dry rot, and they fit an S4 (do they?), I'll buy them from you.

I want to thank everyone for there advice.  The dealer also has a 2008 S4RS leftover.  They want 12k for that one.  The dealer claims that they got theses bikes from another dealership that closed its doors. 
The only downside i see for the 2005 S4R is the color.  Its blue and white.  If it was Red, i would've bought it by now.

Come on the blue and white with white wheels looks the "DOG'S". [bow_down]

What colour is the S4Rs ???

 [coffee]

Why replace the belts if they have not seen any heat cycles during over the five years.  How many of us have (unknowingly) bought belts that have been sitting on the shelf longer than two years?

-Jeff

White and Red.  The blue and white doesn't cut it for me.  I prefer my Ducati's and Ferrari's in Red.   [thumbsup]

The worst thing for the belts is letting them sit in one position for a long time.  They develop a hard spot where they are bent around the rollers and that's the point of failure.

So replace the belts, and I wouldn't buy the old ones.

If you don't like blue and white, why buy the bike? Why not spend the extra coin and get the color scheme you like? Its not a bargain if you kick yourself everytime you look at it.

BTW, Blue and White rocks!

Mraff, I didn't mean to offend anyone with the color scheme comment.  I just prefer the Red over the blue and white.  I also have the option of getting a white and red S4Rs but i feel like i don't need the extra horsepower.  The 05 S4R has more then enough power. 

Just buy the '05 S4R .....
Change the belt ..... reasons have been given earlier
Change the tire ..... it's life time is 3 years from date of manufacture, I think so
Change the blue to red which you can do later ... at your own pace ... you're gonna mod the bike anyway ... I knew you would
& Enjoy it .........

No offense taken; Just my 2 cents on the color. As far as the S4RS goes and having enough power on the S4R..... have you noticed all the mods (air box mod, exhaust, re-map) we do just to liberate a 5-10% increase in power or new sprockets to "modify" the ratio.  In the words of the great Jeremy Clarkson, "Power, Power, Power...." 

Did you even know that the blue and white is the fastest color out there???  ;D get the bike,it's a once in a lifetime opportunity.You won't regret it:-)

Just go ahead and buy the bike, I'm sure you won't regret it [moto]

BTW belts sat on a shelf are not under tension unlike those fitted on your bikes engine :-[

 [coffee]

I think I've seen the bike, it's in Long Island, NY, right?  Go 4 it!  Plus, I thought about changing the tank to red, keeping blue frame & white wheels.  Try it on the SSS Configurator.  I think it looks cool, and patriotic!  ;D

Oh, I hope that doesn't count as a 'political' comment  :-X

If you decide to buy it, price isn't the only place to wring value out of the deal. remember, newer bikes have longer valve adjust intervals. paying less for this bike could very well cost you more down the line due to more frequent valve adjusts. get the dealer committed to a price and then ask him for some extras. Aim for 2k in service. break in service and at least two valve adjusts. after that, maybe some stands, some gear, some swag. these things are higher margin for the dealer so it's easier for him to toss em in.

I'd insist on some included service though, get it in writing.