Ducati Monster Forum

My bike's rear shock is bad.  The guys are suggesting I replace it but they are all 1099 guys so they don't know much about monsters.

I don't know much either.

I'm broke so if I can get this used, that would be great but maybe a shock is really not something I should get used.

Can someone direct me to what I need to be looking for so I don't get the wrong thing?

Thanks! =)

I'm a big guy and IMO the stock shock isn't as bad as the stock fork. If you get it set right it might be enough.... Especially considering you're broke. Being broke and getting a new/used shock isn't mixing very well?

If the new fork proves itself, maybe you can check your source for a shock as well?

There are great upgrade alternatives, but I don't know enough about this to be handing out advice.
All I know is that Öhlins and WP makes direct bolt on shocks. Plenty $$$ though.

Short answer: search eBay for 'monster S2r shock' and you can find used ones for cheap.

Long answer: are you sure you really need to replace yours or is there an issue with it that can be solved? EG: spring, mount, bracket, bearings... Buying a new spring can be much much cheaper than buying a new shock. Also when shopping for shocks be careful with those with external reservoirs attached since they might not fit. I'm talking about the shocks you see on the 916, 999, 1098 (superbikes in general).

Question: when did Ducati come out with the 1099? And is it as fashionably challenged as the 999?  ;)

i agree, the shock is bad. but is it broken?  I'm 150lbs and the spring was fine stock, i did go up to a heavier spring though. I also switch to a 999 shock which you can find and i highly recommend as a cheap replacement, you will need to swap the spring out. the stock monster spring will fit. It would cost all in all, under $120bucks and make the rear 10x better.

theres some small modification you need to make to hte bike to get it to fit though. such as relocating/removing the crank case breather ( i did it a very strange way, and it cost nothing) and i also had to cut a small tab off the frame so the resovoir will fit.

but all i can sya is for anyone who has done this mod the 999 shock is MUCH better than the stock sachs sock.

What is wrong with the shock you have now?

Is it leaking?

He Man - When replacing the spring on the 999 shock do you just buy the 999 spring for your weight? Is there anything else you need to take into account since it will be used on a Monster? I have the same shock (749S) but am 185lbs.

MsTek - sorry for the hi-jack but thought you could use this info too?

yup. u need to get teh spring before u do the swap

No, but it is much too soft.

Preload set?  Rebound?  To adjust rebound there is a big brass screw on the bottom of the shock, marked S for soft and H for hard.  Your owners manual will tell you the initial setting.  Preload is set by turning the ring nuts on the spring to achieve proper sag.  I do not know what static and loaded sag are on your bike.

I've learned not to ask a woman her weight, so I'll just asume you're within Ducati's male rider stock range.
It'll cost you nothing to set rider's sag to +/- 35 mm, by turning the two adjuster rings on top of the shock. Your friends probably have the knowledge and simple tool needed.
After that you turn the rebound adjuster, flat screw driver head on the bottom of the shock, all the way in and count clicks/wloops as you're backing it out. I ran 5-6 clicks - you'll get there at +/- 10 (someone agrees?)

This has to be done with another shock as well, so might as well try it on the one you've got?

*** Howie beat me to it, but I'll post anyway. I think stock is at +/-14, but it might have been changed by the previous owner. Count as you go all the way in, to check where it was.
 

Yeah, but you know the sag measurement [thumbsup]

If your looking for a complete shock or shock parts, talk to Bobby at Desmo Porsche. Used Duc parts are his thing.  www.desmoporsche.com (http://) he'll set you up, and not rip you off in the process. He has a store on ebay too. [thumbsup]

Easy way out. buy ohlins spring pull shock and replace spring. You can get a shop to do it for about $200 all included with tuning front and rear.

My stock rear shock sucked, but the shop adjusted it for me (after my adjustment attempt really make the beast with two backsed it up) and now it sucks alot less.  Go to your shop and ask if they will check it out when you sit on it.  Depending on the shop, they might just make an adjustment on the spot for no charge.  Mine did.  If it is, in fact, broken, I am sure they will let you know cause they will want to sell you another.  Might work, might not, but if it does, it's free.  Worth a try at least.

not hard to do it yourself either

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/06-Ducati-Monster-800-S2R-Rear-Shock_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem1e556a4ed4QQitemZ130282049236QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/06-Ducati-Monster-800-S2R-Rear-Shock_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem1e556a4ed4QQitemZ130282049236QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories)

Here's a used 800 for about $50.00  Not sure if you are a 1000 or 800...would follow advice above first.

shocks not broken. its just a bad spring. if your going to buy a shock, why would you buy a stock shock?

if ur broke 999 showa all the way. if u look hard u can find it for cheap. got mine from a friend, he picked it up for $25 bucks.

The rear shock o n the s2r 800 is an awful piece of equipment. It is bottom of the barrel sachs. The front end is bottom of the barrel Marzochhi as well. I did my front end first with a fully adjustable DP fork and then had GP Suspension remove the guts and put in custom shims, valves and springs.
Wrong move. I should have done the rear shock first.The rear shock will make the most difference.Get as much shock as you can for what you have. Try and find a wrecked bike that is being parted out or better yet ebay. There are people that sell used stuff all the time, just make sure it will fit your bike. Some Ohlins shocks will work otheres wont. Length is important and also so is the cannister. If you get one with a can already on the shock tower it may interfere with fit. See if you can get one with a remote shock. I would thoroughly recomend a Penske like I have . Compression rebound and dampening are all adjustable with a adjust on the fly adjuster on the remote can.I use a Eibach spring on mine, which is awesome.
Aesethitics dont worry as much as stuff that works.again.........www.gpsuspension.com