Ducati Monster Forum

Hi everyone.  This is my first new topic post after introducing myself on the "Introduce Yourself" board.
I've been reading for a few weeks now and I am happy I found this forum.  I'd appreciate if you guys and girls could help me decide which monster to buy.
My local dealer has the following monsters for sale and I am not sure which one I should go for.  I don't particularly like the yellow ones but I wouldn't mind if the deal is good.
Bellow are URLs for the pages with a brief description.  The pages are in Japanese (I'm in Tokyo) but you can hover the mouse pointer on the thumbnails to enlarge the other pics.
The prices will seem higher than in the US/EU, but in Japan this is pretty much the market value of Ducs.  Plus, not that many miles on the bikes.  I'm thinking  up to 10 grand for the bike (although the cheaper the better) and maybe 2 grand for gear and mods.  I did consider getting one of them newer monsters (M796 or M1100) brand new, but I would end up over-budget.  So I figured, if I decide to get a used one, might as well look at the older models and maybe come across a good deal.


S4R '05 yellow, 7480 km (4648 miles), one-owner, a few CF mods
Price: 9,300 USD
http://www.goodwood.co.jp/market/detail.php5?item_id=1051 (http://www.goodwood.co.jp/market/detail.php5?item_id=1051)

S4 '01 red, 19507 km (12121 miles), a few CF mods, AELLA Clutch Release (?)
Price: 5,600 USD
http://www.goodwood.co.jp/market/detail.php5?item_id=1155 (http://www.goodwood.co.jp/market/detail.php5?item_id=1155)

M1000Sie '03 yellow, 5978 km (3715 miles), not many CF mods, high windshield
Price: 7,500 USD
http://www.goodwood.co.jp/market/detail.php5?item_id=1117 (http://www.goodwood.co.jp/market/detail.php5?item_id=1117)

S2R800 '07 Black, 7750 km (4816 miles), no CF mods, APTC clutch
Price: 8,340 USD
http://www.goodwood.co.jp/market/detail.php5?item_id=1055 (http://www.goodwood.co.jp/market/detail.php5?item_id=1055)



Which one would you say is the best deal?  Any opinions are welcome.

The '05 S4R did not come in yellow, just red, blue and black AFAIK.  Why was the color changed to yellow?  Desire or necessity?

Hmmm...bike's in Japan...the '05 Monsters (at least those in the US) did not have the clear timing window.  They came with a threaded plug.  It's either older than '05, or there were differences (color, etc.) between US and other country's bikes.  It has less than 5000 miles -- the engine's not even broken in yet.   8)

In any case, I've greatly enjoyed my S4R -- fun to ride, not too difficult to maintain and no real problems mechanically.

"Desire or necessity?"  Very good question!  Didn't even realize the meaning of "necessity" until I reread the question.  The previous owner may well have dented the tank, or wrecked the whole bike, fixed it then painted it yellow...  I will ask the dealer and so some research on the potential differences between countries.

Appreciate the input  [beer]

That S2R 800 is WAY too much.  I got mine for much less brand new almost 2 years ago!  How experienced a rider are you? 

Prices are higher in Japan.

Yeah, didn't realize how extreme though.  I just read your intro. post.  Given it's your first bike, I would tend to say either the M1000 or the S2R 800.  The 4 valvers have a lot of power for a first bike.

They are all way over priced.

an 05 S4R for $9300? WTF?

Dude, you can pick up a nice clean 07-08 S4Rs for that or less.

Good advice! Thanks. I'll take note.


I realize I should have used a currency conversion rate from 3 years ago.  Here's what they would have cost before the financial crisis and dollar crash.

- S4R '05 yellow, 4648 miles, $6,500
- S4 '01 red, 12121 miles, $3,900
- M1000Sie '03 yellow, 3715 miles, $5,200
- S2R800 '07 Black, 4816 miles, $5,800

But then again, my budget would have to be adjusted to $7,500.  Now that it's closer to the prices in the US, which one would you consider the best deal?

If I was buying for myself, it would be the S4R. It's not the best bike for a first timer. The S2R800 is a great bike. In the US it would still be slightly too expensive, but I'm not sure how it translates to Japan. It's low mileage, but you're 1K away from the major service, so I might try to knock them down to $5000 to cover the cost of the service.

With that 07 S2R he's got another 2700 mi. The 07 S2R has 7500 mile intervals.

i would go with the 03 1000sie. a lot more DIY friendly as far as maintenance than he 4 valves. also i like the simplicity of the aircooled 2 valve's. CF is really just a bling factor. to me it's really a waste, unless you get a carbon fuel tank, then there would be nice weight saving.

S2R is air cooled.

First bike?

S2R800.

+1

i'm not to pumped on SSS monsters

Seems the general opinion agrees on the S2R800, so I decided to do a side-by-side spec comparison with the new 796 on the manufacturer's website.

http://www.ducati.com/compare/index.do?op=add&year1=9&year1_new_value=false&bikeFamily1=22&bikeFamily1_new_value=false&bikeModel1=4&bikeModel1_new_value=false (http://www.ducati.com/compare/index.do?op=add&year1=9&year1_new_value=false&bikeFamily1=22&bikeFamily1_new_value=false&bikeModel1=4&bikeModel1_new_value=false)

[if the above link shows only one of the bikes, use the Year/Family/Model and click + to add the other]

Turns out there is quite a number of similarities.  Looks like the 796 is a lighter, revamped/tuned S2R800, with a bit more hp and torque and better components.  Exact same displacement and same gear ratio though, which a pleasant surprise.  Considering I would have gone for 796 had I not been budget-constrained, I think I'll take a more serious look at this '07 S2R800.  (... unless someone brings up something else that throws me off course  ;) )

Thanks everyone for their inputs.

I'm going to be "that guy" and tell you to go for the S4. It's got all the power you could ever need and is still manageable as a beginning rider. It also has the fully adjustable front and rear suspension. If maintenance is up to date, it won't need it for another 6k miles which is a plus. The brakes are superb and you will have the dry clutch rattle which counts for something. The 916 liquid cooled mill is outstanding in terms of power. It delivers throughout the entire rev range and has decent top end. Only complaint is that it has no steering damper to keep the front end from getting squirrely but that goes for the entire monster line.

I got my S4 with 9,200 miles for around the same price as the one you are looking at. I would love to have the extra oomph that the S4R has but I certainly can't complain. It's really a great bike for a great price.

My first ducati was an S2r in 2005, I had road tested the S4r but at the time couldn't justify the extra cost of the bigger bike, well 18 months later I bought an S4r so in hindsight it seems I should have bought the S4r first and saved some money.
I must add that at the age of 62years young in 2005 that it was not my first bike but it was my first ducati and now I think you could say that I'm truely addicted to the marque... [bow_down]... [thumbsup]

 [coffee]

im gonna agree with "that guy".
being responsible and saying that another bike will be plenty for you as a first bike, i have a hard time with that. you might never outgrow that bike or you might outgrow it in the first 6 months.
i know i did.
S4R for the win!!!!!

Would you be able to take the bike onto the freeway in Japan?  Or would you be doing mostly city riding.  I would hate to have a S4R and have no place to let it run freely.  If you are doing mostly city riding, I would recommend the S2R800. 

Yes, riding the freeway is definitely possible in Japan.  For my riding plans, I'd say 80% city commute, and 20% freeway+twisties on the weekends.

From my personal experience with my  M620 Dark, here in Panama I do exactly that, 80%city/20%highway/twisties, so, the S2R800 is still good, IMHO

+1

PS. Put a termi short-style shotgun exhaust on it too  ;D

another +1 to the S2R, the 4v bikes are overpowered for a novice, the 800 still has great power

I'm off to see the S2R.

BTW, Ducati Japan are launching the 796 today, so might test ride it if the dealer has one..

S2R ... You wont be dissapointed ... Take from someone who has a M620 ...

from a guy that had a yamaha r6 and a monster 750, i vote s2r.

love the look of the single sided swingarms, and love the simplicity of air cooled engines.  this is especially true if you plan to work on the bike yourself.  if not, its still cheaper for work on the s2r over the s4r's. 

more power is nice, but not necessary.  s2r800 will suffice in my opinion

just my 2 cents

Went to my local dealer today and test rode the S2R.  Great bike as everyone said.  Test rode the S4R too.  Very powerful, made me really conscious about my throttling.  Lastly, I test rode the 796 which has been launched today.  The S2R felt heavier than the 796 and a little less powerful.  I liked the 796 a lot.  Much more comfortable seat than the 696.  It just felt great, powerful, yet easy to ride around corners, great brakes too.  I know am a novice, but I really felt the 796 is the perfect bike for me.  In fact, I ended up ordering the black one today  ;D  and I can't wait to go pick it up in a couple weeks.

Thanks everyone for their advice/input on this thread.  I learned a lot from your responses and will continue to be grateful even if I ended up getting a different bike.  Many thanks  [beer]

Congrats!  Glad you make a choice you're comfortable with.  Can't wait to see the modding begin!

Congrats!

+1 on the Black and as hackers2r said, let the modding begin ... !!!

good to hear you got to test ride each one. 

congrats on the purchase, post pics when u take delivery

Thanks.  Can't wait to pick her up in two weeks  ;D