Ducati Monster Forum

What are the differences in these two bikes? I am stuck between these two and feel like the 800 will become boring over time. Or is each unique in its own right?

I had the 800 and loved the bike.  Don't kid yourself, it can keep up with numerous bikes and has a "fake" slipper to boot.  ;D  I moved up to an S4R (huge jump) but I knew I would.  Having ridden the 1000 I can tell you it's noticeable and if the price is negligible go for the 1000 with the dry clutch.  The 800 was an awesome bike and I didn't tire of it, just don't go ride a Streetfighter or S4 series or you'll be spending mucho money.  [evil]

The 1K has better suspension, but from what I can tell, not really a whole lot more power. If you search, you will see many seasoned riders who love thier 800's.

On the used market a 1k is a smarter choice; better front brakes, adjustable front suspension, and about 13 more HP at the crank. They don't seem to be that far away from each other in price now that they're older.
 

Don't buy either of those.  What you really want to buy is a cafe bike, like my Sport1000.   ;D

1000DS is the way to go. Its an AMAZING motor.

I want to sell my S2R for the new 1100. I like the 696 looks better but i just cant muster the power because the 1000 is too perfect.

I have a 2007 S2R 1000. No offense to 800 owners but get the 1000. Just sayin'. [thumbsup] [moto]

Nothing compares to the sound of Ducati L-Twin engine and dry clutch.  End of story!  Get the 1K

Oh god. Please follow this man's advice. I love my 900 but after causing some havoc on a Streetfighter... URGH!

Anyways, go for the 1000 if it isn't way out of your range, plus you get to buy them awesome open clutch covers, anodized pressure plates, collars, etc.

Adding to my earlier post: I had an S2R800 and sold it to get the Sport1000. As stated already, a properly tuned/running DS1000 is a better engine in every way. The key though is to make sure you do away with the stock mapping and convert the bike to an open loop system.

I'll have to vote S2R1k.
I love the DS motor, it's really smooth and powerful.
The mod possibilities are bigger with the 1k (you get to play with the clutch configs).

my questions for you are....

what are you currently riding and how long have you been riding it or altogether?

how do you ride and/or what kind of riding do you do?

what is your general stature/shape/size?

these answers can severely temper what kind of advice for to give because both machines are capable and good, but have their own distinct advantages and disadvantages in how they are used/applied.

My 800 has about 46K on it now. I wish it had adjustable forks. Never any problem with the motor's performance though. It's plenty strong. I think I may be faster on the 800 than on my Speed Triple, at least through tight mountainous terrain.
that said I would love to put the 1000 DS engine in my bike once I've ground the 800 mill into metal fragments. [beer]

I like the 800 I have and have modded it quite a bit.  The 1000 has better brakes, suspension and a dry clutch, plus the 200 extra ccs.  Figure a cost difference of about 1500 for them.

Many people like the 800 as is, only upgrade a few items.  Forks and brakes are usually the first.  I don't mind the wet clutch as most of my older Ducs have a wet clutch and I don't subscribe to the "it's not a real ducati without a dry clutch" silliness.  The advantages are slim to nonexistent depending on how you ride and servicing a wet clutch is little more than adding an oil change to the mix and more screwing.   And who doesn't like more screwing?

As an 800 owner, I'd say go for the 1000 if the cost increase isnt too much.  I love my bike, but the 1000 has that little extra power and torque.  I swapped my front end bits for 1000 parts:  forks, brakes, MC.  But then again, I paid a lot less for my 800 than comparable mileage and vintage 1000 were selling for at the time.

Are there any advantages to the 800cc engine compared to the 1000DS?  Such as less vibration or smoother power?

I am about 5'10" 165 lbs. athletic build.

To be completely honest I don't have any street bike experience, only dirt bikes.

Now I know I'm gonna hear the "get a 250 for your first bike" "omg a ducati for a first bike omg you're crazy"

I'm buying a 1000cc Ducati as my first bike because it is what I want. I will learn how to ride on the bike that I want to ride, period.

The reason I am debating about these two bikes is because I want a bike where I can ride to work, but at the same time be able to throw into corners on weekend rides.

I'm 23, not seeking attention, and will ride responsibly.

I think the main issue with one's first street bike is riding experience.  In many ways, dirt bike experience is very useful, except you don't have people trying to kill you and slick roads.  Falling down on a street is usually much worse than on a trail IME. 

But if you promise to be responsible we'll let you buy one.  Honestly, the differences are more technical than actual though.  I've ridden for 20+ years and love my 800 -- and I still have the first Ducati I ever owned, a 1977 GTL.

For all the reasons listed above the 1000 is a great bike ... I've got the 800 love it, use it as an every day commuter the wet clutch is easier in stop and go traffic and is one of the reasons I went that way, the other was insurance, the company I deal with woudn't insure the 1000 but did the 800, and other copmanies were $500-900 a year more.  At your age check what the insurance companies say.

Now my 800 has been upgraded to S4R showa forks , calipers and wheels.  The brakes and front end are a huge improvement, this spring will be the rear shock as well and at that point I think it will ride exactly like I want it to.  As for keeping up it hasn't been a problem yet on the road I can still get tickets as fast as anyone.

Just another opinion to think about.

Cheer [drink]

I ride my S2R 800 everyday and it's great.  The main difference I can see with daily riding would be the clutch pull.  I believe the 800 will have a much easier pull than the 1000.  Either way, both great bikes.

I have to agree with the clutch pull/stop-n-go traffic issue. All my Ducs are dry clutch and have Evo clutch slaves which helps about 25-30% with lever pull. But in really shitty traffic the wet clutch still rules over the dry, even with the slave. If you are going to do a lot of commuting in funky traffic the wet clutch on the 800 might outweigh the other "advantages" of the 1000. And that's coming from a happy S2R1000 owner. Just saying. [thumbsup] 

I've put about 15k on my 800 and so far are in the midst of upgrading brakes, suspension, and probably a little engine tuning by this time 2012.  What I'm saying is, that I've had my 800 for two years and it was also my first bike, and while I"m not anywhere near outgrowing it, better stoppers and springers would have been nice from the get to.  The clutch is a personal preference, but I think it looks and sounds better so as vain as that may be, it's food for thought. 

1000DS may be a good mill but to call it amazing is hyperbole. If it's so amazing why did Ducati go back to one spark plug per cylinder for the new 2V 1100s they use in the HM Evos. I seem to remember people having a lot of trouble with the fueling on the S2R1000s that could not be cured without buying the expensive Ducati Performance ECU. FatDuc will cure it now for $50 or so but still. I have an S2R800 that came without an oxygen sensor or a catalytic converter so I never had the problems folks with the bigger bikes had, even though my bike came lean as most do. It's been trouble-free and is easy to maintain. No real dealer visits to speak of. Also, changing the belts on a 1000DS is a pain due to the strange lack of consideration for actual belt clearance at the crank pulley on those mills. I mean really Ducati.
The only DS I've ever ridden firsthand is the Hypermotard and it was stoopid fun! Almost turned me hateful on my own bike. I like what I have because it's paid for and tuned properly. But for you I think 1000cc. At 23 and being your first streetbike, I think the lessons that the in$urance company and real-world street traffic not to mention the shockingly narrow turning radius these bikes have compared to a dirt bike will teach you will be invaluable. If you survive, you will learn that you really don't have anything to prove even if you have convinced yourself you've got nothing to prove yet secretly are trying to. Does that make sense? Buy the 1000 and be extra careful. Advice from an old man who still gets carded for cigarettes and loves to show off as much as the next guy yet miraculously hasn't dropped his bike yet.[thumbsup]  

You're wrong about that, a lot of people compare it to loose marbles rattling around in a fishbowl [cheeky]

800 all the way

same as a 1000 except you get a better clutch on the 800 slipper/wet

with 1k you get adjustable forks thats it

Had an '06 800 as my first street bike. Loved it and would still be riding it if I hadn't crashed  [bang] Although it would have a few suspension mods.  ;D

I currently own and ride an '08 S2R1000. The main difference is the suspension. There is a bit more power and the rattle of the dry clutch is awesome  [thumbsup]

It all depends on your budget. If you can find a used 800 from a board member that has already fixed her up for ya, I'd go for it  [moto]

But if you're going with a bone stock bike, I'd start with the 1000. It will save you a lot not having to buy the suspension and brake components.

I've included a couple of pics for comparison.

Good luck and  be safe. Either way, post up pics of your new girl  [popcorn]

(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg52/TangerineDreamS2R/NewFullSystemfor06S2R8002004.jpg)

(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg52/TangerineDreamS2R/2008S2R1000020.jpg)

I forgot to pregnant dog about the previously mentioned ECU issues on some DS100 motors. My S2R1000 would consistently stall out on me at stop signs and traffic lights when new. It made me look like a newbie who stalled the bike letting the clutch out. But it was the ECU. At the 600 mile service I had major suspension work done and had them install a full Termi exhaust and Duc ECU. Cured every single issue. Runs like a damn Honda lawn mower. Except with more power. [laugh]

i think you should check out the insurance premium differences btwn the two bikes... most insurers base everything simply on cc's, and anything over 1000 tends to get hit really hard...  and at your age, i figure you're rate is going to be pretty high as is.

while paying for the price diff btwn the two bikes might not be too much, those insurance bills just keep on coming and coming...

and unless you're really really deadset on a monster, try to see what kind of deals you can get on a street triple i would say... going to be easier to maintain, around the same power, and has that sexy damn triple sound...  and due to the way insurance companys work, it only gets charged for about the same price as a 600 which will save you lots for other mods in the long run.

Incorrect.  The brakes (calipers and master cylinders) are a significant upgrade on the S2R1000 as well.  And so you know, the clutch on the 800 isn't  a true slipper.  It is wet, and gets you some of the features of a slipper, but that's about it.

May not be a TRUE slipper, but it's features did save my ass from quite a few ham-fisted downshifts early on in my riding career.
The 800 is great bike, with one of the most reliable motors that Ducati ever produced.
They both offer the SSSA, which is a great feature in regards to chain adjustment.
Brakes/Suspension on BOTH leave something do be desired IMO.
I swapped in 999 Forks with some Ohlins goodies... which are way overkill for my needs.. but whatever ;D

You will love either bike.

My favorite part about the 800 is the ability to just flog the living shit out of it, and never get into TOO much trouble.
You don't have to think too much about throttle with it. Just let it rip. [thumbsup]

That's the only reason  needed.  [thumbsup]

If I'm not mistaken, the 1000 masters aren't much of an upgrade over the coffin masters. They're both axial cylinders. You only think they're better because of the remote reservoirs, which tend to give that perception. It could be argued that the coffins have a more sanitary look. The only true upgrade to the masters would be radials. The four-pot 1000 calipers are marginally better than the two-pots, but really not as good as four-pads or radials.
The Adler Power Torque Clutch in the 800 is in all actuality a good thing to have. It's a safety feature designed to be more forgiving for new riders who forget to rev match whilst downshifting at higher speeds to prevent the rear wheel from locking up and causing an accident. Also, have you ever experienced the ridiculously low lever effort required? Makes negotiating traffic a pleasure. Calling it a fake slipper to malign it vs a dry clutch is missing the point altogether. Last I checked the S2R1000 was not so equipped.
Also, the adjustable front forks are better than the nonadjustables, but still need work to be good. In stock form they're just adequate  -  Progressive rate springs [puke]  and shitty valving. But hey they're adjustable at least. If you're serious about good suspension you will have to upgrade the S2R1000 front and rear just like you would have to on the 800.
Really the 13 more HP at the crank and the much improved torque over the 800 is the most compelling reason to choose a 1000 over the 800.  

Regardless of caliper design, the 1000 brakes offer larger rotors as well, if I'm not mistaken and having had to put up with anemic brakes on my 800 I'd gladly go to a 1000.  It's not just one big thing, it's a handfull of little things that add up.

- adjustable suspension.  What suspension DOESN'T need a proper setup to be worth a damn
- better brakes.  Any additional stopping power is welcome.  Period.
- clutch- negotiable.  Wet is better for beginners, but he said he's ridden dirt before.  I don't ride in traffic often so I'd rather have the bite of the dry.
- 13 extra horses.....well that's 13 extra horses  [evil]  It's not a difference between a Kawi 250 and a Busa.

Price may be an issues and if it is, just choose wiseley and I bet the overall cost will still point you towards the 1000.

Back to the clutch ..if you have ridden 2 strokes ( dirt riding ) you will love the slipper ..just hammer it down just like riding a stroker

Nothing like it

I own both an S2R800 and a S2R1000  so apprciate im lucky as i get to choose which bike to ride everyday

i have put 320mm rotors, Brembo 4 pad calipers and radial masters from a 749/999 on the 800 as the stock brakes were poor and being heavier i also upgarded the forks to fully adjustable showas from an S4. if anything the brakes are a bit too severe now so the 2 pad, 4 pot calipers found on other monsters would ne fine

I love my 1000 very much , he extra grunt from the 1000DS never ceases to put a smile on my face but i have to confess that with uprated brakes and forks the 800 is in many ways a better bike especicllay if you do ride in town regularly and it is still more than qucik enough to keep up with most bikes especially in the twisties

the wet clutch is great, very easy on the left hand in town and forgiving of less than perfrct downshifting technique, the 800 engine spins up quicker and being lighter the bike feels more nimble and planted which is confidence inspring, (especially as a new rider)
buy a 2005-2006 S2R 800 , and you can easily upgarde the exhaust and remap the fuelling with a power commander III

The 1000 is a bike that will easily bite you if your ham fisted and the well documented surging issues resulting from the lambda sensor make it a bit of a pain especially at low speed in town, and should you want to upgarde your exhuast there is a whole  minefield of hurdles in your way

as many have said, the 800 will also be likely be much cheeper to insure

imho i think the 800 is a better choice for you but you may find that the cost of the brake and fork upgrades is prohibitve
if you do go for a 1000, take it very carefully

hope this helps

Just had to chime in....I have had several Ducks and by far my favorite is my little S2R1000. Noise poise shows and goes!!!!  ;D

+1   Well put!  I absolutely love my 1000. 


You won't go wrong with either, but may wish you had the extra power of the 1k if you go with the 800.  This is what sold me on mine ;D

I am 49 and have owned many bikes through the years . 3 BMWs , an Aprilia , and various Suzukis . IMO the S2R 1000 is the closest thing to the perfect bike ever made ( with appropriate mods that is ) . Just the right amount of power , styling I prefer to the new Monsters , and the combination of DS 1000 and dry clutch give it that hard to define quality , I'll call it SOUL . Also , with a Sargent seat and full leathers for wind protection it's surprisingly comfortable for long rides . I applaud you for getting the 1000 to start , why buy something you know you won't want longterm ?

+1

I'm 48 and loving my S2R-1000 as well, it's not too fast, not too slow and has tons of character  [thumbsup]

I -HEART- My S2R 1000 !!!










.. but not as much as my 996!


... but VERY ClOSE !


Enjoy your ride.




Whatever you decide to ride..

  [thumbsup]

I like the 859 dry clutch model best.

you still haven't given me a details parts list on the swap

"part swap" -- "the guy working the spares counter at the Bologna Ducati factory."