Ducati Monster Forum

Hey guys.  What are your thoughts in comparing these two?  On the one hand, you have the latest chassis technology, the most powerful aircooled twin Ducati has ever released, and in some eyes, pretty slick, aggressive styling.  1100 Evos are going for what, 12k otd?

With the S4R, you have the classic trellis frame, a full on watercooled superbike engine, and the classic styling of the older generation.  These bikes range from 5.5 to 8.5k on the used marked.

What are some pros and cons of each platform?  How does the 130hp testestretta compare to the 100hp desmodue?  Both bikes are rocking radial masters and calipers.  Both have an SSSA.  Your thoughts are appreciated.

Old monster actually looks good, so.... there's that.

Old Monster.  No question.  Despite the issues I'm having with my gas tank, I'm hanging on to it since it does have that 'classic trellis' framework.

The only older monsters I'd personally consider are pre-2005, because of the expando gas tank issue with the 2006 to 2009 series.  You'll only miss out on the top end power band of the testastretta otherwise the 1100 engine is comparable in the butt dyno and smiley face effect.  The S4R will be more $$$ over the long run due to having double the valves to adjust plus the maintenance periods are still 6000 miles with that series.

CSORIN, as a graduate from the old style monster to the new style monster I would throw out there that while I LOVED my S2R1000 i would NOT trade my M1100S back. I too was once in your shoes, as I was trying to decide between S4RS and M1100S. I ended up with the M1100s because I got what I felt was a great deal on one. Am SO happy with it, of course the S2R was an aircooled DS not a water cooled superbike engine. I am one who loves the look of the new Monster (after getting used to the headlight) and I actually get MORE oohs and awe's out of this one then the other one (even though this one is white, and the other was red). Just yesterday I went to a local deli, as I was pulling in 4 firemen turned and stared, and the people eating outside all stopped to look. One of the firemen says the obligatory "is that fast!" (that always cracks me up). They all were checking it out, talking about the dry clutch and the carbon fiber. Pretty fun stuff for sure!

My 2006 S4R has a metal tank so he can expand to that year model as well.  Also worth mentioning is a lightweight flywheel, you wouldn't believe the difference.

I haven't seen a S4RS or S4RT for less then $7,900. The 996 based S4R can be had for 4K ish.

Comparison? No comparison. Two different animals. The watercooled motor power vs the air cooled motor is night and day. It normally comes down to what people can afford or what people find visually appealing.

S4R for teh win because it's a better bike. Find a cream puff with a metal tank and you will have something worth keeping for the rest of your life. That's what I'm looking for!

I test rode the M1100s before I finally settled for my 2008 MS4RS.

I was coming from an MV Agusta Brutale 910R (mental thing) and just couldn't get my head around the whole 'just getting to the power and.....shit! have to change gears AGAIN!' with the M1100s. I think from memory it redlined around the 8k mark...?

Seriously, with a redline around the 10500 rpm, the S4rs is a brilliant bike to ride, so flexible in its power delivery, mainly due to the much higer rev range.

Then again, what suits one person won't necessarily suit the next.

That's a good point.  The bikes you are used to will affect what you like.  I came from Harley's and American muscle cars so the extra RPM's found in the air-cooled Ducati engines compared to what I came from felt great.  If you have been riding in-line fours then the greater RPM's and higher power output at those higer RPM's of the S4Rs is going to feel good.