Ducati Monster Forum

Has anyone here ever gone from a new monster to one of the old ones?

I had a 796 for about a year, sold it a few months back (not cuz I didn't like it), and now I am seriously itching for an old monster.

Question is, what's the "downgrade" experience going to be like?  (I only say "downgrade" as in going down in model year, no disrespect to older monster owners).

The two things I'm concerned about are A. the dry clutch feel and sound, and B. the older the bike the more often things could go wrong (OEM part availability, maintenance costs etc).

Also, do I go for a water cooled S4/S4R, or do I stick with a 2 valver M1000/S2R?  The S4 foggy is particularly keeping me awake at night these days  [drool]

Appreciate any thoughts/advice.

FWIW, I'll never get a "newer" Monster.  I love mine WAY too much.  The dry clutch, the rawness of the power, the Arrow exhaust, and all the customization that I've done.  It's just awesome.  Oh, and the steel tank :)

Parts availability shouldn't concern you in the slightest.  It's the best selling Duc model ever, so there are tons of OEM and aftermarket goodies. 

You can find some great deals out there, especially on the S4R models (like mine).

2 valve is going to be much cheaper on maint.  The DS1000 motor is rock solid if you are thinking of moving up in size.  It's going to feel a lot different.  Personally, I find the newer monsters much more comfortable.  I sold my old one because it was killing me to ride it  :'(

water cooled is my vote.  Although mine has more power on tap that I regularly use it's nice to know I wont outgrow this beast anytime soon.  [thumbsup]

If you are going back on model years, the S2R1K gets my vote.  IMO, it captured every bit of what a Ducati naked bike should be. 

Thanks everyone.


Yeah, the S2R1000 is high up on my list if I go air-cooled, along side the M1000.  Similar power etc.

I do like the SSS, but I wonder if I can fit high mount cans on both sides, a la Foggy...

S2R800 will have a wet clutch if you dont like the idea of a dry clutch, but the S2R1000 is a far better engine and stock for stock is a better bike, speedymoto makes a "quiet" dry clutch cover.

OEM parts availability is fine for all monsters, aftermarket support gets better the newer you go. if maintenance cost is a concern stick with a 2V.

Iv got a 2000 750M and my brother has a 2008 695...we both agree the 695 may have a bit more poke but the 750 is MUCH more comfortable to ride and is just a much much nicer bike. The 695 vibrates around 75mph, and gets really uncomfortable (even with a comfort seat) after 50 miles, and is impossible for a passenger for any distance. The 750 is smoother, lower revving and I can ride it 400 miles in a day without even thinking about it...and its got a metal tank.
There doesnt seem much difference and on paper the 695 should be much better, but for everyday riding there is no comparison.

The old Monster has such a bad-ass presence to it that I'd favor the older models.  A guy in my neighborhood just got an old M900, and must have slip-ons possibly an FCR.  The house shakes when he idles by.  Not in an I-4 shreik but in a comfortable bone-resonating rumble.  Plus the underslung cans are just so sweet on them.

The new Monsters are good, usable, and have better riding positions.  But to me they feel sterilized and less soulful.  Plus, the new design leaves me cold as if it's just been treated to a generic update with little sense of what the Monster means to the larger Ducati family.

My 2 pesos?  Older bike = character = possibly more maintenance = possibly more satisfaction.

Newer bike = more generic looking =  less maintenance = more riding time (?)

yes - Zard and maybe some other co make slip ons for the S*R bikes that come up 1-to-a-side.

If you want a water cooled one, stay newer unless you're ready for bigger bills at the valve check time -or more of your own time spent doing it. The desmoquatro heads are a PITA to do the checks on. More recent head configurations make the process much less of a hassle.

I've got a (2000) 900 and it still runs like a watch at 33k+ miles. Starts on the first press of the starter and has plenty of grunt. Power wise it'll be similar to your 796, though might feel more powerful due to a bit more torque and less 'manners'. As far as your worries about parts, the comment above applies - there's tons of parts, OEM and aftermarket, new and used out there.

Can I get some years as to what defines old vs. new?

Thanks.  That's what I heard before so I'm leaning more toward a 2 valver.

Plus, I want to learn to do my own maintenance work, so a 2 valver sounds like the place to start.

Thanks for the input.  Always good to hear others' opinions re old gen vs new gen monster.  Not that I wanted to start a debate or anything  :)

For some reason, I always thought the old generation monsters had a deeper lower rumble than the new generation.  When I had the  796, I found myself constantly impressed with the sound of a passing M900 or M1000, or even an SS.  It's partially the reason why I sold the 796 and am looking for an old generation monster.

Yeah I think I'm going with an air cooled monster for now.  I'll rethink about water cooled when the SF848 arrives.


This is actually the second time I hear someone speak of "less manners" on the old gen monsters, compared to the new gen.

Are they difficult to handle?  less forgiving?  more responsive?  Can you please elaborate?

Can you say "parts bin"?  8)

By old I meant old gen, i.e. up to the SR4S, and new gen starting from the 696.

- Ducati stopped making The Monster after 2007

hmm, I tried making sense of that but...   ???

did you mean after 2008?  cuz I do see old gen monsters MY2008 on Ducati's website, for instance the S4RS (http://www.ducati.com/bikes/monster/s4r_s_testastretta/2008/tech_spec.do).

Less mannered.. They handle well, respond well etc etc. It just feels a little more raw. It's subjective and hard to define... but here's an example. Rode my 900 to a Sport Classic demo day a while back. Going from the 900 to the 1000DS I knew I was going as fast and the 1000DS made more power but it didn't feel like it. It didn't have the sense of raw urgency. The 1000DS was happy to spin up to pace... but it didn't let you know it on the same visceral level.

Some of that is probably the fact the new plants are smoother mechanically and in terms of throttle.

Though a little bit ago I changed up to a 50mm full system from the stock headers and it doesn't fell as gunty and urgent at the bottom of the range. The tube change shifted the torque curve.

You are correct sir.... last year of the S4RS was '08

My bad

Thanks for all the responses folks.

I think I'm down to '05/'06 S4R desmoquattro VS '07/'08 S2K1000.

I'm leaning more toward the S4R, but I'd like to hear if you guys have any pros/cons for both.

   I have a 2001 FI - SS/750 with a great short yosh pipe and its the bomb ass sound ...I sure would love to ride a M1000 with the same set up .

i've owned both 2v and 4v bikes (almost every bike ducati has made in the last decade) including Streetfighter, hyper, sport classic, 996, m900, s4r, and now s4rs.  i only say this because i had the luxury of being able to ride and experience all of these bikes. it really is such a subjective choice that i STRONGLY recommend you try and ride whatever you are thinking of owning.  i was doing a lot of quick resales on bikes that didn't work for me.  for instance, had the SF for a week and hated it but i've heard people say it is the best naked bike ducati has ever produced.  the 2 valves will be easier in maintenance but the extra cheese in upkeep for the liquid monsters offers you a bike that will eat highways and twisties alive.  as things stand right now and for my personal preferences i have settled on the 07 s4rs and just did a 1500 mile road trip on it.  i can honestly say that, for my taste, it is the best motorcycle i have ever owned.  but, i have moto ADD so, we'll see how long that lasts . . .   ;)

I may be late to this but...

 I own an 06 S2R 1000 (stock with cored cans) , and have switched bikes with my friends  (Rostermeyer on this board) 2010??? M1100S Termi w/ ECU.

The new monster feels SLIGHTLY more refined, such as lighter clutch, smoother twist throttle but they are both monsters and the difference was not so much that it made me want a new one.  For me the riding position difference was negligible after the first 100 yards.  On performance his 1100 may have a slight bit more power than mine but I feel we would need to be on a track with stop watches ready to measure the difference.  On the street you really don't notice that much difference, except his fueling is a bit smoother with the ECU.

I would say while the new bike may be 2-3% better than the old (which is not much) and the old monsters looks may be 2-3% better than new (Although Rostermeyers is pretty nice).  In my book it is a wash.

I think you will be happy with a pre 2008, and don't worry about the plastic tank.  If it happens Caswell the tank and move on with life, the fix is simple.

Case S2R

Some people say "less mannered"...
I'm a glass-half-full kind of guy, so I'd say "more RAW."
I like to know I'm on a motorcycle when I am. My S2R800, even with it's smaller displacement and two measly valves, is like a wonderfully untamed steed.
I've ridden a few "better" bikes, and while they are more comfortable... easier to maintain... better handling, better brakes, faster.... they just aren't as fun.

also, someone called the 1000DS motor "better" than the 800... depends on your definition of better, but i've never seen a cracked piston or heard of any fueling problems with the 800 ;D

and i LOVE my wet ATPC clutch.

now i DO have 999 forks and clipons...

by the one you like, and make it even more of what you want.

Thanks guys, great advice  [thumbsup]

I was almost 90 to 10 in favor of the S4R, when I came across this S2R1000  [drool]  so I'm back to square one  [bang]

2008 S2R1000, gray with black stripe/frame/wheels, 18,600km (11,557mi), full termi, approx 4,800$.

(http://picture.goobike.com/870/8701352/J/8701352B2011083000100.jpg)

very nice

Wow that is a smoking price for that bike. It actually sounds like one of those too good to be true, but if it all checks out then you should absolutely jump on that deal. Hell you could probably even flip it and make some cash on it.