Ducati Monster Forum

For those of you that have riden all 3. Comments, things you like or don't like and which one you would choose to stay with after riding all 3. Asking because I'm looking to switch from the 696....fun but, not enough power.

I just bought an S4RS but had ridden and 1100 (no S) but it really didn't matter because 1) I didn't like the seating position for me (felt like I kept sliding forward which can be "fixed") and 2) I don't like looking forward and not seeing anything out in front (no wheel, fender, etc.) - Just my preference. I LOVE the power/acceleration on the S4RS but to be honest it's really hard to make a decision about performance until you take one for a 50-75 mile test ride and get used to it first before pusing it at all. Find someone to lend you one of each (hard to do) and go ride with them and see.
just my 2 cents

Get the S4RS.





 [evil]




 [bacon]

Are you concerned about maintenance? If not the s4r.   Loads of fun

Put simply, they're VERY different bikes.

One's a 2 valve, air cooled beast that will feel like it's just coming on to power when, Uh, you have to change gear.

The other's a 4 valve 'monster' that'll rev out to 10,500 rpm and has way more power than you will really need, unless you are on a track, and well skilled, and like to be scared shitless.....  [cheeky]

By the way, I did ride the 1100S & an S4rs.

I bought the S4rs.

Enough said.

S4RS has it's peak torque at 7,500 rpm
Both 1100 has theirs at 6,000 rpm

...... and it's the same torque!


This means that the 1100 will match/beat the S4RS up to 7,500

From there the 1100 won't be able to keep up.

If you're able to use all that high rev power, I'm sure the S4RS will make you smile.
To me, it just feels stressful to 'have to' flog a bike over 8,000 revs in order to get my moneys worth.

It doesn't feel like "flogging" to me over 8,000rpm...

The motor pulls like gangbusters from 4,000rpm up to 7,500rpm...

...and then it just takes off above that!  [evil] ;D [Dolph]

The reason I say it doesn't feel like I'm flogging it, is the motor doesn't really get tired or run out of breath.  It just keeps pulling right into the rev limiter @ 10,500rpm.

Plus, the S4RS is just a way prettier bike than the new style Monsters IMHO. 




[bacon]

the way i see it, btwn 2v and 4v its the choice between power vs character.  the 2v's have way more character than the 4v's and support a more relaxed way of riding, but the 4v's are a lot smoother and have way more power.

also keep in mind that the 4v maintenance is literally 2x the price of the 2v's.

and btwn the evo vs the 1100s... it's a total toss up.  the evo has way more safety features and the s has ohlins bling.  unless you reall plan on tracking the bike, the evo prob has a slight edge.  the dtc/abs/slight hp increase will prob be more useful on a everyday basis than the suspension.

also keep in mind that the seat and risers are totally different from the evo and the 1100s.  the evo is a lot more comfortable with a flatter seat and higher risers.

I have done short rides on a S4R and 1100S.  They are both monsters and you can not make a wrong choice, it is personal preference.

For the street the 2 valve is glorious, up to 100 mph don't expect a HUGE difference in speed.  On the track the 4 valve is my preference but not in a Monster Chassis.  Looks wise I think a S4Rs (white with red frame) is about as good as it gets.  Each are plenty fast for the road.

I would decide based on your preference for--Looks, Maintenance, and power.

Case

Also note that depending on the year of your S4R you may have to Caswell your replacement tank.  Not a big deal, but know it is coming.

FYI--The new monster may not be 100% impervious either so it could be a wash.

Case

No flogging required.  The engine on my S4RS LOVEs reving over 6500.  It's easier (smoother, quicker, more torque-y) going from 6500 to redline then to go from 0 to 4000 RPM.  The top end power is very usable.

Mine has never felt like it was being flogged - I've run high revs into corners and out and also gently cruised thru between 4-5,000 rpms - actually anything around 3-4,000 feels like it is bogging.

I've owned the S4RS and currently own an M1100EVO. I'd go the evo given the choice. Ideal would be a SF848S w/ ABS.

Summary for me is the S4RS has great power (had race ECU, open airbox and exbox on mine) and sounds amazing. It also has the bling factor. The EVO handles a lot better than the S4RS IMO. I say I want the SF848/S because I'd prefer a smaller/lighter(?) bike with a bit more power that also handles well.

I can't speak to the M1100S but that would have been a really difficult choice if it'd been an option. I'd probably have gone for the M1100S over the EVO if it had ABS. Mostly because of the dry clutch.

Hmm, I was going to say that the S4Rs would surge ahead shortly past 6000, but having chased up relevant dyno charts, maybe not.

Here are the curves (sorry, couldn't find same source for both but hope these close enough).

1100 EVO:

(http://daffyduc.smugmug.com/photos/i-mbmKsS7/0/L/i-mbmKsS7-L.jpg)

And the S4Rs - torque first, green curve is stock:

(http://daffyduc.smugmug.com/photos/i-2x2xsJk/0/L/i-2x2xsJk-L.gif)

And now power:

(http://daffyduc.smugmug.com/photos/i-kpfn6Nv/0/L/i-kpfn6Nv-L.gif)

The 1100 really does look as good as the stock 4Rs all the way to 7500, with more down low from the extra 100cc.

By 8K tho, the stock 4Rs is doing another 10hp.

And the red curves, DP ECU and Termis, tell a better story again.


Sources: Evo (http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/73836/Motorcycle-Photo-Gallery-Photo/2012-Ducati-Monster-1100-EVO-First-Ride.aspx), Motocycle USA; S4RS (http://www.bikeboy.org/s4rsmonstertermikit.html), Bike Boy

I owned an s4rs. I rode a 1100evo for about 10 minutes and thought the riding position, felt like you sat over the forks felt weird. No thanks on the evo. Found a beautiful s4rs for sale with only 4k on the clock, called the dealer and had to wait for the new tank. When I  arrived at the dealer we talked about the 1100 EVO. He mentioned that a 10 min ride would'nt be long enough to make a good decesion. I rode both and yes, the s4rs has more top end, but it's heavy, a sexy beast but compared to the EVO, a tank. To my surprise I bought the EVO, and every time I ride it , I love it!!

I've ridden the 1100s, the EVO Hypermoto, 1200 MultistradaS, and I own an S4, which has an honest 95hp and 67 lbs ft of torque at the wheel.    I thought the Hyper, and the 1100S were pretty fun bikes.   I like my S4, it's pretty light, it gets it on when you want to, and although its down about 20hp compared to those dyno charts printed above, it's a blast.   But the Multistrada is just plain bad a$$.   It pulls wheelies like a 500cc 2 stroke dirt bike.   It sits you well above traffic.   It flat boogies when you want to.  And I think that it might be my next bike.   But I've ridden a Streetfighter too, and that was great fun, too.   I like all of them, but the Multi is the one I'd pick. 

I would like to ride the multi but for us vertically challenged (5'6") folk , it's too tall !
:-(

Rode the 1100 evo, and it really has a weird riding position. Power delivery is modern, fueling good, clutch easy, and overall it's just a very easy bike to ride slowly or quickly. Too easy. And a bit forgettable.

Rode the S4RS, and immediately from start up you can tell she is a bit 'special'.  She has a traditional riding position which is something I am more comfortable with. Her 999 motor is recalcitrant at low revs, her 999R Brembos grabby, and she feels like a chained pitbull below 3500rpm.  Then you let her loose....

If you want a daily commuter to ride in all weathers, lockup and walk away, then get the 1100.

If you want a Ducati mistress, that begs you to ride her hard, and then woos you with her classic and lusty lines, then get the S4RS.  Ducati don't make Monsters like her anymore, and probably never will.

This just about sums it up. Put clip ons and raise the rear an inch and the S4Rs becomes a naked superbike. Love mine, it's a bike I'll own forever. It's beautiful beyond belief and it's the swan song for the original-Monsters. They'll never be the same; motorcycles in general will never be the same.

 If I'm putting clipons, I'll just get a sportbike ;-)
If I could financially I buy a s4rs also, but I had to choose, and I like my choice. In the twisties I dont see the s4rs keeping up

I raised the rear on my S2R and my S4RS to help with handling, the EVO doesn't need it.

It's absolutely a personal decision, I still think about how amazing my S4RS sounded when playing in the upper rev range but the EVO handles better and that's more important to me.

Thanks for all the input guys. I confirmed with all that has been said from the shop I take by bike to. They specialize in Ducatis and the guys there said that the S4RS is most reliable of the 3. As a side note they said that hands down they felt that the SC 2007 and up is the best bike that Ducati builds with the Multistrada as a close second. I may have to check out the SC...

Um, pics are in order.  ;)

absolutely!  :)

My mistress  [evil]
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v89/adrienong/_Bikes/file.jpg)

Nice choice  [thumbsup]
Ride her hard. 

they said the S4RS is more reliable than the 1100?? reliable for what, higher repair costs?

It's a more reliable source of income for them.   ;)

Raux,

My mechanic didn't go into too much detail. The only thing I did recall was that he said it was a stronger motor and more reliable. This comes from a guy that hates Monsters and from his years of race and mechanical experience with Ducatis. He's not looking to get any more $$ for service. He actually told me that I'm better off with a Japanese bike because of overall ownership cost related to Ducatis.

Regardless I'm happy to own a Ducati Monster just want a little more oomph from my monster and I'm not really sure if I want to put effort into building up a 696 for that reason.

Warren

whatever bike that thye want to sell, that isnt selling is the best buy.

out of those bikes, i think the 1100EVO is probably the best bet in terms of reliability. because its the one that hasnt been sitting around at all.

Not knockin your purchase its a cool bike
but i think reliability and cost of ownership based on what that guy said was flawed
the 4v bike will cost more to own

My choice:

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/TheoAftonomos/DUcati%20S4Rt/s4rs.jpg)

I was thinking the same when I saw that your dealer said it was more reliable, esp when a evo would come with a 2 yr warranty and Ducati has been better in the recent years with build quality I think.  But either way, great bike man, have fun modding the hell out of it :)

From a trouble free s4 to another  [thumbsup]
No problems with mine after 10k miles.  2nd owner