Ducati Monster Forum

So the the non-adjustable Marzocchi forks that came stock on my 2006 S2R800 are sorely in need of upgrading/replacing, but I'm not sure which way to go about doing it. There is so much information on different things that people have done to their suspension that I'm left feeling a bit bewildered going through all of it, so I decided to post a request based on my specific criteria. Here goes...

Currently I weigh 212lbs, so I'm definitely heavier than the stock forks are designed for. I've started trying to loose weight and have a goal weight of 180lbs, which is a lot closer to what they are made for, but still over it. I also like to take a lot of day trips and occasional overnights, and when I do I load up my tank bag with probably up to 10lbs worth of stuff (not sure, never actually bothered to weigh it before a ride), and I have a few friends who are frequently asking me to take them on rides. All this adds up to weight being a bit of a moving target, so going adjustable would be ideal but may not be in the budget. I have set a hard limit on what I can spend at under $1000, preferably under $800. I just finished paying off my credit cards and really don't want to immediately dive back into debt with them. I also don't have tools or a space where I can prop up the front end, so I can't do the work myself.

I figure the 3 options are:

1) New springs, valves and oil.
2) Adjustable cartridge kit
3) New forks

Option 1 is probably the least expensive, but with weight being such a changing figure is it worth it to spend the money on a non-adjustable solution? If I do go with that, do I use my current weight to determine the springs/oil/etc and risk ending up with the front end being way too stiff when I do reach my goal weight, use my goal weight and have it too soft until I get down to that, or aim somewhere in the middle?

Option 2 gives me the adjustablity I want, but I'm not sure if there are adjustable cartridge kits for my forks and if there are they may not be in my price range.

Option 3 is one I know a lot of people will probably recommend, but may be more expensive and/or involved than I can do right now. If I were to go with SBK forks from ebay I know that it would most likely also mean modifying/replacing the upper and lower triple, potential clearance issues for the controls, caliper mounts may require new calipers, etc. Since I don't have the option to do the swap myself this would also involve calling a shop and having them do all the work, so labor adds into the final price.

So......help?

Oh, almost forgot...I live right next to Boston, MA, so if anyone can recommend a place relatively close to me to have the work done that would be great  :D

Option 4 = set of adjustable forks from fleabay.  I scored a set 3-way Showas with linear springs that feel right, sold as for an ST, but the right length for a Monster ($300).  Changed the fork oil and called it a day.

that's another option. which models/years had forks that are a direct swap for the 50mm top, 54mm bottom forks on the S2R800?

I think monsters from this millenium and all STs.  The STs are a little taller, so depending on your handlebar setup you may need to make some adjustments to either ride height or handlebars (a search here will yield significantly more information on the particulars).  I was already running a 60 series in the front, so I figured the less than an inch or so could be compensated for by raising the rear a little.  (as you can see, I am very scientific in my measurements, and I will surely die because there is no way my bike is set up like anyone else's and I do my own work)

The important thing is the caliper mounts.  I forget what the measurements are called, but as long as the mounts are shaped the same as the ones on your S2R, your calipers will mount up.

The only other thing you will need is a front axle with holes in it to adjust the adjuster on the bottom (compression?).  I drilled holes in mine with a drill press.  You can buy one for not too much money.

Nice set that should bolt right on:
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=55618.0 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=55618.0)

$300 isn't bad.

Yeah, the showas are the right route.  Get them sprung for your weight and oil change and you're in the money

Those are early style, non-adjustable, small axle, 40mm caliper mounts.
No workie on S2R800.

???

I went with AK-20 cartridges and have no regrets.  If they are close to your price range, you might consider them.

Oh yeah, and get a Penske for the rear.  Makes a much more hugerer difference in the handling.  [Dolph]

A couple of hours away, but well worth the trip.  Board sponsor and expert in all things Ducati, including suspension.  Eric did my forks and he did magic.

http://www.clubhousemotorsports.com/ (http://www.clubhousemotorsports.com/)

My mistake.  :P
Berg was *looking* for 40mm caliper spacing small axle forks.

Those forks are non-adjustable, however.

Thanks. Emailing clubhouse and traxxion for more info, and still looking around for other options. Does anyone know if there's any sort of chart or anything that lists fork dimensions by model/year? Also, more suggestions are definitely welcome.

there are only two fork dimensions

Monster, ST, SS.

SBK

The ST are a bit longer than the Monster and SS, but they are widely used.  You just have to be concerned about getting the right axle/caliper type and that is the year (1999 and later is 25mm axle)

ahh, thank you for that! now if only there was a chart of the caliper types/spacing by model and year  ;)

SS - 1998 and earlier = 40mm type, 99 and later 65mm type
Monster - 1999 and earlier = 40 mm
I ~THINK~ all of the STs used 65mm but I'm not sure.

Some length info:

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=33173.0 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=33173.0)

I went through these options when I bought my 695, which has the same forks as your 800.  The most viable option for me was buying a used set of superbike forks (I chose 998 ones, but a variety of superbikes have 25mm axles and 65mm caliper mounts), then machining my top triple, changing the fork springs and using clipons.

It really transformed the handling of the bike.  It's the single best upgrade I've done, without a doubt.

Hi.

Stopintime wrote a really good thread on this, I haven't had the time to search the link for you though.
In my case I bought a used pair of S2R1000 forks, then resprung and valved, it's a direct swap.
Agree with Suzy, forks will make the biggest difference.

Cheers.

Madalf.

I too am not happy with the suspension.  I was considering doing the K-Tech mod, but this might more reasonable for me.  All the machining and such with the K-Tech kit intimidates me.

May I ask how much you paid for the cartridges?

A Cartrige kit like the AK20's will run about $1000. That may sound like alot, but with buying superbike forks, respringing for my weight, clip ons, spacers & a new upper tripple I am probably close to that amount on a 998 fork conversion.  The forks will make a huge difference in the way the bike handles, much more stable.

thanks.  I have the s2r1000 forks on my 620 with the right springs.  it's better, but not great. $1000 is out of my price range right now... here's to praying for a windfall.

I received a price quote on the AK-20's over the weekend. With the fork cap needed to install them in the Marzocchi forks, they are $1200. Add installation, and they're definitely out of the price range I'm looking at.

Been hunting ebay for the past week looking for a set of direct-swap forks, but not seeing anything at the moment (well, nothing that doesn't say "bent" in the description anyway) and going to keep looking for the rest of the week, and still have a couple more phone call to make, but right now it looks like I'm most likely going to just go with new springs front and rear and have them done for my goal weight so I have that extra incentive to get to it.

Of course, if the Suspension Fairy is real and I wake up with a brand new set of Ohlins under my pillow one morning, that will change everything  ;)

Just a slight savings compared to the AK-20 is this from Matris which I would love to see reviewed:
http://www.carpimoto.com/EN/Bike_Ducati_Monster-620/Specific/Suspensions-Wheels/Fork-Kits/28217_FD100S-Matris-Fork-Cartridge-Kit-for-Ducati-Monster-400-05-.htm (http://www.carpimoto.com/EN/Bike_Ducati_Monster-620/Specific/Suspensions-Wheels/Fork-Kits/28217_FD100S-Matris-Fork-Cartridge-Kit-for-Ducati-Monster-400-05-.htm)
~$900 shipped but euro dependent.

If you are on a budget, Showas for S2R1K (straight, of course) *might* not require clip ons to clear.
This would leave your stockers to be torn down for practice to DIY your Showas, put proper springs and oil
etc. The Showas can also have valving upgraded but not sure if the improvement is worthwhile.
This is the point I'm at, springs and oil (& seals) while upgrading the shock. I'll be looking for the same windfall
as Privateer to add a cartridge kit.

wow, that's a hell of a good deal.. they will put on springs to spec for no charge.

called Eric at Clubhouse and he reminded me of the GSX-R 1000 fork swap that some people have done, which reminded me of this tutorial

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=958.0 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=958.0)

still think I'm going to go with just front and rear springs, but definitely gives me another option to think about