Ducati Monster Forum

Hello All,
     I just purchased S4RS, which is mostly unmolested. She has bar end mirrors, sliders, and a fender elimination kit. For those who have this type of monster, what are your favorite changes and why? Pictures would be nice. Where are your favorite places to purchase online? For riding gear and stuff, I like Revzilla. I live in VA, so I get stuff rather quick.(Hope I don't get in trouble for mentioning them. I am not affiliated with the company, but mostly purchase from them.) I have been looking at Coxracing's water and oil cooler protectors. Any opinions on them? Waste of money? Thanks in advance!

Congrats on the S4rs! How many miles?

I picked one up last year as well and it sounds similar. I changed out the Mickey Mouse mirrors for bar ends, added sliders, fork and frame. And did a tidy tail to eliminate the gawdy plate holder (not a full chop though because I think the termis would look bad sticking out past the seat).
 I do have a cox oil cooler guard that came on the bike. I guess it's doing its job but I haven't removed it to see for sure and I don't think I would have bought it on my own.  I also added a carbon closed clutch cover. Most seem to go with an open cover if they change them though. There is a pretty big thread with pics on the clutch covers to give you ideas. Just search it here.
Exhausts of course are a popular mod, some say a must. There are many threads on that topic as well.
Good luck, there are a lot of options out there.
 [Dolph]

Roggie: It had 7100 on it when I bought it. I'm the third owner, but the other two were probably OCD. I bought it to ride to work until it gets too cold for me to tolerate it. I've probably put close to 300 on it and haven't had it a week. It was a consignment bike. My first time riding a Duc and the S4RS was the day I drove it home. I was nervous about it, but riding it is all I can think about. Now I am trying to learn as much as I can and glad I found this place!

Hi Fearnot, and welcome to the forum!

My favorite S4R$ mods are:

FatDuc O2 Manipulator.  Bike runs better with no stumbling.
G2 Throttle Tamer.  Smoother roll-on of the throttle.

The Monster is my urban bike so both of these mods are to improve handling in traffic.

Thermite: I was reading about the Manipulator last night. Sounds good and the price is nice...compared to the cost of most upgrades. I only have a few hours on the bike, so I am getting used to its Monsterness. I don't want to get off topic, but plan to start a thread concerning the appropriate RPM range while riding. I need to read more, but moving to a 14T sprocket helps drivability? Anyway, thanks for the input.

I bought an S4R this spring and have done quite a bit of cosmetic mods. I too put on bar end mirrors, changed the levers, added a belly pan, clutch plate and cover. If you keep an eye on the flea market section you can score a lot of parts used but much cheaper than new. Like you, I ride my bike to work most everyday so I'm good with buying used because someone got it dirty first and it's going to get dirty anyway.

Keep digging through here and you'll find ideas for lots of mods. This forum has also been good for posting up problems and getting good answers here because we all ride Ducatis and probably someone probably has a solution.

Dropping to 14T sprocket puts a harder bend on the chain. A better solution is to replace the rear and add a few extra teeth. This will give you the same results. I think there's a chart on here that better explains the ratios and can help you get the right set up.

Thanks Steve.In.Atlanta. I'll search the forum. Thus far, I haven't read of replacing the rear and adding some sprockets. Seems most go with the 14T. Not questioning your point. Just trying to learn as much as possible, so when I move on something it is well thought out. If I were to do nothing to it, I'm very pleased with it. Maybe a better way to carry stuff? I am using a backpack to carry stuff for work for now. Again, thanks for the input!

full exhaust.  open loop ecu to match.

gearing is good as std imo, but you can run a 14.  I have one customer with 14/43 on his and it's quite easy to ride, but wheelie mad.  going to a larger rear is much more expensive.

Brad Black: Thanks. Read up on closed and open looped systems via your website.(very nice, by the way) In the closed loop system, the O2 sensor causes the ECU to adjust fuel delivery concentrations. So how do you change the ECU from closed to open? Reading about Performance Boulevard's O2 manipulator, it would cause the ECU to perform in an open loop fashion? So, all I would need is a full system without an O 2 sensor or plug up the one installed on the full system I purchased?
Concerning slip ons vs. full systems, other than removing the "utter" (catalytic converter), why are full systems better? Aren't OEM headers as effective as aftermarket? Certainly, just adding slip ons are more cost effective. If money is a factor, as with most, is the additional cost worth it? Thanks in advance.

Sorry. I'll refer myself to the official closed loop ECU mods thread.

I originally put up this chart when I was deciding to go to a 14 tooth - so far I haven't had any undue chain wear issues.
My favorite mod is the full termignoni exhaust and DP ECU. It just makes it a little tricky to keep the front wheel down

Front   Rear   Ratio
15   38   2.533
15   39   2.600
15   40   2.667
14   38   2.714
15   41   2.733
14   39   2.786
15   42   2.800
14   40   2.857
15   43   2.867
14   41   2.929
15   44   2.933
15   45   3.000
14   42   3.000
15   46   3.067
14   43   3.071
15   47   3.133
14   44   3.143
15   48   3.200
14   45   3.214
15   49   3.267
14   46   3.286
15   50   3.333
14   47   3.357
14   48   3.429
14   49   3.500
14   50   3.571

999 front fender  [thumbsup] belly pan, Pazzo levers, Sargent seat, LED turn signals, powder coated silver bits in black, Shift-Tech CF chain guard/shift rod, ceramic coated/chopped full Termi, Tamburini sprocket cover, Speedymoto pressure plate/water pump cover. MPL slave, Samco hoses. LED tail light/clear cover, Strada Avventurosa tail chop kit... and the list goes on and on 

(http://www.hoosierhooligans.org/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=221.0;attach=2441;image)

That's a sweet scoot.

That's a lot of cheddar! To replace the ECU, is that an unplug and plug in operation? Replacing the exhaust is straight forth.

The O2 manipulator just tricks the input to the ECU so it runs richer in the closed loop.  Way cheaper and easier than a DP ECU and it will allow you to change the exhaust if you want.

Your bike has plenty HP to start with.  You don't have to pursue a whole bunch of performance mods because you're starting at a higher level than most other models.  The 14t sprocket comes under the same heading.  Get a little better throttle control at the low end and you have no need to reduce the gearing.  The exception to that is if your driving is TOTALLY urban.

Absolutely! This thing has crazy power compared to my other bikes.('02 Road King and '10 R1200RT) It seems to like turning at 5,000 rpms. Anything else and it chatters. Fifth gear at 5,000 rpms and I'm cruising at 70 mph and it feels good. Really can't run in sixth gear at that rpm or I'm gambling with my license. BTW, at what rpms are lugging the engine for that bike? What rpm range is acceptable. It feels like 4-6 k is about right, with 6k being the gear changing point.

You got it.  I cruise above 4800 and typically shift near 6k.  With exception, of course.

PM sent

No extra power needed for the S4R series, so everything is cosmetic.

Favorite mods on my S4R, Rizoma Belt Covers, ABM/Galfer Rotors, OZ Wheels, Custom Painted Tank from DucPainter and CycleCat Rearsets.

DMF license plate relocator :)
14T on front route
Speedymoto Triples/ top & bottom, along with the tapered steering head bearings
clip-ons, 1 1/2" rise (Woodcraft)
bar end mirrors (Arrows)
GP shift pattern
ASV levers
boom tubes
DP ECU
DP "comfort" seat (unless it's been sitting in the sun)
open clutch, pressure plate, springs & caps (Woodcraft on cover, DP on pp)
rear hugger
frame sliders
front sprocket cover
side panel removal
turn signals
emission canister removal/getting rid of at least a little 4V mofugly plumbing
crankcase breather kit (search on this, there are potential +/-'s)

Things left to do...
ride
ride
ride
wash
lower gauges
headlight bracket/fork collars
clean up wiring
remove chain guard?
shorty tail?
powder coat rearsets + passenger? (would love to figured out some way of having "fold away" passenger pegs/rearsets, a la the ones on the Diavel)

Fairing stays. Cheap and keep the fairing from flapping in the wind at highway speed.

 http://www.monsterparts.com/p/FAIRINGSTAYS/%27Poorducrider%27+Fairing+Stays.html (http://www.monsterparts.com/p/FAIRINGSTAYS/%27Poorducrider%27+Fairing+Stays.html)

+1
I have a 916 carbon fiber front fender on my S4R and love it.  Looks just like this one but the finish is excellent, had to get it shipped from Germany http://houstonsuperbikes.com/i-8578026-ducati-748-916-996-998-carbon-fiber-front-fender.html (http://houstonsuperbikes.com/i-8578026-ducati-748-916-996-998-carbon-fiber-front-fender.html)

True the 14T is easier and faster, however it will also cause the chain guides to wear out much faster. I'd go with the rear if I had to do it again.

+1 That's my understanding.

On your next service consider the lightweight flywheel.  I love mine.