Ducati Monster Forum

How many times have you seen this topic?? [bang]  Yes I have been surfing the forum for info, but I figured I'd try this approach…and I'll try to keep it brief…
The facts:
I have been out of riding since '02, but had considerable experience prior
I live in South Florida where traffic is insane, so I'll be riding selectively…

I don't plan to ride every day… If I get out 3 times a month I'd be surprised.
I'm 6'1 220lb, so I don't want a small bike.
I want a great all around bike.  I do NOT want something with too much power.  I can trade up later if needed.
I need a reliable bike.  I don't want to be wrenching all the time or parked on the side of the road...
I'd have no reservation about buying a bike from a forum member.

Here's what I have found… and Please share thoughts..good bad or ugly…

New '14 796- Local dealer..  I can buy around $8900
2011 796 beautiful white pearl, pipes, etc. $8k
2012 796 has some miles… $7,500
'12 796, 5,000 miles, has some warranty left  $8k
'05 S2R 800, 5,000 miles, decent shape, $5k
'06 S2R 800, 4000 miles, mint shape, $5500
'07 S2R 1000, only 1700 miles. $5400 My reservation on this bike is that is too much power…
Or, do I wait for the 821 and pony up the $10,500???  It is very hot her in S.FL… Will the water cooled bike be that much better?
I haven't bothered with 695s….  I'm worried that it'll be too small, and I'll want more power too soon..

Any of the older Monsters if you like the classic look and if you want something newish with some classical look then the 796 . . . wait, what? too much power?

Remember a "small" bike can be riden hard while a "big" bike might be needed to be riden slow . . . I really enjoy my M620 . . . a lot, but, I also enjoy the larger ones when I get my hands on them

I would go with the s2r1000, although I am a little biased as I own and love mine.  I wouldn't worry about "too" much power, as the way it makes it's power is very useable with gobs of torque.  If anything I would be more worried that a 796 would be underpowered at your size. As for the 821, it's most likely going to be a sweet ride, but also double the price.  My best advice would be to test ride each and see what you like best.

S2R1k for sure.

Easy to get more power from when you're ready.

Adjustable suspension components.

Way better brakes.

Adjustable ride height (will help in not dragging your toes through corners should you find one in FLA).

Displacement as a measurement of power can be misleading; a 695 makes only 5 HP less than the '06 S2R 800 (on paper). And the '07 S2R 1000 makes 8 HP over the '14 796. Not huge differences IMHO.

Personally, if I knew I'd only be able to get out a few times a month, I wouldn't drop a ton of cash unless I had an unlimited budget. But that's just me  ;)

Honestly, I don't think you could go wrong with any in your list...

The S2R1k is definitely the best bang for the buck, for shizzle.  The only thing that I would be concerned about is the low mileage.  These bikes dont like to sit for years, so you might end up spending a bit more.

any ural

See my post on your intro thread. 796's are nimble. Older bikes also have plastic tanks which are very likely to swell on E10.

Everything runs better on pure gas anyway. http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=FL (http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=FL)

You're worried that the S2R1000 will be too powerful but the 821 is not?   ???

What were you riding back then?

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=67954.0 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=67954.0)

Oooh!
Maybe he'd like my Cagiva!
 [laugh]

The S2R1000 for sure. You need a torquey motor to lug you around, being a big fella. It will not have too much power, but plenty of usable torque in the low and midrange RPM. Ducati two valve engines are not top end power bikes, but the larger capacity motors are grunty.

Yes, I somewhat worry about an older bike with very low miles (07, 1700 miles)… I wouldn't want it to smash a valve on day one….  The last thing I need is a pile of trouble.  And, no sense in buying a $5,000 bile and dumping $3k in maintenance, etc into it….  For that $ I can just go ride away on a new 796..

Back in '02 I was riding competitive Enduro and Hare Scrambles (A Class).  I worked at Cagiva USA (Husky, Cagiva, MV importer) We had a Cagiva GranCanyon 900 FBF tuned that I had access to…..  That was my main street time.  I brought a new GC900 with me when I moved to FL, but sold it right away ($ for boat)

S2R 1000.  Low mileage bikes are only a bad thing if you're not aware of their maintenance needs in my opinion.  See if the owner is knowledgeable about what has been done to maintain the bike through the years and go from there.  If you're uncomfortable with his response, have the belts and fluids changed and you should be good.  Make sure it's by someone who knows Ducati but I can't imagine you'd need a valve adjustment with that low mileage.  Where are you in South Florida; maybe I can give you a recommendation for service.

I'm near Ft. Lauderdale.

Am I better off buying a newer '11-up 1100 Evo?  It looks like $10k will buy a decent one…

These used '07 S2R 1000 or S4Rs bikes seem to be priced at near $10K….  It seems off base… What am I missing?

I prefer the "older" styling of the S2R vs the new 1100, but that's a matter of preference.  However, to wrench on, the S2R is my winner as you can reset service lights yourself making trips to the dealer is at a minimum.  For service, Motocorse Performance in Ft. Lauderdale is excellent. 

Missing? Not much. People who don't like the look of the newer bikes because they haven't ridden them?  8)

An EVO has more torque than you could ever need, (I didn't), and has very good ABS and TC. No idea what you'd do with a 4V in FL anyway.  ;D

One thing you can be certain of....

Everyone is going to recommend what they have. Sometimes dismissing everything else in the process.

It's possible to appreciate, even admire, all Monsters without taking up arms against the "new" 09-13 generation, or whatever latest water-cooled offerings hit the showroom. The essential goodness of solid handling, Ducati styling que's and twin-cylinder grunt on-demand are still there.

That said, the air-cooled, 2-valve simplicity of a new 796 has a lot going for it. An 1100 evo takes this goodness to the next step.

As always, ride, report back, and then decide.   

Here is the low mile 07 S2 1000
http://www.thefrictionzone.com/2007DucatiMonster-1000-inventory.htm?id=591748&used=1&vin=ZDM1RABPX7B093428 (http://www.thefrictionzone.com/2007DucatiMonster-1000-inventory.htm?id=591748&used=1&vin=ZDM1RABPX7B093428)
It seems like a decent deal…

New 796 200 mile demo Under $9k
http://www.twowheelsworld.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?veh=383048&pov=3770214 (http://www.twowheelsworld.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?veh=383048&pov=3770214)

12 1100 Evo
http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2012-Ducati-Monster-1100-EVO-112043350 (http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2012-Ducati-Monster-1100-EVO-112043350)

'05 S2 800
http://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/mcy/4515987159.html (http://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/mcy/4515987159.html)

'06 S2 800  He says he will take $5400...
http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/mcy/4464220530.html (http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/mcy/4464220530.html)

Great looking '11 796.  I'd think this is perfect, but why give $8k if I can get a new '14 w warranty for less than $1k more?
http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/mcy/4514752094.html (http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/mcy/4514752094.html)

I'm with you on this…
I don't need the most mean bad zzz bike.. Just a very nice bike that is reliable. Any Duc will be nice… I just want to pick the right one.
I don't have time for a broken bike, or one that acts up all the time, or needs to be to the Duc mechanic all the time…

I could find an old M900 for under $3500, but I think that'll be headaches.
A brand new bike for $9k is attractive… New, warranty, but it is a 796…. Will its value drop in half when the 821 comes out?
Maybe I can find a used, out of warranty 1100 Evo for the same $9k, or close.. Am I better off with that, or with the new 796?
Or, try to strike a deal that makes sense on that nice white '11 796?

quote author=El-Twin link=topic=67955.msg1256050#msg1256050 date=1403018185]
One thing you can be certain of....

Everyone is going to recommend what they have. Sometimes dismissing everything else in the process.

It's possible to appreciate, even admire, all Monsters without taking up arms against the "new" 09-13 generation, or whatever latest water-cooled offerings hit the showroom. The essential goodness of solid handling, Ducati styling que's and twin-cylinder grunt on-demand are still there.

That said, the air-cooled, 2-valve simplicity of a new 796 has a lot going for it. An 1100 evo takes this goodness to the next step.

As always, ride, report back, and then decide.   
[/quote]

My vote?

S2R800, i feel like that bike is a bit more reliable than an S2R1000 with the potential valve guide issues. My guides were shot by 8k and had them replaced under warranty.

If you are perhaps interested, I do have an M900 1999 for sale. Id let it go for under 3k, its low miles for its age (16k i think). It needs a carb tune, but outside of that has been a pretty reliable bike.

My S2R1000 currently has an 1100EVO motor from a monster thats been custom tuned. it is absolutely BAWLS to ride. It can be tammed easily since its a really predictable power delivery, but its oozing torque out the ass. ( i ride my DR650 daily and after a month and getting back on the S2R, i forget how much power that motor has!)

If i had to pick a bike in your position, seeing how you dont ride it often, buy a cheap monster and enjoy it and dont care too much about it. If you paid 10k for something you ride 3 times a month, your gonna always be punching yourself for not enjoying it.

S2r 1k.  I own an 08 and absolutely love it.  Too much power?....it's only as powerful as you twist the throttle - the amount of power is all in your hands...literally!

+1 on the S2R1K
Becoming the sort after original shape Monster , holding its value really well against its big sisters.
Cheaper to spanner ,no fridge ,no plumbing .
I have put 45,000 Ks on mine its as good now as the day I picked it up and have no plans on selling it.
The new Monsters are slowly growing on me (my wife has one) but they don't excite me like the original.

I think someone already mentioned this but do ask the dealer if the tank on the S2R 1K has been replaced under the class action. If not have him lift the tank to check the air filter and see how much trouble he has re-latching the tank back into position. with the low miles and the humidity in FL, if the bike sat for a long time with fuel in the tank, the tank would be lumpy and expanded

If that is ok, I would pick the 07 S2R 1K to save some cash then if you like riding and want more you won't take such a big hit if you want to trade up

I think the value of the 796 (which BTW specs out almost the same HP as the S2R 1K) will drop more percentage wise the the S2R1K which has already taken the biggest portion of depreciation

just my $0.02 enjoy the ride

Air cooled or water cooled???  Is the water cooled bike better, or are they prone to boiling over?
Yes, it's hot in south Florida.
I have come across the S2r and S4R bikes…  So which is best in the 1000 flavor?  Do I get the S2 air cooled for simplicity, or go for the S4R?
I found an 8,000 mile S4 with Arrow pipes that I can buy for $7,000

Every bike has its merits..., but go back and read your initial post. Also ride some bikes. I much prefer mine.  ;D

As for 4V's, having had two, they cost a LOT more to maintain. Smoother of course and sneaky fast..., but you are in FL.  8)

Monster 1198.  [evil]

(Well, it's what I want.)

A few people have mentioned that low mileage can be a bad thing.

What's the sweet spot?

Or, perhaps even better, what exactly are we looking for in any mileage case?

Have you thought about how much maintenance will cost on a bike that you "hope" to ride 36 days out of the year?

Don't mean for that to sound snide, at all.  ;D

I, personally, would rather a bike have 20, 30, 40 thousand miles and have been properly maintained.  There are several members who have 100,000+ miles on their bikes (and even 1 or 2 who have over 200,000 miles).

The 10 year old bike with 1,000 miles doesn't appeal to me, as the seller typically wants higher than market value and I know that I'll have to drop hundreds of dollars to replace lots of rubber bits that are likely brittle from sitting.


But that's just my opinion....

I suggest S2R 1k for sure... but then im a bit biased.   But like I said before, I would look for one that has had, at the very least, the first service completed (7k + miles)   [thumbsup]