Ducati Monster Forum

Hi.

Name - Clint
Location - Fort Bragg - home of the Airborne, not the libs
Bike(s) - none currently, in research mode
How long you've been riding - four years
Anything else you'd like to share - Sure, in a minute.
And don't forget to bring beer n' doughnuts when you say hello. - Hmm, not a huge doughnut fan. But I do brew beer.

Right obligatory post, I'll be lurking around for a bit before becoming terribly active.

Why am I here? My next bike will be a Monster, I'm just deciding on which one. So I'm going to learn a little of the ins and outs of the different models prior to pulling the trigger. I'm currently torn between an 05-07 S4R or the new 821. I'm OK with an emotional coin flip between the two when it comes to bike buying time.

Background. I'm a little long in the tooth at 38, but came to riding late in life. Public stuff is that I'm a self-taught, experienced wrench and fabricator on the ferrous side of things.  Mostly four wheels, but I've played around with enough different bike models too. Wrenched on my neighbor's Pani when his shifter pawl got stuck recently and was impressed with how that 998 was put together. First time putting wrench to one. Took it for a spin, hated the stance, but was impressed with the spinny noisy bits. Other public stuff is that I like to brew and drink beer, I'm a photographer/hack, I hate paying people to do things I can figure out how to do myself and I'm marginally intelligent. Just above the level of a blithering idiot, really.

But anyway, here's the old bike. Sold it a couple weeks ago because we're moving after I complete a lengthy training course.

2004 FXDLi, cammed, tuned, suspension significantly reworked, PC'd tins, etc., etc., all done in my garage with the exception of the powdercoat

(http://speedfoos.smugmug.com/Other/Harley/i-nds2PBV/0/X2/IMGP0394-X2.jpg)

(http://speedfoos.smugmug.com/Other/Harley/i-Qr7Nc2r/0/X2/IMGP0412-X2.jpg)


Thanks for looking, I'll be around. These Monsters look like fun bikes.

Welcome aboard.  I vote S4R because they are just such bad ass looking and, from all accounts, a blast to ride.  But I'm a little biased since I'm not so much a fan of the new Monster styling.  Anyway, can't go wrong with either.  Just beware that if you buy a used S4R to make sure you do your homework on the tank issue.  Plenty of info here on that, just a search button away.

+1

The early S4R had a steel tank.

Thanks for advice on the steel tank. Saw that issue while doing my research and still looking into it. Seems replacements are fairly rare as well. Ethanol is such a pain in the ass.

Welcome Clint.
This is a great international community passionate about these bikes. They get you in for sure.
Cheers.

FWIW, you might want to consider an 1100 EVO too. Air/oil-cooled and they handle better than the older bikes. (http://www.triumphrat.net/images/smilies/peepwall.gif) Just ride one for giggles...

Yeah, I'm trying to avoid the draw of raw numbers. I look at what I had on that Dyna and then at the offerings of the powerplants in the Ducs. I'm coming out of the Harley because I feel I was getting faster than the bike and want something I can play around with a on a track where you can legally cut loose a little and (relatively) challenge yourself without making friends with the cherries and berries crowd.

Just looking at numbers, the 821 has the better peak HP, but you've got to spin it to get there and it's got 10 less ft/lbs of the fun stuff than the EVO. We all know that makes a huge difference. Plus it's got the sexy single swing arm.  Decisions, decisions. I've got time. Not going to pull trigger until July-August at the earliest once I come out of my training and we move to our new location.