Ducati Monster Forum

Greetings...I'm a new rider in general, and looking to likely buy a Monster as a first bike.  I'm 45, otherwise experienced with sporty clutch-shifted cars, and taking a series of safety & handling classes post-license to keep improving my road cycle skills before driving fast or in midtown traffic.

My friend got an '04 Monster 800 new as his first bike, and it's grown well with him.  I'm looking at both the new, modern 821s ('15 or '16 - is there a difference?) and see that for the same price or less, you can get a more collectible S4RS or S2R from '06 or '07.

The curb weights appear to the same, and I see the S4RS in particular has more power than the 821.  My question is what are the real-world differences in driving and owning these bikes? 

- Do the older "S" bikes have much more acceleration upon throttle tip-in than the 821? 
- Does one have a nicer, lower CG or better handling/braking than another?
- Are the older bikes less reliable due to their design and build (mech issues from age aside)?
- Is there any solid reason the 821 would be a substantially better bike to grow on than an S4R or S2R if all were treated with respect?

Thanks!
Eric

I re-read post . . .

GEN 1    M750
GEN 1.5  M620/695 or S2R800 . . .
GEN 2    M696
GEN 3    M821 USE ONLY ON URBAN MODE

Or, if you want to get the "hang" out of the Desmo engines, a Scrambler, that handles very very well

S4RS is more powerful (tq and hp), lower tq availability, most will say the styling is better, more parts availability, dry clutch, throttle cable.
M821 is less powerful, peak tq is above 7Krpm, ride by wire, but has ABS and traction control, wet clutch.

New 821 is going to have a warranty, and longer service intervals, don't forget the metal vs plastic tank.
For the price of a new 821, that better be a damn fine example of an S4RS. 821 starts at ~$12k

This is coming from someone who currently has an 821 and used to have an S2R1000

Unless I read your post wrong, this would be your first bike.

I would consider neither the M821 or S4Rs appropriate as a first bike.
At all.

M800 or S2R800, sure.

^ He's right you know.

Or even a good ole' M750.  Or, on the newer side, 696.  Maybe Scrambler?

Agreed 100%.
It seems like some people think having been driving sport(ish) car counts. No, it doesn't.
Even if you have been flying jet fighter, it doesn't count.

S4RS is probably very tempting - TOTALLY understandable, but the combination of learning to be a safe street rider and learning to master the BEAST is a tough challenge.

Owning an 821 has to be easier and less expensive than an S4RS.

821 is smooth and easy enough for a new rider to count as an entry level bike. IMO

796 ABS?

I haven't owned the 821 but did step into an S4R, not S, from an S2R 800 and can tell you there will be a vast difference and plenty of "I dare you moments."  I have ridden them all and although I am partial to the S2 or 4 line you better think twice about getting such a wild bike as your first.  I've ridden the S4Rs model more than a few miles and the S4 versions are gonna be wild and hard to tame below 5,000 rmp's, so be sure you have both the mind set and a tempered throttle hand before you consider the bike.  I personally love the wild factor and couldn't get enough but I've also had my share of spills and can tell you that rehab is no fun.  In my opinion if you are mature enough then an S4 lineup is great fun but don't for a second think this bike will not run away from you because it does and will.  Good luck on your decision and post pics because after all if there are no pics you're just lying.  ;)

Thanks everyone for the helpful feedback!

At the moment, I'm leaning more towards an 821 once I finish my next two road classes and decide to buy.  I like that it has the traction/ABS, and can be down-tuned with a switch.  And the styling is tastefully well-packaged.

Muskrat- I'm happy you seem OK and are obviously still riding...but I hope accidents and rehab aren't inevitable!

There are two kinds of riders...

those that have crashed...

and those that haven't... yet.  ;)

Muskrat may SEEM ok, but that is just a show.  ;D

Mark

 8)  [thumbsup]

I'm still riding and always will, many of my mishaps were at a younger age - call it my Superman faze.   [Dolph]