Ducati Monster Forum

Finally bought my first Ducati. 2004 S4R, 9000 mi, full Arrow system, a couple other custom bits and pieces.
It needs a little work.
I will be looking for a good source for parts. I am a brick and mortar guy. Probably
Right now i am and dealing with a tank that has rust on the inside. Outside looks fine, no leaks. Going to need a good mechanic and some point too.
I am in Central Ma

Welcome! The S4R is a sweet ride.

There's plenty of guidance here and the sponsors are a good source for parts.

Congrats and welcome!

Nice bike.  I'm in Groton, MA.  Lemme know if you want to go for a spin!

Outstanding! I'm Northshore myself and also picked up an S2R. There's a few good mechanic's both dealership and private up this way near the 93/95 interchange (depending on how "central" you are). If you've joined the NEDOC, they have a lot of guides as well. See you on the road!

Thanks All!
I think I'm going to like this bike.
Looking forward to his Spring.
I wasn't planning on buying this bike, but my buddy let me ride his Ducati Hypermotard and I was hooked.
Looking forward to a track day or two, but that's where I will draw the line.
My racing days are over but I will be in the pits to say to some old friends.

First ride report.....
After reassembling the fuel tank, new spark plugs, new Shorai battery, I started her up.
Bike ran good, ripped up my street a few times, about 1 mile.

Now I have been reading horror stories of all sorts about Ducati's leave their owners stranded.
So, for the first time in my life(I'm over 50 yrs old) I bought AAA Plus.

I consider my self an average wrench, over prepared, and I have never ran out of gas.
All my trips began with a thorough inspection. I have never needed or wanted AAA.
See where this is going>?

Back from the registry, attached the new plate, and off to my local Duc dealer for inspection.
Surprise! They are all out of inspection stickers!
So they send me down the road to the nearest inspection station, and...
sorry, your integrated tail light/directional ain't gonna fly!
I wish he told that before the inspection! So I have the stock directionals. He says put 'em on, come back with in 20 days and I'll give you tor sticker. Whatever. Ignorance of the law is no excuse, right?

On my home, no joy ride. I have Bruins tickets and I have to leave ASAP to get to Boston in time.
so, about 15 miles into my first ride, 1 mile from home, approaching a red light the bike shuts down!
I clutch it, pull into the breakdown lane, blow the red light to get into the nearest parking lot.
My friend who was riding with me had no idea what was going on. He continued to ride back to  my house.
I call him, he returns with his truck and ramps.
 
We start looking the bike over and notice oil all over the front of the motor right under the water pump.
I don't see any cracks in the engine, but there is a blob of silicon right where two yellow leads enter the case cover.
The sight window indicates low oil. It was between the two lines before my ride.
The bike will not turn over. After a phone call to a local expert(thanks Nate) he says check out this and that, and if you want bring to me and I'll take a look at it.
After the bike cools, it turns over. Now, she wasn't overheating(according to my dash/temp gauge) at the time it quit. I know the fans work because I cycled them in my driveway. I now have lights and she wants to start, but just won't stay running.
I dumped in 2 gallons of fresh gas before leaving the house..
So rather than call AAA, I push the bike across two lanes of traffic to the nearest grassy knoll so we can push my bike up into my buddies monster truck.
So, now she is no sitting in competent hands(thanks again Nate) and I'm awaiting for the bad news.
Right now I am just too busy with work, don't have a garage, and this being my first Duc I decided to leave to a professional.
There was some other stuff I wanted done anyways, just later this summer after I get some trigger time.
So now I am hearing it. Should have bought a Honda....and.. "I told you Ducati's are expensive to own" [roll]
Either way, I am trying to be optimistic. Just praying the problems aren't catastrophic.
FWIW, is was a fun 15 miles..... [shot]

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/40758676663_9451c3d476_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/256GSyx)IMG_4955[1] (https://flic.kr/p/256GSyx) by nhistrackdog2007 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/15821552@N04/), on Flickr

Only 8,00 miles.
And no, it is not for sale!
At least not yet ;D

Well...

Ducs are expensive to own. I have the worlds most expensive rat SBK...

but when they're doing their thing there's nothing that's more fun to ride.

We're here for a good time, not necessarily a long time.

It's only money. ;)

And I agree, well said ‘painter