Ducati Monster Forum

Hi guys,

Trying to select the right monster, feel free to chime in. Below is a quick background of what I have had in the past...


My motorcycle history is nothing to write home about, it consists of nearly the entire CB line-up from the little 350 and all the way up to a K1 750. I have owned a few other Japanese bikes as well, such as the Yamaha Seca which I learned to ride on and a GSXR750 which has messed up my shoulder. My true passion however lies with cars, I am in possession of two beautiful vintage Alfa Romeos to which I dedicate most of my spare time.

Although I have had my motorcycle licence for the last 10 years, I dont consider myself an advanced rider by any means, my last bike was a Honda Hawk 647GT which was a wonderful machine capable of both daily commute while being quite entertaining in the twisties, especially after the HAGON suspension upgrade and a stroker kit that I have installed + a few other carburetor related upgrades.

I now have my mind set on acquiring a Ducati Monster, they look great and after test driving my buddy's 900ie I was hooked bow down . I have looked at the entire range, especially the S2 and S4 bikes with the single swing-arm. Perhaps some of you are able to provide me with a few tips and hints on which model to get and what to look out for? I am 5ft10 (179cm) and 77kg , as for the suspension set-up purposes...

S2R 800
Nice all rounder. Very good engine. Ok shock. Poor fork. Poor brakes. Gets you to 115 easily (more if you lean forward and give it some time)

S2R 1000
Nicer all rounder. Very good engine. The classic dry clutch. Ok shock. Ok fork (better than the 800). Ok brakes. Gets you to 125 easily (more if ....)

S4R
Quite similar to the 1000, but a little more top end power. Four valves/cylinder. It's water cooled. Valves and radiator makes it ~40-50% more expensive each major service.


Plus this:
 https://silodrome.com/buying-guide-ducati-monster/

Thank you! I have looked at a few S2R 800’s , the service will be done by me I have a small shop and all the tools needed for most jobs. I had a look at 696,796 and 821 and read a little about them as well.. but my budget is in the 3000-4000eur region.

As for the fork I suppose progressive springs and a better valve can be added, and shock changed for a better one? Is there an aftermarket for both of those? Brakes from 1000?

S4R 1st gen. (04-06) : Probably the most fun, but not the best behaved one. In stock trim, it misbehaves in the city traffic, tight slow speed corners. (Due to the 996 non-testa motor's characteristics, and "slight" top heavy nature of water cooled 4-valve monster.)
Big fun when you are out on the back road. On the freeway, it can be fun for first one minute or so, then gets boring quickly.
(Not the kind of bike to cruise at steady speed. ). Sucks in congested city traffic in San Francisco during the evening rush hour.

Those negatives can be cured, to certain point.

I like mine anyway.

2nd generation S4R (S4R / S4RS 07-08) have 999 testastretta motor, which has a lot milder, more sophisticated feel. Also, they come with numerous improvement on the chassis.

Now, keep in mind S2R's "OK" shocks & forks may be just appropriate for you if you are not an aggressive back road scratcher / track day rider type.

Search more, and ask more detailed / specific questions about what you want to do with the bike.
(For example, do you do the tire change by yourself? Take the wheels off of the bike and take them to the shop?
Or, "ride into the shop, get them mounted and balanced, ride out" type?
You will need an impact gun and the socket for rear wheel removal. Do you have one?
Also, to do pretty much any kind of work / maintenance , you will need swingarm stand and front fork stand.
So, count the cost of the stand(s) in your budget.)

Don't overly get wrapped around with the idea of "need to change / modify this and that" at this point.
Search unmolested bike (100% stock would be the best), rather than "modified" ones.
(All those "upgraded" "modified" this & that won't save your time and / or money.)
Ride around on stock one for at least six months, before making the list of mods.

And, where you need to spend the money first (besides the bike itself) would be ...

Stands, both swing arm and fork-lift.

Impact gun and socket for rear wheel removal.

Frame / front fork / rear axle slider

Forgot to write about ...

replace stock foot peg bars (stock ones are very slippery, especially when wet) with sharper knurling.

replace stock grip rubbers with something softer, grips better.

You will need bunch of hex bit socket, both long ones and stubby.

I'll disagree with S21 about where to spend your first money. You say you have a shop, so you likely have more than most first time monster owners

You have it right. After a new set of tires, spend it on suspension, whether it be modifying the stock components with springs for your weight, and valved for your riding style road conditions, or upgraded units...which will also need to be set for you and your bike.

As far as any other mods, base them on your experience, and wants. Not those of others.

4 piston calipers, 320mm discs and compatible master cylinder will give very powerful brakes.

Yes, talking to a suspension specialist and having the forks rebuilt to your weight and riding style as DP said. Valley Desmo Service (sponsor) will have specific advice.

Whoa! Thank you for all the information and suggestions.
Let me be a little more specific... as for tools, I have everything that it takes to do just about any job. Repairs and restorations are my primary hobby.

As for the question whether I would change the tire myself, that depends on the condition of the rim itself, I have done it before, but why would you?! I wouldn't want to scuff the wheel, and I don't have a tire mounting machine at the moment either. Instead I would take it off and bring it to a shop.

In terms of specific equipment and ect, I am only missing a stand which I will acquire as soon as the Monster is purchased. Upgrades are more for fun and aesthetics imho., a personal touch if you will. Most of my riding will be either in town or two-up with an occasional out of the city trip (county roads). Basically both the brakes and suspension is probably more than enough, for my type of riding, I am no Evel Knievel as I mentioned before.

I will be looking at another S2R next week, an 800, and also 796 just to give the newer gen a go and see how I like it.

 [thumbsup]

M800, swap in an S*R swingarm and adjustable forks.
You'd have a steel tank that way, avoiding all the plastic tank BS.

I've had my 08 S2R for 11 yrs now. Perfect bike for me. As mentioned above, not the best at anything, but definitely the best bike I've ever ridden. All previous bikes were dirt, or 70s CBs. Plenty of power, stopping, and handling for a nice cruise and back country twisties. I also have a soft spot for the more classic dual swingarm, steel tank, M900s. Very classic look, and can be had fairly cheap. Carbs vs FI is another good thing to consider. I love my FI, and have gotten fairly familiar with the fuel mapping for my bike. A few choice mods and basic tuneups and she runs amazing. If you're more old school, you might be happier with carbs, jets, etc.

Thank you for the input Chipripper :) the S2R does look and ride quite lovely, but when I took the bike for a quick spin I could not help but notice the S4Rs tricolore which was sitting in the seller’s garage.. it was gorgeous to say the least! He rolled it out and fired it up, and compared to the completely stock S2R the ground now “shook” beneath my feet  [clap] , I did not take it for a ride but it just felt light years ahead of the S2R 800. Again, I will probably never need the 130hp the testastretta has on tap, but still  ;D It wasn’t for sale anyhow, since he bought it to upgrade from the S2R, don’t you just hate being the guy buying something which someone else is upgrading from haha..

I have an 02 S4.
One thing that I do wish my bike has was the single side swing arm which it looks you are looking at bikes with SSS.
Any monsters can be tracked and some much better than others, but the one that will get your arm hairs up every time you ride is the perfect one for you.

Tri colore bikes are beautiful, I made a custom seat for mine to get it as near, now just waiting on a shop to get my red seat cowl to match better ;)

(https://imgur.com/pRRb6j1)


Question thought, why a monster vs  848 or a fancy pancy panigale??

I have a shoulder that acts up if I lean forward and put too much pressure on it, with the monster the sitting position seems quite comfortable.

Regarding the SSS, will an S4 accept a swingarm swap from S2R? I understand that the exhaust and some other bits need to be replaced, but any dirt on that would be helpful. There is a very nice, restored S4 Senna nearby, that I have not looked at, judging by the pictures, it looks like it has gotten a whole lot of love in its current ownership.

take a look

https://www.donedeal.ie/motorbikes-for-sale/ducati-monster-s4-senna/22242194

Makes sense about the shoulder and riding position.

that is a good looking bike!!!

I have looked into it and yes it is possible to but a SSS but its more expensive than the S4 it self. How is it done or swap from an S2R? I do not know.

If you ride that S4, you will buy it LOL

Wow that's a peach!

Just spoke to the owner again, awaiting a few pictures from the light restoration.. the engine was untouched aside from checking the valve clearance and change of timing belts. Would 32 000 km be considered a lot for a monster? Also, what about the price? It has been set at 5, then 4,5 now 4k, and I have had it under my "radar" during the last 5 months..

I don't consider that a lot of miles for the age of the bike.

It's been very well maintained, which is far more important than miles, IMO.

The only downside to an '02 is that as bikes age there can be issues with rubber pieces deteriorating.

I've got 52k miles on my '02 S4, and I've put 47k of the 62k on my M750.

So I'm going to say 32k km isn't a concern.

https://docpoland.com/forums/topic/19278-monster-s4-zimowy-refresh/

Here is the build thread, it is in polish, so I cannot read it, however, there are quite a few pictures.... I think this is the one, that way I can at least "forget" about maintenance during the first few months and focus on rebuilding the Busso in the shop, my daily 155 needs a break  :'(

Google translate is your friend...

Today, finally, Monster went to the workshop for a rejuvenating treatment. I have been gathering for this since November, but at last something will start to happen.

 

The plans were different, but in the end it stays in the original and probably it will be the best solution. At the beginning the engine from the frame, the removal of flaky paint and the new coating, the frame is also likely to be renewed because there are minor signs of corrosion.

 

In addition, it is certainly pure service matters, belts, valves, oils, bearings, etc., etc. As you progress and of course the availability of $$$, "project" will be modified on a regular basis

I'll let you finish. [thumbsup]

Thank you Ducpainter ;) Yep, I will google translate the rest... it seems like a good deal, I plan on offering him 3500, if he takes it, I will be the owner of the S4 Senna in great nick!
My two other options are a one owner S2R and a slightly neglected S4R (non testastretta) , so in all honesty the S4 seems to be the best bet.

Quick question, which wheels fit the S4? I fancy the S4RS wheel quite a bit for example.

S4 has a DSS.

S4RS has a SSS, so the wheels are a no go.

749/999 wheels might work. I'm sure that's been discussed in the Acc&Mods section.

S4RS wheels would likely fit on the S4R.

Yeah.. I kind of thought so :/ Well, eventually, once I will have all the bits and pieces, a conversion might be possible... I know it is not cost effective, but rather "cool" project..
Calling him back today, and schedule a viewing, gotta make up my mind.

749/999 wheels have a larger axle, IIRC it's 30mm.
It would require the caliper bracket as well, the disc is 5mm smaller diameter.
Buuut... restraining pin is different location IIRC.
It's also 6mm thick vs 4mm on the S4, not sure how they accommodated that.
Overall wheel width, and offset, no idea.

Sounds like way more work than it's worth.

Normal service for 90% of mods.  ;D