Purchasing an S4RS (maintenance question)

alexisonfire · July 20, 2009, 06:56:40 PM

I'm looking at a 2007 S4RS (2 owner) with 1100 miles that is visually stunning but has a few issues that concern me.

1. It has yet to have ANY maintenance. The motor is still on factory fill oil. I realize the 600 mile service is a glorified oil change but could running this long on the factory fill cause any damage? Is there an easy way to tell without draining and checking the plug / filter?

2. The left side control (lights / turn signals, etc.) is somewhat loose on the bar. That is, it is free to rotate around the bar. It is not flimsy but with relatively little force it will rotate. The seller claims the bar and control had been adjusted by the original owner and something had been broken or left out causing this issue.

I gave the bike a thorough visual inspection and listened to the motor run for a few minutes. Nothing wrong as far as I can tell. The owner has agreed to allow me to test ride once we have agreed on a price. Any experts here wanna throw in valuable advice?

va122 · July 20, 2009, 09:10:02 PM

Get a pre purchase inspection done

He Man · July 20, 2009, 09:31:50 PM

id replace the oil...run it for 200 miles and replace it again. first with dino oil for a good flush, then with full synthetic.

and then, the most important part of breaking in the bike properly. warm the bike up, then ride it like you stole it. dont be shy getting close to red line.

booger · July 20, 2009, 09:42:01 PM

Bike's probably fine, the rotating switchgear is no big deal as the plastic locating peg has been sheared off but it's not really an issue. Some tape underneath should fix it. The oil is not a huge issue, but two years on it's probably picked up some contaminants and needs a change. Belts need replacement too.
I'd use the missed maintenance interval as a bargaining chip for whatever it's worth and buy that bike. Then after I bought it I'd certainly change the oil and belts. It's not a ruined bike, it's just ready for some maintenance. 1100 miles is nothing.
I have a brand new in box OEM left hand switchgear that I bought for my bike when I broke the plastic locating peg 'tinkering'. I never installed it because I was too lazy and the switchgear works fine anyway. I just used some tape underneath and tightened it up. If you'd like I can make you a deal on it, or you could just use tape and probably would never know the difference.
Any warranty left?

Howie · July 21, 2009, 03:53:53 AM

Don't worry about the oil change, but do consider the service cost in your price. The locating nub that fits into the handle bar is probably gone. Some electrical tape under the switch will hold it in place. Do not over tighten the switch. The real question is what happened that caused this. Carefully inspect areas like the bar ends, levers, fork bottoms, etc. for signs of a drop. Bring a second party with knowledge of motorcycles with you. A minor drop would not necessarily stop me from buying the bike, but a less than truthful seller might.

hypurone · July 21, 2009, 05:53:33 AM

Being that the oil is full synth and most likely Motul (a double ester), I wouldn't even think twice about that part. Just change it if you buy it. Factor in the cost of belt replacement.

But like already posted, i would worry about how a "non-contact" part is boogered (the swichgear). check the steering stops for signs of impact. do a measurement on the bars to see if they're bent. look at the footpegs for signs it tipped over etc... too bad you are so far away, I'd ride mine over and look at it for ya!

alexisonfire · July 21, 2009, 06:36:52 AM

I gave the bike a pretty solid look over. I tried to find signs of a tip over but found no damage on foot pegs, bar ends, or the tank. It's good to know that I can resolve the switch issue with tape.

As far as I can tell, everyone seems to agree that the bike just needs an oil and belt change which I should factor into the buying price. I'm curious, what are you guys paying for this type of service.

Bill in OKC · July 21, 2009, 12:27:36 PM

belts are over $200 alone. It is a pita to get to the rear belt, remove battery+bracket, possibly gas tank too - the fuel hoses run right between the cover and the frame. Maybe a couple of hours of labor? I'd try to knock $300 - $400 off the price for the belts.

NorDog · July 24, 2009, 08:44:29 AM

I have nothing to add to what's been written here, but only wanted to say that all the advise is right on the mark.

billruiz · July 25, 2009, 05:10:13 PM

Why would you change the belts at 1100 miles?

Quote from: bergdoerfer on July 20, 2009, 09:42:01 PM
Bike's probably fine, the rotating switchgear is no big deal as the plastic locating peg has been sheared off but it's not really an issue. Some tape underneath should fix it. The oil is not a huge issue, but two years on it's probably picked up some contaminants and needs a change. Belts need replacement too.
I'd use the missed maintenance interval as a bargaining chip for whatever it's worth and buy that bike. Then after I bought it I'd certainly change the oil and belts.

NorDog · July 25, 2009, 06:48:57 PM

Quote from: billruiz on July 25, 2009, 05:10:13 PM
Why would you change the belts at 1100 miles?

I believe the spec is to change belts every so many miles (I forget how many) or every two years, which ever comes first.

smooth · July 26, 2009, 05:03:55 PM

If the bike has been trailered or transported in the back of a truck, applying the tie-down straps to the grips is what probably broke the nub insided the switchgear. I trailered mine using a "canyon dancer" strap across the bars. When I arrived, the left grip had slipped inward and the switchgear thingy would spin around the bar.
~~Why are you asking about changing the belts at only 1100 (eleven hundred) miles? Do they expire over a short period of time even if the mileage hasn't reached 7500?~~
never mind the belt question. I just read the post above.

DoubleEagle · July 26, 2009, 10:59:45 PM

I bought 2 S4Rss within 2 months of each other .

One I rode , the other I saved for a rainy day or something.

I sold the #2 S4rs w, 7 miles on it which were the delivery miles that the Ducati Tech put on before he trucked the bike to my place where it set indoors for 2 years .

I finally decided that rainy day had come in the form of selling it .

The bike fired on the ignition of the second cylinder which amazed the heck out of me.

Still had the original gas in it , I just plugged it into a battery tender when I got it and there it set for 2 years. Brand new to look at 'cause I had it covered indoors .

I've never heard from the fellow that bought it so I'm presuming it's OK .

Dolph

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Purchasing an S4RS (maintenance question)