Monster s4rs or 900ie

[jtmccoy15]

I'm looking to buy a monster here in the next little bit, but I have heard a lot of stuff about the s4rs being a lot more to maintain than the 900ie.  I realize they have all the plumbing in the way, but if thats the only difference than I would rather have more power. I am particularly worried about the valve retainer replacement. I have seen on here that the 900ie needs to have them adjusted or replaced every 6000 miles. I haven't seen much about the s4rs though.

I guess I am just asking what are the maintenance issues for the s4rs compared to the 900ie, and how hard is it really to do the valve adjustments (or whatever need to be done to them) every 6000. If anyone could give me a rough estimate on cost of parts and special tools that would be helpful. Along with how long it typically takes

Also, how much faster is the s4rs really? I had an R6, I liked the power, but now I want something a little more fun to ride and more torquey. It seems like the s4rs is a no brainer, but I have ridden neither. So just let me know what you think.

And one more thing, how much power could I gain from loading up say a 97 900. If I spend 6000 on a 06 s4rs and 2500 on a 900, which would be the better bike if I put the 3500 difference into the 900.

Hope you guess can help me out.

[Autostrada Pilot]

The main differences between your two bikes is that the S4R is 4 valves/cylinder and water cooled, while the 900 is 2 valves/cylinder and air cooled.  Both need to have the valves checked every 7,000 miles (but they often don't need to be adjusted), but getting to the valves on S4R is a little trickier which is part of the reason that it is more labor intensive to check/adjust them.


Throwing $3500 at the 900 will NOT make it anywhere near as quick as the S4R. 

You're going to LOVE either bike.  I have a 900 and I enjoy the simplicity of the air cooled motor-but I often lust after the power of the S4R. 

[normalcyispasse]

The S4R is a much, much more powerful bike. The difference between the 900cc 2v/air-cooled and 996cc 4v/water-cooled is night and day. That said, maintenance is going to be obnoxious on both but perhaps more so on the desmoquattro.

Recently I did a small tune-up to my S4R. With the help of a buddy (from this board, in fact) I checked valves, replaced plugs, and put in a new set of cam belts. With a one-hour lunch, it took damn near 9 hours -- and neither of us is inexperienced!

[ducpainter]

The S4R is a much, much more powerful bike. The difference between the 900cc 2v/air-cooled and 996cc 4v/water-cooled is night and day. That said, maintenance is going to be obnoxious on both but perhaps more so on the desmoquattro.

Recently I did a small tune-up to my S4R. With the help of a buddy (from this board, in fact) I checked valves, replaced plugs, and put in a new set of cam belts. With a one-hour lunch, it took damn near 9 hours -- and neither of us is inexperienced!

Did you pull the cams to check the rocker plating?

[Desmo4]

The two bikes are quite different indeed. And since your main interest points are maintenance costs and performance, here is a quick roundup:

Performance wise, as it has already been said, the S4Rs is of course far superior. However, this is not the whole story: the Desmoquattro engine is also revvier, being a SBK engine. With the Desmodue you will not get the same power output, but the torque isn't that far off (about 25 Nm less) and more importantly a bit lower in the revs. So, all in all, the difference in city/town riding isn't as big as the power figures would let you think. The 900i.e. is also more comfortable, mostly because the foot pegs are lower and your position is more neutral. It's also very fun on the bends and more forgiving as it won't really "bite your head off" if you twinkle it too much. Then again, as you come off a jap supersport, you could find the 900 a bit dull in the long run.

The S4Rs is a completely different bike - so much in fact as I don't really see it's comparison with the 900 really relevant. It has more than 50 more hp. To put it bluntly, it's a naked SBK and is very "race-oriented". I've never ridden one, but my S4R (about 10 hp less than the Rs) isn't nearly as forgiving as the 900 (which I did ride). Even coming from an R6 this thing will make you show it some respect, mostly because it pulls everywhere in the revs. If you are the sporty full-throttle type, love to go knee-down in every bend and don't mind the uncomfortable position, go for the Rs.

Maintenance wise, you will find that almost everything is more expensive with the Rs. From a chain kit to a chain guard or brake pads (well, that's the case in Europe at least). Then again, personally, I think it's totally worth it. The bike will give it back to you. Also, the Rs comes fully loaded as stock: Brembo monoblock calipers, Öhlins fork and shock, etc. So... yeah! 

However, I would also suggest that you look up the S2R models, especially the S2R 1000. It's kinda' between the 900 and the Rs. About 100hp, twin spark air cooled Desmodue, single sided swingarm and lots and lots of low end grunt

[Teutonics]

In addition to the engine, won't the S4RS also have better suspension, and probably less importantly, brakes?  S4RS will also have SSS, although other than visually and possibly maintenance, there's not much advantage IMHO. 

I have a 900ie (and it is more than sufficient for my needs/use), but given the choice, I'd rather have the S4RS.   

[brad black]

i'd go the 900 personally as i like that motor, apart from the close ratio gearbox and i don't need a fast bike.

but lordy lordy, lord, if you want to put a smile on your face that only tnt can remove, an s4rs with full system and cam timing done delivers.  if there's one bike i look forward to road testing after a service, it's an s4rs.  all std they're a real dud, and it's amazing how much power is locked up in that exhaust.  uncork it and baby.  they just stand up on the back wheel in second and will power wheelie thru 3rd and 4th without any effort to hold the wheel up.  just hold the throttle open and you're there.  you usually have to think about getting it back down.  simply awesome.  and the brakes are sensational too.  and they have ohlins at both ends.  as far as a package goes, they are 999s spec for much less cash.  it's about the perfect package to my mind.

next to it a 900ie is just slow, slow, slow.  but it depends what you want.  slow, slow, slow is about all my riding skills can handle these days.  an s4rs would get me into lots of trouble, mostly legally.

[DoubleEagle]

I rode a S4Rs for about 2 years.

I'm 6'5" tall and at the time I was riding the S4Rs about 235 lbs. , 265 w, gear on.

I found the bike to be most comfortable as I also was the last year riding a 1098 R as well and still do.

I put a 14 tooth front Sprocket on the S4Rs ( stock is 15 ) and had full Termi Exhaust and open Air box.

The bike was a Torque ( no pun intended ) Monster ! Very quick ..and fast.

Probably had close to 130 RWHP.

It handled excellent, and was clocked at 140 mph at Mid Ohio ( w, the shorter gearing ), somebody else, not me on it ( new owner ).

I will say in the 8,000 miles I had it , there were no mechanical issues although the Dash went out on it while still under warranty at 4100 miles.

I actually traded it in on a new BMW S 1000 RR last April.

Dolph    [moto]

[muskrat]

I have both and there is, as stated previously, no comparison.  The S4R is a rocket in comparison and if you want to throw money at it install a lightweight flywheel.  I did this on my 12k service and WOW what a difference.  The trick to flaking rockers is to keep your oil clean but it's much more common on the 996 series engine than the 998 that you're considering (coming from a Duc mechanic).  If you tire easily and like to tinker with things the S4Rs is better for you especially coming from an R6.  I'm no mechanic but I swear the flywheel upgrade now made my S4R turn in as easily as my 900 at speed.