S2R 800 - Does it have balls?

[DesmoTull]

I want to thank all of you for your opinions.  I think you have all made it clear how you feel about your 800's.  I guess the negatives are the brakes and suspension.  What makes the suspension so terrible?  Is it because they are to soft or too hard?
How does the 800 on the highway?  Is it smooth?

IN MY OPINION  I think the 800 engine is the best one that Ducati has made, as far as 2 valvers go.

Yeah, the suspension and brakes suck.  You can upgrade it with GSXR forks and Nissin radial calipers very easily and for not alot of money.

[zooom]

I think the 800 motor in the S2R and the SS has a bit more balls than an old stock carbie 900 small valve motor...

anyways...if yuo want a bike to have balls...it can have balls...just get a set -> http://trucknutz1.site.aplus.net/cgi-bin/mivavm?/Merchant2/merchant.mvc+Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=T&Category_Code=BB

[mitt]

And, remember, the brake and suspension comments are compared to higher end Ducatis, not other M800 competitors. 

The M800's would be similar or better than a SV650 or Honda 599.

mitt

[psycledelic]

The 800 is more than enough bike to get you in trouble.  It's not a fireball, but it isn't a slouch either.  It will go when you want/need it to.  I love mine.  Great all around bike.

I think it is an excellent bike on the highway.  It has enough pop at highway speeds to easily zip, zig, and zag through the lanes.  The suspension on my bike was a little smushy when I first bought it.  I was able to adjust the rear enough to firm it up a little.  Front forks aren't adjustable, so without taking them apart, what you see is what you get.  

I do want a bigger bike so that I can keep up with my friends on the weekend mountain trips, but not enough to part with my 800.  I am probably going to ride it till it dies. 

[ducrider45]

The 800 is more than enough bike to get you in trouble.  It's not a fireball, but it isn't a slouch either.  It will go when you want/need it to.  I love mine.  Great all around bike.

I think it is an excellent bike on the highway.  It has enough pop at highway speeds to easily zip, zig, and zag through the lanes.  The suspension on my bike was a little smushy when I first bought it.  I was able to adjust the rear enough to firm it up a little.  Front forks aren't adjustable, so without taking them apart, what you see is what you get.  

I do want a bigger bike so that I can keep up with my friends on the weekend mountain trips, but not enough to part with my 800.  I am probably going to ride it till it dies. 

The 800 should be able to keep up with any bike in the mountains. I could stay real close to the SBK's in my club rides with my 620 (in the mountains).

[pennyrobber]

My 800 was great. Coming from a cbr600 the torque of the 800 was great even though the top end wasn't as strong. After moving to the 1000, I will say, I do appreciate the additional power but the 800 was more flickable. I don't think you'll be disappointed with the 800.

[DarkDucati]

Lots of good comments here...just adding my personal two cents.  

You couldn't pay me to get rid of my '06 S2R800 dark. Love it. Removed all the restriction stuff, put on full aftermarket exhaust etc. and improved things a bit here and there and it has plenty of ballz.  

True the stock suspension can be picked on, but weigh that against where you are at personally. If you don't have much experience to compare it to, are not doing track days, and generally won't be pushing the limits much, you would probably be fine with stock. But as others point out there a many options for improving that stuff as well (swaps with used parts from other duc models etc).

I recently bought an 848 to park next to the monster and love the different qualities of each.  Very different beasts, but both bring a big  to my face.

[mitt]

I have rode 620, 800, and 1000cc air cooled monsters.  I would say they all have balls compared to many bikes on the market.


mitt

[Qfactor]

Balls....dunno

in 3 years and almost 30K of owning mine I have no problems with keeping up with bigger and faster bikes on and off the track.

from rides with RSVRs, 848, 1098, gsxr's and likes to trackdays overtaking 600s on the power...

it's not about how much power you have under your right wrist, but how you use it...

I've seen a riders do some amazing things aboard monster 750s and 620s!!

Q