S4Rs Opinions & Others Experiences....

[vesparex]

I was wondering if I could get some feedback on other S4Rs owners problems if any. I know this engine is supposed to be new and improved but in 15k miles I have had two rockerarms chipped and coolant in my oil. Am I just lucky? I love the bike, its looks and riding position. I want to give Ducati another chance. Anyone else experiencing these issues?

Duane

[JohnnyDucati]

~5000 miles in 8 months or so on mine.  No motor related issues.  I changed the oil & filter at 3K, and plan on doing so every 3K.

Only real comment (complaint?) I can make is very occasional stalling at low RPM at a stop light or such.  I think it was more frequent when it was newer.  I can't really recall last time/place it happened recently.

Sorry to hear about your issues.  I've heard about the rocker issue happening on other Duc's, too.  The oil/coolant fluid get-together sounds scary to me, though.

Best of luck.  Please keep us posted.

JohnnyD

[DucatiRider_MN]

I have 6500 miles on mine. I have also experienced the occasional stalling, i would like to say it doesnt happen anymore but it happened this week. It doesnt happen much, I find it stalls more idling on warm up. My bike has been fitted with the termi kit since the 600 mile service.

No other mechanical issues to speak of. I am very happy with the bike.

[NuTTs]

On my first S4Rs I did 23,000km in the first year before writing it off.. during that time I suffered from what any "new model" owner would suffer.. teething issues such as corroding TPS sensor resulting in new throttle bodies several times and other issues such as oil pump bolts issue etc. The bike was a pleasure to own. It out accelerated nearly everything out there with the DP Termi kit and 14T conversion, it was really fast for a naked bike. The general build quality was good but there were a few things I didn´t like as well. For a 13 year old (at the time) design that has been modernized slightly but still remains pretty much the same it wasn´t too bad.
I had another one after and did 3,000km but my love for the bike had died since the 9 months of torture having the old one rebuilt. I was going to buy the last black one available from last years stock and soup the baby up with everything plus the 999s performance cylinder head, piston kit and a custom ECU with some BSTs but I´ve decided to take a break from Monster ownership until the next super-rocket comes out.. then we´ll talk.

Likes:
* Paintwork - that pearl white just finds admirers everywhere, I´ve made more friends with this bike than with any other  ;:| .
* Wheels - besides being a pain in the ass in white, they are light and beautiful
* Engine -  power, power, power and more power. With the DP ECU it adds 1,000rpm to the rev. limiter which means 11,500rpm.. yeah, Duc´s don´t rev  r:e)
* Brakes - initially I though they were awesomely fierce.. I was wrong, they are very strong but the initial feeling of "oh make the beast with two backs I´m gonna die" is from too direct action with too soft of a fork
* Suspension - for fast road riding the Ohlins feel great but the stroke of the forks is too long at 130mm and the springs are way too long & soft. They ideally need the silver topped inserts to be perfect
* Clocks - I loved the clocks with their orange glow and the newer Rs even had a distance counter in reserve function
* Looks - a very good looking bike, had compliments from everyone
* Wheelies - I could power wheelie the pregnant dog on track use up the gears all the way to fifth.

Dislikes:
* Frame/chassis - painted by a drunken monkey with a hangover, shite paint that flaked off if a bug hit it - come on Ducati, KTM powder coat their SD and SM frames!!
* TPS problems - I nearly sold the bike 3 times because of this. This no longer happens. My bike was one of the first customer owned in the world and had it´s share of bugs
* Brembo calipers - nothing really wrong with them except that they needed stripping and cleaning often to keep the braking strong and consistent
* Electrics - this bike has the LONGEST wiring loom on any motorcycle! Also the tail light bulb had to be changed once every 2 weeks, the number plate bulb only worked the first week
* Access - access to rear suspension ride  height adjuster is absolutely rubbish unless you have the hands of a 3 year old
* Tank range - absolute joke, I´ve pushed this bike to gas stations more than any other. Also had to do with variable fuel consumption that could range 100km - 170km to empty.
 
Things I´ve learn´t:
* Spanish Ducati mechanics are absolutely rubbish in general and don´t have a make the beast with two backsing clue. They don´t use thread lock so your exhausts can fly off on the move (happened) and they
havent grasped the concept of a torque wrench or doing anything right really.
* I´m not buying Ducati again until they become a serious brand again. I was going to buy a 1098s in black with Termis etc. then thought no.. let me give Bimota a chance so I
signed up for a DB7 test-ride in Albacete in June but really still coveted the Tesi 3D - which I was going to buy then realized that the same dim-wits will be tinkering with my
30,000EURO (45,000USD) toy. No freaking way that´s ever going to happen.

My love for Ducati:
* I still own a 2003 749, which is my track bike. I love it. It´s what Ducati´s are designed for, so that sweet sweet Desmodromic system can rev freely and that chassis can come alive.
* It is still THE motorcycle for me from the passionate design, engines that come "alive" and that character.
* Don´t think I´m a hater, I´ve just thrown way too much of my hard earned away in the last 2 years for a premium product that has a sub-standard post sales network. I´m trying to be realistic

NuTTs

[Zaster]

I also had some negative experiences with my bike but mostly due to the way DNA handled the matter.
My cylinder head sprung an oil leak due to a machining issue and DNA opted for repair  vs. replacement.
After a nearly 3 month wait the head had to be replaced after all with no explanation from DNA.
I love to ride the beast hoping that this was an isolated incident as explained by the dealership.

[c_rex]

I've had mine for almost 2 years and not a problem yet.  /shrug

[Memphis Monster]

I've got an 07.  Only problems are stalling when cold and occasionally at stops.  The stalling at stops are very rare now.  Love the bike and don't have any complaints, it's a beast!

[R_usty]

I've had mine for 18 mths - no real issue other than it took way too long for Ducati in Australia to get the DP ECU in.... I have now done 16,500klms so I ride it quite a bit 

The tank size sucks - this bikes really needs a 19L tank. I ride it all the time and get shit millage in traffic.....

No repair issues as such so no complaints there - no stalling prbs and no other mechanical issues. I don't trust mechanics so I do most of the maintenance work myself. I only go to the mechanics for the intricate work (and to get them to give me the stamps in case I need warranty work done) - I check the torque setting and all other bits touched after it has been in though. Once it is out of warranty I will do everything myself!

I loved the look of the Peal bike and the white wheels look like crap after one ride so I had them painted black - much better.

I do really love the power - the engine is just a dream and yes the suspension is too soft but it is OK for some track and mostly road riding. I have put a bit of cash into it and I intend to keep it for quite a while. It is a great bike that just looks the business and has the power to match!

[LA]

I've had mine since 6/06 and have 24,000 mi. on it. 

The bike has literally not skipped a beat since the first time I started it.  It booms to life on the first revolution when starting.

At the "leaving black strips out of  mountain turns level" of operation, the frame begins to flex and give wonderful feedback.  It's an extremely fierce competitor in the mountains, but just as docile around town under a deft throttle hand. It's just an unbelievably fine motorcycle.

Service has been way excellent too.

And Damn Nutts ....... I can tell you miss that motorcycle.

LA

Postwhore?

[Jaman]

11 months, >9K miles, my only complaint/problem is that the damn tank is too small.

[ICON]

No issues at all. Bike has 2000 miles on her.  [moto]

[Bill in OKC]

I had a frustrating stalling problem when the bike was new.  After ordering a DP computer from Fast by Ferracci that all went away and the bike is one of the sweetest V-twins I've had the pleasure to ride.

[Dogman]

Had one problem in the beginning with the bike stalling but it was fixed when I dropped it off for the first service.   It now has 13k miles on it and I havent had any problems (knock on wood).   Overall I do like this motorcycle but I wasnt a big fan of the Ohlins as it came from the factory.  Its really not made for anyone over 200lbs with out dropping some $$ to re valve and spring it.   

[NuTTs]

And Damn Nutts ....... I can tell you miss that motorcycle.

Postwhore?

After I'm done with the carving knife on the mechanic I may just get another one. We're taking the bum to court.

Postwhore?... Yeah, I think so