comparisons in riding 2 vs 4 valve: favourite Ducati engine and why!

[Spider]

I have been watching this thread hoping for more info?
Has anyone compiled a list  of Monster 2V- 4V pro/cons  best year models and or problematic engines ? Links ?
There are so many models from past years with different engines an unbiased opinion would be great.
I would be very interested in said info as a guide to my next bike as I can see myself growing out of my M695
a lot faster than anticipated.
cheers
dez

we used to have a 'model comparison page' on the old site (which various members, including Big Ian, had contributed too), I wrote the second version of the data bringing it from 2004 up to 2008 and sent the data to Michael Moore....but at that point TOB was sliding down (unbeknown to the members) and being taken over by TDB (the dirty advertising-obsessed bastards).

Anyone with HTML skills, I could provide old and new data and you'd have to set it out and graph it to!

[Speeddog]

we used to have a 'model comparison page' on the old site (which various members, including Big Ian, had contributed too), I wrote the second version of the data bringing it from 2004 up to 2008 and sent the data to Michael Moore....but at that point TOB was sliding down (unbeknown to the members) and being taken over by TDB (the dirty advertising-obsessed bastards).

Anyone with HTML skills, I could provide old and new data and you'd have to set it out and graph it to!

PM sent.

[loony888]

fave ducati engine?
the 888 of course!!!! revs like a bastard, has torque to go with it and it has personality in it's looks, add a big spaghetti system and some good mods and it is a rocket, well mine is, 123rwhp.

paul.

[dragonworld.]

RWHP??   

Rampant Whopping Horse P@*$s?? 

[G]

Perhaps it's Rear Wheel Horse Power as opposed to that measured at the countershaft. 

[Dannog]

Spider, I don't know how your feeling but I'm reading all this with similar interest. What do I replace my old girl with?

I loved my 2v and it served me well for both commuting and weekend squirts. I was really disappointed when I missed out on Rusty's S4RS but the timing was just too quick after the accident.

I took out an 848 for a test ride just before the accident, loved it but thought I couldn't communite on this because I just too short to be con fortable in the ride position. I've never ridden a 4v Monster but think that I'm keen to go with this option. I guess I'll just have to arrange a test ride to make sure it not too much of a handful on the everyday communite. Now if only I can convince Frazers to lend me an S4RS for a few days as a demo 

[Spider]

Yeah, I think it's time I befriend one of the local salespeople and take some for a spin!

The 848 sounds great.....but out of my price range at present!

[heatherp]

Yeah, I think it's time I befriend one of the local salespeople and take some for a spin!

The 848 sounds great.....but out of my price range at present!

Hi Spider
I'm taking a Duc city 696 for test ride on 27th about lunchtime if you wanted to test ride something. But I spose you'll be working?

Heather

[Spider]

Hi Spider
I'm taking a Duc city 696 for test ride on 27th about lunchtime if you wanted to test ride something. But I spose you'll be working?

Heather

you know the boys there? If they have an 848 demo I'd jump at that...or a second hand 748....just to see what the lower capacity 4 valves are like!

you can do the bargaining ok.

I'll take that m1000 off your hands....we'll start by asking how much they'll give you for trade-in! then I'll beat it!!!! 

[Desmostro]

The sound of a 4V - nothing like it.
Lots of fast air rushing in and out of the engine in the power band. It's like a wind instrument. + a pull that knocks you back to go with it.   

[heatherp]

you know the boys there? If they have an 848 demo I'd jump at that...or a second hand 748....just to see what the lower capacity 4 valves are like!

you can do the bargaining ok.

I'll take that m1000 off your hands....we'll start by asking how much they'll give you for trade-in! then I'll beat it!!!! 

and then I'll have to buy a brand new 696??? Right

Shall talk to 'da boys' and see what they got for you to ride.

[loony888]

while the 848 is a great bike, i'd love one! they are very different to ride than a 4v monster, the gearing on a monster is waaaay shorter, and frankly perfect for the bike, a 14 tooth sprocket on a S4R or S4RS serves only to make 1st redundant, the std gearing is spot on for me, in town or on the back roads. if you want to try a 4v monster just go test ride one, as far as being a handful? they're not really, i'd go as far as to say if you think it's a handful then it's probably too much bike for you, no disrespect here but there's no point buying something you're not comfortable on, you'll just end up chopping it in and losing dough. I have had a 900, a S4 and i currently own a S4R (996 desmoquattro engine) and i've had the S4R for over 5 years now, the S4RS is nice, but for me at least not worth the change over or the hassle of setting up a new bike. There's no reason an early S4R wouldn't keep you happy for quite a while, and you get the benefit of someone else paying the bulk of your depreciation as well as the possibility of some bling/performance extras.
If you do look at 2nd hand there's a few things to look at, steering head bearings, chain and sprocket wear, bent/buckled front rims, all this relates to wheelies, they're easy to do with the power they have but ham fisted attempts make the beast with two backs the bike!! Other than that it's common sense stuff, crash damage, check all protruding edges for scuffs and scrapes, log books and service history, preferably with receipts for everything, i have receipts for rego label holders ferchrissakes!!!!! take someone with you, it's amazing how easily you can fall in love with something and overlook glaring faults, someone with no vested interest will have clearer sight and a common sense viewpoint, and lastly, ask if you can wash it, it's amazing what you see when you wash a bike, you can pick at bugs and see scratches and chips and find stuff that the keenest eye wouldn't pick up. And don't worry about horsepower numbers, the S4R (996) std makes about 115, modded about 120 to 125, the S4RS and S4RT (998) std make 123ish and modded 135 to 140, this matters not at all, they all make more power than you can use on the road, last weekend i chased a guy on a gsxr1000 (07 i think??) from kyogle to beaudesert and he never got further than 20 to 30 metres in front of me, and he was on slicks.


paul.

[heatherp]

Ok Spider there's a demo 848 with your name on it for 1230ish Tuesday 27th January at Duc City.  As this is a weekday it will be just us not the usual big Saturday test ride crowd.  See you there. (No 748s in stock sorry). 

Heather

[Spider]

Ok Spider there's a demo 848 with your name on it for 1230ish Tuesday 27th January at Duc City.  As this is a weekday it will be just us not the usual big Saturday test ride crowd.  See you there. (No 748s in stock sorry). 

Heather

excrement!!!!

hot shit!!!!

[heatherp]

excrement!!!!

hot shit!!!!

I take it that means you are okay with this arrangement.