S2R 800 or 1K?

[bipolarbear]

So I'm in the process of shopping for my first street bike and want my first bike to be a Ducati Monster S2R.  I have ridden dirt for 10 years and took the MSF 2 weeks ago, passed without a problem.

I've been talking to a friend who rides a 1K Moto Guzzi in San Francisco and he has recommended that I look into a 1K Monster, thinking that I could easily handle the 1K due to my riding experience and that I would really enjoy the power of a 1K on the freeway.  He grew up with me riding dirtbikes.

The other reason I'm considering the 1K is that I really don't want to buy an 800 and a year later start itching for the 1K and have to sell the 800.  I want to be able to buy something I can keep around and invest in.

I'm looking to use the bike as a summer commuter, and during the weekend trips to San Francisco down HWY 1, and Lake Tahoe.  There are some really good deals to be had on both bikes on Craigslist and I am already approved for a loan, so now the question lies with which bike I should get.

[ProTeal55]

I was in the same boat as you when I was wanting a Monster. I wanted the bike more for it's style (and not speed) so I was fine with a 800. The only reason I did go with the S2R1K over the 800 is the fact the 800 has a wet clutch. In my opinion a Ducati must have two things to really make it a Ducati (dry clutch and Single Sided Swingarm).

I say go for the 1000 and call it a day.

[herm]

So I'm in the process of shopping for my first street bike and want my first bike to be a Ducati Monster S2R.  I have ridden dirt for 10 years and took the MSF 2 weeks ago, passed without a problem.

I've been talking to a friend who rides a 1K Moto Guzzi in San Francisco and he has recommended that I look into a 1K Monster, thinking that I could easily handle the 1K due to my riding experience and that I would really enjoy the power of a 1K on the freeway.  He grew up with me riding dirtbikes.

The other reason I'm considering the 1K is that I really don't want to buy an 800 and a year later start itching for the 1K and have to sell the 800.  I want to be able to buy something I can keep around and invest in.

I'm looking to use the bike as a summer commuter, and during the weekend trips to San Francisco down HWY 1, and Lake Tahoe.  There are some really good deals to be had on both bikes on Craigslist and I am already approved for a loan, so now the question lies with which bike I should get.

go for the 1000

[Africaboy]

+1 Go 1000. You will not be happy with the power of the 800. And the dry clutch is a must.
Cheers
Mark

[Bick]

I'm looking to use the bike as a summer commuter, and during the weekend trips to San Francisco down HWY 1, and Lake Tahoe.  There are some really good deals to be had on both bikes on Craigslist and I am already approved for a loan, so now the question lies with which bike I should get.

Maybe you should also look at a Multistrada.

[hunduc]

I was in the same boat as you when I was wanting a Monster. I wanted the bike more for it's style (and not speed) so I was fine with a 800. The only reason I did go with the S2R1K over the 800 is the fact the 800 has a wet clutch. In my opinion a Ducati must have two things to really make it a Ducati (dry clutch and Single Sided Swingarm).

I say go for the 1000 and call it a day.

Exact same thing for me, word for word. Go for the 1K.

[stopintime]

I'm very happy with my 800 - it will do 135 and the torque is impressive.

I tested a 1000 and the difference I noticed was that it did 125 in the same way/time that my 800 does 115 - that's how it felt anyway.

The 1000 has about 30% more torque than the 800 - that's worth something.

The brakes and suspension are much better on the 1000 - that's worth a lot!

I really think the extra goodies and power easily will justify the price difference. It didn't for me in tax-hell Norway - $4,500.

Just make sure you have enough left over to get a nice exhaust system

[jftoha]

I went through the same thing about 2 years ago. Coming from a 620, I wanted something I could keep for a while and modify. I ended up going for the 1000 because it has adjustable suspension, dry clutch, much better brakes and more power. Ultimately, I think a 1000 will be a great bike even if you decide to keep it for many years. The design will be a classic while also being a fairly modern bike. I never regretted my decision.

So I'm in the process of shopping for my first street bike and want my first bike to be a Ducati Monster S2R.  I have ridden dirt for 10 years and took the MSF 2 weeks ago, passed without a problem.

I've been talking to a friend who rides a 1K Moto Guzzi in San Francisco and he has recommended that I look into a 1K Monster, thinking that I could easily handle the 1K due to my riding experience and that I would really enjoy the power of a 1K on the freeway.  He grew up with me riding dirtbikes.

The other reason I'm considering the 1K is that I really don't want to buy an 800 and a year later start itching for the 1K and have to sell the 800.  I want to be able to buy something I can keep around and invest in.

I'm looking to use the bike as a summer commuter, and during the weekend trips to San Francisco down HWY 1, and Lake Tahoe.  There are some really good deals to be had on both bikes on Craigslist and I am already approved for a loan, so now the question lies with which bike I should get.

[bipolarbear]

Thanks for all of the replys, now I just have to find a reasonable priced 1K in my area.  Good thing San Francisco is only 2 hours away.

[booger]

It's funny how people on here are saying that the S2R1000 is an appropriate first streetbike, they usually say otherwise. Also, the S2R800 is not a slow bike by any means. 77hp at the crank is nothing to sneeze at, especially when the bike only weighs 380. If you are a lightweight person the bike is a joy with plenty of power to get you killed in a hurry. If you're a typical American corn-fed big boy well then maybe you could use the adjustable suspension and the extra 13 horses to haul yourself around but you certainly don't need it. S2R800 has one of the most tractable and useable powerbands that I've experienced, stock. The fact that it doesn't have insane power is irrelevant, you don't need insane power. The 800s also have the APTC clutch and never seem to suffer from the fueling issues that the 1000cc bikes suffer from. They are basically trouble-free bikes; can't say that for the 1000s. Dry clutches are way overrated; they make an untidy noise that contaminates the sweet sound of the engine and they require more maintenance(new plates/baskets more frequently) and lever effort. The only real way to realize the weight savings they offer is to pull the clutch out and replace it piece by piece with lightweight aftermarket which means big dough. There is nothing inherently 'better' about a dry clutch. If there were, BMW/Honda/Suzuki/Kaw/etc would all have dry clutches. Even the exotic MV Agusta clutches are wet. I can say that with an Evo slave and a CRG lever that I have achieved clutch nirvana with my 800 wet clutch Ducati. Smooth as silk.

That being said, 1000s have much better suspension. The 800s have SHIT for a front end. Rear end is too stiff for the intended 165lb rider which is me. The front brakes are also better for sure, 320mm vs 300mm and the calipers are four-pots not two-pots designed to fool you into thinking they are four-pots. All Ducati would have had to do is make the suspension and brakes better and the bike would have few detractors. Goldline calipers would not have made a huge cost difference, but oh well. As it stands people bag on the 800 as a woman's bike when in fact it's quite capable if you can stand the stock components. Don't let the bigger-better-faster-more mindset rule your decision-making. The 800 is a great bike. If you find one that's already modded with better suspension and brakes it would be worth investigating. People you don't reed a racebike on the street. [moto]

[ducatiz]

I bought my S2R 800 in 05 before the 1k's came out.  I loved it, but I wanted better brakes, better forks, and I would have preferred a dry clutch.  An extra 100-200 ccs wouldn't hurt either.

Imagine my surprise, when, after upgrading all I could (brakes, forks) Ducati came out with the 1k.

I would have bought the 1k in a NY minute over the 800. 

[lawbreaker]

Exact same thing for me, word for word. Go for the 1K.

+1... thats why I bought my S2R1K...Dry clutch and SSS

[amcloud]

Go for the S2R1k.  SSS.  Dry clutch...looks and sound if nothing else.  More torque.  Better suspension.  Better brakes.  You will be happy with it longer.  You might as well get a 696 if you are considering the 800.  The 696 makes more power, has better brakes, better suspension. 

[teddy037.2]

As it stands people bag on the 800 as a woman's bike...

since when? 

the 620 is the chick bike, everyone knows this to be true 

[Darth Paul]

I don't understand why people think the S2R 800 is underpowered..  Sure it's no track bike, but I find it plenty powerful for my needs (me being 6'1" 200lbs.)  The power range on it is great, is super awesome in the twisties, and has enough get up and go for me to merge into 85mph traffic very quickly on my commute to work.  I find it VERY fun.

I've had mine for almost a year and I have no desire for going bigger.  I did need to have the front suspension rebuilt ($700) to make that not suck, but overall it's a great bike that I won't be giving up.