ok... newbie is lost here

[juddmyers]

Can you give me some direction or at least point me in the correct direction.  All these different models are confusing me.  What's the difference??  I got the engine size part but the rest???

S2R
S4R
Monster
Dark

and then there is a section on the Ducati site for naked street bikes.  I thought the monster was pretty close to a naked street bike, but you just sit up a little more???

The only Blue with white stripe i can fine is a 996?  Does that sound right?  Are these special?  I found an 05 on Ebay for like 12K... I thought it was high.

Any help, info or pointing in the right direction is appreciated.

Judd

[Spidey]

Everything you've listed is a monster.  A monster is a naked bike. 

S2r and S4r are similar body styles.  They have a single sided swingarm.  The s2r has an 800cc air-cooled engine and wet clutch.  The s4r has either a 996 or 999 water-cooled engine and a dry clutch (and better suspension and brakes). 

A monster is any ducati monster from 1993-current.

A dark is a matte-black (and in some cases matte silver) monster, generally with slightly lower spec parts than others).  Darks have been available on monster models for many years. 

Edit:  12k for an '05 S4R is absolutely crazy.  Is this your first bike?

[Scottish]

S2R= equals newer 2 valve motor air cooled Comes in (800cc wet clutch, or 1000cc dry clutch)
S4r(S4Rs)(996) = equals newer 4 valve motor liquid cooled
S4(916)= equals older four valve motor liquid cooled
M900/M600/M750= original layout Monsters
Dark originally denoted a strpped down model, now it is merely a paint scheme. (flat black)
The S*R models are easily spotted by their single sided swingarm(SSS) as opposed to the smaller an older models with the dual sided swing arms (DSS)
Blue with white stripe was done on some S*R bikes. As well as white with red, tangerine and black, silver and black, Chromo's, metallics, red and black, dark.... etc.... all.

[Spidey]

Here's a post I wrote a while ago that might help a bit:

I don't remember a good comparisons anywhere on the DMF.  I've got a model comparison FAQ half-written (along with about a dozen others).    Here's a quick summary.   It won't tell you anything about the differences in riding or handling, but may give you a starting point.

This generation:  696 and the 1100.  They have a half-trellis frame and other major differences from prior monsters.  There's also the streetfighter, a 1098 engine in an entirely new chasis.  I wrote up a review of the 1100 and compared it--in part--to a s2r 1000 if you're interested.  There are a number of 696 reviews floating around and some of those may compare to prior models.

Prior generation: the S*R line, with the 695 as the 'classic' styled monster

s2r (800cc) (05?-08)-- ST based frame, single sided swingarm, wet clutch
s2r1000 (06-08) -- ST based frame, SSS, dry clutch, 1000 dual spark motor.
s4rs (07-08) -- ST based frame, SSS, 999 testastretta motor, dry clutch, ohlins, radial brakes
s4rT (07-08) -- ST based frame, SSS, 999 testatstretta moto, dry clutch, radial brakes
s4r (04-06) -- ST based frame, single sided swingarm, 996 motor, dry clutch.  This was replaced by the upgraded s4rs/s4rt with the 999 motor.
At the same time as the S*r line, there was 695.  ST-based frame, DSS, wet clutch, 695 cc motor.  Basically, it was a 620 with a bigger motor.

Two generations ago:

Prior to the S2r 1000, there was the M1000 (03-05).  St-based frame, DSS, 1000DS, dry clutch.
Prior to the S2r 800, there was the m800 (03-04?).  ST based frame, 800cc, DSS, wet clutch.
Prior to the 695, there was the 620 (02-05?).  ST based frame, 620cc, DSS, wet clutch.
Prior to the S4r, there was the s4.  St based frame, 916 motor, DSS, dry clutch

Your 750 was likely at least one generation prior, using the 888 based frame, back when monsters came in two flavors:  750 and 900.  It was probably carbed, and may have had a single front disk.  

The 600, 620, 695, 696, 750, s2r, 900, and 1000 (one year, I think) came in Dark versions.  

[jdubbs32584]

Everything you've listed is a monster.  A monster is a naked bike. 

S2r and S4r are similar body styles.  They have a single sided swingarm.  The s2r has an 800cc air-cooled engine and wet clutch.  The s4r has either a 996 or 999 water-cooled engine and a dry clutch (and better suspension and brakes). 

A monster is any ducati monster from 1993-current.

A dark is a matte-black (and in some cases matte silver) monster, generally with slightly lower spec parts than others).  Darks have been available on monster models for many years. 

Edit:  12k for an '05 S4R is absolutely crazy.  Is this your first bike?

S2R also includes the S2R 1000 which is close to 1000 cc's.

Is this the blue and white you're looking for?

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=16106.0

[Monster Dave]

...generally with slightly lower spec parts than others...

That's debatable.

General Pic References (in reverse chronology):

Monster (Current Model Design):


S4RS:


S4RS Tricolore:


695 Dark:


620 Dark (Dual Disk):


620 Dark (Single Disk):


In later and now newer models, the only really BIG difference is displacement.

[Spidey]

Huh?

[JohnnyDucati]

Can you give me some direction or at least point me in the correct direction . . .

. . .

Any help, info or pointing in the right direction is appreciated.

Judd

Judd - my advice is get off the laptop and get out and see some Monsters & other Ducati's up close. 

Your profile doesn't show geographically where you are, so I don't know what local DMF club is nearby.  There's gotta be one.

direction - check your local DMF listing (it's at the bottom left of the screen menu). 

Post up there.  Go to the next beer call / meet up / track day / dealer even / whatever.  Introduce yourself and you automatically will have instant friends, guaranteed.

Ducati's are meant to be heard, touched, seen, to be appreciated.  If a picture of a Ducati says a thousand words, then a real Ducati up close is a rock concert.

They are out there.  Find 'em and go check 'em out.  You will not be disappointed. 

JohnnyD

[Kopfjäger]

Huh?

+1

[juddmyers]

Thanks for all the great replies.  I am in St. Louis MO.  I can't find a Ducati dealer here in St Louis.  Whomever supplied the link and asked if that blue bike was it..........Yep.. that's it alright!!  I am in lust with that thing. 

I know I want a dry clutch... I want a SSS. 

Judd

[jdubbs32584]

Thanks for all the great replies.  I am in St. Louis MO.  I can't find a Ducati dealer here in St Louis.  Whomever supplied the link and asked if that blue bike was it..........Yep.. that's it alright!!  I am in lust with that thing. 

I know I want a dry clutch... I want a SSS. 

Judd

And you've never ridden a motorcycle before? 

That blue bike is a big bike and is pretty powerful. Might wanna get a beater first, something thats harder to get into trouble with.

Whatever you do, good luck.

[Fox]

Judd, it is my highest recommendation to start with something smaller like the 620 or 695. Much more manageable than the s4r for noobs.

[Slide Panda]

And you've never ridden a motorcycle before? 

That blue bike is a big bike and is pretty powerful. Might wanna get a beater first, something thats harder to get into trouble with.

Whatever you do, good luck.

The blue and white S4Rs are lookers - but I'd say that's a bad plan for a 1st bike.  

The power on that bike and the non slipper clutch will not suffer errors as lightly as one of the smaller displacement bikes that have the ATPC slipper clutch.  Something like the 620 695 696 or S2R800 all have the (wet) ATPC clutch - having that slipper mechanism can be quite helpful when you're learning the ins and outs of what a bike will do when you mess up a down shift.  Slipper = a bit grumpy but youre good.  No slipper (might) = locked rear wheel/Blown line/rear wheel skip.

Also, those smaller engined bikes, have less power.  Being down on power helps forgive throttle transgressions.  Smash open the throttle in 1st on a 620 and she'll go - maybe even lift the fornt a touch.  Do the same on an S4R and you'll be on the pavement wonder where your bike went an why the world is upside down.

It's your decision.. but I'd hate to see a 'what I learned from my crash' post from you right off the bat.

[Raux]

maybe i misread. i didn't see where he's never ridden before.

if you are looking for a new bike, Ducati has two naked single sided swingarm bikes with a dry clutch.
Monster 1100
Streetfighter 1098

if you are looking for used bike with those two items
Monster S2R 1000
Monster S4R

IF this is your first bike, the Monster S2R 1000 or Monster 1100 are your best choices if you are firm on those two features.
otherwise IF this is your first bike, sticking with the 800 or less Monsters are your best options. but you will lose the dry clutch and only the S2R 800 has the SSS.

[Drjones]

as listed on Ducati.com for the St. Louis MO area.


Donelson Cycles   9851 St. Charles Rock Road  Tel.: +1 314 427-1204 
St. Ann, Missouri, United States 63074