I'm not a sht hot rider, i doubt i could even tell the difference between a set of tyres, so it's not anything relating to equipment levels or setup. The suspension is fine, i really like the setup and think the stock suspension does a fantastic job.
Just for reference my previous ride was an MV Agusta F4 and a Honda VTR1000. My wife has a new Aprilia RS125 which i ride on the odd occasion when i am feeling playful.
The problem with the S4R (and it has been from day one) is turning. Any turn no matter what speed and what angle is a massive effort. The bike always wants to stand up straight and never turn. I am completely baffled why this is the case
Now the F4 was as stiff as all hell but even that was better behaved at slow speed. How is this possible?
Both suspension issues and front wheel have been rectified. It is a LOT better than day 1 but still quite shit.
Every Monster owner loves their bike.....except me. I am not that fussy but out of the 20+ bikes i have ridden, my Monster is the worst in the rideability stakes by a mile.
What could it be? Wheel weights? Rear wheel not on correctly? bent frame? bent forks? Suggestions?
Tomorrow i will ride over to Frasers and take a Monster for a burn for comparison. I dunno, the test ride was fantastic. The bike i was given is shit.
before tearing up a wad of cash, as well as sledging a fantastic bike, set it up! from new it's a very fast bike with a lot of power that appeals to a broad selection of riders, that equals a conservative, safe set up from the factory. start by dropping the forks 5mm and winding the compression adjusters (the ones on the bottom) clockwise two clicks. wind the rebound adjusters (the top ones ) anticlockwise one click. this is all from standard. ride it. it will turn much better, run reasonably high tyre pressures, try 34psi front and 36 to 38 psi rear. from there you can add a little preload to the rear, but not until you are comfortable with the changes you have made to the front.
The MV F4 in my opinion is a revvy, overpriced piece of jewellry, and to go fast on one of them you have to be a very, very good rider, if you can't tell one set of tyres from another a doubt you would get anywhere near the chassis limits of any of your bikes. my guess would be the wide bars and no fairing gives unwanted input, that too can be dealt with.
There's nothing wrong with the chassis of the late monsters, it's a derivative of the ST series and is more capable than most who ride it, including me, just because you think it's shit doesn't make it so, in fact, i'd go as far as to say ducati haven't made a bad handling bike since that parralel twin abortion in the late 70's.
paul.
