So tell me about SR 800s....

DesmoDisciple · October 18, 2009, 11:19:51 PM

I have been bikeless for 6 months. Painful. But the massive remodel we did is coming to a close, and I have my garage back. Seems like a good time of year to buy.

I have a line on a 2007 SR800. Dripping with upgrades, including full Termi system.

2 questions

-Have any obvious flaws emerged with the 800 engine or these bikes in general?

-I go about 190lbs. The front cog has be changed out to a 14 tooth. Do you think the 800 engine will be enough to haul my butt around? I'm not worried about going fast, but you end up getting stopped at traffic lights on some pretty nasty hills here in Seattle, and I want something that will have enough guts to pull me up.

Any help appreciated.

DarkStaR · October 18, 2009, 11:31:57 PM

Biggest flaw IMO, which is not just the 800, is the crappy plastic tanks.

At 190, your suspension will most likely need to be reworked.

The power should be enough to get you to where you want to go.

As for the APTC clutch, sometimes I like it, sometimes not so much.

Many complain about the brakes (I've replaced mine also), but for my riding style, the stockers were probably good enough.

If you can, get a pre 02 sensor bike (e.g. 2005). Makes for easier exhaust modding.

victor441 · October 18, 2009, 11:39:57 PM

read something here recently about the S2R800 clutch nut coming loose on a few bikes and the cases being torn up, a search should find it....have a 2003 M800 myself (and am 200 lbs. fwiw) and the 14t cog has been a huge improvement, no regrets after 2K miles and the bike has plenty of power

lwszabo · October 19, 2009, 04:01:03 AM

i will probally be in the minority here but the 800 engine is my favorite. I had a 800, 900, and 1000 and miss the 800 soooo much. I am a huge fan of the S2r 800! Whay color??? Acid Yellow looks nice on the s2r!

ducatiz · October 19, 2009, 04:26:48 AM

few issues with the 800 engine, it was fairly mature when the S2R came out. best hp/cc of that class until the 696 cam out. very moddable.

front brakes are the econoline 2-piston with small (300mm) rotors. Swap out is easy, but many people do fine with those brakes, they will do stoppies if you really want.

masters are coffin type, which are fine for moderate street use, but i found them to be wooden and prefer radials.

aptc clutch is 50/50. some like it and some don't. it works.

it's a great bike. some say the best s2r is the 1k, and it's true the 1k comes iwth better everything -- brakes, DS engine, dry clutch, but i love my 800. if you go nuts and mod the engine you can pull close to 80 hp out of it. if you do a bunch of engine work, you can do over 90.

who cares, it has great handling out of the box and good power.

angler · October 19, 2009, 05:07:27 AM

I love my 800 (2005). The tank expansion is a turn-off, but Ducati is giving me another one. Perhaps in 4 years, Ducati will either fix the problem and replace it again or I'll buy an AL tank.

The slipper works, but you still have to respect downshifting rules as you can still get the rear to step out on a stupid downshift.

I'm a big guy and I've had it re-sprung front and rear. Will be putting SBK forks on it next week.

ducatiz · October 19, 2009, 05:21:24 AM

Quote from: angler on October 19, 2009, 05:07:27 AM
Will be putting SBK forks on it next week.

what are you doing about the triples? swap or shim/bore?

angler · October 19, 2009, 05:39:59 AM

Quote from: ducatiz on October 19, 2009, 05:21:24 AM
what are you doing about the triples? swap or shim/bore?

Nice 'jack!

Shim/bore. Hooligan Machinist bored a set off a big handle bar bike that I bought for real cheap. I've been sitting on the forks for 9 months and the only thing holding me up is grinding the forge marks off the lower and sending it to the powder coater. That should happen today, if I get off my ass. The bike will get dropped off at DucPond next week for a new tank and the fork swap. I really wanted to do the work myself, but don't have a covered place to work, and after 9 months, I realize I just don't have the time. DucPond will do it for a whole lot less than I thought they would.

I'm not going to grind off the lower bar clamps for now. I will have a plate fabbed to cover the clamp, maybe for an ipod mount or something. I haven't decided if that is way I want to go with it.

I've got a set of cycle cat clip ons going on under the triple.

corey · October 19, 2009, 08:12:19 AM

if the price is right, dont be scared by all the nit-pick stuff that people mentioned...
yes, 2 or 3 guys here have had clutch nut failure.. yes, the brakes aren't the best... yes, the suspension is non-adjustable.
i have an S2R800, and i love it. it has proven to be extremely reliable, save for one dead battery which was my fault.
as long as it has had the necessary services, i would go for it.

the slipper clutch is nice, gives a little bit of forgiveness if your getting back into riding.
the brakes are the same way, forgiving. it's going to take a bit more lever action to stop, but it won't lock up easily either.
the suspension is soft, but at least you won't get bad headshake when pulling out of corners

DesmoDisciple · October 19, 2009, 08:52:02 AM

Thanks guys.

What is the problem with the plastic tank?

ducatiz · October 19, 2009, 09:17:05 AM

Quote from: DesmoDisciple on October 19, 2009, 08:52:02 AM
Thanks guys.

What is the problem with the plastic tank?

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=25074.0

ducati is replacing them. we'll see how long the replacements last.

RB · October 19, 2009, 09:34:19 AM

Quote from: ducatiz on October 19, 2009, 09:17:05 AM
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=25074.0

ducati is replacing them. we'll see how long the replacements last.

i have an 06' without the tank problem, and no O2 sensor.
As mentioned above some of the components could be upgraded, but the only flaw reported would be the tank issue, and then the Clutch nut, which seems to be very isolated.
I have 22k miles on my problem free very modded bike. Some actually say that the 800cc engine is the most trouble free model...well until Ducati killed it.

ducatiz · October 19, 2009, 09:39:31 AM

Quote from: RB on October 19, 2009, 09:34:19 AM
i have an 06' without the tank problem, and no O2 sensor.
As mentioned above some of the components could be upgraded, but the only flaw reported would be the tank issue, and then the Clutch nut, which seems to be very isolated.
I have 22k miles on my problem free very modded bike. Some actually say that the 800cc engine is the most trouble free model...well until Ducati killed it.

they've redesigned and revived it on the 796

Jester · October 19, 2009, 10:31:34 AM

I'm about to get rid of mine, but the 800 is a fantastic motor. I drove the snot out of that engine and never had any problems at all with the bike over 10k miles of twisties and trackdays. I'm about 205lbs and while the suspension is really not for someone as heavy as myself, I could get that thing around the track at a pretty quick clip in the corners. You don't have the straight line power, but you'll find the S2R to be a very capable bike and one you can use every bit of the throttle on. I think its fun in that respect. You can pin the ears back and really thrash that bike with good rewards and little worry of anything breaking imo.

I'll miss her dearly, but on to another bike I go. Just for note, one of the guys that used to ride with us had somewhere around 28k miles on his S2R and it ran like a top.

TwIsTeD · October 19, 2009, 11:12:40 AM

IMO...The s2r is good not great though.I have an 06.To have the 800 engine in a s2r 1000 would be great.I've done some upgrades to the brakes 'cause they aren't great.Suspension still stock(190lb also).My tank is deforming a little on one side.
other than that no problems.Oh and perfect power too.More would be nice but I don't need it.

Oh there is a code showing up on my V.D.S.T.
It says open circuit coil #1
open circuit coil #2
Says it with both stock and DP ecu.So I don't know.No check engine light though.?

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So tell me about SR 800s....