Newbie considering a S2R1K

[vick]

Hi all,

I currently have a BMW F800S that I've been enjoying for a couple of years now. 90% of my riding is commuting (twisty road though, so get to have fun coming and going every day). Came across an '08 S2R1K and thought the bump in performance would be nice without losing any of the capability/practicality I currently enjoy with the F800 - plus I've always wanted to own a Duc but shied away from them because of the high-maintenance reputation.

So after burning out the search function on the other monster board and learning everything I could about the reported surging issue I was all set to go trade in the F800 for the S2R. Then I came across this board and began searching in earnest - first thing I came across was the fuel tank swelling issue. Yikes! Now I'm on the fence but thinking increasingly about just sticking with what works.

Any inputs from the herd here? Are my fears unfounded? The F800 model had its issues as well but only the problems were generally reported on the forums - 90% of the folks were too busy riding to routinely post about how wonderful their bikes are.

The S2R has 8 months of warranty remaining, so I'm thinking that even if I encounter any issues I'll have some upfront protection. If this thing leaves me on the side of the road though or the tank porks up like a menopausal chick I won't care how beautiful a bike it is or how amazing the 2V engine is - I'll be kicking myself for getting rid of the BMW.

Sorry for the long first post, thanks for any inputs...

Cheers, Vick

[Wonked]

The tank thing is not universal. I have a 2007 M695 with a plastic tank, and mine hasn't had any problems. If you're looking for an issue-free bike, might as well go with a Jap bike.

[wbeck257]

I'll sell you my `06. It has already had the tank replaced.

And I've already spent the money fixing what also came wrong from the factory.

What else could go wrong with it?

[grunte]

I have an 08 S2R1k...runs great.  I have not had any issues with it.  good luck!

[Case S2R]

Your quote "90% of the folks were too busy riding to routinely post about how wonderful their bikes are." also goes for Monster owners.

It is a wonderful bike, some say the best bike Ducati has ever made, others say the best engine Ducati has ever made.  Yea, some claim to experience tank swelling, some don't.  No one I personally know has had a problem with swelling (knock on wood).

It is a great bike definitely worth a look/test ride.  Follow your heart and you will end up with the right bike for you.

[numbskull]

I have an 07 S2R1K. No problems here. A very different beast than your F800 but so much fun.

[GLantern]

Tanks are under a 5year warranty per federal regulations.  If something goes wrong like swelling they should replace it.  If i am wrong please correct me but this was my understanding.

  Buy the bike and ride the piss out of it.  For every person who has a problem that you hear about there are 99 others who don't and never say a word.

[Slide Panda]

Well, the swelling tank won't strand you - so don't worry about that.

If your crunch the numbers, the F800 and S2R1000 are remarkably similar on paper. Similar power and weight. Both are twins, and have near identical brakes.. so it comes down to a lot of the qualifable differences, not the quantifiable.

Any way you can get a test ride? Though the data sheets are similar, I'd be the character of the bikes is rather different... hard to know w/o hopping on

[Mike_D]

Vick,
    I have an 08 S2R1K and love it--no problems and the modding is half the fun.  Moreover, when you ride into a parking lot filled with Harleys and Japanese crotch rockets, you will be amazed at how many people will come over and drool over your bike--it gets kind of embarrassing.  Buy that thing, ride it like you stole it, and never look back.

[AndrewNS]

I've got an '06, and it's been great. Dead reliable, never had an issue with the gas tank (or the surging thing either, for that matter). I think the internet blows a lot of these things out of porportion.

It's a fun bike that I think you appreciate more as you get used to it. They don't seem all that quick at first, but you can really make surprisingly good progress on one when you want to. I use mine regularly for trackdays, and find it a very relaxing bike to ride quickly. The seating position is pretty good on the street, too. I'd rate the handling and brakes as the strong points of the bike, but you will find lots of other people on here saying they're crap. See my above comment about the internet. Maybe it all depends what you are comparing it to, too.     

[1KDS]

I've got an '07 S2R1K, no swelling, no surging, awesome bike. Buy it!  [moto]

[WetDuc]

I've got a 695, the tank is beginning to swell.  It's been a slow progression.  5 year emissions warranty will cover the tank replacement. 
 
Make sure you check out the opening and closing clearance of the front tank latch and the alignment of the bottomside rubber frame bumpers when you look over the bike.  If those are all good, tank's fine and that baby is just sitting there begging to be abused.  [moto] 

[somegirl]

Check out the Plastic Tank Problems thread.

Not all of us with swelling tanks have gotten replacements yet.

[Goat_Herder]

Check out the Plastic Tank Problems thread.

Not all of us with swelling tanks have gotten replacements yet.

and not all of us with plastic tanks are having problem with swelling tanks.  Just moved up from a 620 to a S2R1K.  No swelling tank and love all the upgrades in parts and performance.  You will really enjoy the S2R and the possibilities for mods!

[GLantern]

and not all of us with plastic tanks are having problem with swelling tanks.  Just moved up from a 620 to a S2R1K.  No swelling tank and love all the upgrades in parts and performance.  You will really enjoy the S2R and the possibilities for mods!

+1 i went 3300miles on a 695 with no swelled tank and currently have almost 15k on my 1098 without any swelling in the tank.  It depends on your dealer too when it comes to the issue but i digress this is for another thread.  Just get the bike you will not be dissapointed!!