the s2r 800 needs new forks. UPDATE: 3/30 bike is done! what a difference! PICS!

[xcaptainxbloodx]

so ive got ~450$ to spend on upgrading the front end.

Ive found some low mile 05 s2r 1000 forks for 427$ and im aware of the gsxr swap, which is doable but will probably come out to more $$ in the long run. I would buy 06 gsxr750 forks, 05-06 r1 brake calipers, get new lines and then try and find a shop to machine the spacers, which is a crapshoot. not even sure if I can run my master cylinder with it.

ive also heard of a few other ducati forks that fit (sport classics, ss900...rumors really) but I cant afford new triples and I dont want to ditch my tommasellis. my brakes are great right now (999 masters with upgraded lines and what I think are the goldline brakes, not sure but theyre not stock. I may have a line on a cheap sport classic fender too.

any advice?

as a side note, anyone got a lead on some fork mounted headlight ears?

update on page 3

[JEFF_H]

i'd get the 1000 forks if they are in good shape.
no other mods needed to fit 

[stopintime]

+1 on those forks.

http://www.aztec8.com/catalog/c4_p1.html

[Mr Earl]

SS900 forks will fit, and extend 2-3" above the top triple.  The later ones ('99-'01) allegedly have better internals than the earlier ones (<'99), and have the correct caliper mounts.  Just FYI.

[xcaptainxbloodx]

I like the extra length on those ss900 forks, Id rather have my clip ons mount above the triple. are they as direct a swap as the s2r 1000 forks?

also, the forks I was looking at sold. the only other ones have deep, impact type, scratches that I dont want to gamble on. so looks like its back to hunting.

[ducatiz]

yes, direct bolt on.  i have a set on my s2r.

the only Ducati bike forks you will need to do mods for are the SBK forks or older 40mm caliper type.

anythin after 2001 on the SS, Monsters, or STs will bolt on, use the same triples, wheels, brakes etc.

you can upgrade the brakes while you have them off, the stock calipers/master stink.  i put a set of 4 pad SBK calipers on mine, but that required different rotors too (320 narrow band).

those forks are probably the second best upgrade you can do on the s2r800 for the money.

[He Man]

i want to get rid of my forks and brakes (s2r1000) to throw on a set of 848 brakes +forks.

[xcaptainxbloodx]

848s would be nice but I dont have the cash to drop ~1G on my forks alone.

so s2r1k,s4r, ss, and st all are bolt on, low hassel swaps.

I assume the monster forks would be the best for comparable application with the ss better for aggressive riding and the st better for touring/cruising?

that accurate?

[ducatiz]

848s would be nice but I dont have the cash to drop ~1G on my forks alone.

so s2r1k,s4r, ss, and st all are bolt on, low hassel swaps.

I assume the monster forks would be the best for comparable application with the ss better for aggressive riding and the st better for touring/cruising?

that accurate?

pretty much all the same except for length.  i think the st is sprung with slightly mushier springs, but ppl don't mind.  there isn't THAT much variation in the forks on these bikes  you can swap out with any of them (except for the length) and probably won't notice the difference (compared to the other adj models)

[corey]

the s2r1000 forks, while adjustable, have crappy progressive rate springs in them. you'd want to swap those springs out for some good linear rate ones from racetech, then you'd be good to go. easiest quickest route really. i'm in the midst of getting some 999 forks swapped onto my S2R800... i'll let you know how it goes... so far, it's a bit intimidating.

[He Man]

intimidating?

I wanted to drop 848 forks and get rid of my S2R1k forks and brakes. my forks got a race tech kit in them too.
Afterlooking at monstermashs thread, it seems pretty much a direct bolt on if i get my triples bored out and 3 shims made.

[Mr Earl]

<snip>

anythin after 2001 1998 on the SS, Monsters, or STs will bolt on, use the same triples, wheels, brakes etc.

<snip>

Fixed it for ya.  (I think - not positive on the Monsters and STs)

My '99-'01 SS900 forks came with the standard crappy progressive-rate springs that are only ~0.62 kg/mm in the soft part.  When I attempted to fit new RaceTech 0.85 kg/mm straight-rate springs, they wouldn't properly clear the valve in the forks, the ID was too small  .  Worked a deal with Speeddog for a set of ST2 springs (0.84 kg/mm) that are the correct ID and are the correct length too - no spacers needed  .

[corey]

intimidating?

I wanted to drop 848 forks and get rid of my S2R1k forks and brakes. my forks got a race tech kit in them too.
Afterlooking at monstermashs thread, it seems pretty much a direct bolt on if i get my triples bored out and 3 shims made.

intimidating when your most extensive project to date was removing your wheels for new tires
i'm not worried though, i'll get'er done. it's not so much the fork swap, but rather just being sure i tightened everything down properly...

[donzo]

So Ducatiz, what in your opinion is THE best upgrade mod you can do on an s2r800?

[corey]

So Ducatiz, what in your opinion is THE best upgrade mod you can do on an s2r800?

it's a pretty subjective thing...
are you looking for awesome, incredible, road&track type forks? or are you just looking for something better, with at least SOME adjustability. from the sounds of it, you're looking for the latter, in which case i think (other opinions may vary) that a good used set of S2R1000 forks with a new set of linear springs and new oil will be your best bet. would bolt right on without any other modifications whatsoever.