From new monster to old monster

[jvax]

Can I get some years as to what defines old vs. new?

By old I meant old gen, i.e. up to the SR4S, and new gen starting from the 696.

[lawbreaker]

- Ducati stopped making The Monster after 2007

[jvax]

- Ducati stopped making The Monster after 2007

hmm, I tried making sense of that but...   

did you mean after 2008?  cuz I do see old gen monsters MY2008 on Ducati's website, for instance the S4RS.

[Slide Panda]

Are they difficult to handle?  less forgiving?  more responsive?  Can you please elaborate?

Less mannered.. They handle well, respond well etc etc. It just feels a little more raw. It's subjective and hard to define... but here's an example. Rode my 900 to a Sport Classic demo day a while back. Going from the 900 to the 1000DS I knew I was going as fast and the 1000DS made more power but it didn't feel like it. It didn't have the sense of raw urgency. The 1000DS was happy to spin up to pace... but it didn't let you know it on the same visceral level.

Some of that is probably the fact the new plants are smoother mechanically and in terms of throttle.

Though a little bit ago I changed up to a 50mm full system from the stock headers and it doesn't fell as gunty and urgent at the bottom of the range. The tube change shifted the torque curve.

[lawbreaker]

hmm, I tried making sense of that but...   

did you mean after 2008?  cuz I do see old gen monsters MY2008 on Ducati's website, for instance the S4RS.

You are correct sir.... last year of the S4RS was '08

My bad

[jvax]

Thanks for all the responses folks.

I think I'm down to '05/'06 S4R desmoquattro VS '07/'08 S2K1000.

I'm leaning more toward the S4R, but I'd like to hear if you guys have any pros/cons for both.

[H-2 CHARLIE]

   I have a 2001 FI - SS/750 with a great short yosh pipe and its the bomb ass sound ...I sure would love to ride a M1000 with the same set up .

[uglyducky]

i've owned both 2v and 4v bikes (almost every bike ducati has made in the last decade) including Streetfighter, hyper, sport classic, 996, m900, s4r, and now s4rs.  i only say this because i had the luxury of being able to ride and experience all of these bikes. it really is such a subjective choice that i STRONGLY recommend you try and ride whatever you are thinking of owning.  i was doing a lot of quick resales on bikes that didn't work for me.  for instance, had the SF for a week and hated it but i've heard people say it is the best naked bike ducati has ever produced.  the 2 valves will be easier in maintenance but the extra cheese in upkeep for the liquid monsters offers you a bike that will eat highways and twisties alive.  as things stand right now and for my personal preferences i have settled on the 07 s4rs and just did a 1500 mile road trip on it.  i can honestly say that, for my taste, it is the best motorcycle i have ever owned.  but, i have moto ADD so, we'll see how long that lasts . . .   

[Case S2R]

I may be late to this but...

 I own an 06 S2R 1000 (stock with cored cans) , and have switched bikes with my friends  (Rostermeyer on this board) 2010??? M1100S Termi w/ ECU.

The new monster feels SLIGHTLY more refined, such as lighter clutch, smoother twist throttle but they are both monsters and the difference was not so much that it made me want a new one.  For me the riding position difference was negligible after the first 100 yards.  On performance his 1100 may have a slight bit more power than mine but I feel we would need to be on a track with stop watches ready to measure the difference.  On the street you really don't notice that much difference, except his fueling is a bit smoother with the ECU.

I would say while the new bike may be 2-3% better than the old (which is not much) and the old monsters looks may be 2-3% better than new (Although Rostermeyers is pretty nice).  In my book it is a wash.

I think you will be happy with a pre 2008, and don't worry about the plastic tank.  If it happens Caswell the tank and move on with life, the fix is simple.

Case S2R

[corey]

Some people say "less mannered"...
I'm a glass-half-full kind of guy, so I'd say "more RAW."
I like to know I'm on a motorcycle when I am. My S2R800, even with it's smaller displacement and two measly valves, is like a wonderfully untamed steed.
I've ridden a few "better" bikes, and while they are more comfortable... easier to maintain... better handling, better brakes, faster.... they just aren't as fun.

also, someone called the 1000DS motor "better" than the 800... depends on your definition of better, but i've never seen a cracked piston or heard of any fueling problems with the 800

and i LOVE my wet ATPC clutch.

now i DO have 999 forks and clipons...

by the one you like, and make it even more of what you want.

[jvax]

Thanks guys, great advice 

I was almost 90 to 10 in favor of the S4R, when I came across this S2R1000    so I'm back to square one 

2008 S2R1000, gray with black stripe/frame/wheels, 18,600km (11,557mi), full termi, approx 4,800$.

[justinrhenry]

Thanks guys, great advice 

I was almost 90 to 10 in favor of the S4R, when I came across this S2R1000    so I'm back to square one 

2008 S2R1000, gray with black stripe/frame/wheels, 18,600km (11,557mi), full termi, approx 4,800$.

very nice

[DucDodgers]

Wow that is a smoking price for that bike. It actually sounds like one of those too good to be true, but if it all checks out then you should absolutely jump on that deal. Hell you could probably even flip it and make some cash on it.