First Monster Please help me choose??

[RRossi]

Well I am in the market for a S/H Monster of 900cc-1000cc

I have been loking for a  few weeks and have come up with the following choices


A 2006 S2R 1000   with 13k on the clock rides awsome but tis a little out of my price range, not that thats a bad thing but ot has only ever had one service?

http://www.bikesales.com.au/all-bikes/dealer/details.aspx?Cr=6&R=10789901&seot=1&__Ns=p_IsPoa_Int32|0||p_RankSort_Int32|1||p_HasPhotos_Int32|1||p_Make_String|0||p_Model_String|0||p_YearMade_Int32|1||p_PriceSort_Decimal|1||p_PhotoCount_Int32|1&__sid=12B2B8DC2D3C&__Nne=15&__Qpb=1&PriceTo=1554&__N=1432 604 1429 1626 1428 4294967242 1554 83&silo=1400&trecs=22


Or


A  2003 1000S LE  with 17k on the clock im going to look at it next week end but has all the belts done and looks in good nick?




http://www.bikesales.com.au/all-bikes/dealer/details.aspx?Cr=10&R=11636450&seot=1&__Ns=p_IsPoa_Int32|0||p_RankSort_Int32|1||p_HasPhotos_Int32|1||p_Make_String|0||p_Model_String|0||p_YearMade_Int32|1||p_PriceSort_Decimal|1||p_PhotoCount_Int32|1&__sid=12B2B8DC2D3C&__Nne=15&__Qpb=1&PriceTo=1554&__N=1432 604 1429 1626 1428 4294967242 1554 83&silo=1400&trecs=22


and lastly a 2001 S4 with 16k on the clock but it has a few extras?





http://perth.gumtree.com.au/c-Cars-Vehicles-Motorbikes-Parts-motorbikes-motorcycles-scooters-motorbikes-motorcycles-ducati-monster-s4-W0QQAdIdZ332026988





I would love peoples honest opinons and I know its how they make you feel but I have only ridden the Black s2r but im worried it will cost me an arm and a leg to get right?


I look forward to your thoughts


RR

[Dirty Duc]

The 03 1000 LE is air-cooled, so maintenance is easier/cheaper, and it has a metal tank. 

[RRossi]

The 03 1000 LE is air-cooled, so maintenance is easier/cheaper, and it has a metal tank. 

thanks buddy, I alos thought the s2r is air cooled as well?

[Travman]

If you don't mind the looks of the radiator & plumbing and want the most power go with the S4.  If you want the single-sided swingarm look then go for the S2R 1000.  If you like the classic dual-sided swingarm with dual symmetrical mufflers on each side go for the 03 1000.  Good luck and let's see some pics of your bike once you get it. 

[Dirty Duc]

it is also an air-cooled 2v, but it has a plastic tank which doesn't like ethanol.  I don't know if you cats down under have the ethanol in your fuels, but it has reportedly been a problem.  My S2R 800 has minimal swelling, but I ride the piss out of it.  The low mileage 695 I had for a while needed a new tank.

The metal tanks do have rust and hinge issues sometimes, but it is easier (and cheaper) to clean and weld steel than to replace a tank.

Plus, that S2R looks like something from Mad Max... I've never seen crash bars like that on a Monster.  There are much better ways to get highway pegs than adding all that nonsense.

[ducatiz]

ozzies have pumps with ethanol and without.  they aren't forced to use it as we in the states are..

[Twizted]

They are all great bikes. The 1000 2 valve monsters would be what I would be leaning toward simply because of the fact that services will cost you less, they're air cooled, look better (imo) and they sound amazing with a set of pipes on them. Both the s2r and 1000Sie will have adjustable forks and so should the S4. The only thing I would keep in mind is that the 1000ie states it has a sports exhaust and by the looks of the photo it has the stock pipes on it. So either they don't know what they're talking about or it has cored stock mufflers on it. Not that that is a bad thing it is just not an aftermarket item.

Also what is the law over in Perth with fender eliminators? I notice that the bikes you are looking at have them.

The S4 will be the quickest of the bunch but the 1000's are not far behind. They are definitely no slouch and have more than ample power for street riding. Any of these bikes will put an ear to ear grin on your face.

One thing I would be asking the sellers if I was looking at them would be service history receipts. Do they have the red keys (important) and with and intake and exhaust work which these seem to have done on them was there any ECU mods to compensate for them as they will tend to run leaner when you change them. Good luck.

[SDkid]

is no one going to comment on the shagg seat cover of the S2R 1000?  I thought that would make the decision a no-brainer...

[RRossi]

I didnt even want to ride the S2r with all that crap on it but I did and loved it,

I pulled a power wheelie off the lights and it ws smoth as silk, the only reason I dont want to go the s2r is the fact it has only had one service in all its life so it will set me back 2k easy to have it put right,

 as for the Sle it has had the pipes re cored? or somthing to that effect and has had all the belts changed 1500km ago so its ready to go out of the box,

the s4 i will be looking at in few days time but dosnt really excite me that much but in the flesh it could be a totaly diffrent thing?

So Have I got this right int he power stakes:

S4
S2r
1000s Le??

and thanks for all the input so far guys!

RR

[Dirty Duc]

Given ducatiz comment, the plastic tank is a non-issue.

Given the "only one service" comment, I would lean toward the LE unless the S2R had the offending non-services applied (assuming the only service done was the 600 mile).

I totally dig a single-sided swingarm.  I was just thinking about the results of my decision several years on... I love the bike, but I will replace the tank with one from CA-cycleworks.

[RRossi]

Yeah we dont have any issues with tanks swelling, I use 98 ron in my VTR and all my cars, it gives a little more pep, lol


Yeah I love the look of the s2r but also love the look of the chopped rear end of the Sle, just a shame I have to wait a week to look at it as they are 2 hours from the city, they are however one of the better ducati dealers in Perth.


Oh and just another quick question, is a 05 S2R 800 alot slower than the 1000?  or just a little?



RR

[Twizted]

The s2r1000 and 1000ie have the same Dual spark motor in them. They will be pumping out around 85-90hp. There would not be much difference between the two. Don't buy the bikes for the power though as like I said no matter which one you buy, it will have enough power for street riding and will give you a goofy grin under your helmet.

I own a 1000ie and went for one because I liked the older shaped monsters.

The S2r800 on the other hand is around 78hp irc so probably just a lil slower. The brakes and suspension is not as good on the 800 as it will be o the 1000's or the S4. Also remember to ask about ecu upgrades/mods if the airbox and exhaust has been modded.

All the crap on the S2r can be removed I would not worry to much about that. And as for the tail chops, they look great until you have to ride in the rain.

[RRossi]

Thanks Twizted for the help, I will cross the s2r 800 off the list


RR

[justinrhenry]

i'd go with the S2R because of the shaggy seat.  the luggage rack is pretty friggin cool too. 

[red baron]

Given those to choose from, I'd go for the 1000Sie.