please help me decide, 2008 s2r1000 or 2011 m796 non abs?

[nikkimonster]

i have been without a monster for a while and now looking to get back on the saddle.


2008 S2R1k, all stock, 6500 miles.

or

2011 796 non abs, all stock, 1500 miles.


both are red/red, same price out the door at dealers.

please help decide.  thanks!!!

[supperduc]

Tough choice but I would go with the 796 for the lower mileage and better price. Typical price for a 2011 796 with only 1,500 miles should be at least $1K higher than a 2008 S2R 1000 with 6,500 miles.

[rule62]

The 1000 DS motor is better all the way around, and easy to find parts and upgrades for. Plus the bike has some things like a dry clutch, and a full trellis frame, which most Monster purists consider essential. IMHO, the S2R is the best monster that Ducati has produced. And if the one you're looking at has had its 6000 mile service, that would seal the deal for me.

[teddy037.3]

The 1000 DS motor is better all the way around, and easy to find parts and upgrades for. Plus the bike has some things like a dry clutch, and a full trellis frame, which most Monster purists consider essential. IMHO, the S2R is the best monster that Ducati has produced. And if the one you're looking at has had its 6000 mile service, that would seal the deal for me.

+11TB

[booger]

I agree on the S2R1000. Some owners of the new Monster chassis will tell you it handles inherently better, but that's nonsense. They aren't factoring in the fact that suspension geometry is to be adjusted to taste, and the older Monsters were fully adjustable to that end whereas the newer models do not offer the ability to tweak rear ride height. This would be of importance to me.

The DS1000 is a generally well-regarded mill, and pretty simple to maintain. Dry clutch too.

The seat on the older Monsters is much more comfortable and this fact cannot be argued against.

The full trellis frame on the 1k is much more honest and looks so much better than the newer Monsters' cast rear subframe which really screws the look up. Probably a lot stiffer and stronger to boot.

The brakes on the new models are better due to the radial calipers, but I've never really heard of anyone complaining about axial mounts being inadequate. Even the 2 pot S2R800 brakes would stop the crap out of the bike.

Front forks are adjustable on the 1k whereas with the 796 they are not. However, the 1k forks aren't really that great even so. It's a given that there will be some valving, spring, & shim stack mods required for a truly superior front end but in my view the 1k is entirely worth the trouble.

The fuel tank issue... The older Monsters have serious problems with fuel cell warpage, so you will need to check the tank out thoroughly and if it's deformed in any appreciable way try to get it replaced before you buy and then get the interior of the new tank coated with Caswell's to prevent future deformation. Replacement fuel tanks for these models are ~$1800 if for some reason DNA deems the bike ineligible for a good will emissions warranty replacement, so this is a very important thing to check. However, the fuel tanks on newer models are made of the same material and fuel leaks have been reported with them as well, so those who own newer Monsters have nothing to be smug about in that regard. Replacements on those are ~$700.

I personally prefer the analog guage cluster over the newer digital readout as well. It's easier to read and interpret at a glance when at speed, for myself at least.

And as mentioned, the modification possibilities are exponential when compared to the newer models.

[otter1]

I would get the 796. Newer, lower miles, better for resale down the road.

I had a S2R 1K - great bike overall. Service would be due @7500 not @6000 miles as previously stated, so most likely that would be yours to pay soon unless you could negotiate it as part of the deal.
Good luck - let us know what you decide!

[MikeZ]

S2R1000 

[Barney]

Ride BOTH! ...dont let the old school guys tell you that the 796 isn't a "real" monster, and there are plenty of options to mod the hell out of it!  that being said, the S2R is a great classic ride that will always be cool too.  throw a leg over each and see which one talks to ya. 

I agree the analog gauges look better, but I do like that the display is physically smaller and I've never had any issues at all reading the gauges on my 1100evo. 

[supperduc]

Here's silly question, unless you don't like the extra plumbing, why not consider an S4RS in your search?

[Mike_D]

Although there are downsides to the stock S2R such as the udder/O2 sensor and the expanding gas tank problems, I think it allows for more distinctive and diverse modding opportunities than the later model monsters.  Just the combination of the full trellis frame and dry clutch alone provide a better "canvas" from which to create your own unique Monster.  Get the dealer to help out on the upcoming 7500-mile service and it would be no contest.  Best of luck with whatever way you choose to go.
 

[lawbreaker]

The S2R is the better of the two...



Period




yeah... i'm old

[muskrat]

I agree with adding an S4 to the realm.  On the plus side S4R's have a metal tank up to 2006.

[JohnEE]

S2R......perfection........

[wabill]

I'm new to the Duc having owned my 06 S2R1000 for for only a month.  But I'm loving it more with each ride.  I've looked at the new bikes for some time but when the 06 showed up at the dealers I jumped on it without hesitation.