Is the S4RS the Greatest Monster Ever Built?

[The ModFather]

Seems mighty big praise gets laid at the wheels of the S4RS. I myself being a 620 Dark owner am unbiased but being in the market for a new big boy Monster there's two bikes that meet my criteria (i.e. More Power, SS-SwingArm, Ohlins, Lots O Style) the S4RS and the new 1200s. The thing is ...I can get an S4RS for about half of what a 1200S will cost me plus I can get a DRY CLUTCH!!   which for some reason looks and sounds incredibly cool. On the other hand a new bike is ... a BRAND NEW BIKE!!   plus all the latest gadgetry, better brakes, even more power and possibly the most comfortable Monster ever made. What are the thoughts on the S4RS here? I see most are fitted with Steering Damper... why? Are they prone to tankslappers? Just wonderin...

[DarkMonster620]

go for the S4Rs . . . It has SOUL and will make your heart beat faster . . .

[Triple J]

For 1/2 the price I would personally get the S4Rs. I don't know if it's the best Monster ever, but it's a damn nice one.

The dry clutch would be a negative for me. They look cool, but IMO a wet is superior in every other way. That said, dry clutch envy is common (I used to have it as well, until I lived with a dry clutch for a while).

More power (if true) and more brakes of the 1200 are just overkill. The S4Rs has more than enough of both already.

The downside of the S4Rs is the plastic tank.

Monsters aren't prone to tank slappers...but a damper is cheap (compared to the crash) insurance.

Get whichever one you like better though. They're both very nice.

[duccarlos]

If I could find an S4RS at a decent prize range and I was in the market, it would be very difficult for me to decline.

[ute]

Yes S4RS for sure ..when I bought my S2R ..I had a chance to buy a tricolore S4RS at the dealer ..thought it was to much $$ wise ..Kick myself so many times I did not buy it

as above said this bike will make your heart stir a true classic in every sense of the word

[Curmudgeon]

Buy an S4Rs if you want to ride everywhere on the rear wheel? 

[muskrat]

Ummmmmm, don't forget the s4r METAL tank!   Upgrade the suspension and vuala.  I am biased however.

[red baron]

Ummmmmm, don't forget the s4r METAL tank!   Upgrade the suspension and vuala.  I am biased however.

and NO Ohlins.

[dbran1949]

Abso-frikin-lutely

 

[brad black]

if i wanted to throw away my licence i'd have an s4rs.  great big wheelies.

[MonsterMadMarty]

My two cents worth S4RS's are probably as cheap as they will get right now, as they become older and rarer they will only increase in collectibility and valve. A brand new bike will lose half it's valve as you wheel it out of the dealership!

[The ModFather]

Im sure the S4RS will increase in value just not sure how long before that happens. I dint think it'll be like what we're seeing with Sport 1000s. Probably because there are lots of Monster options & there are still more being made. If they stopped making Monsters today I have no doubt the S4RS would start climbing sooner than later. As for 1200S losing half its value that quickly. I wish that were true. Then I could just get one next year. What I want to know now after reading these comments is this. Are Dry Clutches actually a bad thing?? I've heard they require more maintenance but beyond that?? Cuz damn they do look and sound cool.

[SDRider]

My two cents worth S4RS's are probably as cheap as they will get right now, as they become older and rarer they will only increase in collectibility and valve. A brand new bike will lose half it's valve as you wheel it out of the dealership!

My local dealer said he would give me $7500 for my 2012 Monster 1100 EVO on trade in for a new Monster 1200.  Let's see, I paid $11,999 for it 3 years ago and I have 15,000 miles on it at the moment... and I've lost no valves.  Not sure about your numbers there pal.  

[red baron]

My dry clutch had 20k on it when I sold the bike, zero issues. Never hear of any either, in fact the guy that bought my bike still seems to be riding the piss outta it.

[MadDuck]

If it's a Monster that you want then the S4RS is it.  I used to say that bike was the best overall Ducati. Then I got to ride a Streetfighter 1098. It's better but not a Monster.