Is there much performance difference between......?

[Howie]

Besides visual there is a comfort difference between the SSS and DSS bikes.  Which is more comfortable?  Depends on your body.  SSS has more lean angle (stock).  DSS is more luggage friendly. 

[diamonddog-2]

...."you kids behave yourselves back there. don't MAKE me turn this car around"   

[ducpainter]

Not to worry...

they're on opposite sides of the car and can't reach each other.

[koko64]

He started it..(whiney voice).  Good thing its a wide car.

I reckon the M900 has more relaxed ergos as Howie stated and the more classic looks of the carbed bikes but with the benefit of efi. The earlier efi of the M900 is more open to intervention than say an M1100, but I cant comment on the S2R as I've not played with one. My brothers M900ie came out of tune and with wonky idle, but once correctly tuned was very impressive. Some bargains may occur due to customer frustration with a badly tuned but otherwise sound bike. The dry clutch wears quicker than the S2R wet clutch but is easy to work on and lighten.
Looking at your original posts it seems the M900ie fits the bill. I would pay more for one that has been cherished.

[the_Journeyman]

I can personally confirm the faster wearing dry clutch (M900) vs the wet clutch (S2R).  My dry clutched SS900 (same motor as M900) needed a clutch at 18,000 miles. My M750 has the original clutch at 41,000 miles.

JM

[diamonddog-2]

...."okay then, we can stop at Dairy Queen and get you boys a cone"   

So, it seems that in TRYING to stay within my budget, along with with what I've been learning about Ducati's here, I'm leaning towards the earlier 2000's  injected 900.  I think I'd be okay with the dry clutch and the more frequent maintenance vs. the S2R

What might a guy do to enhance the performance of the stock M900 engine without getting into it too deeply, both financially and mechanically?  [I should mention that there are 1 or 2 Ducati sources I can tap for some help outside of this discussion board, so I'm not ENTIRELY on my own, thankfully]

How much might I expect to spend on said improvements/upgrades?  I've read some things about a few bikes that have a racing chip? or computer upgrade? or EGR [ERG?] upgrade?  Are these all kind of the same thing?   Expensive?  Worth it?   Performance air box?  How much?  Worth it?

I've also read about "re-mapping the computer" ?  .... is that where the "red key" comes into play? 

I guess what I'm asking is: are there one or 2 simple and inexpensive mods I can do to help a early 2000 M900ie wake up a little?   [assume the bike will already have an aftermarket exhaust upgrade]

I'm just curious if there are some things I could do once I get one. Who knows, I might be okay with the bike the way it is?.....just figured I'd tap the collective wisdom here to get some feedback.

Thanks!

[the_Journeyman]

Improvements is a difficult area.

Well maintained injected M900 with recent tire & belt changes?  Outside of suspension there may not be much money to spend for a fun bike.  It's really the same for the S2S as well.  Maintenance records are important, as the valves having proper clearance aids best performance.  Having a dealer change belts can be expensive, so that's to note for either.

As far as the remapping, that would mean something like a power commander on an injected M900 or a "reflash" on the S2R.  Red key can come into play, but it can also be eliminated some reflashes.  There is a Ducati Performance ECU that cleans up the fuel map on later models, but I don't know the specific year that came into play.  It was commonly matched with Termignoni mufflers.

An injected M900 won't need much wake up, but a freer flowing exhaust and intake with a proper fuel map get get you a few more HP. 

JM

[Howie]

I'm a big EFI fan also.  Immobilizer didn't come into play on 2 valve Monsters until 2002.  If you buy a later model with an immobilizer that does not not have a red key and a code card you will want to flash the computer to kill the immobilizer, and you might as well, if not already done, DP upgrade.  IMO, the immobilizer is more likely to prevent the rightful owner to operate the bike than stop a thief.  Being old and halfast my DP flashed M1000, 84 HP at the rear wheel is more than I need. 

[koko64]

For M900ie, open airbox, K&N filter and Power commander. Options like light clutch and dialed cams. More expensive are hi comp pistons and light flywheel. The flywheel is cheap if you fit it.
Really, just a good tune including throttle body synch and tps.  There is every chance the bike will come with a PCIII or PCV.
As suggested, enjoying a well tuned stocker might be enough.

[the_Journeyman]

enjoying a well tuned stocker might be enough.

A well tuned M900ie should be a hoot to ride.

JM

[diamonddog-2]

It's all I really want.......a Ducati that's a hoot to ride and get an earful of that throaty growl!....and really nice to look at too. 

Well, all good things to consider as I try and procure my second bike.  I'll keep you all posted.