Author Topic: My 2004 Ducati Monster S4R 1000 and a Supermotard... (Read 6302 times)

TT · « **on:** 25-Aug-2008, 22:24:43 »

Already home

And already took a couple of quick shots of it...

Damn it is a sexy bike! Already planned, in the next days, is the removal of the plastic plate support, the passenger feet supports, the direction change indicators and the original mufflers.

And I am considering a quick trip to the Stelvio pass to learn how to ride it. I was expecting a bike similar to mine, only much faster. Well, noway. Even if the look is the same, the way you have to ride it is totally different. Much closer to a 748 or other sport bike in fact, as you can't drive it with the handlebar as I could with the 900. If you want to commit to a corner, with the S4R you have to step on the foot support and throw it in, or else it won't take the good angle. It's very weird, and a much sportier feeling. But once the bend ends and you can give some throttle, it's really something. It's amazing the difference 40 hp can do on a bike! Most impressive upgrade are the brakes, especially at the front, as they are so fucking powerfull! Almost too powerful at slow speed actually. Must be careful on wet tarmac for sure. The gearchange is very precise and with shorter movement needed to engage the next gear!

I am very happy, as I am sure I'll have lot of fun with it, but it was damn sad to see the 900 without its plate (as they share the same one for now), stranded in my garage in Lugano while I was taken home by the S4R... I don't want to sell it!!

gucom · « **Reply #1 on:** 25-Aug-2008, 23:00:18 »

Wow it definitely looks VERY sexy!

Love the wheels and especially the polished exhausts, and the white stripe on the tank looks nice with those wheels as well... got more pics??

So is it also less relaxed to drive on a daily basis?

TT · « **Reply #2 on:** 25-Aug-2008, 23:08:58 »

Well, she isn't exactly less relaxed in fact, as the engine has some massive flexibility as in the 900. But the way it steers is definitely another thing: steering with the handlebar is like a scooter or any other light two wheeler, and very natural feeling in town. In this case you sort of have to fight your way into any corner, even at low speed, and can't expect the bike to do your work alone

MIHALS · « **Reply #3 on:** 25-Aug-2008, 23:12:38 »

wow, that thing is pure SEX!

hang on! did I just say something nice about the BIKE?

very great choice Matteo, this Duc looks very sexy, hope she will serve you only in the best way!

TT · « **Reply #4 on:** 25-Aug-2008, 23:13:24 »

More pics

DMF · « **Reply #5 on:** 25-Aug-2008, 23:45:06 »

Hot DAMN, that is a beautiful bike.. and you are right that front brake is monstrous..

I am jealous. Have fun with it - it looks like a real killer.. so be sure to treat it well

danidmas · « **Reply #6 on:** 26-Aug-2008, 13:44:44 »

At this pace, you'll be driving a 1098 by next year (Rebel Run 2009

)... and a mopped 50cc Piaggio as a daily ride

Well done mate, to be honest, these colours are even hotter than the soft-blue-ish you had in the 900ie

TT · « **Reply #7 on:** 27-Aug-2008, 00:03:55 »

Hehe, I doubt I'll ever end up with a real sport bike even if I almost bought a 748 some time ago... I still need a bike to be used 365 days / year on any kind of road!

and I am too soft for such bikes

TopGearNL · « **Reply #8 on:** 27-Aug-2008, 00:06:16 »

Nice one TT. Ive always liked Ducati's because of the dark sound they make. Great pics, that front disc looks like it came off Casey Stoner's bike LOL

As for a follow up bike, is a Triumph not an option? Got to love that even darker sounding 3-cylinder!

TT · « **Reply #9 on:** 27-Aug-2008, 00:14:56 »

A friend sold some time ago his Speed Triple for a good price. Great bike, really interesting, but I think that 3 cylinder engine is a bit "fake"... I mean, in the end they just cut away a cylinder from a 4 cyl engine just to have an original one, didn't they?

And as I tell to everybody, once you own a Ducati, you can't go back to regular bikes.. same feelings an Harley Davidson or Porsche gives you. You won't find the same sensations on any other bike, period.

TopGearNL · « **Reply #10 on:** 27-Aug-2008, 00:20:50 »

Quote from: TT on 27-Aug-2008, 00:14:56

A friend sold some time ago his Speed Triple for a good price. Great bike, really interesting, but I think that 3 cylinder engine is a bit "fake"... I mean, in the end they just cut away a cylinder from a 4 cyl engine just to have an original one, didn't they?

And as I tell to everybody, once you own a Ducati, you can't go back to regular bikes.. same feelings an Harley Davidson or Porsche gives you. You won't find the same sensations on any other bike, period.

Thats true.. I quite still like it though because its got character, but then again a Ducati has more character. I know a guy with a Ducati 996 who says the same, once you owned a Ducati theres no way back.

Im going to take lessons soon for a bike and was looking at a Ducati 748, you think that might be a bit to big as a bike to start with?

TT · « **Reply #11 on:** 27-Aug-2008, 00:24:34 »

The Ducati isn't too big for a start IMO, but probably too challenging to be honest. The engine is the kind that has to be revved hard as it isn't that torquey, and cornering is very tricky as it's really a difficult bike that has to be raped to find the right line.

I don't think I'd suggest it as a first bike.

IMO, even if the sport bike is a different planet, a Monster is really the way to go to learn to ride and still have fun. Something like the 900 model I have is perfect, with a very strong engine able to ride on torque at low revs but still hungry for them when you want it. Easy to throw into corners it can let you learn how to brake and accelerate in and out instead of having to fight your way in every possible way through them...

TopGearNL · « **Reply #12 on:** 27-Aug-2008, 00:28:18 »

Quote from: TT on 27-Aug-2008, 00:24:34

The Ducati isn't too big for a start IMO, but probably too challenging to be honest. The engine is the kind that has to be revved hard as it isn't that torquey, and cornering is very tricky as it's really a difficult bike that has to be raped to find the right line.

I don't think I'd suggest it as a first bike.

IMO, even if the sport bike is a different planet, a Monster is really the way to go to learn to ride and still have fun. Something like the 900 model I have is perfect, with a very strong engine able to ride on torque at low revs but still hungry for them when you want it. Easy to throw into corners it can let you learn how to brake and accelerate in and out instead of having to fight your way in every possible way through them...

Ok, so its more like getting use to the balance of the bike I guess? I didn't know that about the 748 to be honest, good thing you mentioned it. But a Monster with close to 1000cc might be a bit to much to start with, then again it might be not..

I know loads of guys who fit Termignoni exhausts to their Ducati, the sound out of that is just sick! Ever looked into that?

TT · « **Reply #13 on:** 27-Aug-2008, 00:40:40 »

As for a first bike, the important thing IMO is that it has to be "easy", because at first you need to learn how to take corners, as it is much different, and the part between braking and accelerating again IMO should be as easy going as possible. Ence, a bike that can be gently put into a corner is much better than one that seems to fight against you. The 748 is a quite radical bike, you need muscles to use it proprely. And at low speeds it isn't funny at all.
A small Monster like the new 696 or earlier models is even better, but it is IMO too underpowered and too soon you'd desire something faster. The 900 is really nice because it can be driven as slow as you want and still reward a lot. But when you want to light on the rear tire, it can cope quite well!

Yes, I considered Termignoni options for both the 900 and S4R, but to be honest, I can't justify their price. Much higher than any other option. I don't want to spend 2000 € on an exhast system.

For the S4R it will be Arrow:

The hard part is to decide if I should go the full way as in the pic, full exhaust from cylinders to mufflers, cat removed obviously, or just fir the last part and leave the big car below the bike instead. I fear the removal of the cat would require a new electric management to avoid any performance problem, and also fear it would be too loud. On the other side, the removal could give me 10 to 20 more hp probably... I'm gonna order it tomorrow anyway

TopGearNL · « **Reply #14 on:** 27-Aug-2008, 00:48:08 »

Allright, Ill look into the Monster as a starter bike TT and ask the guy at the school what he thinks. Various people already told me that the 748 wasn't a very good starter bike and you agree, don't get me wrong I appreciate it!

As for the exhaust system, I looked into that aswell and discovered that because the Ducati's make such a rumbling noise already there is no need to go for the whole exhaust package. Ive heard Ducatis with only the pipes tuned and with the whole package. To be honest, I can't really tell the difference.. Its a bit louder, Ive noticed that but that takes a bit of the sound away IMO

TT · « **Reply #15 on:** 27-Aug-2008, 00:52:11 »

Yeh, I don't think it would be much louder, especially if I'm gonna keep the db killers in...

But the extra hp really tempt me. Also the look is much better without the big cat part I now have...

I am sorry to confirm the 748 isn't a good starter bike, but it really isn't, and as a novice, it could really ruin it all to start with such focused bike. Any naked would be a better choice...

TopGearNL · « **Reply #16 on:** 27-Aug-2008, 01:00:28 »

Quote from: TT on 27-Aug-2008, 00:52:11

Yeh, I don't think it would be much louder, especially if I'm gonna keep the db killers in...

But the extra hp really tempt me. Also the look is much better without the big cat part I now have...

I am sorry to confirm the 748 isn't a good starter bike, but it really isn't, and as a novice, it could really ruin it all to start with such focused bike. Any naked would be a better choice...

Yeah thats true, its not only the sound but the performance and looks too.. Find something 2nd hand otherwise?

No problem about the 748, your honest and I can respect that. I already had my doubts about it. And like you say it can ruin it. Many jump on fireblades and hayabuses when they pass their test but after a few trips they step down and look for a less powerful and better to control bike!

I will certainly consider the Monster TT, maybe the less powerfull version but with a big exhaust

TT · « **Reply #17 on:** 27-Aug-2008, 01:06:03 »

I never tested one of the older "small" Monsters myself, but I know many ppl really have fun with them. Obviously they also say you soon want more power, but again, it's a mature and grown up move to pick up an easier bike for a start, instead of going for the big guns and get in troubles. If you pick a good second hand and don't put 100'000 km on it, you can easily sell for a similar price an year later or so, if you want more...

TopGearNL · « **Reply #18 on:** 27-Aug-2008, 01:09:03 »

Quote from: TT on 27-Aug-2008, 01:06:03

I never tested one of the older "small" Monsters myself, but I know many ppl really have fun with them. Obviously they also say you soon want more power, but again, it's a mature and grown up move to pick up an easier bike for a start, instead of going for the big guns and get in troubles. If you pick a good second hand and don't put 100'000 km on it, you can easily sell for a similar price an year later or so, if you want more...

Ok, well I certainly keep that in mind TT. Ive got loads of homework to do on bikes..!

Thanks very much on your advice and I will keep you informed about how things are going, I only just recently started so should be quite interesting

TT · « **Reply #19 on:** 27-Aug-2008, 01:11:38 »

It's really a nice world the bikers' one, you'll see!