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

ARMAN · « **Reply #80 on:** 01-Nov-2008, 14:46:51 »

damn this bike looks so sexey

i'd loose the sticker on the exhaust, other than that it looks very good

TT · « **Reply #81 on:** 01-Nov-2008, 15:06:47 »

Sadly it ain't a sticker but a metal thing kinda bolted on it.

And in fact, since a while I dream of painting the blue parts in white, the frame red and the wheels gold maybe??? Too bad it ain't free

Thamar · « **Reply #82 on:** 01-Nov-2008, 15:32:37 »

Where did you right rear blinker go?

TT · « **Reply #83 on:** 01-Nov-2008, 16:49:02 »

Lost in Sicily aswell

and notice the plate is held in place with some metal wire too

Mad Max style

Thamar · « **Reply #84 on:** 01-Nov-2008, 18:38:53 »

As for the plate, drill 2 holes in the middle of it, and run a white/clear zip tie trough it so that it also holds on to the frame that way. If one of the screws would fell out, the plate isn't lost...

TT · « **Reply #85 on:** 01-Nov-2008, 18:45:50 »

The wire is a pretty good solution, I kinda like it and is always a good conversations starter

danidmas · « **Reply #86 on:** 04-Nov-2008, 15:14:43 »

Actually I think it looks better than the original item

Quote from: TT on 01-Nov-2008, 15:06:47

And in fact, since a while I dream of painting the blue parts in white, the frame red and the wheels gold maybe??? Too bad it ain't free

That would be legen...... wait for it....... wait........... daaary!!

TT · « **Reply #87 on:** 04-Nov-2008, 20:02:00 »

And expensice sadly

danidmas · « **Reply #88 on:** 04-Nov-2008, 21:40:29 »

Quote from: TT on 04-Nov-2008, 20:02:00

And expensice sadly

No way it could be as expensive as painting a car

I guess you would need to take out the engine to paint the frame red, but the rest it wouldn't be that pricey.

TT · « **Reply #89 on:** 04-Nov-2008, 22:44:18 »

Yep, you'll need to take it apart, completely... engine, suspensions, electrics..

Anyway, just got an invite for a testdrive of the Streetfighter as soon as it reaches our shores

TT · « **Reply #90 on:** 04-Jan-2009, 00:19:58 »

What about my 2008 on two wheels? Well, first of all, it started on a 900 cc Monster, 4 valves, air cooled and 80 hp, to end on a 1000 cc one, 8 valves, water cooled and 120 hp, and that was a big change!

On two wheels I covered a grand total of 18'651 km (11'236 on the 900, 7'415 on the S4R) or 11'591 miles.

Due to those small tanks, I had to refill 86 times.

The 900 used 605 liters of petrol and fuel consumption till I sold it averaged 5.39 l / 100 km, with a best of 4.51 and a worst of 6.01 l / 100 km.
The S4R used another 443 liters, averaging 6.06 l / 100 km, with a best of 4.63 and a worst of 7.41. The higher burning rate means I never covered more than 230 km on a tank, which isn't a lot, even for a bike, but means I don't carry useless weight with me

Both bikes together burned 1'048 liters of petrol, most of the time 95 octanes.

Needless to say the Monsters were and are my daily mean of transportation, to the office, back at home, to visit clients quite often, but also for long trips (Parma and Modena for a Lambo meetings for instance), my holydays in Sicily, and several mountain passes blasts with my friends during summer.
I didn't reach the magic 20'000 km mark this year, but was pretty close.

Extra costs, well, quite a few, especially for the 900. Apart from the usual insurance and taxes, which are pretty light on bikes (780 CHF), I had to pay a couple of fines (loud mufflers, overtaking where not allowed) and that means and extra 720 CHF.
Those fines ended up in the bike needeing to pass an inspection in april. The job needed (stock exhaust back, plate support to be modified, new rear tire) stepped me back another 930 CHF. There was also a major service in January (20'000 km), costing me another 775 CHF, and later in summer, the chain kit and front tire needed a replacement (another 675 CHF). Let's not forget I hit the ground this summer and the handlebar needed a replacement (200 CHF). Add some other small things done to the bike and you end with with a total of 4'230 CHF, not considering petrol.
Still, considering the high mileage, the 900 costed 0.48 CHF per km, and let's not forget it was sold for a pretty decent price in november.

The S4R on its side had the new Arrow mufflers installed, new plate support (Rizoma) and side indicators (1130 CHF). After the Sicily trip, both tires were changed (560 CHF). With the usual small shit, it costed around 2'000 CHF last year, making it a pretty good 0.38 CHF / km

No idea what 2009 will bring me on this side. I'm focusing my attention on the cars lately, but the bike will still be needed for quick commuting and practicality. I'd like the new Streetfighter, but not only 120 hp are plenty enough on a good bike as the S4R is, but some 18'000 euros for a bike seems to me an abuse, considering I cover to many km on it and can't obviously sign for a 4 or 5 years leasing as there won't be any bike to use after a couple

danidmas · « **Reply #91 on:** 04-Jan-2009, 16:40:22 »

Wow! Always wanted to keep track of the km I do with the GT Turbo... but after 4-5 weeks I always forget about it

Great work Matteo!

TT · « **Reply #92 on:** 04-Jan-2009, 16:50:42 »

Takes a while to get used to it, but after a while, it just comes natural

stmoritzer · « **Reply #93 on:** 06-Jan-2009, 18:52:17 »

sorry to interuped the topic, but it looks like the Ducati Monster is a girl-bike

http://fifthgear.five.tv/jsp/5gmain.jsp?mnk=430

VBH has one

- well at least she has some driving skills

TT · « **Reply #94 on:** 06-Jan-2009, 19:41:09 »

Fuck

I bet she has a girly 696, not a manly S4R though

TT · « **Reply #95 on:** 05-Mar-2009, 17:28:03 »

So... the S4R is having some troubles... it is approcaching the 12'000 km right now, and since I got it in august I did more than 8'000 km with it...
Since some days it developped a weird prob at idle.. sounds like if a spark plug doesn't work proprely and the fuel isn't ignited 100% of the times... weird, but I lived with it a full week. I took it to the mechanic for the 12'000 service (belts, valves check, oil, filters and so on...) asking them to check what was wrong. Well, sadly it's an oldschoold mechanic and doesn't really know how to fix electric probs... might be the electric management, a cable, god knows... obviously, to distract me, he removed by stock air filter and installed a racing item, removing also the air box... basically now when I fully open the throttle, the S4R sounds like a Spitfire! Massively fun, but well, this morning when I tried to go to work, the bike didn't work... I had to push it to another mechanic in my town where it is a the moment, and luckily I had the Lotus in the garage (still 1 hour late in the office...). They called me today to tell me the filter without its box let water pour everywhere in the engine (lot of rain yesterday night while riding home). They dried it and now it seems to work, but I'm 90% sure the idle prob will still be there.
Now I guess it's a best idea to put the airbox back on as I often drive in pouring rain, but I hope somebody will be able to fix this stupid prob...

In the meanwhile, I keep dreaming about a white Streetfighter in my garage...

danidmas · « **Reply #96 on:** 05-Mar-2009, 23:47:50 »

Sucks to hear that... but electronic problems are the worst to deal with

Saadie · « **Reply #97 on:** 06-Mar-2009, 00:13:53 »

try putting on new wires .. if that does the trick you headache will be long forgotten

TT · « **Reply #98 on:** 08-Mar-2009, 09:16:21 »

So, after some more tries, the problem was traced to a faulty coil (not 100% sure of course)...

So, since there are some troubles in sourcing Ducati stuff in Ticino atm (the dealership was sold to a new company), I had to ride to the closest Ducati dealer in Italy (Varese) and order from them.
I never went there, but I'm in love already. Probably close to 50 Ducati for sale (anything from new 1198 to a Scrambler), a big shop with any kind of clothes and accessories, a workshop and an area dedicated to spare parts. Friendly team as always in Italy and it's just a 20 min ride from home. I guess I'll have my bike serviced there from now on!

On the plus side, while doing the rounds from a workshop to another, I stumbled upon my second Desmosedici!! LOVELY!

And also testdrove the new Honda CB1000R ABS... some more hp on paper than my S4R, but as any 4 cyl, not as much carachter, and not funny on low revs. Also too soft and "easy" in some ways...

danidmas · « **Reply #99 on:** 09-Mar-2009, 16:56:36 »

The Desmosedici is soooooooo sexay!