Buying S4R - What to look for?
 

Hi There
I am tempted to buy a 2003 S4R - 8,000mls on clock - what are the points to look out for?

Any recalls?
Any main repetative faults?

Feedback most welcome - thanks

It's pretty much the same as your ST4S engine, frame & suspension wise.
Recalls wise, not heard of nynthing UK / Europe but there's this one for N America.....
NHTSA Campaign ID: 05V219000
Component: Suspension: Front: Shock Absorber
Manufacturer: Ducati North America
Year:
2005Make:
DucatiModel:
S4RRecall Date:
05/06/2005Potential Number of Units Affected: 117

Manufactured: Defect Summary:

On certain motorcycles, the incorrect rear shock absorber rocker arm was installed during production.

Consequence Summary:

The incorrect component could potentially fail causing the vehicle to crash without prior warning.

Corrective Summary:

Dealers will inspect the rear shock absorber rocker arm and replace it if necessary. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners should contact Ducati at 408-253-0499.

Had my S4R for over a year now, love it.
Only had a short on the rear light unit that blew a fuse. Ducati changed the clock unit as some of the LED's did not work. The warning light for the indicators and high beam did not work (the indicators and high beam did).

Buy and enjoy

Hmm,...dont they have a 996 motor?
What about the rockers?

Be sure to check the battery, and the surfaces near to it.

Go grab some beer and get comfortable:

http://www.ducatimonster.org/smf/index.php?topic=34.0
.

I thought that the S4r used a gel type battery, not the lead/acid type. If so then it should be ok.

I had one....Blinged the hell out of it, it looked fantastic...
 

But got bored with it...

996 Engine, too powerful to use without a 996 fairing...

Too much to use around town, so it was a bit of a handful..

It didnt really have a place, it wasn`t a sports bike, but it wasn`t a town bike/cruiser...

http://www.ducatimonster.org/smf/index.php?topic=34.0

Please read the above link.

They use what is referred to as an AGM/VRLA battery. They are not technically sealed. The OEM GS and also the OEM FIAMM batteries leaked (same design by GS). I had two in my S4 leak, before I went with a Yuasa (which is now owned by GS, btw). My friend's three week old 2004 S4r battery leaked. If I had one of the above batteries, I would change it to a Yuasa AGM--no questions. There are over fifty similar examples documented above.

Gel batteries have never been used.

As usual - van is wrong - lol ! (anyway his was the slower blue version!!).

The S4R is a fine tool - ive embarrased many rice rockets on trackdays..toured to france on it, I nip to the shops on it, does nearly 155mph on the clock (on an airfield obviously - ahem)

As for things to look for...nothing major I can think off. On a bike with 8k you really need to have a good sniff round the paint on the crankcases as unless you a bit anal with your cleaning (as I am!!) then they will flake after a while.

Without stealing the DSC's thunder - you'll get a muc more specific feedback on www.ukmonster.co.uk.

Good luck

Nat

Coudnt agree more, thats why mine is up for sale. Not much fun above 85- 90 mph either. But looks well and handles well !!