View Full Version : S4R ~ what are they like to own?
Steve M
05-Aug-2005, 11:00
What do you think of them?
How good are they?
Would be used for a couple of TDs per year too.
Oh yeah, how do you get your right foot on the peg?
Go on chaps, convince me it would be better than a 999 (and I really, really like the 999)
:burn:
You could always pop in to your "local" Ducati dealer and ask for a test ride.... oh they don't do them :rolleye:
Aren't you going to Woods at the weekend though for their BBQ?
Get a test on both :D
Monster v's 999?
Cheaper to service (even less if NOT the S4R or S4)
Cheaper to fix after a trackday 'off' - as no plastic
Cheaper to insure (just about)
But - do you want all the plumbing on view? - some love it, some hate it, thats why I got an aircooled.
If ever down this way, you are more than welcome to have a test on my M1000sie - and am sure Webby would play 'ball' & bring his S4R over, so you could compare them:)
C:)
Steve M
05-Aug-2005, 11:16
Woods have said I can test them back to back if they have them in at the time ( Woods :) ). But I was wondering how people felt after owning one for a while - does the lack of wind protection become a pain, are they comfortable for 300 - 500 miles in a day etc.
Well the riding position is less extreme than a 999 so I would think comfort on your wrists would be better. I've got 2 mates who have S4R's just for getting them to and from a foreign WSB/GP round, quick enough and good for a long haul, as for wind protection I dunno.
But they do both have a 999S/996RS which they race/track day
No probs doing 400-500 miles a day on mine (unless my back is bad, but thats not a bike prob, thats a 'me' prob:lol: )
Wind protection? - not too much of a prob, unless v high winds - but who wants to ride a bike in those conditions anyway? :lol:
Happy to still ride in a good breeze, tho have kept speed down accordingly in those conditions
Wrists can still 'feel' when doing lots of slow work around town - but again - who wants do do all that? Mucho better for A & B road riding out of the 30's & 40's.
Monsters seem more 'forgiving' in your riding than the sportsbikes I've ridden, and on occasion are happy to 'chug' if required
Good luck with a test ride:)
Originally posted by JPM
as for wind protection I dunno.
Haa haa wind protection whats that!!!
Apart from the lack of wind protection which u soon get used to Monsters are great fun well my S4. Just had the suspension set up properly and tweaked it a bit and its a whole extra pile of fun.
Never been on an S4R but you just know you'll be grinning especially when u keep up with sports bikes
Steve M
05-Aug-2005, 11:50
C.
I know what you mean about the plumbing and I think the air cooled engines look better in a Monster, but I've only ever had 2V Ducatis so it's time for a change.
Thanks for the offer of a ride.
LesPaul
05-Aug-2005, 11:55
Originally posted by Steve M
What do you think of them?
How good are they?
Would be used for a couple of TDs per year too.
Oh yeah, how do you get your right foot on the peg?
Go on chaps, convince me it would be better than a 999 (and I really, really like the 999)
:burn:
I love mine, it has plenty of power, handles, doesn't hurt your wrists/back like a sports bike.
Did the DSC trackday on mine last year and had loads of fun.
Right foot on the peg???
If you pop along to the Notts meet on Tuesday your more than welcome to try it, just U2U me first so I don't turn up on the 996 :D
Darren
Steve M
05-Aug-2005, 12:02
Right foot.
When I sat on one, the heat shield seemed to get in the way - it still had the standard exhaust on though.
Steve,
Chack out this post and send Natty a U2U.
Rgds, Rob
http://ducatisportingclub.com/xmb/viewthread.php?tid=22633#pid214930
Steve M
05-Aug-2005, 12:28
Rob.
It was those pics that started me thinking of an S4r again :)
My right wrist really doesn't like sports bikes any more, so it will be an S4R or a 998/999 and Helibars.
Lee1980
05-Aug-2005, 12:33
I love mine more day to day than the 748s I used to have still miss the 748 sometimes. S4r has lots of grunt and comfy to, up to 100 wind protection fine:D
And in the best colour red/white looks fineeeee:D:D
Heres mine:cool:
LesPaul
05-Aug-2005, 12:44
Hate to argue but Blue/white is best :lol:
Darren
Offer still stands for next Tuesday ;)
[Edited on 5-8-2005 by LesPaul]
Steve M
05-Aug-2005, 12:51
both looking good to me :)
Lee1980
05-Aug-2005, 14:17
Steve U deffo don't want a black one like someone has:lol::lol::lol::roll::roll:
You're more than welcome to have a ride on mine. They are a great bike although at first you may not think so, I wasn't but with time as the engine gets more and more run in, she is defintely improving. Blue and white is the right colour.:cool:
Lee1980
05-Aug-2005, 17:27
One thing to note with either the blue or the better red colour is the wheels being white a pain to keep clean all the time, after only one dry ride they look grubby:sniff:
Also avaliable in black with the white stripe/wheels not seen one n the flesh yet though.
Nattyboy
06-Aug-2005, 20:06
Certainly recommended here mate !!
It really is a fantastic piece of kit. It tracks well (as youve seen, and the suspension is very underrated!), you can pop to the shops on it, pose outside your local cafe...(!!) and they make a good 2 up touring bike (im off to the Isle of Wight tommorrow with 'er indoors !).
Ive been lucky enough to own some pretty special bikes in my time, and I have to say that the S4R is the best fun ive ever had on 2 wheels..it really is that good (although its not my favourite...that accolade goes to something else eh Rob ?? ;)).
Lee - you coming out to play tommorrow mate ??!
Let us know how you get on !!
Cheers
Nat
Lee1980
07-Aug-2005, 18:32
Chance would have been a fine thing Nat lol, er indoors is giving me grief about anything i do on the bike like cleaning it etc.
Never been to Isle of wight either sounds like a nice place gd weather to, today hope u had a good time.
And she dont wanna go on the back now i have a monster, think its time for me to p/x her:D
P.s And I mean her not the bike
[Edited on 7-8-2005 by Lee1980]
Steve M
08-Aug-2005, 12:07
Thanks all:sing:
Lee1980
08-Aug-2005, 12:44
U know it makes sense Steve;);)
Steve M
08-Aug-2005, 12:50
yep, my only concern is the 996 engine (rockers). Would like a 998 engine, but what the hell:)
Lee1980
08-Aug-2005, 13:19
Yeah same here Im hoping the latest ones are better and I wont be revving so high like my 748 either, and I always let it warm up etc from new:D:D
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