S4r around town?

[Nick Pavey]

Hi all

First post so please be gentle.

Ive been hanging around the US Monster Board (http://www.ducatimonster.org/smf/index.php) and just stumbled across this one looking for S4r's.

Seems much more civillised!

My everyday riding involves a 30 mile round trip from North London to the center. Im pretty much straight away on the A1 where the average speed is around 60 mph,and then im in the thick of it,surrounded by the Vespa's!

My current ride is a 54 plate 620 single disc which i bought from new and have clocked up 7322 miles since last September. Its great around town in that its pretty nimble and fairly quick,but im itching for a little extra poke for the A1 part of my journey.

What im pondering though is how is an S4r going to be around town? Someone said because of the dry clutch to steer clear as a town bike,someone else said it would be tiresome on the arms. I had a quick test ride of one from the now defunkt Ducati London Central but only went out for about 20 mins as they were closing.

Also would it be worth the extra expense?

Opinions from S4r'ers around town would be much appreciated.
Thanks

Nick

[Col996s]

Hi Nick,

Welcome to the board.

I'm afraid I know nothing about S4r's but I'm sure there will be someone along soon who does.

[keefer]

welcome to the club.
as a newbie you have to get the beers in at the bar so as its footie night ill have speckled hen cheers.
o and the monster owners will be along any mo.
S4R nice bike

[AK]

Hiya, I'll have a glass of red vino if you dont mind:cool:

My thoughts? (I dont have an S4R, tho I do have a M1000sie) is that I'd keep the 620 for the commute.
I really wouldnt use mine for the filtering work, without changing the clutch lever etc (which I am quite happy with for the rest of the time:D ). Its far too torquey (sp?) for the on/off throttle & slow speed stuff, and IF on occasions I've been stuck in heavy traffic etc, I am swearing like a trooper about getting a ssshh..... jap bike if I had to commute daily....

Ak's enjoyed the 620 tango for commuting recently, says he prefers it over his lawson (who wouldnt :lol: ) and better than the M900 special too

Get an S4R (if thats what rocks your boat) for the fun w/end stuff if its within the budget.

Happy shopping:D

C

[KeefyB]

Hmm,S4R,..lovely bike but has got that lumpy old 996 motor...bit of a handfull around town,I imagine.Now add on a grabby clutch when hot,....
I would stick to what you have got for commuting.

[webbyc]

S4R is a superb bike that made me feel like a hooligan as soon as I got on it, hence I had to go back to sportsbikes! Brilliant fun, good on the track, but could be a pain around town. I'd stick to the 620 for commuting.

[Nick Pavey]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I guess a big test ride is needed. Also I may consider the S2r 1000 now aswell.

Just love the styling of the S4r.

[Edited on 2-11-2005 by Nick Pavey]

[Lee1980]

I use mine for commuting most days about 4 miles thru town. I dont find clutch to bad really you get used to it, and with a open cover i find doesn't get grabby even in searing hot temps. A dry clutch is never so easy around town as you cant slip unless you like replacing your plates often:o

I have just added a 14t front sprocket which makes the revs more manageable in first and second. In the wet though its more scary shifting down requires much care or its a brown trouser moment:o:o

But I still love riding mine to work and will only not ride so much when the salt goes down on the road:roll::roll:

The S2r 1000 maybe better low down around town but still got a dry clutch:D:D

[Nattyboy]

620 is going to be better every time..but im guessing your choice is not purely down to commuting ? ;)

S4R is luxury compared to sportsbikes, and the magura handlebars make for a far more superior riding position instead of forcing your arms into a position like your 620.

My clutch was heavy new but got better, and if you fit a 14T front sprocket then that improves things no end for town riding as like many ducatis, its a little overgeared as standard really.

Clutch shouldnt be a problem, but worst case, you can fit an aftermarket clutch slave cylinder (cyclecat, evoluzione etc) for about £70 which will lighten the clutch load by about 25%..

Hope that helps..and have you also considered joining www.ukmonster.co.uk ?

Cheers & good luck
Nat

P.S Its a little early an im knackered so i'll take an espresso and a twix bar if thats OK with you..?? :D

[Edited on 2-11-2005 by Nattyboy]

[chippyrock]

Hi,

Just added a 2005 803 S2R to the stable and love it to bits.

Nice light wet clutch and no problem round town at all.

Had an ST4s last year with the 916 engine and dry clutch and it was very hard work round town.

Look for an 803 S2R and you may be able to pick up a bargain. I found one with 300 miles on the clock and got it for an absolute bargain price. Plenty of go and loads of fun.

Happy shopping.

Chippy

[LesPaul]

Hi,

I have a S4r and think it's a fantastic bike, but as already mentioned the motor is a bit lumpy around town and the clutch can get quite heavy if your stuck in alot of traffic. I have fitted a different clutch slave cylinder and 14 tooth front sprocket which does help.

I'd seriously consider the 800 S2r though as it has all the looks of the S4r but smoother motor, wet clutch and a bit more punch than the 620 to keep you happy, also a bit cheaper to service than the 996 motor.

Darren

[Edited on 3-11-2005 by LesPaul]

[Nick Pavey]

The thing that swings it for me towards an S4r is that big rad. Silly i know so as much as i love the S2r it would have to be the big 'un.

Found a deal for a 2005 749 in red,£7999,£799 down,36 months at 0%. Cant argue with that,but how would that be as a commuter?

Am i totally barking up the wrong tree with an sbk?

(sorry for all the newb questions)

[Lee1980]

Ive always like the S4r for the rad to found the 2v motors to little/naked. Even the S4r motor is small when people ask how big the engine is they dont believe u :lol::lol:

Yep 749's are cheap now, I had a 748 before my s4r and found it uncomfy round town not so much on the wrists but the seat used to dig in and give me dead leg or pins and needles and the head down position is not good for filtering. I did try a 749 that was more comfy than a 748.

Also the thought of binning the 748 was a worry where as i now have crash bungs on the s4r which hopefully save a lot and theres no expensive fairings to worry about:D:D

Tricky decision still you have hhmmmmm
:o:o:o:o

[Nick Pavey]

I know! Thought i was almost there with a decision then saw the 749 offer,and im rubbish at making my mind up at the best of times!

Cheers though.

[LesPaul]

Try getting a ride on both, I know it's an obvious answer but it's the only way you will know which suits you best.
Personally I swapped a 749S for a S4r and find the S4r as much if not more fun on the road without the wrist pain.

Darren

[Nick Pavey]

Right,mind made up.

I was searching for around half an hour in Covent Garden yesterday for a space in a bike bay and ended up having to move a couple of Scooters to wedge myself in. This seems to happen more and more lately and the thought of a 749's fairing amongst all those footpegs makes me wince,so S4r it is.

Gonna go for the black and white with white wheels,which will probably end up black. (as i like the look of mine so much).

Next newb question. What to do with the exhaust? (as i hope to get it done before i pick the bike up.)

Am i right in thinking i can

a) get a whole system in order to get rid of the cat,or

b) get slip-ons and keep the cat?

Lee,what was the price of your Akrapovic? That keeps the cat,am i right? Also is it road legal,as i'll be on the bike everyday and would prefer to be (just) legal?

Only really had a brief look at Termi's,these seem to be the norm for S4r owners. What sort of money am i looking at for those?

Thank you all (again)

Nick

[Lee1980]

Hi Nick,

Good choice the best if you plan on using it a lot for commuting sbk's are just scary for the thought of dropping them:o:o (price wise i mean lol)

Not seen a black/white one yet but bet it looks good, the white wheels are a pain but do look so nice:D

there are a few full systems termi one which is 50mm i think but mega dough i dont wanna know how much!!

The spark one on spare shack is about 800 or so but not road legal. If you keep cat first like i have it still stops some of the sound, it can be replaced with a spareshack pipe that looks much neater then you can add any slip ons u like. Termis are around 1k i believe but you get the ecu etc to.

Termis are normal Ducati brand but i prefer arrows or the akrapovic i have.

I got the akrapovic cheap at 400 its about 650 normally, all ti thru out and i love the twin inlets and outlets, best of all theres 2 baffles which are removable with 2 bolts and an E mark legal stamp so if plod pulls me:D:D

I had probs with set up with the stock ecu being set to rich but now seems to be ok pulls a lot better, most seem to think u dont need to fiddle with it, but depends on how rich it is running stock to.

I want to get the spareshack pipes to later to replace cat and hear the full rumble!!

I think the 2006 S4r is the last one is to be called s4r final edition, red tank frame with black wheels and strip looks quite nice seen a pic of it, no extra bling or anything though!

[Edited on 5-11-2005 by Lee1980]

[Lee1980]

Heres a pic of the 2006 s4r final edition :D:D

Worth a look for the black wheels alone:lol::lol:

[Nick Pavey]

Originally posted by KeefyB
Hmm,S4R,..lovely bike but has got that lumpy old 996 motor...bit of a handfull around town,I imagine.Now add on a grabby clutch when hot,....
I would stick to what you have got for commuting.

TBH i dont exactly find mine 'smooth'. Would the S4r be a lot worse?

[KeefyB]

Have a read of this......

[LesPaul]

Sounds like he needs some earplugs, a 14 tooth front sprocket, uprated slave cylinder, new set of tyres and some FS635 spray :D

Darren

[Lee1980]

Originally posted by KeefyB
Have a read of this......

Hehe can't believe he's not liking the whole bike cuase of the tyres which are obviously not good or not suited to the S4r. Standard Pilot powers are brilliant:D:D

I ride mine for work to commute and it isn't as easy as jap bike to ride, but not that bad:lol::lol: seems like he give up to easily:o:o

Or can't wait to get his hands on e new bike next year!!!