1. The usual thing with Ducati seems to be that last years R will become the following years S, and so on, so a 2004 S should be the same spec near as damn it to a 2005 base model. Plus you'd get the latest fairing, and a new swing arm (correct me if I am wrong) and probably some slight improvements over the older model
2. No point in having the Bp if you're not going to use it, the mono will be set up more for the single rider, softer spring etc, unless your luggage weighs as much as the average person I'd be tempted to stick with the mono, but it might be worth investigating what the maximum weight the mono can carry if you don't pack light!
3. I can't comment on this as I am up nurf... but hello and welcome
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