Hi all,
I've been riding to close to 20 years now on japanese bikes but deep down inside I've always wanted a Ducati. I'm at a buying point right now, right this minute, for some reason I just can't go on living without a Monster:-)
I was initially lured by the new 696, I think it's a very pretty bike. I havent test rode one yet but I spent some time on one in the dealer showroom. But I just ran across a 2001 s4 with 5,000 miles on it. They want 6,000 dollars for it. It's 2,000 less that a new 696. It has 17 more foot lbs of torque than the 696. The only complaints that I've read about regarding the s4 is that the seat can be uncomfortable and it has an extensive service every 6,000 miles. Could someone give me some feedback if the used bike is a better deal than the new one?
thanks
Chris
the 4v will cost more in service than the 2v motor, no doubt. however, other than that, i would go with the s4
why? i dont like the new body style. and i have heard that the seating position is really uncomfortable for the guys...
if the s4 has some good equipment installed, and is in good shape, i would go for that.
Another thing is that the 696 is more like $3k+ more once you add the tax, destination charge, etc.
You'll have to do a 600 mile service on it and then 7500, 15000, etc.
If the 6k service was already done on the s4 then you save $3000 going in and have 6000 or 7000 till the next service.
Thanks, Yes the 6k service was already done on the S4. I think I'll be getting more bike for less money going with the S4. And it really looks like it's in good shape.
Chris
the s4 is an older cycles so that is somethign to keep in mind, that in mind if its been mainteaned wellthen it could be a good deal. maybe you can even get the price lower it is a 7 year old bike, meaning new tires/chain/ belts are maybe in order if they weren't changed in teh past year. if the 6k service has been done you are good for another 6200 miles before the next service. depending on how you ride that could be 6 months away or 6 years away.
personally i would try to get the guy to come down another 500 dollars because if the tires are not new you need new tires (200-400$), and if the 6k service was done 2 years ago you need new belts (80 dollars).
good luck if you like the older style more than the new style then go for it, if you really like the new 696 style then go for it.
Did you get a chance to sit on a 696 with the DP Touring Seat? IMO it helps with the "male discomfort" issue of the stock seat.
I was in a similar position to you last weekend where I had the choice between a used S2R 1000 (biggest/fastest I was willing to consider) and a new 696. At the end of the day it was the S2R that won out and I am sure glad it did. While the 696 is a great machine, I still prefer the old style to the new.
You can get a new 696 for $8000??? That seems like a pretty good deal to me...
I wouldn't let money play a factor in it...go with what you really want, and you will not be disappointed. I ended up spending $2,000.00 more for mine because I wanted the color scheme. Never a regret!
Quote from: Rambler1982 on October 22, 2008, 01:15:50 PM
You can get a new 696 for $8000??? That seems like a pretty good deal to me...
I suspect that was not an OTD price. If it was, you probably could purchase it and resell it at a profit!
Quote from: yotogi on October 22, 2008, 03:04:40 PM
I suspect that was not an OTD price. If it was, you probably could purchase it and resell it at a profit!
Yea, that was my initial thought.
I'm getting mine for $9200 OTD, so hopefully that is a reasonable price.
First off buy what you want, a few years down the line you may have wished you'd have pnied up the extra $. Suspension is another thing to keep in mind. I think the S4 has adjustable suspension and the 696 does not.
Get what you want. If you have the means, don't nickel and dime yourself.
I just paid $5800 for a 2000 900S. An extremely fine example to be sure, but I'm sure many would say I paid to much. So what? The bike is exactly what I have always dreamed of. I have always wanted a Ducati, and I ended up on a bike that I love. Zero regrets.
The 696 had a price of 8500.00 I believe that it was out the door. The dealer is Martin Eurosports in Coopersburg PA 610-282-9300. The cool thing about the 696 is that it has a short reach to the handlebars. When you sit on that bike and look down you see the front wheel. i bet it feels like flying - riding that bike. I really liked the riding position (ie peg position, semi up right with a short arm reach to the bar) but the angled seat does push your pelvic area right against the gas tank and i had some concern about longer ride comfort in that position after owning a couple of japanese crotch rockets that did something similar. But the main reason I wanted the s4 over the 696 was the torque. I assume the 916cc motor will have much more torque on the lower end and thats primary what I'm looking for. I'm afraid that I might get used to the power band of the 696 within a couple of months. So I'm looking for the most torque I can get within my budget. Heck any Monster will fix my itch at this point and that s4 with the exposed liquid cooled engine has a ugly/pretty appeal to me.
BTW I bought that bike tonight. It was harder than I anticipated. I talked to 2 salesman about that bike today and what I wanted and the financial situation that I needed to be in. Neither of them stepped up to help me out! To make a long story short I called up their main number after numerous calls to the salesman without a return call, and the secretary ran my credit and got me approved for the loan. I left a deposit on the s4 and will do the paperwork latter this week. I just hope she gets the commission for the sale!
Thanks so mush to you all for your help! I can't wait to finally own a Ducati. My first "crush" on a ducati was back in the early 90's when a saw a half faired paso. I remember telling myself "someday i'll own one of them!" Well I love the Monsters looks more that that Paso and someday is finally here! I'll take a pic of her and post it up once I bring her home. Then I can start dreaming about the upgrades:-) It just doesnt ever end:-)
Chris
ps: otd price not including tax and tags.
Chris
Tough choice. The 696 is lighter and has better brakes. The S4 is a classic with a 4-valve superbike motor. If I were buying it as my first Ducati and planned to just tool around town and ride some back roads, I would probably go with the 696 because it's going to be easier to ride and easier to maintain. The longer service intervals make a difference, as does having fewer valves and oil-cooling.