Ducati Monster Forum

Guys I need your input to help make this decision.  I am ready to pull the trigger on a bike and I am deciding between 3 different models, all brand new…

2008 S2R1000 black with white stripe

2008 S4R1000 flat gray with red frame

2009 M1100  black

I am leaning towards one of these but I would really appreciate hearing what the enthusiasts have to say.   Which one would you buy and why? Thanks in advance for your help.

I'm partial to red and black color combinations. go figure.

S4R1000 flat black with red frame? Did I miss something? When did the S4R come with in flat black?

Quote from: NAKID on November 04, 2008, 07:54:59 PM
S4R1000 flat black with red frame? Did I miss something? When did the S4R come with in flat black?

I dunno, maybe he means the dark gray flat color??  ???

Anywho, why don't you put up a poll so people can just vote without having to comment.

Also, what kind of riding do you typically do? City commuting, back road spirited riding, track days, etc., etc.
I know what kind of riding I primarily do and if this was my ONLY moto then I could give you an answer.

if the S4R is the Titanium version, i say go for that one.  Have you seen TAFTonomous' bike? that thing is make the beast with two backsin gorgeous.

Sorry , it isn't black it is titanium or gray.

I will be using the bike for city mostly,  some highway and back roads and maybe the odd track day.

Yes then. The Matte Titanium looks sweet...

M1100 [thumbsup]

Thanks guys.... keep the votes coming.....

The S4R with grey tank and red frame is one of the best looking stock Monsters I have seen in a while.  I doubt you will be unhappy with any of the choices. 

I also just bought my first Duc yesterday, an S2R1000. (I was partial to red, though.)

Reasons for me: 1. wanted an air-cooled (and the S4 probably is too much of a bike for me, I do not consider myself a seasoned rider yet) 2. like the old style a LOT better 3. money...

I'm a two-valve air cooled guy but that titanium S4R might be the prettiest bike I've ever seen.

Go for the Titanium.  IMO the classic Monsters look 100x better than the new style. 

One of the DesmOhio guys has a white with red stripe S4RS for sale for $10.5 if you are interested. His name is Clint and you can see the bike here.


There is also a black with white stripe S4RS for sale on our site here for $12,000

Go to the Bikes for Sale section of www.desmohio.com

The S2R1000 is about as much bike as any rider needs on the street, including seasoned riders. 
The things you need to weigh are:
1) How much more money will the 4 valve engine cost me in maintenance.
2) Is the extra power I am getting with the 4 valve engine worth the added expense.
3) Do I really have a use/need/want for the power a four valve engine. Bigger is better only if you can use what you have.

I'd go for the M1100 just because I like the oil-cooled Monsters best, and the M1100 has a great motor. I'd also probably spring for the 'S' to get the Ohlins suspension, but it's probably not necessary.

I thought the Titanium with the red frame was only available in 2007? That's definitely the one I would go for.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2013/1821910656_6b55e7729d_b.jpg)     (http://www.bikercafe.co.uk/images/stories/S4R/S4R%20BLACK%20FRONT.jpg)


Nuff said?            ;D

This forum gets some serious traffic, I can't believe how many responses this thread got... thanks to everyone for looking at it.  Every point made is something to think about and it all makes sense to me.  Do I need more power than the S2R ?  prob not, the S4R is the most powerful of the bunch but do I really want 4 valves and a liquid cooled engine?  I have no idea, I guess it will be more expensive to maintain but I can't imagine it being that big of a factor and I may want the extra juice down the road.  I guess the M1100 is somewhere in between the 2, but the more I look at the new styling vs the classic styling the less I like the new look.

I wish I could afford to have all 3 but it's not going to happen.  I am leaning towards the S2R in spite of popular vote for the following reasons;  full trellis frame, 2 valve, air cooled, dry clutch, SSS, that in my opinion is pretty much what the Monster is all about, bare bones raw and unrefined grunt.   I think I would rather own the last model year of the iconic air cooled monster era than the first model year of the controversial replacement.  The S2R is the best of the air cooled monsters to date, and in a different category you have the liquid cooled models where the S4R is third in line to the S4RS and the Tri-Color.

I apologize if any of this is confusing or long winded, I am new to the Monster world guys, so if any of this is incorrect or completely off side please correct me.  Thanks for looking.

I think you need to work out what sort of riding you will be doing and then have a ride on each one. It will come down to 2 vs 4 valve and Old vs New style.

I have the S4R and it's not the best for around town and commuting, sucks fuel, burps and carries on below 4000 rpm. However, get it out in the twistes and I'm in love all over again.

For the normal rider, you'd probably be able to go as quick on the M1100S as the S4R, (in the twisties I can't get away from a experienced guy on an S2R800) it's just the S4R will be faster in a straight line, but life is not all about the drags....

The 2 valve air cooled donk has a classic poise about it, the 4v is more hooligan. Plus if you like the new looks or want to have the latest, go the M1100 (thats what I just voted for).

(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll194/dosverde/fri2.jpg)

Love that exhaust  [thumbsup]

Thanks for all of the votes,  is the S4R the favorite because it makes the most power and is the fastest of the 3 ?

Well, I put down a deposit today, on the S4R.... this is a sweet machine.  I won't get to ride it till spring... like April , May... gonna be a long winter.

Quote from: Henecton on November 05, 2008, 03:35:44 PM
The S2R1000 is about as much bike as any rider needs on the street, including seasoned riders. 
The things you need to weigh are:
1) How much more money will the 4 valve engine cost me in maintenance.
2) Is the extra power I am getting with the 4 valve engine worth the added expense.
3) Do I really have a use/need/want for the power a four valve engine. Bigger is better only if you can use what you have.

That is exactly why I bought my S2R1000 and I do not regret my choice at all.

I like the styling of the M1100 plus you get all of the latest bits too but I won't be trading my 00 M900 for one.  It's all I need in a commuter and once in a while canyon blaster (I have a 998 for that).

The more I look at the new Monster style the less I like it.  It just looks cheap next to the S4R & S2R.  I can't see myself liking the M1100 in 2 or 3 years.