Hello, name is Mark in Florida. I have had 9 bikes in 22 years. Mostly sport and sport touring and now a cruiser. Never had a Duc, but I am close to my 1st. I am going to keep my cruiser since FL driving is rather flat and straight near Tampa. But I miss the sporting aspect of my previous bikes. And I like naked bikes and V twins, so I focused in on a Monster. Hope to buy one w/in the next month. I do make trips to GA, NC and SC so the Duc would be the better bike in those conditions. I joined to learn more about the nuances of the various Monsters S2 vs S4 etc. I know I want the larger displacements but I am learning there are air cooled and water cooled and so on..... thought I would ask the experts.
Welcome [thumbsup]
I'm sure you'll have a ton of fun on a 2 or 4 valve monster. The 2-valvers are prettier (imho) and easier to maintain. The 4-valve models are faster, particularly at higher rpms. Others here have much more experience with these than me.
FYI there are two S2Rs - an S2R 800 and an S2R 1000. Sounds like you would be after the 1000cc model.
There is also the current 1100 Monster which has a different frame from previous generations. The motor is a derivative of the 1000cc motor in the larger S2R. Ducati no longer makes a 4-valve monster, but there is the Streetfighter with the 1098 engine.
You might also take a test-ride on the hypermotard 1100 for kicks.