just joined this site and had a quick look around , I'm interested in a 4 valve monster and know little about the model . My riding is weekend short stuff and track days to get my speed fix , like the look of what you see bikes not covered in plastic  Looking at a S4RS 2007  or back to about 2005 model . Things like what to look for if I go second hand , what are the major service intervals , don't want to buy only to be hit in a short time with a major service bill .   I've not seen a duc for sale with high milage  .What is the general life of a 4 valve motor assuming it's maintained ? Thats it for me   Thanks
catch ewe later   bob

Both those years should have the testastretta heads.  It's basically the same set up as the 999. 

Major service intervals are spec'd at every 6K miles for most Ducs, though they did extended to 7500 in '07 though I'm not sure that applies to every thing ducati made/makes. 

Big service intervals involve checking the valve clearances as the major part of it.  At 12k you also have the installation of new timing belts.  To help you prices stuff, the belts are a 12k mi or 2 year service item.  So it that 05 is under 12k miles, but has never had new belts, it's over due.

Life? Hmm not sure.  4v engines are a relatively newer addition to the monster line up, so no one (that I know of) has really pushed them into the high mile range.  I've got a 2000 m900 that's quickly coming up on 25,000 and runs like a top.  The old girl put down 82 hp at the wheel not long ago.  There's other DMF'er that have well more than my miles too.  IZ had 60,000 on this 620 *last* year.  Another 2v out there is over 100,000


These might not be 100% for the bieks you're looking at, but here's some mantenance charts
http://www.ducatisuite.com/maintcharts.html

Service is not that big a deal. Recommended service interval is 7500 mi. My 7500 was $450 and the 15,000 (mine done with 23,000 on the clock) with belt change out was $685.  My bike needed a couple of valves adjusted at the 7500, but none at the "23,000" mi. Once the valves bed in after 7500 mi. they don't change much. I had the same experience with my old Ducati's too.

The desmo quattro engine was used on the S4R thru 06 and the S4RS model and the S4R from 07 onward use the narrow head or Testastretta head with 40mm intakes instead of the 36mm of the previous desmo quattro models. The Testastretta breaths better, has more HP potential and is noticeably smoother.

Don't even consider buying one without the factory Termignoni Race kit. This kit transforms the bike into what the designers had in mind rather that what the EPA/DOT would allow. It really smooths out the power delivery and increased HP from a stock output of about 118 HP at the wheel to about 130 when well tuned.

The S4R/RS is very docile around town and when just bumping down the highway, but can become quite a beast when called upon. Well ridden, they can pretty much hang with, if not just flatly outrun just about anything on a tight mountain road. Can you tell I like mine a lot? The bikes practically drive themselves.

I've got 24,500 mi. on mine in 24 months and it has literally never even missed a beat.

Of course as always, YRMV.

PS: They do chew up tires at an alarming rate. And Oh yea, black is best.

LA

Can't add much to that except to say I've been fairly happy running the stock ECU and exhaust on my S4Rs for about 11,000km now. I am sure there is more fun to come with a chip and a pipe of some kind but she's still quite an exciting motor without.

(And you go a bit further on a tank.)

I'm hoping when I get around to doing the ECU upgrade and dyno tune it'll feel like I've got a new bike.

Not sure quite what pipe I'll be fitting, either.

Point being, if price is an issue then you might enjoy the stock set-up while saving for an upgrade.

Don't know about the longevity of the motor but can speak for it's awesomeness as a MC in general. I'm fairly tall 6'2" but find my s4rs to be as comfortable as any other bike. The seats a little hard for long distance stuff but otherwise it's fine. If price is an issue......don't buy a Ducati !!!

Thank you  YUU the chart looked normal to me for bike maintenance . LA thanks for your info I think a chip with pipe would be on the cards if only to release the twin sound and a little more go  go .Thanks Moronic point taken about selecting a pipe . Blue tiger we are about the same height  and I haven't found the bike yet that wasn't a pain in the arse after a day in the saddle . Thanks all my  quest continues
catch ewe later   bob