new bike time, 07 S4R or S4Rs , or Aprilla

[zc911]

The local  Duc dealers have a few left over 07 S4R's and S4Rs's , and the local Aprilla delaers have left over 07 Tuono 1000r s
Tommorow i have a test ride setup on an S4RS, and saturday i am heading over to the Aprilla dealer to check out the tuono.
Has anyone ridden (or owned) both the S4R and the Tuono?  There is no doubt the Monster looks way better, i love the dry clutch, and general already know what i am getting into.

I have sat on a Tuono, and find the ride heigh to be higher, which i like.  Never sat on an S4R, will the seat height be higher than my 620?  My 620 kinda makes me look like a gorilla on a kids bike lol  Espeically at a stop mith my knees touching my chin, well almost

Also the S4Rs is about 3k more.  Is it worth it?  For some carbon fiber bits and Ohlins.  Any other differences between the two? 
I tip the scales at 210lbs.  My 620 felt under sprung, espeically the front end.  I would hope the S4R variants are sprung a bit stiffer?  Even my 916 felt a bit soft up front.

Also question about the warrenty on the Duc.  Will a full exhuast void any kinda of powertrain warrenty?

I know very little about Aprillas.  Hows the maintence on them compared to the Duc?  Are they relaible?  anoyne here ridden one?

[silentbob]

The S4R/s will have a higher seat than the 620.

If the suspension on the S4R is suitable for your liking then get that.  If you plan on upgrading, then 3K is on the verge of being cheaper to upgrade the suspension yourself and selling the old parts.  Swapping the rear shock for an Ohlins unit with the correct spring rate and insalling stiffer springs up front (if needed) will save you a couple of grand.

The Aprilia is a nice bike.  It is more upright than the S4R which may be good or bad depending on your preference.  The engine is bullet proof.  But, it revs slower, and feels top heavy compared to the Duc.  If I were to get an Aprilia, I would get a used one out of warranty and save even more money.  That way it is already past the point of knowing if it is a lemon and you are not paying for a warranty that is essentially useless.  Aprilia has been denying legitimate claims quite a bit these days.

[zc911]

cool thanks

i am thinking the S4R might be good enough.  unfortunatly (or fortunatly lol) at the demo day tommorow there is only the s4rs avialbe to ride.
I am in toronto Ontario Canada.  Not much used choices up here for either the S4R or the Aprilla.
I might pick up a used one from the US.  It seems for about $12000 or so there are really nice low mileage s4rs available.  and for about 10k or so will get you a nice s4r
For the Aprilla i have no choice really but to buy new.  I have NEVER seen a used one come up for sale here, and i cannot import one from the US

[JohnnyDucati]

Bias alert.  S4Rs owner here.

Although, what Silentbob is truth for me.  I fell in lust with the Rs and just had to have it; bought it and then realized:

I needed stiffer springs (suspension upgrade & setup: $600) and I'm still saving up for the termis (2K+).  It makes sense that this could have been on the S4r for about the same coinage.  Alas, I will continue to scrounge for nickel in the couch cushions until I can get those dang pipes.  

I really dig Aprilias, too, esp the Tuono.  However, I share the concern about dealer support and parts availability, etc.  Not sure how based in fact that is, just my .02 dollars.

good luck with your purchase!.

J

[johnster]

silentbob is right, the engine is bulletproof (I believe it's a Rotax unit)..... I met a guy a few weeks ago that was on a Tuono 1000r and couldn't say enough positive things about it....Very reliable, great handling (w/the Ohlins set-up), a blast to ride, etc... Despite it's "Transformer-like" styling, it's a sharp looking bike IMO...

-When I bought my S4, I was seriously on the verge of getting an RSV-R Mille instead, but I convinced myself that a Monster was what I had always wanted in the first place....I really like Aprilias though, so it'll be a tough choice for ya (albeit, a fun one!!  )... Good Luck!!

-john

[Monstaman]

I have a RSVR which we are "Tuonoing" but with a different face, the Aprilia thus far is rock solid in handling and running, they have their issues as  they all do, don't be fooled by biased owners telling you they NEVER give trouble cos they do, the applies to Duc and Aprilia.

I would say the styling on the Monsta is cooler but they are messier to look at, the Tuono is very cool from the handlebars back but IMO the design squad obviously ran out out time to finish the front off, both bikes will accept modifyitis with ease. 

[CETME]

I have a Tuono. A good dealer has NO problem getting parts. AF1 Racing in Texas is the top dealer in the country and they can get anything, any time.

that being said, like most people mention the Rotax engines ARE in fact bulletproof. They rarely EVER need their valves adjusted, even with 50,000 plus miles.  I don't know about the engine revving slower. The engine is an animal. It hits pretty hard and revs to 10,500 with no problem.

I absolutely love mine. The chassis is excellent. It's Aprilia's RSVR mille with less bodywork. Not detuned, nothing. It's the real deal. If money is equal, I wouldn't be able to choose between a new S4R and a Tuono. When you factor in the fact that you can get a Tuono at a street price of almost $4000 less than an S4R, the choice is easy.

go to AF1's aprilia forum to check out more info on them, and used bikes.

[zc911]

excellent info thanks guys

i am thinking i am going to go with an S4R unless i get a deal on an S4Rs
i just sold my monter about 10min ago, so the search begins NOW 
The Aprillia is out, just too much.  $13,900 plus %14 tax and prep and destination charages

Anyone in north east states that has a bike they wanna sell let me know 

[DoubleEagle]

I don't know anything about the S4R or the Aprilla first hand but my S4Rs w/ Full Termignoni Exhaust, DP ECU, and Open Airbox  screams !!! It handles great when the rider is riding with his head on straight. I've only got 4300 miles on my bike but it has never had any sort of mechanical problem and I ride it on the back roads like I think I would on the track-fasssst. I clean + wax my chain every 500 miles and do oil changes every 2500 miles. I'm 6'5" 235 lbs. currently and have no Ergo issues except holding on when I crack the throttle up through the gears. Of course I'm biased ,but with fully adjustable Ohlins front and rear for stiffness and rebound it's pretty hard to beat. It sure has more capability than I have been able to master and always gives me a thrill when called upon. Other riders of other brands tell me how great it looks so I think I made the right decision. As long as the Termi Exhaust , DP ECU and Opened Airbox is done by the Dealer it has the same warranty as the new bike but I was told by the Ducati Tech who installed mine that had I or someoneone other than a Dealer installed it it would only have a 90 day warranty.

[Centerline]

At the start of the thread was a question about the DP Termi system and warranty.  Bought my S4RS from AMS Dallas, they installed the Termi system, airbox mod and DP ECU and delivered it that way new to me.  The entire bike is covered by the Ducati factory warranty unlimited miles for 2 years and extended warranty is available if I choose.  With the bike fully broken in and the DP ECU tuned by AMS the beast is putting a max of 132HP to the rear tire...the beast breaks the 125 HP mark at 6,000RPM and remains above 125 HP to 9,500 RPM

[zc911]

132hp 

Going for my test ride in a couple hours
Must find a bike by the weekend lol 

[bigtime]

My only rub on Aprilla is the Rotex engine.  No heritage, no pedigree - it's a mutt. 

Conversation:
HD rider:  "Aprilla, never heard of em, can you tell me a little about it?"

Aprilla owner: "It's an Italian bike with the great Italian engineering, uh, I mean it's made in Italy, or assembled in Italy, but I think the Engine is from Austria... Err, but it's got a great heritage like Ducati, uh I mean a great heritage like Harley Davidson.  You know, if it's over their heads it's better to out source just like the Buel and the V-Rod...."  "Did I mention they make a great scooter?"   

Most in the U.S. will follow this logic perfectly... .  But I'm just poking fun, it is a great bike and a top notch engine.  Buy em to ride em...

[LA]

MSRP and Termi kit make the S4RS pretty expensive.

There are some great deals on used examples. I can't believe so many ppl will buy such a great motorcycle and let it sit, but you can find one with less than 5000 mi. for thousands less than new.

I have approaching 24,000 mi. on mine and it is an amazingly good motorcycle. Nothing else comes close in the mountains.

The termii kit transforms the OEM bike.

LA

[zc911]

well i rode one today, actually a Tri Color, number 11 i think it was.
WOW, thats pretty quick.  The brakes are also unbeleivable as well.  Those 4 pistons 4 pad Brembos would sling shot you off the bike in a second.  I  bleeping loved it 
The stock bike is way way way to quiet.  I mean come on.  I know it can't be loud but that is just stupidly quiet.
The silence makes the bike feel like it;s going slower than it is.

I was lucky to be at the front of the group, so i didn;t get held up by slower riders.  At one point i let it rip from first gear, and passed 170km/h, then used 2 fingers to real it back down (effortlessly) to 80km/h and go around the corner
I also got to ride a Hypermotard, i let it rip in the same section and was only able to hit 130km/h (hit the rev limiter in second, man that hits HARD), before tossing out the anchor by grabing a hadfull of front brake.

The suspension laughed at bumps, and felt sooooo much nicer than my 620, or even my 916.  That was without even messing with it
The seating position is great, the seat is comfy, the bars could use a little rise, but thats easy enough. Same with a full exhuast and open clutch cover to hear the symphony 
MUST HAVE ONE lol  Screw the Aprilla

I thought about the hypermotard as well (about 15min lol).  That bike is stupidly fun. i mean really really really fun.  It feels like it could make a hero out of any rider, well, except my friend who went wide in a corner and almost bought himself a crashed bike.
You get so much leverage on those wide bars.  the seating postion is like sitting at your dinning room table, which is good and bad.  Good becuase it's comfy, bad becuase your a sail in the wind. Also, the stock seat shoves you forward, and forces you to almost sit on the tank.  They had another with the Ducati performace seat which would be a MUST with that bike.
Since i do alot of highway, the Hyper is not for me.  It also felt, hmm slowish.
Did i mention it was a fun bike lol

[JohnnyDucati]

S4Rs.  Seductive, isn't it?