Best Monster ever made?

[Moronic]

I do not have a direct answer, but could part of it be that the 888 was low on power compared to a S4rS? 

Overheard the sales guy at my local Ducati dealership, mention "Yep, it rides like a Monster" to which I asked "Is that different than any other bike?"  His answer was "Compared to a Superbike, Yes".  This is a question I will answer myself someday, but till then a sweet 2 valve Monster is close to perfection. IMO

Case

I'm sure you are right about the power step from the 888, in road form anyway, but that leaves open the question how the extra power poses a problem for the S4Rs chassis.

My best suggestion is that the Monster chassis, by modern superbike standards, is a bit slow-steering, and hence a bit ponderous and imprecise at high speeds. There seems to be some flexing when you haul hard on the 'bars to change direction at higher speeds, as well.

That didn't stop former top US roadracer Daniel Coe filing a rave-report for superbikeplanet.com from the S4Rs launch at the Ascari circuit though. And it looks like he rode it fairly hard. Here he is on the kitted version:





And I particularly like this shot of the stock bike over an off-camber crest:




(BTW these photos from the article are credited to Ducati, which I'm sure would have no complaints about my posting them here.   )


Coe didn't whine about the chassis once, except to say he'd have liked to dial in more rear ride height from the adjustable link, for better cornering clearance:

"Particularly on the left where we started with the foot of the aluminum side stand and ended up literally twisting the shift pedal up and out of the way."


The funny thing is, if you look at where Ducati went with the Streetfighter, they made the frame more rigid but lengthened the wheelbase and slackened the steering head angle - which on paper anyway should have made the steering slower.  

I don't disagree tho that the four-valve motor in a Monster is unnecessary. Sure it is. Gloriously so.  

[Raux]

The S4RS is the ST frame not the 888 frame

[Uncle Mofo]

I say it again.

S4RS.  Enough said

[Curmudgeon]

I do not have a direct answer, but could part of it be that the 888 was low on power compared to a S4rS? 

Overheard the sales guy at my local Ducati dealership, mention "Yep, it rides like a Monster" to which I asked "Is that different than any other bike?"  His answer was "Compared to a Superbike, Yes".  This is a question I will answer myself someday, but till then a sweet 2 valve Monster is close to perfection. IMO

Case

888 not a Superbike? Rode an 851 for a few years. If I had to guess, the 888 has a good bit more weight over the front wheel than the stripped version.  I prefer my "new" monster because it addresses this "light front end" issue. If you take a look at an 851/888 with the fairing removed, you'll see all kinds of stuff hanging up front.

[Moronic]

The S4RS is the ST frame not the 888 frame

Good point, but then what was the ST frame based on?

888 plus revised suspension link? (I'm asking, don't know.) 

[justinrhenry]

This one... obviously.

[gatorgrizz27]

Interesting to see all of the replies, seems people fall into 2 different sides of both the "looks" and "power" arguments!

Personally, I've still not become a fan of the newer monster styling, and most of the current Ducati's do little to excite me. I suppose I'm a romantic, but I love the old world craftsmanship of the steel tanks, machined parts, welded trellis frames, and distinctive dry clutches.

The single sided swingarms and 10 spoke Marchesinis are dead sexy as well.

Power wise, a torquey, high revving motor is as good as it gets for me. I haven't ridden an S4R/S/T so I can't comment, but the 900 motor is hands down one of my favorites of any bike I've ridden, along with KTM's 520. There is just something about the grunt right from the bottom that surges forward, and the spot where the torque tapers off (very close to 5250 rpm), the top end rush starts to come on and slings you forward even faster.

Having ridden the 600, 750, 900, and 1000, the 900 is still my favorite, and having ridden a 1000, 900, Panigale, and 748 in the last 2 weeks, the 900 was the only one that surprised me and I truly enjoyed, to be honest I felt a bit cheated and let down by the rest of them, especially the Panigale!

[Magnus]

but i'm totally biased...

[Johnny5]

Magnus... that is a sweet, SWEET ride.

[ducpainter]

but i'm totally biased...

I like that one...

[roggie]

Magnus... that is a sweet, SWEET ride.

+1

[hbliam]

but i'm totally biased...

Derby. 

I love everything you list except I loathe OEM dual sided swingarm. They look like crap. Cheap. Some of the aftermarket ones look great. Even the newer monsters DSS look better.

My vote for best monster ever made? Probably the S4RS over my S4RT due to the Ohlins. I like my paint job better though. Best customized? Black Fog.

[duc996]

my vote :-)

[richard]

FYI S4RS owners. There's a new sheriff in town!

http://www.ducatinewstoday.com/2013/06/ducati-s4rs-to-lose-crown-as-fastest-monster-ever/

[Moronic]

FYI S4RS owners. There's a new sheriff in town!

http://www.ducatinewstoday.com/2013/06/ducati-s4rs-to-lose-crown-as-fastest-monster-ever/

Will be interesting to see how that new 1198 monster meets the theme of this thread - assuming it is even named a Monster when it reaches production.

The news shifts me towards the current 2V camp: I'd be arguing that 998cc, water cooled and eight valves is plenty of go for a Monster and anything more would be "way too much". 

And then, as i said on the 1198 thread, in terms of peak rear-wheel horsepower the 1198 stock might not outperform a kitted S4RT motor, which produce 125-130 at the wheel, or only a few hp short of stock Multistrada or Diavel numbers.

But really, it should be all about how it rides.

Love that S4R (as posted above) BTW:



Most certainly a worthy pretender.