Ducati S4RS

[enigma51]

One of the guys at work gave me the keys to his Ducati S4rs with all the ducati bling you can find fitted. I realy mean all the bling. Carbon every where race kit fitted the whole works. Now I must say I was suprised that he did give me the keys to the bike cause the thing cost him about $35 000 and if I pay that much for a bike I would not hand the keys over to to anyone.

Whow what a ride though power everywhere and no not like most two cyclinders the red line is not at 8000 but more like 11 000. I did not take it that far though cause its not mine and dont want to break it ( Only cause I cant afford to replace it). It handles pretty well although there it dives alot under braking which im sure can be fixed with turning a few screws and nobs. But once you get over the initial dive the suspension gives good feedback.

Now im by no means someone that can wheelie on demand but this thing only required half a throttle to get floating in the first two gears and a full handfull in 3rd.

There is two things that i did not like but its not something that realy put me off the bike more like a "thats different" than a "this is shit". The first one is the steering circle. Its not realy bad its just I expected more from a naked bike. When you come to a corner it seems to need more room than the gsxr does. The other little thing was at 3000 rpm's its jurky when you are in first so if you are thinking about slowly pulling away from the lights, simply forget it. So next time you pull up to ducati monster s4rs at a traffic light and he's giving it some, he's not up for a race just trying to get rid of the shakes!

Now the big question will I buy one if i had the money? NOPE for that amount of money I can get 1098 or if i want a naked I can get 2 buels for the same price and most likely have some bling money left. Or does the name Ducati hold so much value?

[Fatjim]

if i want a naked I can get 2 buels for the same price and most likely have at least one bike that will get me to work in the morning

Stick with the gixer

[enigma51]

Stick with the gixer

Trust me the gixer is going NO where...... without me!

[boomer]

Trust me the gixer is going NO where...... without me!

it goes nowhere with ya too... reaaaal slooooow like

[slowpoke]

Now the big question will I buy one if i had the money? NOPE for that amount of money I can get 1098 or if i want a naked I can get 2 buels for the same price and most likely have some bling money left. Or does the name Ducati hold so much value?

Not really fair to compare what was the top of the line naked bike from the previous year to the latest and greatest from the next year and use brand new prices. Especially with a generational change like the 1098 involved.

It's not really fair to compare two motorcycles like a Buell and an RS Ducati on price alone either. Sure they are both naked twins but with totally different design briefs, intended usage, and specification levels. Find a Buell that has been modified to perform anything like the Ducati and $35k will look like a bargain...what are those race only XBRR's worth again?

So no, it's not like you are getting a bargain, but you are getting a narrow focused, highly equipped, naked twin cylinder sports bike that meets it's design objectives very well. The alternatives are few and far between and are priced in the same ball park.

I here you on the turning circle thing though, my 916 was a c*nt of a thing and you had to really plan your U-turns or service station manouevers to avoid an embarrassing 3 point turn, or frantic paddle as you reached full lock with too much lean. Yep, had a couple of wallet scaring moments at slow speed but viciously clenching the seat with my sphincter seemed to bring the ol' girl back into line.

How did your SOTP dynamometer (seat of the pants) find the grunt compared to your 750?

[enigma51]

How did your SOTP dynamometer (seat of the pants) find the grunt compared to your 750?

I though its was going to mind blowing sort of power cause of the racing kit and it was not far off that but its a different kind of feel to it. I think that might be due to the sitting up rather than leaning forward. I would say it will give the 750 a run for its money in the first few meters. Unlike the 750 the power is full on from the first let go of the clutch. I think if you where to slap a power commander and few extra go fast bits on it the 750 will out run it from the word go but the 750 is a purpose build race machine and the monster is modified to be one so you not realy comparing apples to apples.

Dont get me wrong I loved it but having taken the buel for a spin i must say if i was in the market for a naked (in this type of class Ie no 1300 bandits etc) the slower and american made buel will most likely win my vote ..... if i had to pay for one.

[Gmonsta]

Lots of bling bits and quality components but dont you think the shape is a little dated now. I look forward to when they bring out a more modern looking naked.

[T.I.E]

can ya take an aprilia factory for a spin, be nice to hear the comparisions of the sports twins out there. especially top of the line in both europoean models.

[enigma51]

can ya take an aprilia factory for a spin, be nice to hear the comparisions of the sports twins out there. especially top of the line in both europoean models.

Have one I can borrow

I should even though im not in the market for a naked they are alot of fun to ride. Colemans gave me a 1300 bandit when the bike went for a service and even though the power on it was less than the duc it was alot of fun.

[enigma51]

Lots of bling bits and quality components but dont you think the shape is a little dated now. I look forward to when they bring out a more modern looking naked.

I cant realy comment cause I like full fairings alot more than nakeds. But to give my 2 cents ducati brough out a brand new shape for the 999 and 749 and most people hated it so they have gone back to a similiar look as the 916 era so "old" school can still be cool. Will have to see what they can come up with next