Ducati S4R?

[Chris Wilson]

My pal has just bought one, I think I have the model type right? I have to say it looked really smart, not that I know much about bikes. He had some sort of Mille Piste Ducati before, but it gave him plenty of grief. Anyway, I can have a go and frighten myself on it when it's dry. I frightened myself on the quasi off road thing he had before, he says this thing is a LOT faster Are they any good? Supposed to be about 130 BHP?

[SUPRASUZUKI]

I've not got any experience of riding a Ducati, but most owners seem to love them. I'm sure you'll enjoy having a go:)

Don't get carried away though, we don't want you going off-road.

 

In all the time I've been doing track days I've only seen 3 engine failures. All have been Ducatis (touches wood...).

I'm not wishing any ill will on you or your mate, of course.

[Chris Wilson]

My bike knowledge and experience is virtually zero, so it'll be a pootle up the lane and back, that's all

[garethr]

Its the 8-valve Monster

http://www.ducati.com/od/ducatiuk/en/bikes/model.jhtml?model=2293

 

 

and it has this

 

[Thorin]

I like Monsters.

[Chris Wilson]

But are they any good, or just retro oddballs?

[SUPRASUZUKI]

I'm guessing retro oddball, but if that's what people want then fair enough.

 

Interested to see what you think.

[Chris Wilson]

What I think will be as illuminating as asking a rapist what he thinks of foreplay, I know NOTHING about bikes, to me it will be dangerously fast and OTT

[Tones]

130bhp yeah but shitloads of torque, pure wheelie mofos, be careful or ul be on ur hiney

[garethr]

What I think will be as illuminating as asking a rapist what he thinks of foreplay, I know NOTHING about bikes, to me it will be dangerously fast and OTT.

Interesting valve gear though

[Supragal]

Ducatis are meant to be a bit dodgy on the reliability front, but don't know if that's current day or not. Also tend to be small so you find little people riding them

[Chris Wilson]

Desmodromic seems all "wrong" to me, but they obviously have it working OK on a slow revving engine. It's not exactly a quiet engine either, what with his noisy exhaust and the rattling dry plate clutch. Looks the part though, IMHO.

[Supragal]

Noooo needs more faring!!!!!!

[SUPRASUZUKI]

What I think will be as illuminating as asking a rapist what he thinks of foreplay, I know NOTHING about bikes, to me it will be dangerously fast and OTT

 

**Makes mental note to avoid Shropshire for a while....**

[garethr]

Desmodromic seems all "wrong" to me, but they obviously have it working OK on a slow revving engine.

and on a high-revving one.... the 4-cylinder GP bike revs to 20,000.

[Guest cj748]

I think you will love it.

They are a great intro into big bikes. Easy to ride with low centre of gravity and staight bars with loads of low down torque.

On the reliability side, I had Ducs over 4 years and never had any problems.

Earlier bikes did have some electrical gremlins, but this changed in 1998 when they were bought out by bigger company.

Give it a go.

Not many bikes will offer this much and be newbie friendly.

CJ (Ducati anorak)

[Chris Wilson]

and on a high-revving one.... the 4-cylinder GP bike revs to 20,000.

 

I refer to my earlier post in defence:

 

"What I think will be as illuminating as asking a rapist what he thinks of foreplay, I know NOTHING about bikes,"

 

Impressive, very impressive, and I thought all the Italians knew about was wine, corrupt politicians, and sharp suits.

 

[Chris Wilson]

I think you will love it.

They are a great intro into big bikes. Easy to ride with low centre of gravity and staight bars with loads of low down torque.

On the reliability side, I had Ducs over 4 years and never had any problems.

Earlier bikes did have some electrical gremlins, but this changed in 1998 when they were bought out by bigger company.

Give it a go.

Not many bikes will offer this much and be newbie friendly.

CJ (Ducati anorak)

 

I must ask him what the quasi off road Ducati he had before was. I recall nearly dropping it as I ponced into my local pub's car park, and the look on the Mrs. face as she got off it after a quick blat up to 3 figures on the back of it (not me riding it, needless to say )