M900 or S4?

[gallardo]

Hi guys,

After having my M600 sadly stolen last month, I am after a men's bike now :) . I have been offered a 2000 M900 or a S4 both in a £3000 range. Don't mean to generate any bitter discussion in the forum, but what would you go for? Can you also give us any nice review sites for this?

Cheers,

Gallardo

[Dave G]

Hmm, thats asking to choose between red and yellow.
I'd go for the M900,heres why.... aircooled engine is reliable and looks much nicer than the watercooled one, servicing costs will be much cheaper, parts and add ons seem easier to get ( the S4 seems to have more unique bits that only fit that model).

On the other side the S4's engine will be way more powerful,but so will servicing costs.It'll let you outdrag most things,though top speed is academic on these streetbike IMO.

Which one do you like?

[MilesB]

What type of M900? Early (carbed) or Late (injected) version.

I won't comment on M900 -v- S4, as I'm not qualified, but would recommend that if you go for the air cooled purity of the M900 then go for one of the later M900ie versions... (at £3K I'd expect it to be injected).

No carb icing, smoother power delivery...

Miles
(ex M900ie rider)

[NattyBoy]

for the same money - S4 for me. More bike for the money..and dynamically a much better bike with newer components etc. And that top end rush is ace !!!

[Bodybag]

I'm selling my Senna Grey '01 S4 with 20k on the clock for £2500. Needs T&T but for this price its not the end of the world. Serviced last summer including belts so might need an oil change. PM if you're interested.

[NattyBoy]

sennas the bestest colour too...:thumbsup:

[gallardo]

Thanks for your comments guys.

I actually believe is a carb model. It's W reg, 2000 bike. This other Italian friend of mine is obsessed with his carb model. Reckons that much better than the inject model. Agree?

not very technical here I am afraid..

[gallardo]

I'm selling my Senna Grey '01 S4 with 20k on the clock for £2500. Needs T&T but for this price its not the end of the world. Serviced last summer including belts so might need an oil change. PM if you're interested.

Could you please email some picture to pc.gallardo@virgin.net?

Cheers,

George

[sjr999r]

i had a 900m,if was to get another monster it would be a water cooled fuel injected one......so S4 for me,go for it

[Zimbo]

Both will seem a rocket ship after the 600. Personally I'd get the M900 but others will of course disagree! No need to spend £3K though, the original M900 ('93 - early '96) is the better bike, bigger valves and more aggressive cam profiles. £2K buys a good one, spend the extra on suspension fettling and bling, you'll be left with a fast and reliable bike with superb handling and virtually nil depreciation!
It is down to personal choice though, I don't like the plumbing, the massively increased service costs or the flaky rocker problems associated with the S4, and I like the savage lumpy power delivery, massive torque and simplicity of my sorted M900 . . . .

[claicerrig]

s4 s4 s4 s4 s4 s4 and Senna :D :D :D

Radiators help decrease global warming :p

[stuartg]

For me it would be the M900, the air cooled is much better looking without all the rubbish out front. If it is carbed then get a set of Keihin flats and you'll have a bike with great performance and true to the Ducati tradition that will be quicker than the injected model.
I have a 600 Monster with Keihins and a 900ssie and I can promise you the Monster accelerates quicker than the ss although it doesn't touch it for top end of course.

[Zimbo]

For me it would be the M900, the air cooled is much better looking without all the rubbish out front. If it is carbed then get a set of Keihin flats and you'll have a bike with great performance and true to the Ducati tradition that will be quicker than the injected model.
I have a 600 Monster with Keihins and a 900ssie and I can promise you the Monster accelerates quicker than the ss although it doesn't touch it for top end of course.

True, my 900 is 944cc with FCR41s, torque output is a pleasing 69 ft-lbs against the S4's 64 ft-lbs. Sure, the S4 makes more power if you use the extra revs, in the midrange though my 11 year old M900 stomps all over it . . . .

[Rod]

I've had both, a carbed 900 and currently an S4.

I do hanker after the simplicity of the 900 sometimes, then just when I think I'm gonna trade the S4 for a two-valver I go for a ride, hit 6k revs and change my mind. :mand:

I'd buy the S4.

No, the 900. Definitely.

But probably the S4. Or the 900.

What I'd *really* like is a 916 and an early sorted 900. But I'd probably need a divorce first. ;)

Not much help, really, am I? :)

[S4 MAD]

tryed them both but s4 won me over rides great and fun on the track.:mand:

[Rob S4]

I haven't ridden an air cooled bike, but i can say that i'm amazed by my S4 every time i ride it.

It's the only bike i've kept for more than 6 months.

Buy one and you'll love it too.

[Scotty]

proberly the 900
i keep thinking the s4 may be a bit too much for the road and the 900 is cheaper to run with its greater simplicity
having said that theres no way il ever get rid of the S4

[Mr C]

Cant Comment on the 900, But S4's are a hoot. I miss mine already

[jerry]

I have had both , and now have an S4 and a M750 , go for the M900.

jerry

[benson]

I'm another M900ie fan - it's injected tho not carbed... I think it's personal really - weather you want another central heating system besides the one in your house or the air cooled lump, which personally I love....Only ridden an S4 once and yes it is a great big tingly wonder above 6k revs but I'd still stick with my 900 for the lower running and servicing costs and the look of it and the fact that I love it very very very much....

[yeharrr]

I have a senna s4 and it is gr8 fun. I sometimes ride with a mate on an trx850 and I feel a bit sorry for him. I don't know for sure but I am guessing that the trx is in the same ballpark as the m900. The s4 walks all over the trx. The 900m may be a bit easier to live with? I've spun the back wheel a couple of time in gravely car parks just parking up. The s4 seems like a pussy cat until you get complacent and then it reminds you that it does in deed have the 916 engine in there. I should have a good think about what you want from it. Do you really want the extra power – and having to manage that power? You are getting some more power going from a 6 to a 9 anyway, so I doubt you would be disappointed with either bike. And, yes, the s4 does look a bit odd from some angles; but that makes it interesting. I’ll tell you what though, I like the way everyone on this site is encouraging, regardless of the type/size of engine you have in your monster. Whatever you get, enjoy your new bike