Buying advice needed

Irezumi · 10-09-2022, 12:31 PM

Have been reading these forums for quite a while on and off but never posted so hi. Have always wanted a Monster and going to look at an S2r soon. Any particular advice on what to look for beyond normal stuff. Aware of belts and SSS hub etc. and the likes of bearings but anything else specific to the S2r?

Also, what is a reputable online source for parts as belts will need doing on the bike I am looking at as last done 3 years ago apparently, although minimal mileage on them? Will need to do a full service I imagine, which I will carry out myself.

Thanks for any help.

Nickj · 10-09-2022, 01:04 PM

Look critically at the fuel tank, ethanol can make them swell. There don't seem to be any new ones so the market is full of old ones that are usually swollen too.
Else just that it looks cared for, other than the lack of belt change which will be fine just change them ASAP

slob · 10-09-2022, 06:33 PM

welcome aboard, check for any signs of water ingress/misting in the clocks.
unusual if the bike’s been well looked after.

Nickj · 10-09-2022, 09:05 PM

The motors, as long as they recieve pretty basic maintenace, are surprisingly tough and can do high miles without any problem.
As long as you keep up the belt change schedule and the valve clearances they'll run out to 100K easily.
The electrics are good, mostly the issue you'll have is people not routing the wiring properly and maybe older wires getting a bit stiff.
My S2R is happy as a piggin', press the button and it goes. LOL Love to say step on the brakes and it stops but the rear is always an issue. It can be more of a decorative item (except for MOT time) but then I don't find that I use it very much. Some say the front calipers are budget jobs (true) but they work .. maybe not as well as they might but more than well enough.
Any weakness is in the suspension, the rear isn't too good and the front isn't either. I've got an andretti misano conversion to go in when I can get around to it for the front and I'll end up with a new rear. I did have something to compare with that says the S2R could be heaps better but then you'd expect a race homologation 758R to handle a little better

Irezumi · 10-09-2022, 09:49 PM

Thanks for all the advice. Have previously owned an aprilia with a plastic tank so remember the problems that caused. Are tanks from other Monsters which are metal a straight fit?

With regards to belts are these still just purchased from Ducati or is there a better (cheaper) source online?

Would it be advisable to ride away on a bike with belts 3 years old (approx 100 miles back to mine) or better to collect in van and change before using the bike?

Thanks for all the help so far.

walkingpictures · 10-09-2022, 10:04 PM

http://www.exactuk.com/about-exactfit-cam-belts/

Great service from these guys

Kimbo

mickj · 11-09-2022, 09:47 AM

Welcome to the forum Irezumi.

Good luck with the hunt.

Nickj · 11-09-2022, 09:52 AM

Same ascerbis PA6 nylon tanks and it would be too easy if other tanks were a straight swap in !!

On riding it back, I'd rather not myself, I'd take a pair fit and go as it is .. well usually is .. a dead simple 20 - 30 minute job when you've done it before. If the bikes been standing for much of the time and not running I wouldn't want to ride it away, even the small chance of a belt shredding or snapping .. you don't want that to happen as it's usually very messy.

Irezumi · 12-09-2022, 05:00 PM

Thanks for all the help so far, been very useful.

Few small issues with the bike which are me being picky however they would annoy me if not resolved eventually so looking to see if they are possible at all.

First off the dial lenses/screens are cracked. Looked up and appears common, have seen that there are people who can repair these but for over £200! is it possible to replace these lenses yourself, anyone done it?

Marks/pitting on for outers (not stanchions). Anyone know if these can be repaired of for outers from other models would be a straight swap/fit?

Engine paint flaking, what is the best way to resolve this and how much would I be looking at?

Thanks for any help.

walkingpictures · 12-09-2022, 05:26 PM

http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...=clocks+repair

Might be useful !!!

Nickj · 12-09-2022, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irezumi

First off the dial lenses/screens are cracked.
Marks/pitting on fork outers
Engine paint flaking

All price negotiation points, some could be labelled as patina or hard earned battle scars

Unless totally unused a 12 - 15 year old bike isn't going to be pristine. It's not quite old enough or unusual enough to be a collecters classic and have had the full on better than new restoration applied.

The engine casing paint of this era does eventually flake off, if it bothers you drop the motor and repaint.

10-09-2022, 12:31 PM	#1
Irezumi Registered User Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Exeter Bike: Other Not a Ducati Posts: 4	Buying advice needed Have been reading these forums for quite a while on and off but never posted so hi. Have always wanted a Monster and going to look at an S2r soon. Any particular advice on what to look for beyond normal stuff. Aware of belts and SSS hub etc. and the likes of bearings but anything else specific to the S2r? Also, what is a reputable online source for parts as belts will need doing on the bike I am looking at as last done 3 years ago apparently, although minimal mileage on them? Will need to do a full service I imagine, which I will carry out myself. Thanks for any help.

10-09-2022, 01:04 PM	#2
Nickj Too much time on my hands member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Forest Of Dean Bike: S2r Posts: 3,206	Look critically at the fuel tank, ethanol can make them swell. There don't seem to be any new ones so the market is full of old ones that are usually swollen too. Else just that it looks cared for, other than the lack of belt change which will be fine just change them ASAP __________________ "The final measure of any rider's skill is the inverse ratio of his preferred Traveling Speed to the number of bad scars on his body." Song of the sausage creature

10-09-2022, 09:05 PM	#4
Nickj Too much time on my hands member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Forest Of Dean Bike: S2r Posts: 3,206	The motors, as long as they recieve pretty basic maintenace, are surprisingly tough and can do high miles without any problem. As long as you keep up the belt change schedule and the valve clearances they'll run out to 100K easily. The electrics are good, mostly the issue you'll have is people not routing the wiring properly and maybe older wires getting a bit stiff. My S2R is happy as a piggin', press the button and it goes. LOL Love to say step on the brakes and it stops but the rear is always an issue. It can be more of a decorative item (except for MOT time) but then I don't find that I use it very much. Some say the front calipers are budget jobs (true) but they work .. maybe not as well as they might but more than well enough. Any weakness is in the suspension, the rear isn't too good and the front isn't either. I've got an andretti misano conversion to go in when I can get around to it for the front and I'll end up with a new rear. I did have something to compare with that says the S2R could be heaps better but then you'd expect a race homologation 758R to handle a little better __________________ "The final measure of any rider's skill is the inverse ratio of his preferred Traveling Speed to the number of bad scars on his body." Song of the sausage creature

11-09-2022, 09:47 AM	#7
mickj Registered User Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Clevedon Bike: M1200s Posts: 565	Welcome to the forum Irezumi. Good luck with the hunt. __________________ Keep the rubber side down. Mick

11-09-2022, 09:52 AM	#8
Nickj Too much time on my hands member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Forest Of Dean Bike: S2r Posts: 3,206	Same ascerbis PA6 nylon tanks and it would be too easy if other tanks were a straight swap in !! On riding it back, I'd rather not myself, I'd take a pair fit and go as it is .. well usually is .. a dead simple 20 - 30 minute job when you've done it before. If the bikes been standing for much of the time and not running I wouldn't want to ride it away, even the small chance of a belt shredding or snapping .. you don't want that to happen as it's usually very messy. __________________ "The final measure of any rider's skill is the inverse ratio of his preferred Traveling Speed to the number of bad scars on his body." Song of the sausage creature

10-09-2022, 06:33 PM	#3
slob . Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: East London Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 9,733	welcome aboard, check for any signs of water ingress/misting in the clocks. unusual if the bike’s been well looked after.

10-09-2022, 09:49 PM	#5
Irezumi Registered User Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Exeter Bike: Other Not a Ducati Posts: 4	Thanks for all the advice. Have previously owned an aprilia with a plastic tank so remember the problems that caused. Are tanks from other Monsters which are metal a straight fit? With regards to belts are these still just purchased from Ducati or is there a better (cheaper) source online? Would it be advisable to ride away on a bike with belts 3 years old (approx 100 miles back to mine) or better to collect in van and change before using the bike? Thanks for all the help so far.

10-09-2022, 10:04 PM	#6
walkingpictures preneolithic frebie Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Cambridge Bike: S4Rs Posts: 328	http://www.exactuk.com/about-exactfit-cam-belts/ Great service from these guys Kimbo

12-09-2022, 05:00 PM	#9
Irezumi Registered User Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Exeter Bike: Other Not a Ducati Posts: 4	Thanks for all the help so far, been very useful. Few small issues with the bike which are me being picky however they would annoy me if not resolved eventually so looking to see if they are possible at all. First off the dial lenses/screens are cracked. Looked up and appears common, have seen that there are people who can repair these but for over £200! is it possible to replace these lenses yourself, anyone done it? Marks/pitting on for outers (not stanchions). Anyone know if these can be repaired of for outers from other models would be a straight swap/fit? Engine paint flaking, what is the best way to resolve this and how much would I be looking at? Thanks for any help.

12-09-2022, 05:26 PM	#10
walkingpictures preneolithic frebie Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Cambridge Bike: S4Rs Posts: 328	http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...=clocks+repair Might be useful !!!