Newbie looking for an upright Duke

01-07-2017, 08:56 PM

Hi all, been riding all my life, with a strange fondness for BMW airheads, and oilheads. I always wanted a Duke, and now want an aircooled bike with a ton of torque, will be used for commuting and weekend hooliganism.

I've have a few crashes in my time, so cannot have too much weight on my wrists, so may fit higher bars when I find the right bike. Currently considering an M900, or an RS2 (probably the 800). But also considering a 900SS, and making it naked, and with high bars.

I'm a bit torn over carbs/vs FI, as I rather like traditional things, but suspect that well setup FI will be smoother, reliable and (less importantly) more economical.

Guidance, and opinions are most welcome.

Darren69 · 02-07-2017, 05:31 PM

How does this grab you? Not mine btw. An S too so Ohlins forged wheels and other sexy carbon goodness.

http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...ad.php?t=55379

02-07-2017, 05:47 PM

Looks great, but not sure it's for me. I was looking to spend £2500-£3500, but it is tempting

Darren69 · 02-07-2017, 06:06 PM

2500 will buy you a dog/project bike or something that will need some work, 3500 will buy you something half decent. Either a nice early carby 900 or later 900/1000/s2r. The ie bikes are a far better bike imho, they run better and the electronics are fairly robust and aren't so complicated or expensive to maintain unless it has to be old school carbs which can be a pita and always a compromise.

02-07-2017, 06:16 PM

I've done a lot of reading, and thinking. Was thinking carbs, but the thought of icing up etc is definitely making me think FI.

At the moment, tempted by M900's with FI, or S2R as I love the SSS. The clutch on the 800 sounds great as I will use it in traffic regularly, but think I want a 1000 if S2R for the better power/torque and better suspension, but they seem rarer and pricier. Will keep looking until I find something suitable.

Darren69 · 02-07-2017, 07:21 PM

Carb icing really is a problem with carb 900s and 750s too unfortunately and one that can not be easily solved I got fed up of my 900SS doing it at the same point every time that it became predictable but no less dangerous as you really don't want it to happen when your cornering or on a roundabout. I shouldn't be too swayed by the 800 Adler clutch as they have some problems and can and will fail. The springs tend to break up and cause mega damage.

The 1000 DS engine is probably one of the best they made (so you're looking at 1000ie or S2R1000) and with the standard dry clutch which can be upgraded to the full racing spec clutch for around 500 quid if your're lucky and will be well worth the expense. A bit more expense at service time but bullet proof and so much better and smooth as silk.

Luddite · 02-07-2017, 07:28 PM

If you're after an S2R 1000, (which I can thoroughly recommended having owned one), one of the members on here was selling his recently and he might still have it...

http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...ad.php?t=54414

It is quite a way from you though.

02-07-2017, 10:53 PM

Having an S2R I have to say they're very nice bikes and quite upright if you get some bar risers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darren69

[...] the standard dry clutch which can be upgraded to the full racing spec clutch for around 500 quid

Any more info on that would be greatly appreciated

Darren69 · 03-07-2017, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fim

Having an S2R I have to say they're very nice bikes and quite upright if you get some bar risers!

Any more info on that would be greatly appreciated

Ebay, they turn up every so often.

slob · 03-07-2017, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fim

Having an S2R I have to say they're very nice bikes and quite upright if you get some bar risers...

pretty upright compared to any kind of sportsbike anyway

utopia · 03-07-2017, 11:42 AM

I went for carbs when I bought my 750, 10yrs ago.
My bike suffers badly from icing as soon as the cold, damp weather sets in.
Its a pain in the neck.
Dosing the fuel with Pro.fst sorts it, but that's a pain too, particularly if it catches you unawares.
Changing carbs to Kehin FCRs apparently cures the problem .. I have a set waiting.

In short, injection is probably the way to go.
But having said that, if the icing issue can be eliminated, I would still probably choose carbs because I'm happier working on them.
And I get great fuel consumption from them ... 150 miles before the fuel light.

How are your wrists for pulling a clutch lever ? ... the std system is often heavy.
Aftermarket slave cyls help no end though.

Dirty · 03-07-2017, 12:56 PM

Yep, carbs for character. Ditch the standard mikunis and add FCRs for all round improvement and added induction woosh

Darren69 · 03-07-2017, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fim

Having an S2R I have to say they're very nice bikes and quite upright if you get some bar risers!

Any more info on that would be greatly appreciated

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FRIZIONE-A...EAAOSwceNZQqsZ

Then you will just need new alloy basket and alloy friction plates.

Blah blah · 03-07-2017, 06:02 PM

Your budget will get you an S2r800, loads on teh bay of E (and they're grrrrrrreat!)

bobbertandsammy · 04-07-2017, 03:29 PM

Bars make a huge difference. The bars my 900 came with were crippling after 3 miles, totally different now with a set of renthals on.

01-07-2017, 08:56 PM	#1
Jalfrezi Guest Posts: n/a	Newbie looking for an upright Duke Hi all, been riding all my life, with a strange fondness for BMW airheads, and oilheads. I always wanted a Duke, and now want an aircooled bike with a ton of torque, will be used for commuting and weekend hooliganism. I've have a few crashes in my time, so cannot have too much weight on my wrists, so may fit higher bars when I find the right bike. Currently considering an M900, or an RS2 (probably the 800). But also considering a 900SS, and making it naked, and with high bars. I'm a bit torn over carbs/vs FI, as I rather like traditional things, but suspect that well setup FI will be smoother, reliable and (less importantly) more economical. Guidance, and opinions are most welcome.

02-07-2017, 05:31 PM	#2
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,022	How does this grab you? Not mine btw. An S too so Ohlins forged wheels and other sexy carbon goodness. http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...ad.php?t=55379 __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

02-07-2017, 06:06 PM	#4
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,022	2500 will buy you a dog/project bike or something that will need some work, 3500 will buy you something half decent. Either a nice early carby 900 or later 900/1000/s2r. The ie bikes are a far better bike imho, they run better and the electronics are fairly robust and aren't so complicated or expensive to maintain unless it has to be old school carbs which can be a pita and always a compromise. __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

02-07-2017, 07:21 PM	#6
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,022	Carb icing really is a problem with carb 900s and 750s too unfortunately and one that can not be easily solved I got fed up of my 900SS doing it at the same point every time that it became predictable but no less dangerous as you really don't want it to happen when your cornering or on a roundabout. I shouldn't be too swayed by the 800 Adler clutch as they have some problems and can and will fail. The springs tend to break up and cause mega damage. The 1000 DS engine is probably one of the best they made (so you're looking at 1000ie or S2R1000) and with the standard dry clutch which can be upgraded to the full racing spec clutch for around 500 quid if your're lucky and will be well worth the expense. A bit more expense at service time but bullet proof and so much better and smooth as silk. __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

03-07-2017, 12:56 PM	#12
Dirty Bockloks Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London Bike: No Bike Yet! Posts: 4,601	Yep, carbs for character. Ditch the standard mikunis and add FCRs for all round improvement and added induction woosh __________________ Wounds heal, chicks dig scars, glory lasts forever Beware of eBay

02-07-2017, 05:47 PM	#3
Jalfrezi Guest Posts: n/a	Looks great, but not sure it's for me. I was looking to spend £2500-£3500, but it is tempting

02-07-2017, 06:16 PM	#5
Jalfrezi Guest Posts: n/a	I've done a lot of reading, and thinking. Was thinking carbs, but the thought of icing up etc is definitely making me think FI. At the moment, tempted by M900's with FI, or S2R as I love the SSS. The clutch on the 800 sounds great as I will use it in traffic regularly, but think I want a 1000 if S2R for the better power/torque and better suspension, but they seem rarer and pricier. Will keep looking until I find something suitable.

02-07-2017, 07:28 PM	#7
Luddite Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Southampton Bike: M1100evo Posts: 2,465	If you're after an S2R 1000, (which I can thoroughly recommended having owned one), one of the members on here was selling his recently and he might still have it... http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...ad.php?t=54414 It is quite a way from you though.

03-07-2017, 11:42 AM	#11
utopia No turn left unstoned Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: leicester Bike: M750 Posts: 4,545	I went for carbs when I bought my 750, 10yrs ago. My bike suffers badly from icing as soon as the cold, damp weather sets in. Its a pain in the neck. Dosing the fuel with Pro.fst sorts it, but that's a pain too, particularly if it catches you unawares. Changing carbs to Kehin FCRs apparently cures the problem .. I have a set waiting. In short, injection is probably the way to go. But having said that, if the icing issue can be eliminated, I would still probably choose carbs because I'm happier working on them. And I get great fuel consumption from them ... 150 miles before the fuel light. How are your wrists for pulling a clutch lever ? ... the std system is often heavy. Aftermarket slave cyls help no end though.

03-07-2017, 06:02 PM	#14
Blah blah Upsetting normal people.. Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Portreath Bike: S2r Posts: 833	Your budget will get you an S2r800, loads on teh bay of E (and they're grrrrrrreat!) __________________ Power is nothing without control... I have neither ! Last edited by Blah blah; 03-07-2017 at 06:06 PM..

04-07-2017, 03:29 PM	#15
bobbertandsammy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Hamilton Bike: M900 Posts: 196	Bars make a huge difference. The bars my 900 came with were crippling after 3 miles, totally different now with a set of renthals on.