Triumph owner tempted by a monster

Hi all,

I currently have a 1999 Triumph daytona 955i and am looking for a complete change. I have a budget of about £3500 and intend to chop the daytona in. I've been considering a 2001 S4 with the 916 engine which seem to go for around this price range.

I have been riding for about 7 years and always owned Jap fours (with the exception of an Aprilia RS125 which I still have) until my current triple but have never owned a Ducati. My riding is commuting with plenty of blasts for fun and some weekend touring.

I would like to go back to a naked bike and have always fancied a monster. Love the looks but have always been a bit concerned about reliability and build quality. I know they have 'character' which is what I'm after as my Triumph has it in spades.

I don't right much in winter now and don't skimp on the cleaning/servicing so my Triumph has been pretty bomb proof. How am I likely to find a monster with this in mind?

I sometimes ride 2 up with my girlfriend what are they like for pillions?

I don't suppose anyone has an S4 for sale in the North West? I've been scouring the Auto Trader and the free ads but it looks like I'll have to travel to view them.

Finally, any other models I should be looking at? Although I don't think my budget would stretch to the S4r or S2r though.

Sorry for all the questions guys. Over to you help to convert a Triumph owner!!


Cheers AlexG

[CK & AK]

You should easily get an S4 for that money - and also possibly one of the earliest M1000's, possibly an early high mileage S4R if you can find one out there too as prices have come down a little for early models of both.
You'd have change from buying a good M900ie, which would be the cheaper option for servicing etc (aircooled over the watercooled variety)
Worth taking a look on ebay as well as the usual bike sale places

Pillions? - its either a resounding yes or no, there is no half way measure from those who have ridden pillion as far as I know. Usually suits the smaller ladies

Try & find an S4 in a dealer so you can have a test ride first - just to see if you do like them, they are an acquired taste - love them or hate 'em seems to be the flow.........

Happy shopping!

In my opinion (and probably many others) you won't regret the change. However ducati's are different and nothing like inline 4's. They can take some getting used to but the rewards are far greater than any jap bike i ever owned (all 7 of em). Check out Ducati leeds at shipley or Ital sport in Bury, neither are that far away from bradford.

[David Matthews]

Hi Alex, and welcome. I think you'll get plenty of advice about the S4 on here. There's quite a bit of friendly rivalry between owners of air cooled and water cooled bikes. If you have trouble finding a S4, a M1000 might be an option for a similar price. They're all good bikes, nice riding position, handling, sound etc. Owned mine for about a year and can't fault it.

Thanks for the quick reply CK & AK.

I'm definitely going to get a test ride first and will consider an M900ie as well if I can find a a good late one.

I do think the radiator on the water cooled S4 does spoils the looks to some extent.

I have seen a 2002 M800ie or would i be a disappointed with the power compared to my Triumph?

I'm hoping to look at some next week as I'm off Monday - Thursday and will try and get a test ride.

Thanks again

Thanks for all the replies and the welcome. I've been to Cobb & Jagger who offered me £2000 for my Triumph in part ex for an S2r. Bit too pricey at £4695though.

They have an S4 at Ducati Manchester for I think £3695 so I'm going to look at that next week as I'm off Mon - Thurs. Probably go to Ital Sport in Bury at the same time as well.

I would definitely look at a M1000 but they seem a bit difficult to track down. Seems the S4 is more common?

[Pedro]

Of the S4 and 1000, I'd go with the 1000 as power is comparable (with a power commander etc) but it's cheaper to service that the S4.

The 1000 DS motor is ace

you won't be disapointed with the power of an 800, Monster's make their power in a different way to other (multi cyl) bikes, the 800 & 1000 DS engines are both brill.

I previously owned an S4 and can safely say that I don't like the Air-cooled Monsters at all. They don't have enough mid-range grunt for me. They're too soft and fluffy in comparison with the S4. If you want an animal that will bite you if you annoy it or that will have you giggling in your helmet as you pass sportsbikes in corners then the S4 is the bike for you!!

If you like nice gentle rides with linear power and ease of use then an air-cooled 900 or M1000 are probably closer to what you need.

[CK & AK]

Originally Posted by AlexG

Thanks for the quick reply CK & AK.

I'm definitely going to get a test ride first and will consider an M900ie as well if I can find a a good late one.

I do think the radiator on the water cooled S4 does spoils the looks to some extent.

I have seen a 2002 M800ie or would i be a disappointed with the power compared to my Triumph?

I'm hoping to look at some next week as I'm off Monday - Thursday and will try and get a test ride.

Thanks again

IMHO you would find the 800 down on power to your Triumph, but it will be more nimble in the tight twisties, and the mid range will be more so than with the T - it just depends on what you want the bike for really.

You'll find the pre-slipper models fun compared to the in-line 4's, remembering to blip on the down shift etc

As I said before - take a good long test on a twin (any of the marque would do for starters, but if poss a pre-2005 model as it wont have the STM slipper fitted for sure) from a dealer.
I think you might be pleasantly suprised, but if not - remember it does take some up to 1000 miles to 'bond' with their Ducati........then many years to be parted from them!

CK

Send a PM to Stafford, He was thinking of selling his S4. He recently bought a S2R1000 as he saw the light with aircooled bikes.

yes it will mean a train ride down to the South West to pick it up to take home but I am sure it would be worth it.

I am sure if you PM him he will be able to tell you everything you want to Know about S4's.

[JerryXt]

aircooled bikes are great, but nothing beats the rush of a watercooled monster

[sidrat]

I have had 5 monsters including ans4r and an s4rs, i also have a Triumph t955i. Both the S4r and S4rs would leave the triumph for dead, especially around a race track, they are a lot lumpier with even more character and very different to ride, but more upright than the race rep triumph, they will also "feel" a lot lighter, the biggest thing you will miss is the fairing, especially at speed. The triumph is a good bike, the monster though is a great bike

Thanks for the advice guys , first thing's first I think is a test ride. Hope to give a monster a try this week.

Its a long time since I rode an unfaired bike, it will be interesting to see how much I will miss all that plastic and the screen.

Never used a dry clutch either which I think the S4 has?

I'm hoping to ride both an air-cooled model and a liquid cooled model before I make any sort of decision.

Maybe the S4 might be the one for me as I'm used to a bike with plenty of mid-range grunt. Quite like the sound of the air-cooled bikes as well though.

One thing I'm finding though is there seems to be loads of variations of Monster to suit just about everyone - bit confusing though, this site is a great help!

Seems to be a bit of friendly rivalry between the air-cooled and the water-cooled brigade!

I went from a Monster to a Bonneville!