2001 Ducati monster S4......talk me down.....
 

Went and saw this bike today.

2001 Ducati S4 Monster

It is pristine. Paint is near perfect, carbon looks glossy, seems to run well.

My hesitation is the mileage (27,000). Anyone have any insights into the longevity of the 916cc engine? I know all 4v engines of this era can have failures on the chrome coating of the rocker arm rollers.

Reaching for wallet.......

More than a few hits on Google for 916 longevity. Like anything, it depends on how it was maintained and beaten on.

Meh - I'd keep looking for one with lower miles. These aren't rare, are they? I see a lot of bikes with 5k miles, because some guy thought he'd ride a lot. Then after it sitting most the time, they sell.

Cheers,

George

I can't offer any input of longevity but I've always been fascinated by their Desmo Valve setup... :)

Why hasn't any other manufacturer copied it?

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old vid/ add but it gives you the idea. Tuonos are out there and very reasonably priced

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If 916s are going for the mid-4s, my mind doesn't understand how the Monster version of the 916 should go for $1K more. But if that's the market, then that's the market I suppose. If the rockers haven't flaked after 26K miles, I don't think that would be too high on my worry list.

Personally I'd look for something newer/less miles, like an S4R or S4Rs. The S4R has the 998 motor, I believe. And the S4Rs has the Testastretta motor out of the 999s. That was a nice leap over the earlier Desmoquattro motors.

Do you really need/want that much HP in a Monster, anyway?

I think Ducati still uses it mainly because it's a signature item. Like the trellis frame, L-twin layout, and dry clutch (though those are even being abandoned slowly). Just like the 911 and the rear engine layout or the flat-6.

THe desmo valvetrain was originally a solution to a problem of poor metallurgy and valvetrain springs. To prevent valve float and spring failure at higher RPMs, the desmo concept of using a cam to open and a cam to close the valve was more reliable. IIRC Mercedes used it in the 1950s (at the very least) in their 300SLRs. But as metallurgy became more reliable, it wasn't necessary to use the complicated and narrow-tolerance desmo concept.

As I understand it, desmodromics also allow for steeper ramp angles on the cams so that valves can open more quickly and slam shut more quickly. Kind of a mechanical, low-tech answer that currently is being answered in F1 by pneumatic valve actuation.

They've been used a lot. If memory serves, the M-Bz 300SLRs used desmo motors. But hell, I've been wrong a lot.

I was looking for a Monster a few months ago, so researched them quite a bit. The S4 seem pretty durable but require more maintenance than the average bike. I'd pretty much resolved to go with an S2 or 795/796, which are cheaper to run and there are people on the Ducati forums that have run them up to 200k miles. If I were to go for a Duc with that engine, I'd go with a 916 - they're cheaper and the exotic sportbike looks would help swallow the exotic sportbike costs. Kinda like how people grouse about paying to maintain a Maserati but accept the costs with a Ferrari. ;)

if it has no electrical gremlins, then do it. The engine will outlast the wiring. lol
my 900 monster was of the same era and I did 40,000km on it with no trouble at all. But I know a guy that went through 2 '04 models and ended up getting his money back when he needed a third that didn't randomly die.

when was the last full service, belts and valves? if it's not recent, i would pass and look for something that's either been serviced recently or lower in price.

An Aprilia might be a great alternative, given your proximity to Moto International, in Seattle.

The Ape motor is solid as a hammer and the bikes handle well. Remember it is just a naked Mille RSV. Friends are still racing them in HWT twins classes and doing well against much newer Ducatis and did I mention that they are reliable even in race tune.

IMO It looks nice but it's AT LEAST $1500 overpriced for that kind of mileage.

I think if you have a little patience and keep looking you can do a little better mileage and/or price wise.

Thanks for the input all. Still looking. Tomorrow I'm going to see a 2007 sr4 s monster.

check this out might be some bargaining room.

FS: 2008 Ducati Hypermotard....Price reduced

I've moved to columbus oh. I dont want to buy a bike without laying eyes on it.

I will look at it for you,
if you like one of these.
fly out and drive it home


2005 Ducati 999 (has warranty!)

Ducati 999

price reduced 2008 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S

Ducati 999s yr 2004 FOR SALE !

999s are amazing bikes for the money!

Just so damn ugly.