Impressions from my S2R1000 vs. SC Sport1000 Test Drive

[slowerthan]

Went to the dealership today to test ride three bikes; Monster S2R1000, SportClassic Sport1000, and Supersport 1000DS. Disappointed, but not surprised, that they did not have a SS to test, or even sit on. But they were very accommodating, and I was able to take both bikes on a loop that they charted out, which gave me a little stop and go street, freeway, and a fun dash with a section of tight twisties, as well as another section with some gentle sweepers. Someone from the dealership went along to guide me, and using both of the bikes I wanted to try, we switched bikes after the loop, enabling me try both the S2R1000 and the Sport 1000 on equal terms. Both bikes were almost brand new, and the Sport in particular had a little over a hundred miles on it, and the Monster was still under 600 miles.

Let me qualify that because I was unfamiliar with these bikes, as well as with the route, and since these bikes hadn't really even been broken in, I did not push them at all. Therefore, it is hard to know how they'll perform when pushed harder. Please also note I ride an SV-650, so I'm used to the torque of the V-twins, more so than a rider who was coming down from an I-4.

Rode the S2R1000 first. Very smooth, great handling, stiff suspension that tracked well, very nice brakes. Liked the extremely smooth shifting with very short shift action. Clutch was stiff but good. Nice torque down low, although it did stall at an intersection, most likely because of my clutch action. Obviously more power than my SV, but I honestly didn't feel a huge difference in pulling ability. But I'd say that was due to the fact that I'm used to revving up the SV which I didn't do with the Monster, so I probably never hit the sweet spot where the engine would come alive. The engine did hiccup once on the twisties, totally unsettling the suspension. Scary. The mini windscreen is about as ineffective as the one on my SV.

Next was the Sport. Dang, what an aggressive posture! I often lie down on my tank on the SV for wind protection, and I'm still far back from the instruments. On the Sport, you are literally looking down over the top of the cluster. An unlike the Monster, where the back of the tank slopes up, the Sport tank is very steep so it presses against your stomach. I'll need to lose a few pounds to ride this baby! Again, the clip-ons are extreme, and as I started my test ride, I asked myself what did I get myself into? But within 5 minutes, I got used to it. It does require you to bend your wrists up sharply, and my wristwatch was really hurting. The whole point of the test ride for me was to compare the suspension and brakes. The non-adjustable Marzocchi forks were quite satisfactory. The Monster's Showa was stiffer, and seemed to track a bit better, but on the rough roads we have here, and at the chill pace I normally ride, the Sport's forks were actually more comfortable. The front brakes were plenty strong, but were harder to modulate than the Monster's. The rear brakes were much weaker than on the Monster, almost to the point where they felt useless. The dealer said the brake pads and rotors were brand new, and that would change with time. Interestingly, even with the same transmission, the Sport did not shift as cleanly, and had a noticeably longer throw. And lastly, despite its mono seat with what looked like a vertical back edge, I slid around in that seat a lot. So trying to find a more solid seat position and trying to get comfortable with the clip-ons was certainly more work than on the Monster.

So in the end, there was not a performance difference that made one stand out over the other. Comparing them to my SV, I didn't honestly come away saying these bikes perform WAY better than my bike. Again, I acknowledge I did not push them hard, and never got to feel the heart of the engine's power, nor really challenge the handling and suspension.

Having said that, the quality is obviously better than on my SV, and there is also a clear feeling that the Duc has more "substance" and "elegance", and yes, even "SOUL". In my short time on the saddle, people stopped to look at the Duc, which of course doesn't happen with my SV either.

As for the looks, both the S2R1000 and the Sport 1000 are drop dead gorgeous. The Sport has the notoriety of its retro style, the spoked wheels, clip-ons, and bar end mirrors. For the S2R1000, I really like the red frame and the white rims. I would be equally happy with either bike.

As I will be selling my SV to get one of these bikes, I know the pain of losing a ton of money that was spent on mods. So I will try my best to avoid that with the Duc. Given that, I think the Sport may take less effort to become the bike I want it to be. At the same time, should I instead constantly want to try mods to improve the performance, then I'd think the Monster platform has more potential.

Decisions, decisions.

[Mhe225]

Very nice write-up, Slowerthan / Pete (?) You'll never find anything like this in the bike magazines, yet these are the exact same points and questions the majority of us are struggling with. I know your dilemma: nicer components at a lower price versus the ultimate cool. Whatever your choice may be, you can't go wrong. Good luck with the decision.
RonB
PS Personally, I'd pick the Sport1000 in yellow

[Lost_In_Spice]

Well the SV is a good bike- prolly the closest the japs come to the ducati philosophy in the middleweight class. So I think you will be well pleased with a ducati.

The SC cafe racer idea/styling is very close to my dream of the perfect bike- I was disappointed it didn't get adjustable forks as standard. Reality needs a few mods to match the perfomance of dreams I guess

PS Personally, I'd pick the Sport1000 in BLACK

[scooter]

Sounds like you had a good time slowerthan. Interesting that you had company, I never experienced anything like that on any of my test rides at a few different dealerships.

A couple of things...

When I test rode the GT and S2R 1000 the GT had a couple hundred miles on it and the Monster had 1600. I also rode a Monster 620 that was brand new, something like 20 miles on the clock. There was a noticeable difference in brake effectiveness, clutch feel and shifter feel between the 620 and the two 1000's, making the 620 quite difficult to ride smoothly. When I picked up my new GT, with 8 miles on the clock, I noticed the same thing, especially the stiff shifting and ineffective brakes. My sales guy warned me to watch the brakes for the first few miles but he said they should improve dramatically very quickly. At 400 miles, my GT is now shifting very smoothly and the brakes are strong, front and back. In fact, I was doing some practice emergency stops a few days ago and surprised myself a bit when I momentarily locked the rear brake with what I felt was surprisingly little effort. And, as you know, there are a few folks on the Sport Classic forum with much more mileage on their bikes and they've been reporting steady improvements as well.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of them so go with the one that gives you the most grins.

[Oldskier]

Just for your information, the ST3 risers fit on the Sport Classic and raise the handlebars about 2 inches. All of the OEM lines and cables still fit. Makes it much more comfortable. I assume Heli Bars or Cyclecat risers would also work although you'd have to change the lines and cables.
Ron

[slowerthan]

Originally Posted by Mhe225

.......yet these are the exact same points and questions the majority of us are struggling with. I know your dilemma: nicer components at a lower price versus the ultimate cool.......

A few days have past since the test drive, and yet the decision is not any easier.

Perhaps that is the nature of buying/owning a Ducati (something I admit that I have no experience with). Am I to let emotion alone dictate the choice? If so, the Sport 1000 is the easy choice, for it's sexiness, for the notoriety (probably more perceived than true) of the retro image, and yes, it is the one that calls to me.

But objectively, I struggle that Ducati has made too many compromises for image and cost (here function follows form, instead of form following function). The brakes and shocks were adequate, particularly for those like me that do not ride hard or fast, but still, for the price they are charging, am I a fool for letting them get away with that? Can I ignore my fascination with having better components even though I probably would never need them?

The cafe racer style looks great, but the ergos are a challenge. Sure, there are risers available, but I personally would rather try to get used to the ergos, rather than change the aesthetics of the bike. I suppose this is another example of emotion over reason.

I also worry a little about the tires, not understanding if there are performance options for tubed tires. I do remember getting rid of the crappy stock tires on my SV, way before they were worn out, and absolutely loving how much better the bike rode after that. But with the Sport 1000, are there better options out there in tubed tires? Or am I stupid in asking if you can use a performance tubeless tire with a tube?

The S2R1000 makes so much more sense in terms of price and components. It still is a gorgeous and sexy bike, being a Ducati afterall. But I feel one really needs to want to mod the bike to suit his/her tastes (perhaps part of the allure of owning a Duc?). Just looking at the hassles that seem to be involved in getting the Termi's to work is a bit scary. I know I would want to go with clip-ons and bar end mirrors to more closely resemble the Sport, and I worry about how much effort that would involve. But if one is looking for a "project", and enjoy tinkering with mods to get the bike "just right" and more individualized, it might be the better choice. I'm just not sure if I'm that type of individual.

[Reducs]

Originally Posted by slowerthan

I also worry a little about the tires, not understanding if there are performance options for tubed tires.

You can use any tire on the SC's, you just have to use a tube as well. My Sport gets a little loose on certain grooved sections, but other than that, no complaints yet regarding the Phantoms.

Regarding the Termi's, I had some popping on decel, but the dealer dialed it in at the 600 miles service and it's been perfect since. Not a worry.

I hear ya regarding the S2R having better components and costing less, but I'm keepin' the Sport!

[YellowDuck]

This is such a great thread. I am personally struggling with EXACTLY the same decision - Sport 1000 or S2R1000. All the same concerns, all the same emotions.

Add in the fact that I like the 2007 S2R color schemes better...but the 2006 S2R and the SC are now being sold off below MSRP around here....so many factors and it is hard to pull the trigger!

[slowerthan]

Originally Posted by YellowDuck

....Add in the fact that I like the 2007 S2R color schemes better...but the 2006 S2R and the SC are now being sold off below MSRP around here....so many factors and it is hard to pull the trigger!

So where did you get information on the '07's? I'd feel like a fool buying an '06 just to find out there ares positive changes to the bike. For example, if they were to swap out the non-adjustable fork with a Showa (wishful thinking), then I'd wait. On the other hand, I read at the Speedzilla forum that the '07 Sport 1000 will come standard with risers to raise the bar height. I'm not really sure if I want that, and might be reason enough to snatch an '06 at a good price.

[YellowDuck]

Someone around here (or maybe Speedzilla....or maybe the DML) posted pictures of his 2007 S2R. Red and white paint as 2006, but black wheels (hooray!), and maybe darker colored belt covers by the look of it. Mechanically identical as far as we could tell from the pictures.

I am sure you have the same information as I do re: the 2007 SC bikes. One faired like the PS and one like the Sport, but both will have symmetrical swingarms like the GT, two rear shocks (different units than on the GT - these are piggy-back resevoir units), and one pipe per side like the GT. And they are bipostos. Forks are PROBABLY the same old Marzocchis. Don't know if the wheels are the aluminum ones like the current PS and Sport, or if they are chromed steel like the GT.

I have no interest in the new SC bikes, based on what I saw in the photos. The funky asymmetrical swingarm is one of the features I like the most. Which of course increases the urgency of getting this decision made.