S4RS As An "Almost" Daily Rider - Ducati.ms

jks4 · Oct 25th, 2006, 8:48 am

I commute about 40-50 miles daily. No city, but a handful of stops and a swath of open road, with low to moderate traffic. I am seriously considering an S4RS to ride a few days a week to work and back. I'd also take it to the track and have some fun on it every once and a while. And of course I'd ride it on weekends around the hills in San Diego. I know it is a lot of bike, but she is a beauty.

Of course the dealer is happy to suggest it would be fine for this sort of thing - the commute that is. I'd get the termis and a damper. The size feels right to me. It feels light and nimble. The unbridled power of the S4RS is under my control, right? The other threads seem to imply the bike occasionally has a mind of its own. (experts only, etc..) Anyone else use this bike as an almost daily rider? Opinions on the level of effort riding this rig appreciated. The commute, as noted is a mix... some stop and go, some relatively open road.

BTW, this would be my first Ducati. I own two BMW's. I want to go to Italy.

Thanks to all.

John

**fasterdammit** · Oct 25th, 2006, 9:16 am

Buy some touring tires. Maybe even a 2nd set of rims so you can swap between sticky rubber and something that'll withstand the mileage. I was commuting >100m/day on my Monster - open road, no superslab but a lot of straight up & down with some great twisties thrown in ... ironed out my back tire pretty quickly.

I don't think it'd be a big deal. Those flyscreens might look small but they work surprisingly well. Put it this way - take it off and then aim for a speeding ticket on the highway and you'll notice the difference in a hurry. It might not be quite the level of commuting comfort you're used to (although I don't know what bimmers you have either) but I think it'd be fine, although what about an S2R? Easier on the wallet in terms of entrance fee but especially in on-going costs: consider maintenance the intervals which are going to come around pretty often with that sort of commute, and there's quite a difference between a 4v lump (S4RS) and a 2v (S2R).

Don't take this as trying dissuade you - just playing devil's advocate, because there's really no rhyme or reason or even sense in trying to justify buying a particular bike. If you want it, get it. That's all there is to it. But just thought I'd point that out.

And post some pictures when you pick it up.

jks4 · Oct 25th, 2006, 9:29 am

Thanks Faster. I've thought about the S2R but, as you note, rational thinking doesn't always play into these decisions. If I'm going to do it, I'll go for the S4RS. The BMW I ride the most is an R1200GS. Great bike, but it feels like work riding around town. It is excellent for long rides, on and off road. But, while hard to describe a "vibe", I just don't like riding it around town. It feels like a production.

gmarshman · Oct 25th, 2006, 9:47 am

I think you'd have a blast doing that, most of the time. I think the things that would start bothering you first are:

1. Trying to carry anything that won't fit in backpack.
2. Burning half a tank (seriously!) on each commute.

Longer term, things like tires and maintenance costs will definitely make themselves felt. If you're commuting by bike to save dough, you can do a lot better than this bike.

I find the bike to be quite comfortable and would be surprised if that were an issue for you. Weather protection is not great, if that concerns you. If the extra cost doesn't bother you I think it would be fine, assuming that you have other options and don't HAVE to ride on a particular day.

jks4 · Oct 25th, 2006, 9:59 am

Thanks G.

I hadn't given much thought to having to stop for petrol all the time. Although I've read here that people perceive when riding with Ducs that their owners have to stop frequently. That 40-50 miles is a round trip number. On 3.6 gallons it sounds like I'd have to stop about once a week or so, with 3 rides a week.

What kinds of maintenance issues pop up with these bikes? I've heard Ducs have gotten better in that regard in recent years. The BMW just goes, no matter how much I abuse it.

I'm not too concerned about the saving money commuting part. I'm just getting old(er) and want to have some fun. But it has to be somewhat convenient to hop on the rig and go, otherwise, like all things, it won't happen.

Thanks again.

gmarshman · Oct 25th, 2006, 10:07 am

You will not get 3 trips on a tank, I promise you. The light will come on somewhere between 60-70 miles and after 100 miles (or even slightly less) you will be on the side of the road with your thumb out.

jks4 · Oct 25th, 2006, 10:17 am

Wow. I'll have to stew about that. That is an issue.

Thanks.

Bill_in_OKC · Oct 25th, 2006, 10:47 am

In my experience, don't expect the S4RS to run properly from the showroom floor. If you do just a little search, you'll see all the problems - backfiring, misfiring and stalling. If you want an S4RS that runs properly, you'll be buying the ~$2300 DP kit - which makes it run great, but maybe too loud for a daily driver?

gmarshman · Oct 25th, 2006, 11:28 am

With the baffles installed the DP exhaust kit is borderline acceptable from a volume perspective. I am always a bit nervous leaving home early in the morning, although it hasn't stopped me. Without the baffles you get barking dogs and crying babies.

jks4 · Oct 25th, 2006, 12:01 pm

Is the mileage measurably better on an S2R1k? I'm not sure what my threshold is re. the mileage requirement. In fact, it isn't so much mileage per gallon that is an issue, but the fuel capacity on these machines that is problematic. It still has the small tank, of course. If I got the S4RS I would get the DP Kit.

Regards,

John