Press Reviews - S2R 1000

[half man, half mole]

It has occurred to me (as I have time on my hands at the moment) how often visitors come to the site asking is this model or that model any good? Obviously we give our own, often biased views and offer up our experiences for scrutiny. This is a small collection of reviews from the mainstream press of the S2R to balance things out and help an informed decision to be made. Enjoy.


Ducati's naked beast is cool, very fast, and handles like it's on rails. Tim Luckhurst is happy to be driven round the bend.

Specifications
Model: Ducati S2R 1000
Engine: 992cc air cooled, twin cylinder
Max power: 95bhp @ 8,000rpm
Max torque: 94.1Nm @ 6,000rpm
Brakes: front twin 320mm discs, rear single 245mm disc
Transmission: 6-speed gearbox, chain final drive
Seat height: 800mm
Weight: 178kg
Tank capacity: 14 litres
Colours: Black, red or grey
Price: £6,995
My Ducati Monster S2R 1000 had a mountain to climb. When I was introduced to it I was tired, cold and saddle-sore; I had ridden 90 grim miles on a borrowed sports bike to pick it up.
My instinct was to thrash it, hate it and return it. It is a Monster, after all; the latest in a line that has been around for yonks, and its engine is familiar from the Multistrada and Super Sport families.
Two hours later, having ridden from Coventry to Tamworth and back twice, I was hungry for more curve-rich roads on which to play. I'm sorry about frightening the dairy farmer and grateful to the security guard who watched me do 10 loops of the roundabout at his factory gates without calling the police.
There is a joyous sensation, known only to motorcyclists, that grows in proportion to the lean angle on a bend. This Ducati invites you to push it as hard as many all-out sports bikes and does not feel the slightest bit ruffled.
The air-cooled Dual Spark Desmo twin engine has bags of low-range torque in every Ducati in which it is installed. In the 2006 S2R 1000, it delivers sparkling performance married to a level of comfort and riding pleasure that make it utterly useable. Within minutes, I was confident enough to hit the 8,500rpm rev limiter in three successive gears (the cut-out is harsh).
This Monster feels docile in town, agile on twisting lanes and secure in motorway traffic. It has the physical presence to be noticed and the tucked-in, upright riding position allows excellent all-round vision. All Monsters handle well, but this is special; an endearing blend of nimbleness and solidity. And the mirrors are superb.
Ducatis are cool, of course, and this one doesn't disappoint. Mounted on the right, its twin, vertically stacked silencers stand out. So does a single-sided swing-arm in lightweight aluminium alloy. The striped paint job (here, red with white stripe) is simple but distinctive and the five-spoke Marchesini wheels both look and feel expensive.
An upside-down, fully adjustable Showa front fork declares that this bike is built to be ridden hard. Everything about the performance confirms it; 95bhp might sound tame, but it never feels underpowered. Ducati has had a long time to get twin-cylinder, air-cooled technology right. The S2R 1000 is positively exuberant in the mid-range and won't strain until you get to 125mph.
Granted, it's not a track-day racer. But it is a totally practical motorcycle that makes everyday riding exhilarating and turns special roads into special moments. Ride faster than it happily carries you on anything less than an unrestricted autobahn and you might as well save the courts trouble and burn your driving licence.
True, it's a naked bike, not designed for long journeys, but of all the Monster family it is the one I would take if I had to ride 1,000 miles in a day. Its suspension adapts easily to all conventional road conditions, braking is impressive and a tank bag wouldn't ruin the look. It is versatile enough to be an only bike.
Niggles? The tiny fairing is so ineffective it might as well not be there. At above 70mph, it rattles around like the extraneous afterthought it is. This is a shame in a machine that can happily cruise at 100mph. Pillion accommodation is vestigial, just about adequate for a summer blast across town. I like the monochrome, analogue dials, but they are a matter of taste; digital speedometers are easier to read.
The competition in this sector is fierce. The Triumph Speed Triple is equally iconic and has a lot more power. The Buell Lightning XB12S is more comparable, and the Kawasaki Z1000 is a bargain. But if you like Italian style and want a naked motorcycle that is more charming than thuggish, the S2R is worth a long hard look.

Source: The Independent

Feel free to add others......

[half man, half mole]

MONSTER S2R 1000 - COLOR SCHEMES TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Colors Tank Frame Wheels
Grey with black stripe Black Black
Black with white stripe Black White
Red with white stripe Red White
Engine Type Two-cylinder, 90º L-configuration, Desmodromic timing with 2 valves per cylinder, air-cooled Displacement 992 cc Bore x Stroke 94 x 71.5 mm Compression ratio 10:1 Power 69,9 kW – 95 HP @ 7750 rpm Torque 99,1 Nm – 10,1 Kgm @ 5000 rpm Fuel system Marelli electronic injection, 45 mm throttle body Exhaust 2 aluminium silencers Homologation Euro 3
Transmission Gearbox 6 speed Primary transmission 1st 37/15, 2nd 30/17, 3rd 27/20, 4th 24/22, 5th 23/24, 6th 24/28 Secondary transmission Chain; Front Sprocket 15; Rear wheel 41 Clutch Dry multiplate, hydraulically actuated
Chassis Frame Steel tubing trellis Wheelbase 1462 mm Rake 24°
Front suspension 43 mm Showa upside-down forks, fully adjustable Trail 130 mm Front wheel 5-spoke light alloy, 3.5 x 17 Front tyre 120/70 ZR 17
Rear suspension Progressive with single Sachs adjustable shock Rear wheel travel 144 mm Rear wheel 5-spoke light alloy, 5.5 x 17 Rear tyre 180/55 ZR 17
Front brake 2 x 320 mm discs, 4-piston calliper
Rear brake 245 mm disc, 2-piston calliper
Fuel tank capacity 14 l (including 3 l reserve)
Dry weight 178 kg Seat height 800 mm Max height 1222 mm Max length 2105 mm Instrumentation Electronic instrument panel: odometer, rpm counter, indicators for head lamp and tail lights, high beam, turn indicators, oil pressure, fuel reserve, LCD clock, immobilizer Warranty 2 year, unlimited mileage

[half man, half mole]

Source: Ducati Motor S.p.A. (this one is NOT independent!)


The Ducati Monster S2R 1000

Powerful, aggressive, original and extreme, the Monster S2R 1000 has arrived, the newest model in the Monster family. The Ducati Monster is the ultimate naked bike, a product of ingenuity and intuition, with a design that gave birth to a whole new trend.

With its clean, pared-down lines, the Monster S2R 1000 maintains all the styling and functional features of the SR line, including the signature frame and running gear.
The twin vertically stacked silencers mounted on the right side and the single-sided swingarm in aluminum alloy distinguish the Monster SR from the rest of the competition.
The Monster S2R 1000 will take its place between the agile S2R 800 and the extreme power of the 4-valve S4R. The S2R 1000 boasts outstanding rideability and scintillating performance thanks to the reliable and powerful 1000 Dual Spark engine, the latest evolution of the air-cooled L-twin made in Borgo Panigale, already proved successful on other models in the Ducati range.
The S2R 1000 suspension features a fully-adjustable Showa upside-down fork that allows riders to adapt the riding characteristics of the bike to suit different road conditions and individual riding style, thus increasing comfort and riding pleasure.
The rear suspension is progressive and adjustable with a Sachs single shock. To maximize braking power, the Monster S2R 1000 uses two 320 mm discs with 4-piston calipers in the front, and a 245 mm disc with a 2-piston caliper at the rear.
To make the new Monster S2R 1000 still more unique and eye-catching, the bike comes in new color combinations: grey with a longitudinal black racing stripe complemented by black rims, classic red with a white racing stripe and aggressive black with a white racing stripe. No matter what color the S2R 1000 is, the carbon fiber side panels further enhance the overall look.
The S2R 1000 adheres to the Euro 3 emission standards, with the efficient Dual Spark 1000 engine combined with catalytic converters and a Lambda sensor.


Frame and Running Gear


The Monster S2R 1000 uses the same frame as the Monster 1000 and inherits the all the latest refinements applied to the SR range, one of the most important of these being increased ground clearance, allowing for a greater lean angle.
Another significant feature is the tubular aluminum single-sided swingarm that is 20% lighter than the conventional swingarm used on the Monster 1000 and features an extruded arm with an oval cross-section for maximum rigidity.
The tubes of the upper trellis of the swingarm are precision welded in a layout designed to optimize rigidity and strength. This type of swingarm allows for a more compact exhaust system, with two small vertically-stacked silencers that give the new Monster S2R 1000 a truly unique look.

The aluminum side stand and footpegs are common to the entire SR line and the footpegs are positioned close to the longitudinal axis of the bike, allowing the rider to assume a more streamlined riding position with the legs tucked up snug against the tank.
Some other prestigious features of the Monster S2R 1000 include Marchesini 5-spoke wheels with 5.5” rear rim, allowing fatter tires to be fitted (180/55), and variable cross-section tapered aluminum handlebars that reduce weight while maintaining increased rigidity.
All these improvements, which confer outstanding handling and superior stability, are complemented by 43 mm Showa upside–down forks with adjustable preload, compression and rebound damping. The rear shock absorber is a Sachs with adjustable spring preload and rebound damping, and features an adjustable length linkage thus enabling ride height adjustment independent from spring pre-load. The braking system also designed after racing bikes, with dual 320 mm front discs and 4-piston calipers and a 245 mm rear disc with dual-piston caliper.

1000 Dual Spark Desmo Engine

When choosing the power plant that would achieve exactly right balance between the lively Monster S2R 800cc and the extreme power of the 4-valve Monster S4R, the ideal solution was the muscular 992 cc air-cooled 2-cylinder Desmodue, the Ducati 1000 Dual Spark engine, known and appreciated for its abundant torque and excellent reliability.
Compact, powerful and universally acknowledged as the ultimate expression of the Ducati philosophy of air-cooled twin design, the 1000 Dual Spark Desmo – already used on the top of the range models in the Multistrada and Super Sport families – represents the result of decades of experience and a whole series of innovations that extend from the combustion chambers to the crankshaft. The end result is a powerful engine that is particularly exuberant in the mid-range and generally acknowledged as the most advanced air-cooled L-twin ever designed.
In addition to offering the significant advantages of an air-cooled power plant, the 1000 DS also draws inspiration from the Testastretta engine used in competitive racing, including the special casting techniques used to make the cylinder heads, the use of oil-pressurized plain bearings to support the camshafts, and the angles and configuration of the valves. All this, plus the exclusive Dual Spark ignition system which, with its "double flame front", offers more complete combustion, while simultaneously boosting mid-range power and reducing emission levels.
A closer look at the 1000 DS engine reveals a reduced angle between the intake and exhaust valves, one of the basic principles behind the renowned Testastretta engine design, which allows for a more compact combustion chamber, reducing the volume and thus obtaining improved combustion. The improved efficiency of the combustion chamber of the Monster S2R 1000 allows the engine to run on a leaner air/fuel mixture without compromising performance at high temperatures and significantly reduces emissions of hydrocarbons (HC).
The camshafts are supported on oil pressurized plain bearings which reduce the overall dimensions, the weight, and the number of moving parts, while also assisting with heat dispersal. The new configuration also puts the camshafts in a more direct relationship with the valves, reducing friction and stress on valve components and thus increasing reliability.
In fact, although the cylinder head is more compact, it allows more space for the intake and exhaust valves, these being 45 mm and 40 mm in diameter. Further innovations include valve seats made of beryllium bronze, a technologically advanced material that affords better heat dispersal and wear-resistance and thus maintains valve clearances more accurately over a longer period of time.
The bore and piston stroke both contribute significantly to the improved power delivery. To ensure high performance in the mid-range, the crankshaft, cylinder bore and piston have been modified to obtain a 94mm bore with a 71.5mm piston stroke. The pistons are now fitted with nitride steel rings which afford improved sealing and significantly reduce oil consumption.
The 94 mm pistons are linked to the crankshaft with new connecting rods, made from a new material composition (30NiCrMo4) that has exceptional flow characteristics during forging. In cross section, the new rod is thinner in one dimension, but wider in the other to confer both strength and lightness for increased reliability and performance.
The new crankshaft is a more compact design and the oil passages have been strategically repositioned in areas less critical for its structural strength. The result is a crankshaft that is more rigid and with less flex, making for less vibration and improved reliability.
Finally, both the clutch housing and the clutch plates are now made from a special aluminum alloy. Thanks to this new material, the Monster SR2 clutch has a significantly longer service life due to the more balanced wear factor of the alloy. The clutch now runs quieter due to improved tolerances and the lower resonance of aluminum compared to steel.

[half man, half mole]

2006 Ducati Monster S2R 1000




PERSONALITY AND PERFORMANCE The new Monster S2R 1000 is a blend of sport and character: the power of the dual spark engine combines with the trellis frame to pack a punch into every corner. The S2R 1000 is the ideal choice for anyone who wants the “mean” look of the SR series with more power and the beauty and simplicity advantages of an air-cooled engine.
Our most powerful air-cooled Monster is driven by the 992 cc dual spark engine, which delivers 95 horsepower and 9.6 kilograms (69.4 foot pounds) of torque and is highly efficient and ultra-reliable.
The 1000 DS engine was developed with specific objectives in mind: increased power, overall simplification, reduced working temperature, improved reliability and less weight. Starting with the heads, there are two spark plugs per cylinder and camshafts that rotate on oil pressurized plain bearings and not ball bearings - which reduces the number of moving parts and aids heat dissipation. The Dual Spark solution gives more complete combustion and boosts power, especially at low and medium rpm. A reduction of the angle between intake and exhaust valves has improved the shape and reduced the volume of the combustion chamber, resulting in more efficient combustion, allowing greater compression and more power.
The Showa forks and Sachs rear shock, ensures confident road-holding and are adjustable for pre-load and rebound, allowing you to adjust your bike to suit your personal riding style
and load conditions.

Source:PowerSportsNetwork

[David Matthews]

I was thinking about getting a S2R1000, what made me finally get one was a review in a back issue of Bike, March 06.

I bought mine just under a year ago, really pleased with it. It was a bit bland with the original cans but putting Termis and open air filter on makes it sound like a Ducati should. It pulls better at low revs as well. Haven't taken the cat. off yet but hope to soon to see if it makes much difference to sound and performance.

[Rudolph Hart]

You have been busy Mike. Good posts thanks, very useful.