Members Bike - Moley's Ducati S2R 1000

[half man, half mole]

Not a brilliant photo but this is me leaving for Bassets Pole tonight.

Moley

[half man, half mole]

Well, as promised here's an update on my S2R 1000. And a bit of a reflection on 2007.

Is the love affair continuing with 'Christine'? Hell, yes! This is by far the best 'real world' bike I have ever owned .

Since my last post, the only thing I have bought for her is a Garmin 400 sat nav system (excellent bit of kit - however did I manage before?). This is a good reflection on the excellent level of standard spec as anyone who knows about my carbon fibre and titanium addiction will vouch for.

Oh, and I also invested in having the the suspension fettled by Robsom Racing at Shipton on Stour in the Cotswolds. I have raved about this motorcycle emporium before, but just to once again say Mike, who until recently was a 748R owner himself, did the business as expected. No more feeling every bump on the road - very confidence inspiring and not requiring any upgrades to the standard kit the bike came with (yet!).

So, to sumarise a years riding, here are the good points:

Overall build quality - absolutely superb.
Reliability (!!!) - I had six weeks when I was unable to ride her recently and went to the garage expecting the dreaded dead battery due to the alarm and cold nights. She started second time. First time would have been nice but she IS Italian .
Riding experience - couldnt ask for more, fast enough and effortless with it. The upright riding position makes 100 miles of travel a pleasure and not a trial of endurance.

The not so good points:
Power - OK, i was my own fault really but I got a three point SP30 ticket from Wolverhampton ! Deceptively fast!
Spares - I had a stone put a hole in the headlight on the motorway recently and found that a new one would set me back £195! Managed to find one on eBay for much, much less!
Servicing - OK, my fault again. This is my third Duc and I knew I would have to fork out for this. Big second year service coming up so time to grit my teeth.

In addition, the Ducatisti events I have attended in 2007 , including the Bristol Italian show, Desmo Due racing and just ride outs with other members have reinforced how special Ducatis, and the people who ride them are.

Heres to 2008, future pleasures and all my friends, both old and new .

Mike

[Paivi]

Good to hear the love affair is continuing, Moley! And, that pic (your July post) still makes me go weak at the knees! Sex on two wheels...

I'm trying to get to some DD dates, too, so I'm hoping to see more of you...

Happy New Year!!!

[michel couque]

well written,it seems that us ducatisti understand exactly what members are feeling and the relationship that we have with our bikes is common to all of us,but i did not find the same relationship with fellow suzuki/honda etc owners when i had jap bikes.ducatisti are very priviledged and special,infact red ken should give us a bloody big grant as we could be an ethnic minority.

[MarkST]

Great update Mike and a happy new year to you. I would be interested to hear a little more about your suspension upgrade - what they did, and for how much ? as I want to get mine professionally sorted this year if I can.

[Steve GD]

Excellent write-up, Moley, and a very nice bike too. Particularly like the swingarm....is that standard?

[sadbiker]

Originally Posted by half man, half mole

Well, as promised here's an update on my S2R 1000. And a bit of a reflection on 2007.

Is the love affair continuing with 'Christine'? Hell, yes! This is by far the best 'real world' bike I have ever owned .

Since my last post, the only thing I have bought for her is a Garmin 400 sat nav system (excellent bit of kit - however did I manage before?). This is a good reflection on the excellent level of standard spec as anyone who knows about my carbon fibre and titanium addiction will vouch for.

Oh, and I also invested in having the the suspension fettled by Robsom Racing at Shipton on Stour in the Cotswolds. I have raved about this motorcycle emporium before, but just to once again say Mike, who until recently was a 748R owner himself, did the business as expected. No more feeling every bump on the road - very confidence inspiring and not requiring any upgrades to the standard kit the bike came with (yet!).

So, to sumarise a years riding, here are the good points:

Overall build quality - absolutely superb.
Reliability (!!!) - I had six weeks when I was unable to ride her recently and went to the garage expecting the dreaded dead battery due to the alarm and cold nights. She started second time. First time would have been nice but she IS Italian .
Riding experience - couldnt ask for more, fast enough and effortless with it. The upright riding position makes 100 miles of travel a pleasure and not a trial of endurance.

The not so good points:
Power - OK, i was my own fault really but I got a three point SP30 ticket from Wolverhampton ! Deceptively fast!
Spares - I had a stone put a hole in the headlight on the motorway recently and found that a new one would set me back £195! Managed to find one on eBay for much, much less!
Servicing - OK, my fault again. This is my third Duc and I knew I would have to fork out for this. Big second year service coming up so time to grit my teeth.

In addition, the Ducatisti events I have attended in 2007 , including the Bristol Italian show, Desmo Due racing and just ride outs with other members have reinforced how special Ducatis, and the people who ride them are.

Heres to 2008, future pleasures and all my friends, both old and new .

Mike

Yer had the same issue with my first S2R1000, luckily found out form the Monster forum its an identical glass to one of the BMW's and was able to purchase it from Motobinns including a rubber seal for 25 squid. its prob the same glass for most monsters since year dot. The only bad thing is I ended up getting mail order catalogues for BMW parts... Damm hope my postie does't spot the badge and start talking.

Glad your still enjoying yours, and I will be looking to get mine set up better for me as well on the suspension.

[Rudolph Hart]

Excellent post Mike. Well written, informative and very interesting - much appreciated.

I'm likely to be heading to JHP around early July for a service & hopefully a Termi kit. Perhaps we can catch up before then when the weather is better?

[half man, half mole]

Thanks for the responses chaps. And the replies are:

Steve GD - Yes, thats the standard swing arm she came with. Glorious isn't it? Although, never being satisified, I am thinking of getting it powder coated the same metalic black colour as the frame ......

Mr Hart - Definately up for a bimble out as soon as it warms up a little. Watch this space.

Sadbiker- Are you sure you don't secretly want a BMW ? Hope to see you at Bristol again this year.

MarkST - I had the standard suspension set up for fast road use by Mike at Robsome Racing. Cheap as chips and made a world of difference to my road use. PM me for more info or visit their website and have a word with them. Just say Mike with the black S2R in Lichfield recommended them.

Michel - Exactly how I feel, mate .

Paivi - 8) Moley does his best! Hope to see you out and about again this year as well. I decided to go for a satnav after our conversation at Bristol last year and I don't know how I managed without one so thanks for that .

[MarkST]

Originally Posted by half man, half mole

MarkST - I had the standard suspension set up for fast road use by Mike at Robsome Racing. PM me for more info or visit their website and have a word with them.

Cheers hmhm, they dont seem to have a website though.
Mark.

[half man, half mole]

Try this link, Mark.

Robsom Racing

[MarkST]

Great, thanks moley, it was the 'e' on the end that threw me !!

[half man, half mole]

Moleys S2R (aka 'Christine') is back from her two year service at J.H.P. Coventry. And what a job they've done on her - I couldn't be happier! She now sports loads of C.F. bits to replace the dull plastic, a D.P. steering damper has been fitted and a few other bits and bobs polished and shined! Photo and full report to follow shortly......

Mike

PS The love affair continues .

[ducbird]

Originally Posted by half man, half mole

Moleys S2R (aka 'Christine') is back from her two year service at J.H.P. Coventry. And what a job they've done on her - I couldn't be happier! She now sports loads of C.F. bits to replace the dull plastic, a D.P. steering damper has been fitted and a few other bits and bobs polished and shined! Photo and full report to follow shortly......

Mike

PS The love affair continues .

and are you back to full health yet Moley.........

[half man, half mole]

Originally Posted by ducbird

and are you back to full health yet Moley.........

Hi Viv,

Sadly not fit yet so I can't ride her .

I foresee a day or two of recuperative polishing ahead............

Mike