MOnster Garage: Project 2006 Ducati S2R 1000

Once you get beyond the heart of what most people use to identify a Duc as a Duc, the sex appeal, the exposed L-twin air-cooled engine, distinct exhaust note and unmistakable dry clutch rattle, the only thing left is handling performance. If you're like me, the first thing that comes to mind after soaking in the visual is, "How can I molest my favorite canyon road with what I know is a ton of power?" The bike just begs to be ridden like you know your inner hooligan wants you to. Even Yossef made regular parallels to supermotards when he rode the 803cc S2R.

When describing this Ducati's handling characteristics, Gabe says that, "The S2R has a much more conventional feel than the older Monsters. It's more solid and less flighty in the front-end, especially at high speeds, but doesn't sacrifice the quick steering and lightness that makes the basic design so appealing." On a slightly different note Gabe suggests that ground clearance is still "a bugaboo" for Monsters. As for the minimal ground clearance, I can't speak from tons of Monster experience, but I do know that this bike doesn't have "curb feelers" on the footpegs for good reason. Try as I might, I couldn't get the pegs anywhere near the tarmac. It seemed the only solution to going over further would be to have a readily available set of knee sliders. "Combined with very excellent Showa suspension [up front], the nimble steering afforded by the wide bar and sporty geometry make the S2R a real performer on twisty roads."

I truly enjoy this type of motorcycle and others like it, such as Tuonos, Buells, Bandits and the like, mostly because of the sit-up-and-shove-the-bike-around quality they have, thanks in part to the motorcross-type handlebars. They really appeal to me for their ability to apply a lot of steering leverage, not to mention the more tame (read comfortable) riding position. Gabe had similar feelings, "Combined with very excellent Showa suspension [up front], the nimble steering afforded by the wide bar and sporty geometry make the S2R a real performer on twisty roads."

With such good, adjustable, suspension in the front I was a little disappointed at the inaccessible shock. I, as did Gabe, noted that it felt too soft, and that might have contributed to a slight wallow here and there over less-than-perfect road surfaces.

When it comes time to haul this Italian stallion in, the twin four-piston binders do a pretty good job of mercilessly biting the 320 mm rotors. In a word they are: powerful. But as I adjusted the brake lever to a reach that might be more comfortable to riders with smaller hands, I found the braking power and feel to fade rather quickly. Gabe's impression was similar as he commented, "...the next generation of radial-mount equipment on the latest sportbikes (and the S4RS) make them seem quaint. However, if you just set your expectations clock back to 1999 they feel incredible."

The Bottomline

When you take into account all that this Monster is, it falls right into line with most other Ducs and their exotic, you'll-never-be-able-to-own-one-of-us, aura. But once you come to fully comprehend that this beauty can be had for just a hair under ten grand, that Italian romantic in you will flare up and you'll be justifying yourself all the way to the dealer.

MO sees some room for improvement here and there. A quick change of mirrors. Different handlebars to get us sitting even more upright. Rearsets perhaps. Maybe lighter and throatier exhaust cans to go along with a minimalist clutch cover that will let that baby rattle with the best of them, and any other reasonably affordable changes we can think of.