2006 Ducati Monster S2R1000

I purchased this 2006 Ducati Monster S2R1000 new on January 12, 2006. Current mileage is around 14100 (22701 km). The more I ride the Ducati the more I like it and when it comes time for a morning ride I'm finding the S2R1000 increasingly hard to resist even if other bikes in my collection are prepped and ready to ride and may even need to be ridden.

I have come to appreciated the S2R1000 for the following:

• Fine engine performance - it runs perfectly with excellent fueling, the engine never seems to be working hard and always has a surplus of power regardless of circumstances. Basically, the engine just a joy to use!
• Highly accurate and stable handling - the S2R1000 tracks around corners like it's on rails. It is the best handling, best steering bike I own.
• Superb clutch and gearbox operation - despite what you may have read or heard about Ducati dry clutches this one operates perfectly with smooth, controllable engagement. And the transmission is super-smooth and is probably the best of any bike I've ever ridden.
• Fabulous brakes - smooth, powerful, yet easily controllable.

• The riding position is a little too aggressive for my tastes but ultimately has proven fine for rides of around 2 hours or maybe even a little longer before stopping for a break. However, long slow downhills can be tiring on the hands and wrists. I know bar-risers and/or accessory handlebars can be installed but I plan to do neither.
• A tighter turning radius would be appreciated.
• The engine gets a little pulse-intensive when under significant load below 4000rpm.
• The overall assembly and component quality is excellent.
• The "fun-factor" is extremely high!

The Ducati has been trouble-free and I have performed all scheduled maintenance myself.

Many Ducati riders enjoy modifying their bikes to suit their personal tastes. In keeping with my style of maintaining bikes in an original factory condition, I plan few if any modifications for this machine, despite risking possible wrath and ridicule from the Ducatisti!

Here's a nice image of the Ducati from a ride in July, 2006. It's pictured at Echo Lake, Colorado. Click to enlarge.

The four pics below are from recent rides on the S2R1000.

As with other machines in the collection, the S2R1000 is not offered for sale at this time.

Are you an afficionado of motorcycles with 90° V-twin (L-twin) engines? Here are three with that engine configuration but in other aspects are quite different.

L-R: 2006 Ducati S2R1000 - 2008 Hyosung GT650S - 1990 Honda VTR250.

Regardless of their differences, all three are fine performers!

Click the image to supersize!