About to buy one... Is this a good price?

Greetings everyone!

I am about to buy my first Monster and could do with some advice...

My mate is selling an 02 reg S4 916cc monster with 8000 on the clock.

He wants £3100 for it but I have no idea if this is any good. Its a standard bike with no mods, no damage etc.

Any thoughts folks?
Ta,

Chris

[Pedro]

Has it got full service history from Ducati?

Erm, not sure. It was recently serviced with belt/s apparently but I will have to check if it's got fsh. If it aint how much would you expect that to affect the price? lots?
ta

[CK & AK]

This is what some of the dealers use, it helps as a 'rough guide'.

Ducati S4 (02 MY)2002/02
Original Price £7,700
Independent Dealer £3,390
Private Good £3,190
Private Poor £2,575
Part Exchange £2,995

- this last one I know isnt absolutely spot on, as two S4's recently in this neck of the woods have been given well under £2.5 for PX

[CK & AK]

Originally Posted by cmmolloy1

Erm, not sure. It was recently serviced with belt/s apparently but I will have to check if it's got fsh. If it aint how much would you expect that to affect the price? lots?
ta

Lack of servicing history will affect it a fair bit.

example: a full watercooled service (a 2 year one with belts/shims/forks etc) is quoted as about the cost of a McDonalds under £600 from an authorised workshop such as here: http://www.motorapido.co.uk/bike%20s...%20details.php

[Stafford]

To be honest much as I love the S4 (ex owner) they can be a cow to sell second hand.
I now have the S2R1000 and find it a better ride as is the S4R and S model.
I'd stick to the air cooled range try and get an S2R 800 or 1000 if only to keep service costs down and they do seem to sell better if well kept. Don't forget the 1000ie as well also a great bike (creep)
But if you want to stick to your plan on the S4 go for it and offer him £2800 as long as it has FSH. Oh, and it needs to be red as well.

Thats great advice. I liked the monster when it first come out and after a succession of sports bikes and after all these years I still want one so I am about to take the plunge.
Is there somewhere I can refer to to give me some idea between all the models & the advantages/ disadvantages of water cooled v air cooled. They olny did 3 models when I last looked (600 750 & 900) but now theres loads to choose from !!!

[singletrack]

Originally Posted by cmmolloy1

Thats great advice. I liked the monster when it first come out and after a succession of sports bikes and after all these years I still want one so I am about to take the plunge.
Is there somewhere I can refer to to give me some idea between all the models & the advantages/ disadvantages of water cooled v air cooled. They olny did 3 models when I last looked (600 750 & 900) but now theres loads to choose from !!!

I think you just opened a can of worms!
The air cooled/water cooled debate is an on-going discussion that no-one will ever win!
Just buy the one you like the look of, and you can afford!
If you look on the front forum page there is a section for each model - the best thing you can do is trawl your way through the posts there and make your own mind up.
( then save another £1000 and buy an S2R!)

well... I took ur advice and bought Damon's S2R!
Just need a hugger and I'm away cheap hugger for an s2r anyone?

[Stafford]

Well done, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Cheap parts PMSL.