Monster S4

FAT MATT · 14-02-2017, 09:15 AM

Morning all,

Been a long time Ducatisti and registered on here a few years ago with the intention of buying a monster but never got round to it. Well, I have finally got round to it and found a bike I like. Deposit paid yesterday on a 2001 S4 in red. 2 owner bike with sub 10k miles on it. Some of you may have seen it on eBay etc in Bracknell.

It's 100% standard and I'd like to keep it that way, but having said that none of my bikes have survived without a little Fettling.

One thing I'd like to do is replace the bulbs with some LED's (headlight will be swapped for a Phillips extreme vision one). I also have my eye on a full termi system from Vee Twins but the Mrs would kill me for spending 1/3 of what I brought the bike for on an exhaust.

I'll throw up some of my own pictures once I've picked it up.

Hello again

Matt

alan s4 · 14-02-2017, 12:46 PM

Great Choice!

The one real weakness with these bikes is the reg/rect, both in terms of the positioning and type. Search on here for lots of useful info, I swapped mine over for a yamaha sourced unit and have had no problems since then.

http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...ad.php?t=46708

J.P · 14-02-2017, 12:53 PM

Welcome to the club Matt.
Remember, it's easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission.

FAT MATT · 14-02-2017, 02:26 PM

Was reading about reg/rec yesterday. Had one pop on my old 748 many moons ago but replaced it for a standard jobbie.

I'll also upgrade the starting circuit too. Making sure all earths do their job will help I'd imagine.

Going to be like a kid at Christmas for next week as I await it's preparation.

Grumpy · 14-02-2017, 06:56 PM

Fine choice of monster!
Welcome to the dark side ( water cooled is the best!)

stopintime · 14-02-2017, 08:30 PM

The exhaust is not an additional cost, it's the fourth part of the intended total.

It's a safety item. Without it you will not be noticed. THAT'S dangerous. "My darling, you would like me to be safe, wouldn't you?"

Headlight bulb of good quality is a plus, but the reflector is really the weak link. LED lights other places isn't helpful. Bright up close, but drown in daylight and distance - again the reflector (missing) is the issue.

Mr Gazza · 14-02-2017, 09:24 PM

I recently did a back to back test with Philips extreme vision and Osram Nightbreaker Unlimited bulbs.

The Philips was marginally better on high beam, but the Osram was noticeably better on the dip beam.
They are both the same colour light.

I have chosen to use the Osram for the better dip beam pattern in the reflector I am using now. I think they are a little cheaper than Philips too.

I found a cure for the standard reflector though... http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...ad.php?t=54693

FAT MATT · 14-02-2017, 10:18 PM

I have a couple of Philips H4 already so will give them a go. Maybe try some ideas next time. Read the thread on improved reflectors and will be looking into updated light at some stage.

I have to say that with some other vehicles I've had a good result with just changing bulbs for LED's. Again will heck out what's what. I prefer stock looking indicators to most aftermarket numbers. Most look too "bling".

18-02-2017, 05:52 PM

Hi Matt

Welcome. Fellow newbie here...

I have an S4 and looking to modernise. Need pipes and change the headlamp, so will follow your developments with interest.

Nick

FAT MATT · 18-02-2017, 06:45 PM

I've been looking at exhausts. There's a lovely full termignoni system on eBay but at £1k it's too rich for me. I've also seen that you can get various configurations new from arrow and the high level carbon Ines are my favourite for now.

utopia · 18-02-2017, 08:27 PM

If you hang on, you'll probably pick up some used hi-level pipes for no more than £4/500 tops.
They're not uncommon ..ly available.

Hello and welcome.

14-02-2017, 09:15 AM	#1
FAT MATT Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Aldershot Bike: S4 Posts: 12	Monster S4 Morning all, Been a long time Ducatisti and registered on here a few years ago with the intention of buying a monster but never got round to it. Well, I have finally got round to it and found a bike I like. Deposit paid yesterday on a 2001 S4 in red. 2 owner bike with sub 10k miles on it. Some of you may have seen it on eBay etc in Bracknell. It's 100% standard and I'd like to keep it that way, but having said that none of my bikes have survived without a little Fettling. One thing I'd like to do is replace the bulbs with some LED's (headlight will be swapped for a Phillips extreme vision one). I also have my eye on a full termi system from Vee Twins but the Mrs would kill me for spending 1/3 of what I brought the bike for on an exhaust. I'll throw up some of my own pictures once I've picked it up. Hello again Matt

14-02-2017, 12:46 PM	#2
alan s4 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Glasgow Bike: S4 challenge Posts: 447	Great Choice! The one real weakness with these bikes is the reg/rect, both in terms of the positioning and type. Search on here for lots of useful info, I swapped mine over for a yamaha sourced unit and have had no problems since then. http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...ad.php?t=46708 Last edited by alan s4; 14-02-2017 at 12:52 PM..

14-02-2017, 12:53 PM	#3
J.P No more Monster... Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Bike: Other Not a Ducati Posts: 4,326	Welcome to the club Matt. Remember, it's easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission. __________________ J.JP ------------------------------- My Mum says, there's no such thing as Monsters.

14-02-2017, 06:56 PM	#5
Grumpy record breaker!! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Peterborough Bike: M1200R Posts: 2,155	Fine choice of monster! Welcome to the dark side ( water cooled is the best!) __________________ It's not the destination, but the journey that matters Definition of a motorbike, a devise for overtaking cars!

14-02-2017, 09:24 PM	#7
Mr Gazza Lord of the Rings Join Date: May 2013 Location: Norwich Bike: M900sie Posts: 5,983	I recently did a back to back test with Philips extreme vision and Osram Nightbreaker Unlimited bulbs. The Philips was marginally better on high beam, but the Osram was noticeably better on the dip beam. They are both the same colour light. I have chosen to use the Osram for the better dip beam pattern in the reflector I am using now. I think they are a little cheaper than Philips too. I found a cure for the standard reflector though... http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...ad.php?t=54693 __________________

14-02-2017, 02:26 PM	#4
FAT MATT Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Aldershot Bike: S4 Posts: 12	Was reading about reg/rec yesterday. Had one pop on my old 748 many moons ago but replaced it for a standard jobbie. I'll also upgrade the starting circuit too. Making sure all earths do their job will help I'd imagine. Going to be like a kid at Christmas for next week as I await it's preparation.

14-02-2017, 08:30 PM	#6
stopintime Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Oslo Bike: S2r Posts: 453	The exhaust is not an additional cost, it's the fourth part of the intended total. It's a safety item. Without it you will not be noticed. THAT'S dangerous. "My darling, you would like me to be safe, wouldn't you?" Headlight bulb of good quality is a plus, but the reflector is really the weak link. LED lights other places isn't helpful. Bright up close, but drown in daylight and distance - again the reflector (missing) is the issue.

14-02-2017, 10:18 PM	#8
FAT MATT Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Aldershot Bike: S4 Posts: 12	I have a couple of Philips H4 already so will give them a go. Maybe try some ideas next time. Read the thread on improved reflectors and will be looking into updated light at some stage. I have to say that with some other vehicles I've had a good result with just changing bulbs for LED's. Again will heck out what's what. I prefer stock looking indicators to most aftermarket numbers. Most look too "bling".

18-02-2017, 05:52 PM	#9
E1KON Guest Posts: n/a	Hi Matt Welcome. Fellow newbie here... I have an S4 and looking to modernise. Need pipes and change the headlamp, so will follow your developments with interest. Nick

18-02-2017, 06:45 PM	#10
FAT MATT Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Aldershot Bike: S4 Posts: 12	I've been looking at exhausts. There's a lovely full termignoni system on eBay but at £1k it's too rich for me. I've also seen that you can get various configurations new from arrow and the high level carbon Ines are my favourite for now.

18-02-2017, 08:27 PM	#11
utopia No turn left unstoned Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: leicester Bike: M750 Posts: 4,561	If you hang on, you'll probably pick up some used hi-level pipes for no more than £4/500 tops. They're not uncommon ..ly available. Hello and welcome.