[M42M]

Hey. New to the board but that doesn't mean you have to be nice. Been riding for many years, started on a dirt bike at 13, later jumped to a crotch rocket (Interceptor 700VFR - very nice), via age and family worked my way down to a Magna and now a Guzzi Jackal - both also good bikes but I say "worked down" as in - away from speed and towards cruisers. Looking to turn that around in the spring and after much research am considering - a 2002 Monster S4 - I can get my hands on a "new" one for $10,300 or a 2003/2004 Speed Triple - mid $8K. Any reviews I've read rank them about equal on handling - actually pretty damn close on most aspects - the Triple though with more hps and better braking, but then I do like the looks of the Monster better but for about 2 grand more and I believe more $$ to maintain the Duc, what to do?
M42M

 

[Guest]

I rode a Speed Tripple befor buying my M1000. The Duc definitely handled better, felt lighter in the turns, and just made me feel more comfortable.
The triumph does have a bigger gas tank!

 

[Bloodshot]

I also had the same dillema when I purchased my '03 M800 back in March. At the time though the Speed Triples were going for $11k, now that they're down to under $9k I'm not sure what my decision would have been. That extra power is really tempting...

 

[02s4monster]

may want to check into the insurance rates before you decide on a particular bike... you say one costs $2000 more... so what if the insurance is double for the triumph? How long till you make up that $2000 on insurance. And yes the ducati has higher maintenance, but if you are getting a "new" one then you should get the 600 and 6000 mile service free... you may want to check on that! but I went through the same thing you are going thru... aprilia tuano/falco/speed triple/even a speed four?/rc-51/superhawk... basically wanted a v-twin naked-ish... checked insurance rc-51!! are you kiding out ragous! came down to tuano vs. s4... call me a sucker or a poser, but when I told people "aprilia" they said "what?", when I said "ducati" they said "OH MAN!! THOSE ARE F-ING COOL!!!" needless to say I chose ducati and have not regretted it and love the bike!

 

[Matt13]

Karma... DUDE KARMA. Having a Duc is something special, plus it may hold its resale a little better. (If you can part with her).

 

[Guest]

Ok I have had both, I had a 99 speed triple and it was an incredible bike. Out of the box it felt like it could have beaten my 996. The handling was excellent and I had no problem keeping up with guys on 996's and 748's in the Marin hills. Insurance was way cheaper about 1/2, and as far as resale I sold my Triple for much closer to purchase price than I did when I sold my 900 FE. You have a tough choice, I put the Yosh high race pipe $600 on the Triumph and it howled like nothing I have ever heard, maintenence was easy and less expensive than the duc. You really won't need any expensive accessories the only other option you may want is the seat cowl and wind screen so your costs will be low. So what would I do? I love my ducs and don't think I would part with them but there is a lot to consider. If money isn't an issue go with the duck but if you have constraints the Triple will give you way more in stock form. Good luck and email me if you need any more info.

 

[dcmonster]

Something that seems to be a standard feature on the Triumph Speed Tripe and Four... are the most grotesque and offensive colors of all time.

 

[MonsterHooligan]

Ok I have had both,

 

[Guest]

And let's not forget the fugliest headlights ever seen. That alone should make the Monster the choice. It did in my house.

 

[MikeD5172]

The one thing that Ducatis have that a lot of other bikes don't have is:

SOUL!

;D

 

[PEDS DOC]

I had a triumph speed four in black (please only in black because orange and green are for wussies!)and now a Ducati monster. They are way different bikes. I feel that the triumph is smoother like a car engine and no no valves heard. But to a ducatisti those valves are music. The monster is much more agile. The monster riding position is also better to me but I am small. I compare it like a mercedes to a ferrari; the benz can be just as fast and smoother but when you are ridin you want to feel and hear the growl. It depends on what you like, definitely ride em both hard before you purchase. Good luck ;D

 

[Guest]

[No message]

 

[Rideon]

I have ridden a 2002 Speed Triple with pipe and map and currently have a 2002 S4 with termi 1/2 system, chip , and power commander. It is dialed in very nicely.

Personally, I really liked the Triumph a lot. It had more power,
even after the Duc mods. I liked the twin headlamp look. Very aggressive. I even like the Triumph clothes, and the logo is cool. Marlon Brando, Steve Mcqueen, Dirty Harry, all swung legs over Triumphs in the movies. Mission impossible III had a fake speed triple that did amazing moves. Talk about soul!

My Duc took 6k miles just to dial in to run right. From the factory it must have been built during wine festival! It costs a godawful amount just to keep running.

So why did I buy the Duc? On the freeway the triumph beat the **it out of my low back. Granted, it could have been set up stiff, but I couldn't take that chance. A close friend said "buy the Duc" . The Two Ducati dealerships that I would be dealing with seemed competent. There are horror stories of Triumph parts being MIA for months. ( Even longer than Ducati!) There are other horror stories of warranties not being honored with Triumphs.

I love my Ducati, and really enjoy it. Don't need any more power, and it really is very comfortable. As long as SWMBO
Doesn't find out how much it costs to maintain, I will keep it in leiu of a speed Triple. What a nice dilemma: Duc or Speed Triple! I guess if bucks were an issue, the speed triple would be in my garage, and I would be very happy.

Regards,
Rideon

 

[Guest]

It is an utter shame to be in such a position, to have to choose between TWO great bikes. What did the Triumph club guys tell you? Just curious...

 

[Guest]

The reason I got rid of it was because I bought my 996, I had to sell both the 900 FE and the Triple to purchase it. I had always wanted the 916 style and had an opportunity to get one at a good price. Also I just wasn't putting the miles on both bikes to justify it at the time. What was my next purchase? A monster for a track bike, Ducks just have so much character I couldn't pass it up.

 

[ibthegator]

There is that "Ducat's have soul" crap again. Whatever.
The speed triple is a great bike, no doubt about it.
It was a toss up between the triple and the s4, and the v-twin is what I wanted.

 

[M42M]

Wow. Thanks for all the great insight! Some real good (honest) replies here. I thought maybe since it was a Duc site that it would be heavily bias towards the Duc but not so. I will definitely ride both bikes in the spring - SUCKS to have to salivate for that long but I can get some jollies soon on the snowboard. And oh ya, Motorcycle show is in NYC in a few weeks! It was a bit of a dissappointment last year (way too many vendors with s**t and not enough bikes) but since I'm on the hunt this year it'll be seen in a different light.
And I haven't posted this question on the Triumph site yet. I will though. I am curious to see what will be said on the "other" side. Thanks again.
M42M

 

[hksigman]

I recently sold my Y2K Speed triple and am in the process of purchasing another monster- i originally had 900s at the same time i had the S3

The S3 like someone said is smoothe-low maintenance- and a pleasure to drive But the resale here in So Cal sux and i agree it has no soul/personality of a ducati or my moto guzzi.

I never had a problem with the S3 and enjoyed the bike while i had it but I missed the monster too much to keep it.

 

[ericmonstro]

You can get some killer underseat exausts for them. I think they'd look a lot better without so much assfat. Does anyone make a solo seat that's more "tight"?

 

[Guest]

I have a S4 and a Sprint ST, which is similar in some ways to the Triple.