Ducati Monster S4 vs Triumph Speed

In my search for a naked bike I have narrowed it down (for now) to 2 bikes in the area. First is a 2002 Monster S4 all sorts of goodies, good maintenance history but little higher miles at 19k but the seller is asking only $3500.

In the other corner is a super clean 2004 Speed Triple which is pretty much stock with exception of a cool under seat exhaust. 10k miles recent maintenance as well but a littler higher price at $4000.

Any owners out there with advice? My heart is split with one of my previous bikes being a Triumph Speed Four, love the quirky styling and that motor but I fell in love with monsters after my brother picked up an s2r 800. Decisions, decisions...

In reply to e23inGB:

I don't have any motorcycle experience, but I have a good friend with an '08 speed triple. He absolutely loves it, and says the motor is very usable across the whole rev range. He has around 15k on it, and 0 issues. The only "bad" thing about it is that the street triple exists, and he thinks the smaller bike has more of a fun and flingable feel.

The Monster S4 has the desmo-quatro engine, doesn't it? Its probably being sold cheap because its due for a major service.

Personally, I wouldn't want to own a desmo-quatro, due to maintenance needs. That doesn't mean that I'd never want to ride one, but the Triumph would be my choice of these two easily.

I've ridden both- my vote goes to the Triumph. Both bikes have great engines, and I'd give the edge to the Monster on handling, but for every day use, ease of maintenance, comfort, and general enjoyment, give me the Triple.

Maintainence is gnarly for Desmos if you aren't prepared for it. Speed Triple FTW!

Isn't a Speed Triple what won a bunch of AMA races a couple years back? (beating the Ducati)

Well so unanimous decision for the speedy! I know maintenance costs for ducs are a little higher but are the services for the desmoquattro really that bad? Timing belts and valves were adjusted last year on it

In reply to e23inGB:

They're not THAT bad, and you'll feel like a magical berkeleying wizard for knowing how to do it, but I think what we're saying is there's no reason to when the Speed Triple is an equally good bike without a number of the the drawbacks of the Ducati. Plus, big googly eye headlights!

I have a friend with a Sprint ST. It is basically the Speed Triples fairinged sport touring cousin. He has almost 80K miles with no real faults. It has the 1050 motor which is supposed to be a bit bean countered vs the 955 you are looking at. The Triumph will likely last forever. With that said. The market on the Triumph is smaller than the Duc and you can likely get at least $500 off asking.

I don't know anyone with a Speed Triple but I do know guys with that engine.

One guy I ride with has a Thunderbird and the other two have tigers.

They all seem pretty happy with them and the only thing I can find not to like about them is the engine is "agricultural" sounding. All three have a bit of a mechanical rattling noise which I'm told is normal and not a problem.

Apparently the rattle comes from a rod that runs through the engine to drive the alternator.

That being said, if you buy a Ducati, it will rattle too...

In reply to singleslammer:

That's a good point. I haven't really bugged the owner of the Speed Triple much on price. I know the Monster is locked in at its price though. That being said, there's also an 06 Speed Triple in the same area. Owner is asking $4700 obo on that one, 12k miles all stock. Is it worth the investment to jump to the newer bike? Big differences are bored out motor to 1050, radial brakes, USD forks and newer styling.

I like both, I just need to make up my mind. Sucks having bike A.D.D.

In reply to e23inGB:

If the 955 Speed is as clean as the 1050, I will say probably not worth the jump. I think the newer year gets you an extra 20 hp (130 to 150 if memory serves) but the 955 has a real alternator, not a stator like the 1050. I think that the 955 is supposed to have a better seat too. These are subjective as to their value, but worth mentioning. I would say that for a likely savings of $1k or more, 955 for sure. I want to say that 955 has stronger internals but that is likely to never be an issue with either bike.

In reply to singleslammer:

955 is the way to go until after 2005 or so, the bikes after the Triumph Plant fire are much better than those before it.

I have an 09 speed triple. I bought the speed over the street because the speed basically makes great power from idle to redline.... Very very fun bike. I looked at a monster as well but I much preferred the speed. It likes to drink a little oil but no other issues in almost 13k miles.

In reply to Cotton:

The power is a nice thing to have.....I troll people all the time. Oh, your 600cc or ducati has been banging the rev limiter and gears to keep up? I've been short shifting and granny clutching.

I had a Tiger 1050 and currently have a Daytona T595 (955cc motor). The Tiger treated my great while I had it, only oil and tires. It had stock exhaust and was very quiet with more intake sewing machine noise than anything. Pulled like a freight train and was very smooth and nice.

The Daytona has an after market exhaust and tune. It burbles and snaps on decel and over fueling. The motor is still very fast and effortless and has given me no issues. It is a more raw feeling, but also almost 10 year older bike than the 1050. It makes me smile more than any other bike I have ever ridden.

The bikes are very different in set up and intended function. But in my experience, the 1050 is more like the motor in the LS400, torquey and strong without drama. The 955 is more visceral and hot roddish.

That being said, I go to the Ducati dealership and sit on the Pengali at least once a month. I buy a Triumph t-shirt once a quarter from them so i don't feel like such a window shopper.

In reply to former520:

That is true for both the 1050 and the 955 though. The Daytona was always tuned up hotter. The Tigers and STs have always been a little more sedate. I "think" the Speeds are somewhere in the middle.

Well you all have given me a lot to think about. Hoping to check them both out soon and then hopefully take one of them home!

Forgot to mention my 09 speed has the optional arrow titanium exhaust.....sounds awesome.

I'm very visceral, I'd pick the bike that felt better to me, and put a bigger grin on my face. Statistics would be a very secondary point.

I've looked at both. I had heard the Desmos had an excessive maintenance schedule. I stumbled on a pretty sweet deal on an 02 Speed Triple. The I3 has a different sound to it. It pulls hard. As far as durability, I can't speak from experience. Mine only has 6200 miles.

Has a tuneable ECU(unfortunately I don't know enough to do it by myself).

I've realized the Triumph purist are nicer than the Ducati purist, but they're still purist.

I got it with no headlights, I went with a Z1000 headlight, swapped the stock bars out for FasstCo FlexxBars.

Forgot to mention my Speed triple has an OBDII port. I haven't had the need to use it, so am not sure if your standard OBDII reader works, but if it does it would be excellent.....especially compared to the over priced crap I've had to use on my BMWs in the past.

In reply to Cotton:

It's a VAGCOM cable, like Audi/VW used.

Well after looking at both bikes I ended up in another direction. A co-worker of my dad's was selling his 06 Speed Triple at a sweet price with a bunch of goodies. So I am now the new owner! Thanks for all the input guys!

I had a 2001 Monster S4. I have a 2007 Monster S4Rs. If my bike was stolen today there are only 2 bikes that I would be intrested in. another S4Rs or a Speed Triple R.

That black 06 looks awesome. I would go with a single headlight and pull the dash in tight, but that is just cosmetic. Also - maybe black out the forks or add in some color elsewhere.