Only one year after the launch of the S4R, the most powerful and exclusive Monster ever made, built using a large number of superbike components, a sister has appeared in the form of the S2R. The idea behind the S2R remains that of an exclusive, high performance motorcycle capable of defining the very concept of a naked sport. Built around a less extreme engine, the S2R nevertheless shares the same uncompromising components as the S4R, and is equipped with everything you need for an amazingly exciting ride. With the addition of the S2R, Ducati has created the SR family within the Monster range. Ducati's naked range, loved by tuners everywhere, has therefore expanded to offer more choices than ever before and to satisfy an even larger number of fans and enthusiasts of this great motorcycle. The SR Monsters at the top of the 2005 range are accompanied by other more classic models, continuing the evolutionary cycle begun over ten years ago.
The tremendous success that the S4R has demonstrated the need for a new family of more sports oriented nakeds, stylistically and technologically advanced Monsters capable of delivering competition level performance. This is the ethos of the new Monster S2R, less extreme in terms of power but just as able to deliver all the excitement and fascination of its bigger sister. The engine selected for the entry level to this new family of Monsters is Ducati's air-cooled twin valve 803 cc twin. The colour schemes of this new Monster are highly recognisable and mirror the eye-catching graphics of the S4R. The S2R is available in 5 new colours: black, black with tangerine red stripe, acid yellow with black stripe, Ducati red with white stripe and tangerine red with black stripe.
Style
New for 2005, the Monster S2R mirrors the overall design of the S4R. The only differences are those dictated by the presence of another kind of engine. The choice of an air-cooled two-valve twin makes this latest Monster even more essential and sleek looking. Styling features the most exclusive solutions, like a twinned exhaust on the right side of the seat, and eye-catching colour schemes. The S2R comes in a choice of six different colours. Four of these reproduce the highly successful stripe down the mudguards and tank in different colour combinations. Classic Ducati red with white stripe is now backed up by black with tangerine red stripe, and acid yellow and tangerine red both with contrasting black stripes. Then there are two solid colours, black and matt black for the S2R Dark. As with all Dark models the S2R Dark is the S2R with the lowest price tag and is also distinguishable by its level of equipment. The sports cockpit fairing and matching seat cover fitted to the other S2R models have been eliminated and the handlebars are conventional steel bars instead of variable section aluminium.
Chassis
If you buy a naked like the Monster S2R you expect the sort of performance promised by its highly aggressive lines. And the latest addition to the Monster family will certainly not disappoint. Its chassis is designed to perform well in all conditions, especially on the mixed, fast roads that represent the S2R's ideal terrain. The two 300 mm front discs and the 245 single rear disc deliver all the power needed to guarantee reduced stopping distances. You can place absolute faith in the suspension too. The fork is a Marzocchi 43 mm upside down unit and there is an adjustable Sachs monoshock at the rear. This damps a single-sided aluminium swing arm that represents one of the most exclusive components of the Monster SR family.
Engine
The engine is no newcomer. The air cooled 800 twin has already been acclaimed for its effectiveness on the Monster and for the ideal compromise it offers between power, torque and fuel consumption. Electronic fuel injection and an exhaust catalyser combine to deliver plenty of smooth power while keeping emissions low and ensuring miserly fuel consumption. The S2R's power unit has also been enhanced by a major new innovation. For 2005 the S2R incorporates the APTC clutch already tried and tested to great effect on other recent Monster models. The new clutch reduces the lever strenght, in order to benefit all riders, particularly in town traffic. The greatest benefit is nevertheless felt when the bike is ridden with verve and hard downshifting. These are the conditions under which the anti-skid "slipper" system of the APTC clutch really makes itself felt, eliminating the annoying effects of reverse-acting torque that causes the rear wheel to bounce on the asphalt. Compared to the clutches fitted to the 620 Monsters, that of the S2R also incorporates dampers for smoother gear changes.
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