My beautiful Multistrada 1200 DVT was stolen this week. Negotiations with the insurer are ongoing but I can’t quite afford a new 1260. As a huge Ducati fan I’m considering a Monster 1200S as a replacement. I tested an 821 and quite liked it two months ago whilst my bike was in for service. I owned a M900Sie back in the day. Anyone gone Mutley to Monster? Standard or S? What’s the main difference? Do Ducati do heated grips and are they any good? I use my bike to commute all year, 5000 miles a year through Liverpool. Anyone got advice on how they stand up to winter (it’d be ACF50 and I’m an OCD cleaner). I do the odd trip of 3-4hrs around North Wales or to the Midlands. Will the Monster be ok for a Motorway schelp? Advice appreciated.
I should add I’ve owned 2 X z1000 and 2 X Speed Triples in the past so like nakeds. Last few bikes R1200RT, Tiger 800, Tiger 1050 Sport them the Multistrada. So I’ve got used to comfort and wind protection.
I have a standard 2017 1200 Monster. I went for that as its the same engine/power output as the S, and I couldn't (in my mind) justify the extra cost for Ohlins, quick shifter etc. I won't be doing trackways so wasn't convinced I was going to need a quick shifter. I took my bike to Luigi Moto to get the suspension set up for me, and they said it was spot on out of the factory - no adjustments needed. Last bike I had (a few years ago) was a 1050 speed triple, and had things like Sprint ST, VRT1000SP1, Fireblade before that. On the test ride I did on the Monster I compared with the new Supersport and the Monster was fine up to about 80mph - no worse than the super sport. I rode a 1200S on test ride and to be honest I can't recall a noticeable difference in handling between it and the standard bike I have. Its going to come down to how much do you want a grey bike, and/or shiny gold suspension. I think a small screen/deflector will make that better again and closer to the Multistrada.
So far so good Had it a year and done 1300 miles. Nothing has broken, fallen off or stopped working as yet. Finish is all good - no issues there. Electrics are quite complex compared to the speed triple (and all the other bikes) I had - DSC, ABS, anti-wheelie etc. - none of which existed on any of the others. I have no idea if I have activated any of them as I don’t tend to push it. So far it’s better than Triumph: I had a new 1999 Daytona 955 which had an incorrectly fitted injector inlet rubber which meant it shot blue flames out the exhaust. The new 2001 Sprint ST we had stopped on a touring holiday in Scotland when the main clutch lock nut came loose and we got back to Reading in a recovery truck.
Hi buddy, That’s terrible news! I’d be gutted to loose my Multi DVT. Having owned and ridden loads of other bikes nothing comes close to the Multistrada for me, either just pottering about or on a more enthusiastic ride. Is a new pre reg DVT not an option/ available? Though I can imagine after the theft you may feel the need for a change. Good luck, hope you’re back on the road soon and the thieves get their come uppance. Doug
Monster will be fine on the motorway . I rode an 821 last year from Kent to Scotland . 2500 miles in a week . Mate was on a 1200 and no real difference in the way they performed at all . Except at the petrol station!!
I have both and think you would notice the lack of protection on the monster if you were doing big miles but ,as has been stated, others manage. They are a great bike though perfect for a nice day ride out
It does worry me that the Mutley is so bloody good, that anything else will feel like a “downgrade”. But unless I can get another new/pre reg one, another Mutley won’t be as “good” as my first. I just spent all my disposable on house stuff. I could save for a few months and undoubtedly the deals at the end of the summer will be better. But it’s the best summer in memory so it’d be s shame to miss out. In my head the Monster is a stripped down Multistrada with a naughty character.....am I right? If so it would feel like good move. 95% of my riding is local blasts/commutes. The other 5% I’d have to accept a slower pace for the Motorway stuff.
Going by your description of riding the Monster will be perfect,an absolute hoot on those type of rides out. My observations were also supported by a mate who tours with me.We were in Spain last year and he was on 1200r I was on Multi.Its fair to say he was suffering on the big days e.g. County Durham to Plymouth for ferry 390 miles.But when the roads were right it was fabulous . Think sports bike in upright naked position () and you won’t go far wrong .Stoncker of an engine and great looks too imho
You’ve convinced me to put it at the top of the list. I’ll give one a whirl to see if it ticks the box’s. Thanks all.
I am currently riding a 2016 Monster 1200S, having traded in a 2013 Multistrada 1200S (pre-DVT). In some ways I do regret it - the Multistrada was a far more versatile bike for a lot of the riding I do, and almost as much fun. That said, it was due the 15k service, and only cost my £1500 to change from a three year old Multi to a brand new Monster. I did about 9000 miles on the Multi - including some epic riding around France and Spain. In many ways it was the best bike I've ever owned - the ability to go more or less wherever I wanted with big-bike comfort and wind protection is surely missed. That said, I've done about 9.5k on the Monster in two years and it's been a blast. Really stupid fun - way too easy to be incredibly silly, and the most fun bike I've ever owned. I'm 6'2@ tall, so honestly the Monster is too small for me - perhaps a 2017 onwards bike would be better with the higher seat. My knees are cramped. Although the seat itself is comfy. I've not had a chance to tour on it yet, and I reckon the most I've done is about 350 miles in a day. It's ok on the motorway up to about 100 if the wind direction is with you. If you're riding into a headwind it can get uncomfortable over about 80, although changing your body position can help, by leaning in to it. Maybe someone shorter wouldn't have the same issue. I've fitted bar-end mirrors - much less turbulence, so it's noticeably quieter in terms of wind noise compared to a Multi. I also don't find the Ducati screen makes any appreciable difference, and I don't especially like how it looks, so I took mine off. I'd be tempted to try a big ugly screen for touring perhaps. Mine has been perfectly reliable. The battery died the week I got it - presumably a faulty battery. But otherwise it's been perfect. I've ridden it through winters, across shitty muddy roads on Dartmoor, covered in crap and salt, and it always cleans up pretty well. Some of the fasteners could do with replacing with stainless, but for the miles I think my bike still scrubs up pretty well. I would strongly advise fitting Evotech radiator and oil cooler guards, as they're both very vulnerable. They also do good tail tidies. Excellent quality - worth the cost. If you're into serious miles then get another Multi. If you're mainly doing weekend ride-outs and the occasional longer journey then a Monster is worth considering. I will probably switch back to a Multi at some point, but the Monster has been hilarious, and I'm really glad I've had it.
Having just spoken to the dealer I could pay off the bank loan I had for the Mutley, then buy a new 1260 on a PCP with the same monthly outlay +£10...... Or get a new Monster 1200 plus heated grips for (PCP) -£40 month....... Decisions decisions eh?????
I forgot to say, heated grips can easily be added - there is a power connector near the headstock that they plug into. If that was me I'd go for the Multi.....BUT...having ridden a 1260 it's VERY good, but almost too good - the engine is now so refined that it doesn't have so much character. But you definitely feel like you could get on it and the next thing you know you're the other side of Europe. The Monster engine is a bit more rough and ready, and as a result it's more characterful. But if it was me I'd have the new Multi. You should try both and ride them on the same roads. Nice position to be in!
I had an 821 Strip while owning a DVT, and tbh as much as the monster was fun for weekend messing around, after 120 miles you knew you were riding a monster and not a Multi, hard ride, it is cramped even for me as 5'6" shorter fuel range, no top box, and in the end I got shot of it, lovely fun mess around, but I would still prefer my DVT in any situation, maybe a monster 1200S but still the same just more poke.
I had a multi and while it was almost certainly the most accomplished bike I have ever ridden it was nowhere near the most enjoyable. I have decided to keep a Monster as my regular everyday bike, currently an old and wonderful S4R although I am considering the 821/1200 range as tempted to add to my small collection. I very rarely ride over 150 miles in a days and half the fun for me is stopping halfway for a coffee or breakfast so a monster is perfect. When I next have a tour planned I`ll almost certainly buy something a few years old specifically for the trip and then sell it after. I`m think Guzzi Norge, Aprilia Capanord, BMW RS or RT etc.
Monster 1200s, 2 years 9000 miles, 51mpg, 130 miles to reserve. no breakdowns, no appreciable corrosion, Evotech radiator, cylinder head and oil cooler guards as the front mudguard isn't........ Stupid fun no! what I mean is STUPID!!, FUN!! I can't use more than 55% of what this bike can do!
