Hello

Hi,

After owning 3 Monsters (a 620, 696, and 1100S), I took a break from biking due to time commitments elsewhere.

I'm now feeling the itch to get back on a bike. Another Monster would be the obvious route, but I fancy something different, so I was waiting to see what the 848 replacement would be like.

Anyway, the 899 just disappoints. At 12.5K it ain't cheap, and yet is has too many compromises, from the double-sided swing arm, to base suspension / brake components, to downgraded dash.

My Monster 1100S was a bit over 10K new (admittedly back in 2009), but it had the works: gold wheels, Ohlins suspension, upgraded brakes, single-sided swing arm, liberal use of carbon fibre... I miss that bike.

I'm sure the 899 is a great bike, but if I'm paying 12.5K, I don't want to always be thinking that it's a compromise. If it had a single sided swing arm, better brakes and suspension, and a nice dash, for 13K, I'd probably bite their arm off.

Then, of course, Ducati sprung the 1200S, which is quite nice (bit too Diavel), but 13K is 30% more than I paid for my 1100S. Price hikes seem to be the main Audi effect.

Anyway, I've seen a nice low mileage 1098 ('09), that's a lot less than 12.5K, but offers the full on Ducati experience, including dry clutch. A 1098 is no doubt too much power for what I want, but oh my, it certainly looks the part :wink:

Maybe I should look for a low mileage 848?

I'll probably take the winter to decide what to do, but I thought I'd say hello here while I do.

Cheers,
Nige

 

Thanks for the welcome, and the other more 'imaginative' replies.

 

There are worse options, but I fancy something a little different (or quite different).