With modern electronics and different engine modes why not? They may be derived from sportsbike engines but they are tuned totally differently.
Why are you getting hot under the collar Ron? Ducatis have never been much cop in town, and that's never been much of a secret. So what's the point of buying a bike that's known to be recalcitrant then moaning about it?
Strewth! All this talk of riding round town and doing speeds of 30 or the dizzy heights of 40mph on a 1200 vtwin. Trust me, one of these would be much much better.
I have to agree with SHR61, It doesn't have to be crap to have character, a modern duke should be happy at 30-40 on occasions, I was amazed how bad the fueling is on these, my Hyper evo was the same until I had a decat, MWR filter & custom remap, now the bike is more than happy in 4th @ 35ish on std gearing, they can be sorted, & BTW it does get thrashed & "ridden like I stole it"
It doesn't really matter if that big V-twin engine should be civilised in town, what matters is that it isn't, and never has been. Now, you can either ride round it's foibles like most people do, and wallow in it's open-road fantasticness, or you can choose another bike...
Im just happy if a bike can do 30mph in first without slipping the clutch. All this talk of 3rd and 4th gear at 30mph seems a bit alien. Cant imagine a big 1200 monster (1198 lump?) is very good at low speed manners even once mapped?
I have the 1200S. My commute involves motorway and then inner city riding. Ive not found it lacking in any aspect and a better all rounder than my previous big bore Sportsbikes. But it would be rather a waste if the 1200 was to be purchased just for 30mph traffic conditions. Apart from the BHP factor, it's kinda big for a pure city machine.
I'm a prospective Monster 1200S buyer and have been viewing all rides and reviews of the bike and many are saying how bad the Colour TFT Screen is to see on bright sunny days, would be interested to hear what actual owners think about the display please