Thoughts please! Currently have a great MY13 Multi and love it to bits. No touring and funnily enough, no off roading in the past 2 years. Looking to change and have a Monster 1200 in mind. Weekend fun is all I really use it for. Any thoughts from the Monster crew would be appreciated re the bike and what it's like to live with! I haven't taken it for a test yet, but that should be in a couple of weeks. Is the 1200s worth the extra money? Not sure about the new Multi until it has chance to sort out any teething issues!
I have the 1200S and love it to bits. Looks great. And performance & handling is superb in and out of the city. You do get a lot extra on the S. Is it worth it? Probably not. But it's nice to have
No screen, but I am thinking of getting the small Ducati one. I think it'll benefit from it. Just seems a lot of money for something so small. I'll probably invest when the piggy bank is full.
I got the M1200 and its a great bike but the suspension and handling is nowhere as good as the MTS1200S i used to have!
Do you have the M1200 or M1200S? Have you ridden both and did you notice any difference? The Mutley is a great bike and no doubt will miss it it if i change to a Monster, but how much i wonder? Right choice?:Banghead:
I have a 2010 mutley and had a test ride on a Monster 1200S with termignonis. I had it out for nearly two hours because I got lost in the countryside north of Glasgow. Honest! They share the same engine and the mutley puts out more power but the monster feels more eager, more aggressive. I don't think it handles any better than the mutley, although I wasn't pushing it, but the mutley is short on ground clearance and I imagine the monster will be less so because of the leg position (I didn't get close to finding out). The brakes are superb. The mutley's front brakes are good but in comparison they feel spongy. Let's not even mention the mutley's rear brake. On the minus side I found the Monster a bit lumpy and snatchy at low speed but that is probably because I wasn't tuned into it. It's less comfy than the mutley and for me that's because of the leg position - but I'm old. The display is completely unreadable when the weather is bright, like on my test ride, so you never know how fast you're going and on a bike with 145hp in a world littered with speed cameras that's so not good. I'm sure the display looks great when you're in your garage. The suspension is like having the mutley stuck in sport mode - not a problem in itself but I do like a break from sport mode's firmness. The display is the only bad thing on the Monster. Everything else is just the bike's character. I really, really liked it and if the mutley didn't exist it's probably what I'd have. It put a huge grin on my face and I was sorely tempted but the mutley is a better all-rounder and better for long days and that makes it the better bike for me. The monster will give you the weekend fun you're looking for, oh yes, but if it's a windy weekend then you're going to feel it. Oh, the termi's sound awesome. They turn brave men into trembling, slack-jawed gawpers; they make babies cry, old women wet their knickers and, I imagine, your neighbours hate you. They just can't be legal. If you fit them then you'd better enjoy being stared at and it's ear plugs or tinitus - your choice. So a must have item then.
Thanks for the above. I have just come back from a 1 1/2 hour test ride on a M1200s. The sound is amazing, so if we're on that alone, it would already be in my garage! I know what you mean about the low speed throttle, but I think it was better than my MY13 Multi. The handling took a bit of getting used to, very different from the Multi, but on the right roads I was impressed. Riding position was great, not too racy, but I am a tall 5' 8" with neck and back ailments, so suited me fine. The only thing I'm not sure about is the wind break factor. I've never had a naked bike, and even though the Multi screen is crap for turbulence, it does keep the elements off. I guess it just takes some Getty used to. What I don't want is to be fed up with being blown about and not want to go on long runs. The small screen available, and the one like the M1200s Stripe may do just the trick. So, undecided after all that. The Monster is a fab bike though and looks much cooler than the "sensilble" Multi. But decision delayed until I try the new Multi later this month. I think??
I was out today for a couple of hours too, it was only 6C - thank god for heated grips. How were your hands? Yes, the MTS isn't as gentle on the eye as the monster. I also have a 696 monster that I got a couple of weeks ago. I've not been out on it much but I was going into a stiff head wind on the motorway one day and 80mph was uncomfortable. I could feel myself getting constantly jostled about, but it was pretty windy. Slowing down to 70mph made a surprising amount of difference but you still wouldn't call it comfy. With the wind behind, the bow waves from artics hit you with quite a slap. It feels like you could get flipped off the back. I learned pretty fast to sort of duck into them. The 696 monster has a tiny little screen that just about keeps the wind off the clocks. The MTS screen isn't great but it is a huge improvement over no screen. I have no idea how effective the monster 1200 screen is, however I thought the whole point of a naked bike is that you're not protected from the elements. It gives a more visceral experience and if it's windy you're probably going to keep the speed down. I don't see it as that big a problem really. Probably even a good thing. Anyway, let us know what you make of the new MTS (though maybe not on this thread ) and what you eventually decide. It's not a bad choice to have to make.
Well just had the M1200s on test for 2 days. Great weather to try it out on some great South Wales roads. First tried it out a couple of weeks ago and was my first naked bike experience. The wind blast was a bit more than I expected. However, now I have covered about 300 miles on the Monster, wind has been forgotten! Yes it isn't a great motorway machine, but the A and B roads I have been testing it on is where it excels. The bad bits first - mirrors are great if you like admiring your elbows! What else? Hmmm? Nothing! The ohlins work really well and the handling is predictable and smooth. I didn't realise how good they were until I started pushing hard. You don't notice how good and smooth they are, which is a good testament to their quality. The torque and low end grunt is outstanding. When you start pushing, the engine just keeps on pulling. Feels different power delivery to my Mutley, but the fun is there in abundance. Exhaust sounds great in standard cans, the Termis must be awesome! Riding position is relaxed and comfortable, but sporty enough to cope with pushing on. The TFT screen has had some stick from various reviews, but I didn't find it to be a problem and the sun was shining. All in all, I was really impressed. Still waiting to try the new Multi, but the Monster is a different prospect and I am almost ready to make the leap. Will the Multi ever get into dealers anyway? M1200 s Stripe is a likely addition . The wife likes the colour!!
As all the Multis are sold out until September (dealer has had an email from Ducati), the Monster it is! The Stripe looks absolutely fantastic when side by side with the 1200s. So the Strip it is!
Hey MrH, Superb! I prefer the stripe too. I'm surprised you didn't have a problem reading the clocks when it's sunny though. Not that it's such a big issue it would have stopped me from buying. When do you take delivery? Cheers, Wally.
Just found out it's a May delivery, hopefully THIS May! Can't wait now! Will prob miss the Mutley though! Oh if money was no object....
Above 80 and the wind blast is severe, I'm getting a fullsix carbon screen that is not too far off the stripe screen. Costs a packet though, but not as big as the Ducati or puig screens. I always go for the ohlins when it is an option as it is just so much better for the damping. I had to go up a size on the rear spring as I'm 16st in gear. Now it handles spot on. I love the engine and the modes make a real difference. Go for the S and get a screen if you need the motorway, otherwise I find it not too bad normal riding. I've always had naked bikes, but all have had a small screen.
Will do, just waiting on delivery. The website says allow 2 to 3 weeks for delivery so hopefully this week.
Are the termis worth the extra just for the noise?? Seems a lot of money for a fantastic soundtrack. The stock cans aren't bad, but the termi noise.....
