Which Model To Try...?

Try a Streetfighter

 

I've ridden the 1200 and 821 Monster's recently (and the Diavel) and as you can see from my info, I've got an 1100evo.

I would suggest riding both Monster's if you can, just to see if you really want\need the extra oomph of the 1200. Unless you ride really fast, probably not worth it, especially if like me, most riding is around Derbyshire back roads. Having said that I absolutely loved the Diavel...

Best money you can spend is on a 14 tooth front sprocket and a Rexxer remap. Miles smoother around town and better acceleration.

 

Try a Street Triple, or even a Speed Triple? I'll get my coat....

 

The 796 is a lot less powerful, about 82bhp compared to about 112bhp on the 821. The air-cooled engine feels more 'old-school' which may be good or bad dependent on what you want.

 

The MT09 has a lot more than 75 bhp.... I don't know if they have fixed the fuel injection yet though, but the "Tracer" version seesm very highly regarded.

It's worth riding the Street Triple...it does feel a little tall at a standstill, but it's so light that as soon as it's rolling it feels like a toy.

 

I also rode a Street Triple before getting my 1100evo. It's a very hard bike to fault. I thought it had a 'whiney' engine and was very high revving, as you would expect from a sportbike derived engine. Great handling and brakes, light and seems well built. Still bought the Monster though...

 

I have a 31"-32" inside leg and can get both feet flat on the ground when sitting on my SF848. Char (previous owner) may have had the bike set up so that the ride height is low, but I don't think anything fancy or expensive has been done and it doesn't affect the handling. I have ridden a new SF848 and it handled similarly, but the suspension on mine is set up much better (Char had the suspension set up at WDW).

There is more room on the seat of the SF848 than on an M1100 M821 or M1200, also the seat doesn't slope forward as much as the stock Monster seats. However the SF does not have the comfiest of seats if you have a bony arse like mine, but it's better than the stock M1100 seat which I couldn't ride for more than 45 minutes before I needed to stop and have a butt massage. I had to fit the Ducati comfort seat to my M1100 and M1100evo to make them rideable, that seat was lots more comfy than the stock plum crushing arse numbing seat. I actually rode for five hours the other day on the SF with just a couple of quick stops for fuel without getting noticeably uncomfortable, so I think my arse is getting used to its seat.

The riding position on my SF848 is more relaxed than my M1100 was and better than the stock M1100evo that I had. I lowered the bars on my evo to make it the same as the M1100 as in stock form it put too much weight on my arse making it uncomfortable. My SF848 has slightly higher bars than stock which I find give a very relaxed riding position. Also on the SF your knees aren't as bent as on the Monsters so your legs are more relaxed making things a bit more comfortable at the expense of feeling like you're sitting on top of the bike rather than in the bike.

 

If u go for a monster 821, try to get the 'stripe' one as its got some slightly better spec like fully adjustable forks and a few other bits I believe. I rode the 1200s and it's absolutely insane, can't imagine what the Monster 1200r is like! The whole time I felt like I was hanging from the bars when I was on the throttle, possibly not helped by being used to sports bikes.

The 796 is the older air cooled engine and not without its charm but tbf if u were looking at an air cooled one, the 1100 Evo would be my pick!

The monster 821 has a similar engine to the 848 (different valve overlap) so Cambelts still which is fine, but think the service intervals are really great on the new Monster stuff! They are already 7.5k on the super bikes which is great

 

Bars and seat on the 1100evo/796are easily altered. I've got Rizoma bars and risers and had the seat foam re-shaped. I'm 6ft and 70kg and there isn't much room so no idea how fatties manage. It's fine for the tank range now. The 821 stripe is the pick of that bunch, but pricier. 1200 is a bit overkill but hey, who really needs more than 100hp (says he who's lusting after a Diavel).

 

Hi mate, I have the 1200 base & love it I had the 821 for a few days while mine was being serviced , it was not as heavy to Flick from side to side . Not as much torque as the 1200 which is very addictive in 3rd gear.The 821 is an all round fun bike.

 

A 14 tooth front sprocket makes any Monster a lot easier to ride around town and doesn't affect cruising (unless you cruise at 100+). Better acceleration too. Compensates for less cc's.

 

Speak to @burndownthediscos about Ducati Manchester, by all accounts an absolutely phenomenal bunch of guys and gals there!