I've had an 821 Monster for the past year, done around 5,000 km mix of commuting and Sunday tours. The bike has been fantastic! Handles great, lots of torque and more than enough power. I have tried almost all the other nakeds but after each test ride I come back to mine and it’s just ahhhh. Here's my dilemma- I tried a 2017 1200S yesterday. It was everything my 821 is and I like but additionally has the great quickshifter, super TFT screen and the foot pegs actually allow me to use the ball of my foot. Downsides are the cost to change, estimated at about 7,000€, not as noisy - Termis can solve this, shorter range and lastly feels a little heavier / slower on handling although it’s very minor. Im almost convinced but I may wait for the new 939 Monster. So has anyone on here made this change and can give an insight?
I've never ridden the 821 so can't really advise on the transition from 821 to 1200, but I didn't want to leave you just hanging there. I came from a MTS1200S to the M1200S. I also had a M696+, which I loved, but missed the 1200 grunt when I was on the 696. I chose the M1200S because it gave MTS1200 performance but it was also all monster. The MTS, an incredibly good bike, was just not raucous enough for me. I've seen stuff written by M821 owners, who have tried the M1200, that say you can't use the extra power on the road. Well you can. I know because I do. Not all the time, but the power is there when I want it. I think they're actually saying that they can't use the extra power on the road and that's totally OK and a sensible realisation. But I think the whole point of the M1200 over the M821 is the extra power. If you're not going to use the extra power then don't get it. A quick shifter is all about keeping the power on through gear changes. If you're not using the power then do you need the quick shifter or is it just a nice to have? It's a lot of extra cash for a nice to have. That's just my 2p worth, Chris.
For the delta in costs I'd be investigating aftermarket quickshifters, rearset / peg kits and possibly even something like an HM dash... I don't know but I'd be willing to gamble that it'd be cheaper than EUR 7,000...
Eu7k seems like a lot to change. The performance is amazing (I have a 2016 1200S), and it astounds me every time I ride it. But for that sort of cash, if it was me I'd probably look at getting a second bike, so I can have a bit of variety.
Hi Chris, I have had my M821 Stripe for just over 10 months and have clocked up just under 6000 miles, all trouble free. I took the 2017 M1200s for a test ride, quite a long ride, I found that, I noticed the extra power in 1st & 2nd, but after that there actually wasn't much difference up to 5th than my 821. I agree the quick shifter and the coloured display are nice and I also liked the gear indicator, but unfortantely there's a few negatives for me to consider changing. Firstly theres the vast difference in cost, secondly the fuel economy, I'm easily getting 140 miles on a full tank, and thats riding hard in Sport mode, I know the 1200 will only give you about 100 and lastly a lot have 1200 owners have complained about not being able to find neutral when stationary, which I also experienced on the test ride. I know I'm nit picking and had I bought the 1200S I would just live those negative points. Just my view mate.
As a quick counter to that, on my 2016 1200S I average between 130-145 miles before the fuel light comes on. I don't mess about. I typically average 40-45mpg. I once saw 38mpg, and probably should have been locked up for that ride...! Finding neutral is no issue at all for me, although it was when the bike was brand new. Can't really comment much on the performance at the higher reaches - at anything above 120 it feels like my head will come off! Front wheel lifts up nicely off the throttle in second though...!
Dear All, firstly thanks for the replies. I need to think now as all confirmed my thoughts. I’m lucky in that I can afford the additional costs so it’s really a „value to me question“. I'm also in the process of buying my first „dream bike“ , a '90 ZXR 750 so the other bike thought is nicely covered. I think Wally and John Mac821 summed my thought process well. To help I went on a country road blast, washed and polished my bike..... So what am I thinking right now? I want more power, a quick shifter and a shiny new display. I’ll change my mind tomorrow I guess but regardless, I'll keep you posted on how this journey develops. Update 7th Oct. Formal offer from my dealer and it’s 10'000 Euro to change!!!exchange value for my bike is jokingly low. Decision is an easy one as the 1200s is not 10k better. It’s a lovely day so I’m off to the Swiss alps for an afternoon blast before the snow falls next week.
Yep i cannot be certain that i use more than 821cc of my 1200s but 1) 1200cc is more monsterous that 821cc 2) it has ohlins 3) 1200cc is more monsterous that 821cc 4) repeat
Now the new 821 has the quickshifter and the TFT dash. Choices choices. Here in Switzerland the weathers just changing so there’s only a few dry days left so I’m waiting until spring then I’ll ride both again and decide.
I havn't ridden the 821 but have the 2017 1200s. Yes it is a large price rise but you get full ohlins and a single sided swing arm. The fuel tank is 1 litre less on the 1200 and I still get 120 miles till the light comes on and I don't ride carefully. The handling with the ohlins is absolutely superb. The power is awesome. The right footpeg is still too close to the exhaust even with my termi end cans which remove the cat and sit a little further rearwards. Quickshifter is really good up the box but you need to be banging it down firmly from speed to really appreciate the quickshifter on the way down the box. Dash is really good especially the way it inverts to black background and white digits if the light fades. In sport mode you need to be really vigilant as the front comes up in the first 3 gears unless you lean forwards and roll throttle on slower. I rarely brake unless I'm going for it or something catches me by surprise cause the engine braking is brilliant. In my opinion it's worth the extra but that's only my opinion.
