Nice bike but I have a 796 and wouldn't recommend for commuting unless you never go below 30mph. It's not a smooth bike for stop/start traffic or crawling along at 10-20mph. In fact you'll only need 1st gear as the gearing is long and engine does not like to run below 4K unless coasting. You can just do 28-30 in 2nd. I almost sold mine in the first six months until I realised I was riding it wrong; it's clearly designed for "making progress" and I've loved it ever since.
If i were in your place I'd probably go in for a supersport or a multi 950. I just don't like naked bikes, so I'm very biased in that regard... You could go in for a hyperstrada, but I personally didn't like the seating position at all... Too forward for me.
I'm using a 620 Monster , seriously good fun. 18 miles backroad into Glasgow with some curves that belong on a GP track. 60mpg no matter how much I ring its neck . YEEHA
Am thinking now either a Scrambler Full Throttle or a Monster 821 Dark. Is the Dark a stripped down version, no steering damper etc? I'm basing these two on them being black and normal looking, so hopefully won't attract too much attention (would have to let the yellow of the Scrambler get a bit dirty). Scrambler owners, do they have enough power?
Mate has a scrambler ( converted cafe racer). Says it's 10 times better once it's been mapped ( cjs in this case )
Scramblers are fine. Map them if you like and it's an incremental improvement but the base bike is absolutely fine and a hoot to ride. Just don't expect it to be a racebike, and enjoy it for what it is. Love mine and have done 300+ miles in a day, scratching touring and sightseeing. It's great. Love it when people deride them or get into the hipster cliche stuff.
I've a 2015 Classic. Bought it new and have enjoyed it since day 1. I really wasn't interested in them and then had a go and spent a few mins going round a mini-roundabout giggling. I've kept with the standard Pirellis as they're grippy and good in the wet. Suspension is stock, as although I'd be quite happy to get a shock and cartridge kit and enjoy the extra control I find that the stock stuff reminds me to slow down. I had a Rexxer map on it and swapped the stock exhaust for initially a Zard low level but that scraped just like the stocker, so then I got a Racefit Growler which is what is on there now. Cute little thing and bellows cheerfully (you need a baffle). It's a great bike and I've bolted quite a bit of nonsense to it; mostly Evotech stuff, Kriega and Ducati. Don't really go for the carbon or eBay tat. Love it, little terror.
A little list of things I would say, if you're going to commute... Like with all Ducatis the fasteners are not up to Honda standards - ACF-50 is your friend The standard Pirellis are good for about 3k on a rear and 4k on the front, tops. The standard chain is poor and rusts... like all Ducatis Get a headlight guard - I hit a pheasant at 100mph+ and it dinged the guard and broke a mudguard bracket rather than smashed the headlight Spoked wheels are a PITA to clean - for commuting a cast wheel version would be a good choice Heated grips - great option to plump for Standard seat takes some breaking in Lairy exhaust is all well and good, but stocker sounds nice and doesn't offend everyone Mudguards are nigh-on useless - you will get wet A Dart screen or similar does a good job of deflecting wind blast upwards As much as I love the bike, I'm not sure it (or any Ducati) would be my first choice for a commuter. Its road manners and low seat height are perfect, but I'd probably want something a bit more disposable. I'm rather fond of my Scrambler and the inevitable toll of commuting would make me sad. It's also not the cheapest option out there. I'd likely be having a good look at an MT-07 / Tracer 700 myself and hoping to be less precious about it, perhaps even saving a few quid.
I'm really stuck if i'm honest as only commute once a week, sometime less than that so want something fun rather than functional but also fit for purpose. Was also thinking of the 821 Monster Dark maybe. Or a Superduke R. Just can't decide!
821 Monster is a good bike, I'd have a good look at them side by side at a dealer and focus on all the detail stuff and bracketry, little details on Ducatis are worth checking out. Three very different bikes there to choose from though. Monster is probably the easiest to live with if I'm being honest, most versatile and you have things like engine modes and more electrickery to help things along. Scrambler is pure fun, and very very good at being that.
My journey takes me along the A1 from South Mymms into London where I am regularly instantly filtering. It’s here that it worries me, the 1198 (with no mirrors) is perfect and I wouldn’t want to lose that. Might try and test ride one.
