At last my first ride on the all new Monster 1200S, and the verdict is - Very comfy riding position with Superbike performance. The power and torque (91.8 lb-ft) @ 7,250 rpm all delivered at relatively low RPM makes for excellent progress and punches the bike out of the corners. The Ohlins suspension smoothing out the diabolical UK road surfaces together with the Ducati’s Safety Pack of ABS and Traction Control keeping the bike under control. Ducati riding modes include Sport, Touring and Urban, Urban is great for around town, the Touring, well, for when you're touring or have a pillion as the throttle response is more progressive and Sport when you want to have fun .:biggrin: Masses of engine braking on down shift is controlled by the clutches Self-servo action on drive, slipper action on over-run, but I found it still benefited from a blip on the throttle on downshifts. The Mono block front brakes knock the speed off with ease yet still have plenty of feel. The seat is adjustable 785 - 810 mm (30.9 - 31.9) and additional adjustment can be made (up or down) with accessory seats, making it perfect for all. Brings back memories of my S4RS.......................but much much better. What would I add; well not much to be honest, but that never stopped me before! A steering damper. The standard Black exhausts look and sound good, but you just have to have Termis :biggrin: Get a test ride booked, Test Rides you won’t be disappointed.
Thanks for the write up. I had a 1100S (and before that a 620, and a 696). I *really* want to like this bike, but the exhaust and water radiator are just too ugly.
The price of water cooled naked bikes unfortunately, but I think it looks better on this than the S4RS and SF, but just my opinion of course. Take a ride and you may just be able to live with it :wink:
I took out the demo from Ducati Aylesbury for a 40 min spin today and was hugely impressed with the engine and the brakes. In Sport mode it was lifting the front in 4th and Touring mode was only marginally less rapid. I thought the 11 degree engine was amazing in the Multistrada but the engine in the Monster definitely felt torquier. I'm a bit ambivalent about the looks of the bike particularly the left hand side. It sounds good, like a proper Ducati. All in all, it is a great bike but after a 40 minute ride my knees were starting to ache, my hands were a getting a bit cold and my neck was seizing up from bracing against the 100mph wind. I then got on my Mutley and by the time I got home any thought of chopping it in for the Mnnster had disappeared. But if you're after a fun naked for short blasts, the Monster won't disappoint.
American Choppers exhaust system, nice Bradders, was thinking of clip ons for my S4. What are they like for riding and body position, given the nature of the seating/tank position?
imho far better than std. I use to get a sore arse and back on std monster, ok it was on track but never uncomfortable. Just seemed right. But need to restrict lockstops and there isnt much turning circle
I rode my dealers M1200S demo last weekend. I too thought it a real good road bike but wish it had more aggression and power. It's all personal opinion of course and I'm in the minority that wants a Streetfighter based on the 1199 Pan platform so was destined to be disappointed
Dementor you mean bastard the way you described it sounds so cool. Funny when test rode multi S it felt to me boring, yes fast and capable but boring Hm that Monster engine sounds sweet.
Don`t give up hope. They will have to diversify Pani engine usage in order to spread the development cost, and a streetfighter is a possible first step.
It is possible I mean it is great bike just that I am used to looking at throttle and 2v just surging forward. No 4v Ducati to date has same low/mid range grunt delivery. There is plenty of it just for my taste in all wrong places on naked bike (I actually like it where it is on sports bike)
tbh a multi isn't exciting. Its fast, functional and can easily pull stonking wheelies in the right hands (not mine)
Now that is the description I can agree with. It is funny how same engine with little tweaks can be so different
I want one for the engine, electrickery, etc but it doesn't look as good as the SF. So I either get one of those second hand next year or splash out on the SF for Online and stuff
