Ducati Monster Forum

So I've been riding for just over 2yrs now and most of it has been on my 620 (bought it 2 months after I got my license)

I've taken my wife out a few times while we were dating, it's a bit tight for her since she's about 5'8 and we usually have to stop every 30 mins or so to stretch, so obviously we don't ride very far. Planning on getting a bigger bike sometime next year, but in the mean time I was thinking about renting an R1200T and suprising her with a weekend trip through Hill Country ....worst idea in the world?

I understand there is obviously a signficant increase in weight and power, I'm just wondering how the bike "carries" these things......is it a complete no-go? or is it something that can be managed with a few hours of practice and some level-headed, conservative riding?

Thanks for the feedback, hopefully it isn't too stupid a question

i think you'll be surprised something that heavy can handle the twisties so effortlessly...

i've known some r1200rt and r1200r riders that had no problems keeping up with the fast group (and sometimes leaving them behind).

i don't think i've ever seen a t-model on the road.

I test rode an R1200RT a few years ago and it was a fine machine. It's definitely heavier, so it's slower at turn in and not as quick changing directions, but once out on the road it was responsive with plenty of power predictable handling and nice wind protection from the adjustable windscreen. The suspension on the RT is interesting as well, so you don't get the geometry changing if you brake while cornering, nor do you get the nose dive. The switchgear took a little getting used to, but overall I would buy one if I didn't already have too many motorcycles and not enough garage space.

I also rode with an experienced rider who was on an R11RT through the foothills and after some pretty aggressive corners and switchbacks, I looked in my rear view expecting him to be way back, but he was right on my rear tire the whole time. They do have impressive handling.

See that's the thing, I KNOW these bikes are quite capable with enough practice....my question is how easy it is to make the transition for someone who's used to riding smaller bikes. I wouldn't mind if it was just me, but consider I will be riding 2 up

I know some of that might depend on the rider, I'm just trying to find out what to expect from those who have made the transition. Thanks!

this is what I was looking for, thanks!

I would thing the rental outfit would let you take it for a short ride by yourself.
Try it solo before you commit to a two-up ride.

They're big and heavy.
I've ridden a recent R-bike two-up, OK bike but too slow and slushy for me.
If I had the $ I'd get a K bike for 2-up riding.

Interesting, there is also a K1200 available for rental for not much more $, I didn't look at it because it had ~40hp extra.....are you saying it might be a better option because it handles better?

I'm not looking to rip it up

When I had two years of riding experience, I was 14, and that was over 30 years ago.
So... my feedback on the difference between my Monster S4 and BMW R and K... may not be so useful to you.

Giving it a bit more thought, I'd say rent the bike for a day and ride it solo.
Then decide if you want to go for the 2-up trip.

.....the transition to the R1200RT is EASY!  What you'll find is that low speed steering is much much better and easier making you less nervous than you thought.  Go around the block a couple of times and get moving.  You'll enjoy it, I sure did.

 8)

I rented a Goldwing 20 years ago. It's still a great memory.

It's not hard to maneuver at all.
My then GF, at 5' 4" 110 lbs, rode it as her first two wheeler - with me in the back.
Just a small ride on a straight empty road, but it says something about how easy it can be.

Just think about the consequences - she will not stop until you buy one ;)

The K1200 is like 200 lbs heavier and I didn't like the balance with different motor.

My triumph ST is 530lbs and I can rock it as hard as the Monster. They handle themselves as well as you can handle them. You should be fine.

Excellent thread.

Without going off on all the many different touring bikes available, anybody add input on how Ducati's touring offerings are, two up? Specifically, ST 2,3,4 & Multistrada?

   I went from a Monster 695 to a ST3(stolen) to a Multistrada and finally a BMW K1200GT. The wife started riding with me more and we wanted to go further so we bought the BMW. The only time you feel the extra weight is picking it up off of the kickstand. We ride twistys in Arkansas all the time with no trouble. I've passed sport bikes with the wife on the back and the side bags packed full. The bike is rock solid in the corners. Not real flickable on tight stuff, but on big sweepers you can keep up with about anything.
  The BMW also has ESA, heated seats and grips,ABS and goes like a Gixxer! Having said that, it's not a FUN bike. It does everthing very well but it's no Monster.

   Dont waste your time with the RT. The GT has more legroom and HP.


  I really didn't like the ST3. The ergo's killed me. Looked good, ran good, but painful to ride over 500 miles a day. I'm 47, probably a good touring bike for someone younger.
  I put 12,000 miles on a '07 Multi. It was a really good bike. Not as good two-up as the BMW. The bad thing about it was it was ugly  ;D

 

I would say it would be harder to go from solo to two up on the 620 than it would be to go from 620 to R1200RT.  So figure out if you are comfortable with the RT first. Putting a passenger on the RT will not affect you as much as putting one onthe 620 did.

A buddy of mine and his wife took an R1200T on trade recently, right before he and his wife moved to Oregon.

He's been riding it quite a bit. And loves it. So much that he's selling his Electra Glide - which says a lot, since he's (well, was) a diehard Harley guy.

If H-D ever got off their duffs and built a touring V-Rod based on the VRSCR chassis, I think it would be awesome.....

That bike won't notice a passenger near as much as the monster, and if it's like all the other bmw's I've been on it should have an adjustable preload knob in the rear, which helps when loading up for a weekend. I think you'll find it's probably pretty easy to ride, and very competent. I would still spend a little time on it sans passenger. Be aware it probably has some decent get up and go.


Let us know how it goes.

Great feedback, thanks again all!

I went from a Vespa bought in December 2005 to a Monster 620 bought in January 2006 to a Monster 696 bought in May 2009 to a Multistrada 1200ST bought in July of this year. The Multi is definitely about as tall as I can manage and has nearly double the HP of the 696, but it's extremely easy to ride.

I've never ridden a BMW and have only been 2-up a couple of times on the 620 (wife strongly prefers to ride her own Monster). However, I've spoken with lots of people who've ridden both the MTS1200 and the BMW R1200 and my impression is that there are many similarities when it comes to riding. If a newb like me has no difficulty moving from a Monster to a Multi 1200, I suspect going to a R1200 would be little different.

I have 38K miles on my ST3, compared to other so called sport tour bike out there it is a better machine, hands down, assuming you want the sport in your touring. Like a trip to Indy GP, where you get to ride the twistys of VA,WV, SE Ohio and then another ~200 miles on the superslab. My GF and I have ridden the ST3 on multiple 2K long weekend trips, it's been to Barber and back all on back twisty roads, Road America twice, Springfield mile, 2up on the track at Mid-ohio, where we saw 130+ on the back straight, and to numerous other locations on 3-4 day trips. It is a better motor than the ST4 because the power is right for the street, the only complaint I had was to get to the powerband in 6th you are doing 86MPH, I went up 3 teeth in the rear, perfect. It was already the lightest of the breed, I put on different wheels and DP exhaust. I am 5'9" with a 32" sleeve length, 30" inseam and the bike fits me perfectly, flat footed at rest, and 500 mile days in the mountains are easy, although I did add the cycle cat bar risers, developed BTW for Gary Eagan's record setting trip East to West coast. Why Ducati quit making the ST3 is beyond me, not enough sales I guess. Here is a thoguht for you at the Indy GP this year, at the DOC central hotel, the STs in the parking lot outnumbered all the other models by a wide margin. Don't get me wrong I love my monsters and the ST3 won't quite tear up the back roads like my monsters, but it's close, and you have the added advantage of luggage and the ability to hop on the Super Slab if you have to. I think the older MTS is also a fine machine, just kinda fugly. The new MTS maybe the ultimate, sadly it does not fit me, my days of tippy toes ended when I got rid of my BMW K bike. - Gene

Gene, I fully agree with you and the assessment of the ST series bikes....the problem is the fact that there aren't a lot of places that rent Ducati's and much less ST's...

as a sidenote, also worth considering for a rental for the weekend for you and the wifey...the Honda ST1300 is a very capable machine if you find that as an offering...not sure which outfit or where you are looking, but some places have a nice machine or few for offering outside the normal Harley and BMW regularities.....

or perhaps make life easy on yourself and just rent a Can-Am Spyder....

Thanks for the suggestion on the Honda, but the BMW seems to be the only rental option available here (other than a Harley, which is a no-no for me)

Also, for those who haven't seen it, this is a very cool vid on the 1200 BMW R1200RT (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlNSwiTgjIM#normal)

Welcome to my backroads [thumbsup]

My response was directed at the question which was asked in the quote, namely "anybody add input on how Ducati's touring offerings are, two up? Specifically, ST 2,3,4 & Multistrada?"

As for the Honda ST, that thing weighs as much as my Victory Kingpin, and I've ridden one, it is work on a back country road. I would be glad to have an informed discussion about the current so called Sport Tourers, IMHO there are only two on the market the Ducati MTS and the Triumph ST. - Gene

I assume you are talking just in terms of current offerings new or relatively speaking from a dealer??(which btw, the Sprint is now the GT, not the ST) if so, what about the FJR? BMW R1200S?  MotoGuzzi Norge? Honda NT700V?(though it is underpowered IMHO by alot) just to name a couple...

Even BMW does not think the R1200S is a sport tourer, the FJR and the MG need to go on a diet. To me that is what is so exciting about the new MTS, Ducati gets it, Sport Touring with plenty of power, and under 450lbs in touring trim, while everyone else has bloated their lineup to ~650 lbs. And look what Honda did to the VFR probably the bike that set the mark for years.  I admit the MTS price is up there and so is the seat height for that matter, but for those of us that appreciate a Sport Tourer that spends more time on the back roads than the Interstate, they got it right IMHO, it will be a watershed bike in history is my prediction. - Gene

My best buddy lives where I used to live, 6 miles from Laguna Seca.   I rode my S4 there last year, he wanted to ride it, go ahead.   He goes about 100 feet and breaks the chain, actually, he didn't break it, it just broke.   He was just putting along.   He felt so bad he let me ride his '08 FLHTC Hardley Ableson to the races the next day.   The radio works OK.   It was very, very loud.    It's pretty damn heavy.   You don't go anywhere in any particular hurry.   And........it was OK.  I'm sure my old lady wouldn't mind sitting on the back, big leather seats, speakers in the saddlebag fronts, and the tail box held 2 helmets.  But, I was really careful turning that pig around in the dirt outside of turn 11 on the side of the hill, I wouldn't recommend that for inexperienced riders, for sure.  

I've ridden a Gold Wing Interstate before, not too bad a ride.   Same deal, don't be in any big hurry, and you'll get there in comfort.  

As for comparing these pigs to a Monster of any sort, oranges or apples.  

Almost forgot.   I've ridden a few K100 series bikes, my brothers K100C, which had a little tiny Monster style fairing, an RS, and an RT.   They are all lighter than the behemoths I spoke of earlier, the RT is heavier than the other BMWs.    Again, they don't really compare with the Monsters or the real tour sleds.   Fly one and see.   In the next couple of years, I'm going to Europe on a motorcycle tour, and I'm not sure what I rent when I'm there.

I have a neighbor with a Kawasaki Nomad (shh, stop bashing), he has never had any trouble with it, got it for a great price, and it handles pretty well. We did a ride to the coast together a couple of summers ago up through the hills and twisties. He couldn't quite keep up as easily as if he had been on a sport bike, but he could lean that thing into the corners pretty far, and it handled really well (for a cruiser) with nary a problem the whole trip. I've tried it a few times, yes it is a bit different, and I started on a Honda Rebel as my first bike so maybe it is a little more natural for me to adjust back to it again, but I think it has a lot to do with just getting used to what your bike can do, and getting familiar with how it responds.

I would buy one just like it, or even his if the timing was right, the price was right and I had the cash (I don't). On the other hand I moved my dad's 2009 Harley Davidson Ultra classic full-dress a few times. Hated it. Too much shake, flt like it was going to fall apart, moved like a tank. I would never buy one of those, and have told my mother that if he passes away and leaves it to me the first thing I will do is take it straight down to the dealer and trade it in for cash, then ride straight to the local Ducati dealer and hand the cash over for something else more my style.

But, hey, thats just me and my experience. My real adice for you would be to go to a lot of dealers, tell them you are just looking and to go away while you sit on a few bikes, get in some rides on the ones you like. If they won't let you ride it before you buy it or commit to buy WALK OUT right then. That's total bull-excrement. I would even talk price before driving something first, its not even on the table until I have had the chance to give it a go on the pavement, and I don't mean around the parking lot.

The Doc