Ducati Monster Forum

Hi I am getting back into motorcycling after many years. i just turned 50 so going threw mid life crisis, lol. I desperatly want a monster, a friend lent me his 09 hypermotard 1100, wow love everything about it, especially riding position. After sitting on the monster at the dealership, it feels too far foward compared to the hyper. I really want the mobster(traction cntrll, anti locks).is there any way to make the monster feel like the hyper as far as riding position? thanks.

Welcome  [thumbsup]

Maybe the new HyperMotard? It has ABS and TC.

The Monster can be modified with higher bars or risers, some bars have more sweep back and will put you in an upright position + more ergonomic wrist angles.

Either way - don't worry - we'll be able to help you get through mid life with a smile on your face 8)

It will never feel the same no matter what mods you do.  I'd suggest riding a newer monster with the comfort seat or one made by Sargent.   The older I get he more upright I seem to want to ride so if you're like me consider the distances you plan on riding.  I made the mistake of saying short rides and found myself at the dealership two months later trading in a bike and losing a grand for my mistake.  My personal opinion is that the mortars will offer better confidence while riding especially since you've been out a while.  Good luck and post pictures!

The Hyper's upright riding position sucks on the highway.  The slightly leaned forward position like the Monster is better for a naked bike.

If you just turned 50 and you don't have any physical limitations or disabilities then not to worry. You'll do fine on the Monster. I'm over sixty and ride a 848. It's fine for the most part but gets a little tiring riding over 100 miles but I think I'd say the same thing about most bikes. My friend has a Hyper that I ride from time to time and I actually find the upright position worse after a while. It makes me slouch more and I have to concentrate on holding myself upright. Like the others have said, if it comes to it you can raise the bars.

that's weird because when I sat on a hypermotard I felt like I was sitting on the handlebars.

this might help you:  http://cycle-ergo.com/ (http://cycle-ergo.com/)

I've ridden both.
I think when mikedan says 'forward' he means leaned forward, as in with his weight on the handlebars.

You can put big bar risers an swept bars on a monster, but then you look like a V-strom owner and who needs that?
If you like the riding position of the Hyper, you'll be happier if you just buy the Hyper.

ride the diavel i've heard the riding position is even more comfortable

I'm 53 and just picked up a 2001 Monster 750.  The first couple of minutes on the bike, I feel like I'm leaning too far forward.  After that, it feels great--longest ride I've done straight is 100 miles or so.  I may try the 1" or so bar risers, but I haven't decided yet.  The M750 makes me smile--great bike.  Go for a test ride on a Monster.  I think you'll be surpised how comfortable they are once you give it a few minutes.

The base seating position of the Monster and the Hyper are quite different. If you look at the link Privateer posted, you'll see. On the Hyper, your hip socket is basically inline (vertically) with the clutch cover. On the monster the same point on your body is several inches behind that clutch cover leading to greater reach for to the bars.

Where you park you ass can't really be changed. But as noted you could change a number of things to lessen the reach to the bars, allowing for a more upright torso. Bar risers or varied heights can be purchased. A little rise is no big deal, but add enough rise and it might require new front brake lines FYI as you won't have enough length to make the reach. There are also different bars that you could try with a more swept back profile to lessen the reach as well.

The Diavel is quite comfy and your torso will be much more upright. Just watch out for the sport/full mode until your back in your spurs a bit more. At full power with the more agressive throttle mapping that pregnant dog takes off when you twist it. Illicited  an "Oh Shit!" out of me when I decided to she what it had in a 3rd gear quick roll on.

Thanks for the input, Ill test ride the monster, does anyone know how much more the rizoma conical touring bars are swept back?

For what it's worth, this is a Rizoma bar on my M796 and Sargent seat. I'm 66 going on 106, (don't ask  8)), and this is very comfortable over 55 MPH. The bar has ~ 2" more sweep than stock and ~ 5/8" more rise. A 796 already has the greatest rise. If you want an 1100 Evo, you can still fit a 796 riser. The Tech Spec pads are helpful at low speeds to keep you off the "tank". Another 10mm of rise would be nice, but more might throw off the handling. This position is still aggressive but without being painful. The Sargent is flatter than stock and wider at the rear as well.
(http://gallery.leica-users.org/d/282951-1/Rt_-Above.jpg)

are the the rizoma touringbars? and is that the low seat from sargent or regular?

They are 28", so similar to a 27" BMW /6 Euro bar from the 70's with a bit more sweep. I wouldn't call them "touring".

That's the standard Sargent new Monster seat. I'm 5' 8" and it's OK. Low would not give you much foam. There isn't a ton of padding in this one, but I can ride it a lot farther than my custom Triumph Sargent because the shape is better. http://www.sargentcycle.com/ducws6961000.htm (http://www.sargentcycle.com/ducws6961000.htm)

The reason I was asking is I was looking at monsterpars.com, they show 2 types of conical handlebars, standard and touring, I was wondering which u have. Thanks for the help.

None are really touring. That's his terminology. I believe mine are MA008. http://www.rizoma.com/universal/handlebars/ma005-008-010/en?MOTO=50412177-50462984-R (http://www.rizoma.com/universal/handlebars/ma005-008-010/en?MOTO=50412177-50462984-R) Click on Technical Info.

Ahhh... My dealer got mine here. More info. You have to drill holes for the locating pegs on the controls. Had all this done before I picked up the bike. Not my first Ducati. Everything in my signature line was installed prior to delivery. http://www.motovationusa.com/mvstore/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=562 (http://www.motovationusa.com/mvstore/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=562)

I'm 73 and own a Monster 1100S.  I find it comfortable at speed but a little less in town.  I can easily do 350 miles and could probably do 500.  I test rode a Hypermotard and found the seating position great but it was tiring trying to hold on over 70. 

From time to time I think I would be better off with the Hyper but at the end of the day I'm pleased with the monster.