Ducati Monster Forum

Im looking at a monster for some nice local riding, enjoying the roads etc... I was looking at the triumph and bmw as well but always wanted a ducati. Any pros cons, did you have something before you can give me a comparison to, any change and come back or change and be happy you left the monster family?
thanks
AC

also i am from Long Island NY

Which model / year you are thinking?

Have no idea to be honest, open to suggestions, was thinking of a newer or brand new bike

I have owned in line 4, V4, parallel twin, V twin and L twin (Ducati) engined bikes. Twin cylinder or even triple are good street bikes. I have owned US, British, Japanese and Italian bikes. Ducatis are consistently the lightest bikes per engine capacity. I found 4 cylinder bikes are frustrating to ride on the road at anything resembling legal speeds. I have a GSXR750 for the track .

Here's a question to guide you. Do you prefer the character of a V8 or turbo four in a car motor?
The Ducati L twin motor is intoxicating and addictive in character. The bikes are agile and look exotic. From 1990 the larger engined Ducatis ran 320mm discs and 4 piston Brembos like you see on upgraded sports cars.

If you like technically advanced exotica and have  the funds to back it up then consider the four valves water cooled Monsters, if you like elegant simplicity then go for an 1100 or 1100evo air cooled Monster. If sheer grunt isn't a high priority then the air cooled 797 is an option. If you're a young guy and a bit hipster then check out the Scrambler range.

If you are thinking to buy a brand new, the best thing you can do is to find a dealer demo bike and test ride it.

Because, there are certain "negatives" that come with (pretty much) all Monsters.

Such as, lumpy, not really usable bottom end (right off the idle) power / torque, engine puts out so much heat (especially reas cylinder) if you get caught in congested city traffic ( if you are a all weather rider, this means rain drop > fuel tank > exhaust / engine > big steam coming up from under your helmet when you are not moving), don't do tight turns really well, etc, etc.

The flip side of the coin is, that the bike made me think again about riding, hard and long, about the way they ( pretty much all Ducaties) should be ridden (about their steering geometry / characteristics).
I get more fun out of it, by riding, by wrenching, by thinking and cleaning about it.

Im 46, use to race cars , love german engineering , have an r3 for the track.

 [thumbsup]

I started with a 400 twin, worked my way up the food chain (650 twin, 750 I-4, 1000 I-4) to get to where I'm at now... a 796 L-twin.  I sold my CBR1000F off some years ago specifically to buy a Ducati... and I loved my CBR.  I originally wanted an ST to replace the CBR (I had it set up to sport tour...) but life got in the way.  10 years later, a friend of mine has a 3-year old Monster 796 at a give-away price... so, why not?  I found I love the little thing... and although it doesn't have the brute power the CBR had on the top end, I've traded that off for a very nimble motorcycle that is a joy to ride about town, puts a stupid smile on my face every time I swing a leg over it, and is greater than the sum of it's parts.  Granted, it is NOT a sport tourer... and I probably look like an elephant on a peanut when I ride it (I'm 6'2"...) but for 90% of what and why I ride, it works very, very well.  My Monster is the last of the 2-valve, air-cooled Monsters... only available now in the 797, which I'm glad for, but there is certainly a case to be made for the newer water-cooled, 4-valve motors.

Much of the Ducati depends on what you want to do with it.  Is the Ducati a 'reasonable' choice?  Probably not, not compared to most other motorcycles.... it's more of a passionate choice.

Okay, then, here's another question.

Do you like rear wheel drive car? FR, RR, MR, doesn't matter which.
DO you enjoy (or do you think you'd enjoy) good old school rear wheel drive car with mechanical 2-way LSD, in a series of tight switch back corners?

If the answer is yes, there's a (very) good chance of you falling love with Monster.

It is the feeling of the vehicle turns around  the tight corners on the throttle, almost feels like the vehicle is pivoting around on the rear wheel.

If you prefer FF, or full time 4x4, then you don't get the same kind of excitement.
(Though, you may still enjoy / like Ducati, for a different reason.)

R3. That's light and precise [thumbsup]. German engineering. Well then, desmodromics were used by Mercedes in F1.
It will be interesting to hear your ride impressions of an 1100 monster Vs an 821 or 1200 monster. The air cooled 1100 is ridiculously light and sharp for that capacity and the water cooled 821/1200 has a sophisticated and refined engine in comparison.

I've often wondered if there is a marked difference between the two variations... I've not had the chance to ride a water-cooled Monster.  For that matter, I'd love to try a 1100...

I had the 796 out today... quick 60mi trip up to see some friends, and back again.  Just easing along at 70mph... and that sound.  Exhaust note, engine mechanicals, gear changes, intake honk.  Yea, ok, the occasional burp through the intake, too...  Just music to me ears...

Im more about enjoying the turns than top speed. I always wanted a duc and have been eyeing a monster or the supersport.  Im not touring so much but would like to go out for 2/3 hours and enjoy the ride.

The Monster is absolutely capable of that...

Koko hit on it... "ridiculously light and sharp..."  and that's why I don't miss the brute power of my CBR1000 so much, because the trade off for that power and weight is.... ridiculously light and sharp.

thanks for all the info.

Let us know how you go and your impressions should you test ride. [thumbsup]

I sought out a Monster as my first bike specifically because of how they ride, the light weight, and their linear power. I didn't want a big or heavy bike or something with any kind of rubberband power delivery, I almost bought an SV650 but I couldn't pass up the Monster or the price.

My little 800 Monster was my first bike. I too almost opted for the SV650. If I were to do it all over again right now I'd have gotten the 1000. You might want to take a look at what KTM is putting out these days. They have a spiffy 799 and 899 Duke. Those are bikes you could grow into and maybe keep forever.

I bought my Monster 1200S after riding a Honda CBR 250R. About six months after buying the Monster I bought a KTM 790 Duke.

The Monster is a bike with high gearing, and an engine that doesn't like low revs. It is a rumbly, grumbly bike with loads of character that you have to learn how to ride well. You will become good friends with your clutch. Here in Dallas it cooks me in the summer. The sound is special. If hearing the engine crank up doesn't put a smile on your face, get a different bike.

It reminds me of my '87 911 Carrera 3.2. It felt like no other car and did not suffer fools, but once mastered it was incredibly rewarding to drive.

The KTM by comparison is like hitting the easy button. Within a mile on my test ride I was flicking the thing around corners. Light clutch, low gearing, and 65lbs lighter than my Monster. It feels more playful and less serious than the Monster. However in terms of quality and looks there is no comparison.

Good luck,

1st bike was a '87 CBR 600 Hurricane.
(https://raresportbikesforsale.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Hurricane_1-600x450.jpg)
 
2nd Bike was a '95 FZR 600
(https://i.wheelsage.org/pictures/y/yamaha/unsorted/yamaha_unsorted_562.jpeg)
 
Then the '93 Monster 800 Dark.