My first experience with a Monster

[alligator]

I picked up a Monster 1100 today, my first Ducati and my first Monster.  I'm coming from two Yamaha motorcycles as just an average rider and I thought I'd share my initial ride impressions for anyone considering an '09 Monster.  I've put just under 100 miles on it, so this is only an initial impression:

First, the engine sound freaked out my daughter, who was standing with my wife at the dealership.  She immediately started crying and ran away.  I was a little worried about her, but later considered that a good sign.  I bought the bike for the fun, sound, looks, and style.  The engine noise is a part of that experience.  I'll just have to get my daughter used to it.  After all, it is a Monster!

The clutch does not make as much noise as I thought it would.  I had read up on dry clutches and watched countless Youtube videos, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.  I was actually looking forward to the sound, so I'll have to look into getting a new cover to replace the stock cover.

The seat could be a little more comfortable.  It is a good thing we weren't planning on having more kids . . .

When I removed the seat, I found the usual tiny tool kit that's all but worthless, except a few small wrenches.  I wish there was enough room under there for the owner's manual, since I'm sure I'm going to forget how to set something on the instrument cluster.

The instrument cluster is a whole 'nother beast.  There are quite a few settings, including settings for track use that I'll probably never use.  It's nice to have them and I hope to play around with the settings some day.  Computerized gauges are nice, but it increases the complexity of the bike.

Even though this is an 1100, it still needs a Termi exhaust mod.  There is power there, but not as much as I'm used to.  The dealer also offered to remove something from the engine at the 600 mile tune-up that is used for emission control, which supposedly improves performance.  I'm not sure about that, but I think I will get a 14 tooth gear installed.

The engine provides absolutely no heat to my legs.  On a 40 degree (F) day today, it was very, very cold riding home from the dealership.  I'm used to bikes that cook my legs.

This is my first naked bike.  I'm very, very impressed.  The engine is a LOT different than an in-line four.  I still don't understand what people mean when they talk about the torque being there on this bike, but I know I'm certainly going to enjoy riding her.

[TiNi]

congratulations! 

how old is your daughter? she may end up loving the sound... in that case, you may be in trouble 

enjoy the 1100  [moto]

[fastwin]

Very cool! Congrats on the new scooter. I own several Ducs and inline 4 Jap sportbikes, they are completely different animals. Don't even bother to compare them, just enjoy the new experience. Have fun owning, riding and modding your bike. They did warn you about the modding disease... didn't they? The fact that you mentioned new Termis and clutch cover mods I think we can all see that you are already infected. Good luck curing that! [moto]

[alligator]

My daughter is almost three years old, which is why the sudden roar scared her.  For me, it was pure bliss.

Yeah, these are the mods I'm already looking at:

New clutch cover
New seat to make riding more comfortable
Termi's
14 tooth gear
Possibly different mirrors, I'm not sure

This will be a blast!

[TiNi]

she'll get used to it.... and probably BeG you to fire it up for her sooner than you think

as for you... you're doomed. you've already got the bug 

[herm]

First, the engine sound freaked out my daughter, who was standing with my wife at the dealership.  She immediately started crying and ran away.  I was a little worried about her, but later considered that a good sign.  I bought the bike for the fun, sound, looks, and style.  The engine noise is a part of that experience.  I'll just have to get my daughter used to it.  After all, it is a Monster!

The clutch does not make as much noise as I thought it would.  I had read up on dry clutches and watched countless Youtube videos, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.  I was actually looking forward to the sound, so I'll have to look into getting a new cover to replace the stock cover.
it will as soon as you open up the clutch
The seat could be a little more comfortable.  It is a good thing we weren't planning on having more kids . . .

When I removed the seat, I found the usual tiny tool kit that's all but worthless, except a few small wrenches.  I wish there was enough room under there for the owner's manual, since I'm sure I'm going to forget how to set something on the instrument cluster.

The instrument cluster is a whole 'nother beast.  There are quite a few settings, including settings for track use that I'll probably never use.  It's nice to have them and I hope to play around with the settings some day.  Computerized gauges are nice, but it increases the complexity of the bike.

Even though this is an 1100, it still needs a Termi exhaust mod.  There is power there, but not as much as I'm used to.  The dealer also offered to remove something from the engine at the 600 mile tune-up that is used for emission control, which supposedly improves performance.  I'm not sure about that, but I think I will get a 14 tooth gear installed.
the emissions canister will not help performance at all. it wont hurt performance to remove it either. but the bike will look better without it.
the 14t sprocket, on the other hand, is the single best bang for the buck mod you can do to a monster
The engine provides absolutely no heat to my legs.  On a 40 degree (F) day today, it was very, very cold riding home from the dealership.  I'm used to bikes that cook my legs.

This is my first naked bike.  I'm very, very impressed.  The engine is a LOT different than an in-line four.  I still don't understand what people mean when they talk about the torque being there on this bike, but I know I'm certainly going to enjoy riding her.
wring the throttles neck a little...you will feel the torque goodness

[needtorque]

The difference is that the jap 4 cylinder bikes typically wont lift the front wheel at 4500 rpm but the twin can and has many times to me on accident. 

[alligator]

Now I understand.

[LA]

My wife still cries every time I start mine up.

LA

[gearhead]

 Man, some times a picture doesn't do the red bikes justice but some like yours sure do, as it does in real life. I owned a red vfr until a few days ago too and I didn't want another red bike but it sure looks nice.

[Howie]

She will get used to it.  In a while she will cry when the bike starts because Daddy is leaving ans smile when she hears the bike come home.

Congrats!

[somegirl]

She will get used to it.  In a while she will cry when the bike starts because Daddy is leaving ans smile when she hears the bike come home.

Our dogs love the sound of Ducs.

[sfarchie]

Full termis with silencers out will really make your daughter cry. If you think the sound is nice now, just wait till you get your termis. 

Said it before and will say it again. More kids or not, get the DP touring seat. Best non-cosmetic mod!

Congrats!

[DoubleEagle]

Bike looks real nice. It will take a while for you to get the Japanese bike ways out of your system but when you do then you will love your Monster.    Dolph   

[dne1810]

Full termis with silencers out will really make your daughter cry. If you think the sound is nice now, just wait till you get your termis. 

Said it before and will say it again. More kids or not, get the DP touring seat. Best non-cosmetic mod!

Congrats!

agreed!>. I got the DP Touring seat as it's harder and won't go flat like the factory seat + my balls love me I didn't get full termi but the slip-ons with the silencers out and sound mean! (I bought the first 1100S here in Dallas and they didn't get the full kit until a couple of weeks ago). Today I added a DP clutch plate + speedymoto clutch cover and replaced this big blinkers with the DP LEDs..

coming from an S2R 800 I absolutely love the 1100S