1100S Quick Review

[duccarlos]

Got a chance to demo ride the 1100S on Saturday. My quick $0.02? Me no likey. I'm not going to trash it for the looks like all the other "purists" have. I consider it a natural evolution. Anyway, pros were mainly around the power and the Ohlins (no surpise there). Kept up pretty easily with the 848s that were leading the pack. Not many twisties in Florida, but it was planted on the few turns that the short ride had to offer.

Cons: ERGOS!! Now I understand the complaints about your manhood being less than comfortable. Where I would generally recommend new exhaust and tail chop for the old Monster, you have to and I mean HAVE TO change that seat. The angle is so agressive that my buddy's hands were numb. I expecting this from the 848, not the Monster. My other complaint might just be the specific bike I rode. You had to let out the clutch way far before it engaged the power. On those corners that I went into took me a while to power out of. Once the power engaged it took off, but that was a painful wait.

All in all, I don't think I would replace my old Monster with the new one unless they fix these issues. If I have to drop some extra cash just so that I can be just mildly comfortable, then forget it.

[Spidey]

My other complaint might just be the specific bike I rode. You had to let out the clutch way far before it engaged the power. On those corners that I went into took me a while to power out of. Once the power engaged it took off, but that was a painful wait.

I really disliked the clutch on the 1100 at first for exactly the same reason.  It's got a really late pick up.  After a few days riding, I figured it out and then ended up liking it a lot.  It was pretty easy to drag it with a single finger when riding hard, which I appreciated.  I found it easier to modulate the wheel hop that can accompany agressive downshifts.  It just took a coupla days to get used to.  I totally agree abou that seat.  It done gone broke my fun bits.   

[duccarlos]

I always laughed when other kept talking about getting crushed. It wasn't funny when I was on there. I ride up to see the guys of the CDC and that means 250 miles of boring highway riding. I could not imagine 3 to 4 hours of that.

[geoffduc]

Hey Carlos what's all this about crushed nut's 

When i rode the demo bike over the xmas holiday's i had no problem with the clutch and the shop had changed the seat so me no crushy nutties 

How's the "T" 

 

[duccarlos]

My nutties were definitely hurting.

[IdZer0]

Last week I did a short demo ride and the nut crushing is definitely something you immediately notice.  I mentioned it to the dealer and he said, well you can solve it with the touring seat because it's higher. I guess Ducati found a new must-do mod besides the exhaust they can sell to you as an option .

The clutch late engagement is exactly like the one on my 695 so I don't know any better (or worse?). On my bike it's a bit annoying as they're non adjustable, but on the 1100 that's not an issue. I thought the late engagement was due to the slipper function of the 695, but as the 1100 has it too I wonder about what makes it this way (and why they chose to do it)

I found the ergonomics better then my bike. I've been comparing ergo's of my bike with both the S*R and 1100 but can't find what it is that makes it SO different. Both the 1100 and my buddy's S4R are a walk in the park compared to my bike (causing me pain in the hip and knee when riding 2+ hours). If the 1100S wasn't that overpriced I seriously would have bought one last week!

[duccarlos]

I believe the only difference is the seat between the S4R and the 695.

[geoffduc]

I believe the only difference is the seat between the S4R and the 695.

Carlos you are so right.

On the 695 the seat was lower.  I think it was to encourage shorter riders onto monsters. 

 

[duccarlos]

There might be some thing else, like risers or something, but I can't think of anything.

[Spidey]

I found the ergonomics better then my bike. I've been comparing ergo's of my bike with both the S*R and 1100 but can't find what it is that makes it SO different. Both the 1100 and my buddy's S4R are a walk in the park compared to my bike (causing me pain in the hip and knee when riding 2+ hours). If the 1100S wasn't that overpriced I seriously would have bought one last week!

In addition to the seat, aren't the footpegs in the s*r and the 695 in different positions?  They're different.  Also, aren't the bars different as well?  Both of those will make a big difference.

As for the 1100 ergos, I've said my piece about 'em previously:  awesome for hard riding, ouchie on the meat rocket for loping around.  http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=13509.0

[duccarlos]

Yep, pretty much what I thought, except for the suspension. Ohlins are good on the street, but I can just imagine how good they would be on the track. I wish Ducati would being the 1100S to the track like they do for the HM. Something I did forget to mention was the you have a better view over the front due to the lack of huge cluster. That's definitely a pro.

[IdZer0]

In addition to the seat, aren't the footpegs in the s*r and the 695 in different positions?  They're different.  Also, aren't the bars different as well?  Both of those will make a big difference.

Seat hight doesn't feel different to me whatever people say about it. I've compared both my OEM seat, with the DP Gel seat and the seat on an S*R, they all feel the same to me.

The footpegs are more out to the side on DSS bikes and that is the one thing I can surely say is bad for (my) ergonomics. On top of that the Sidi boots I wear, are wide at the ankels  which put my ankels more out than the toes.

The weird thing is because the 695 is more  focused on beginners & short people (bike sits lower & bars have more sweep,...) I would have thought it would be easier for me (being 5'7"  with 30" inseam) than the S*R, but it isn't. The 1100 is totally different, so I was expecting an improvement there ,but actually it felt a lot like the S*R to me.
On my bike I absolutely need to lean forward to have a good front-rear weight balance and keep my arms loose, on the S*R and 1100 I could sit up more straight and the bars where easier to reach.

Maybe the short rides weren't long enough to give a correct impression on the 1100 and S*R.

[sfarchie]

It's interesting you thought the clutch was such a reach. I had a 696 and I had the hardest time with that until I changed to CRG adjustable levers. With my 1100S, I find it catching almost at the point of release. Even my buddy who bought my 696 liked the clutch on the 1100 better. My biggest gripe is I can't get into neutral as easily as the 696. Maybe still need some more breaking in. At 2300 miles it did loosen up a bit, but more would be nice.

As for the ergo, I swapped out the seat immediately to the DP touring seat. Did a 360 mile one day ride on it and I think I'm still fertile.

[dne1810]

It's interesting you thought the clutch was such a reach. I had a 696 and I had the hardest time with that until I changed to CRG adjustable levers. With my 1100S, I find it catching almost at the point of release. Even my buddy who bought my 696 liked the clutch on the 1100 better. My biggest gripe is I can't get into neutral as easily as the 696. Maybe still need some more breaking in. At 2300 miles it did loosen up a bit, but more would be nice.

As for the ergo, I swapped out the seat immediately to the DP touring seat. Did a 360 mile one day ride on it and I think I'm still fertile.

you might want to check that N thing with your dealer.. have my 1100S since February, broke just over 1000 miles and from day 1 never had issue with N.

[ungeheuer]

.....My biggest gripe is I can't get into neutral as easily as the 696. Maybe still need some more breaking in. At 2300 miles it did loosen up a bit, but more would be nice.

Interesting.  I'm finding exactly the same thing.  On my 696 I could pop it into neutral first time every time but on my 1100S I have to sit there like an idiot flicking up and down between 1st and 2nd hunting for neutral.  Very annoying.  Did yours resolve itself?  Was it just a getting used to thing?  Or did you have it sorted at your dealer?  Mine has only done 500kms so far....  and its possible I have created/magnified the issue coz I have fitted Pazzo levers and Rizoma rear-sets... um?