Just saw the Monster 1100 Evo in person

[csorin]

And it is NICE!  These might sway me to the new Monster fold.  It looks like a raging little ball of muscle.  There are little details throughout the bike that make it pop as a whole.  The headers look fantastic, the stance is spot on, and the seat with it's new materials and red stitching is a class act.  If I was in the market, I'd be eying this bad boy over the Streetfighter.  

The pictures don't do the bike justice.  It looks like a squat little death machine.  Very muscular, stance like it's ready to take off.  

This is the version they had in the shop.  Fulll ABS, red and white paint, the business:

[ChrisH]

I just got back from the austin tx launch event, and I agree. I love the headers, but hate the cans. I may have to give my wife the 696 and buy the new evo for myself.

[csorin]

Y'know, the cans didn't bother me.  They actually look pretty spiffy from the rear.  Nicely done outlets.

What are people paying OTD for these?  It's not going to happen, but hey, maybe in a few years my 620 will need a bigger brother

[El-Twin]

I agree about the looks, the muscular stance, the ram's-horn headers, etc. I don't even mind the cans that much, now that I've gotten used to them vs the twin under-tail stingers. They'll probably get swapped-out eventually anyway.

But, to me, here's the real question: Is the plastic tank a deal-killer?

I'm serious. How wise is it to plunk down $12K on a new machine with a known design flaw? Should a $200.00 Caswell treatment be part of the negotiations? Will that be a permanent fix?

I'm close to going down to my local dealer with my piggy-bank under my arm, but I'm worried about making a lame-@$$ mistake at the same time. A year from now I don't want to be thinking that "I should have known better."

Can anybody help me to feel better about this?

[Bishamon]

I took one for a ride last Monday, and the headers don't look as bad in person, for some reason, but I still don't like the exhaust; it seems to mute the sound more than my 796.  This might be due to the location being lower down, but I prefer the sound of my 796, at least in stock form.  The gap at the rear looks a little strange, too, but it might be because I am used to two MASSIVE cans being in there. 

[ChrisH]

Knock on wood but my 696 tank is ok, but I also ride daily rain or shine. From what I can tell, it's the bikes that sit around frequently that have the expanding issue due to the way that ethanol starts separating and such. I could be crazy but that's what I have understood. Besides, if all you really cared about was reliability and ease of maintenance you'd buy a ninja 250 or the likes.

[flare_late]

Do the late model Monsters (2010 and up) have this same tank problem?  If so, it seems as though Ducati would have already found a solution.

[El-Twin]

The new models have the same problem. The plastic material for the tank remains the same as it has been. Taking on this risk, to me, needs to be seriously considered before bringing an expensive new machine into the family stable.

Just read the posts of owners who are on their 2nd or 3rd tank and considering parting ways with their Ducs.

[Dave R]

just an FYI the tank material used on the 696/796/1100 is not the same material as the SC series or S*R series.   
We have not seen any on going issues with any of these generation tanks.   

[muskrat]

just an FYI the tank material used on the 696/796/1100 is not the same material as the SC series or S*R series.   
We have not seen any on going issues with any of these generation tanks.   

I did see one 696 expansion but then again it's ridden very infrequently too.  The panels were being pushed which I thought was odd.

[thought]

i think there have been reports of expansion in the new monsters too... there was someone that said his m1100 expanded in the plastic tank thread.

[Bishamon]

i think there have been reports of expansion in the new monsters too... there was someone that said his m1100 expanded in the plastic tank thread.

I have heard of two people whose current-gen tanks had expanded resulting in fuel leakage.  One of them had their engine case repainted under warranty because of the damage the gasoline caused.

[Dave R]

we have only seen one 696 that had an issue around the fuel pump flange area. It seemed that the surface may have warped but could have been a result over over torquing the pump mounting hardware.   So far that's the only one we have seen an issue with.  We haven't seen panels not fitting properly of moving..  we'll keep an eye out

[danaid]

just an FYI the tank material used on the 696/796/1100 is not the same material as the SC series or S*R series.   
We have not seen any on going issues with any of these generation tanks.   

  The material used must not have been altered much because my 696's tank has expanded to the point that it has wedged into the rear "pocket" and the tank has to be removed with a mallot. I feel that many of the owners of new monsters don't notice the expansion because they are covered by skins.
 This is my first Monster and maybe my last. My dealer does not want to do anything about the tank and I have since told them to "F" off when I finally had enough of them.

[DucNaked]

  The material used must not have been altered much because my 696's tank has expanded to the point that it has wedged into the rear "pocket" and the tank has to be removed with a mallot. I feel that many of the owners of new monsters don't notice the expansion because they are covered by skins.
 This is my first Monster and maybe my last. My dealer does not want to do anything about the tank and I have since told them to "F" off when I finally had enough of them.

It hasn't changed the US tanks are made from the same shit. We've had this discussion in the tank expansion thread. I'm to lazy to find the link.