Ducati Monster 1198??

[muskrat]

good luck with that oil cooler on speed bumps, can they mount it any lower?

[muskrat]

I was hoping for something more like this from Ducati.
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?PHPSESSID=la4vutp7cvivjua2gr516ilg14&topic=43386.15

I concur Sir.  That's a bad ass Monster IMO.

[Vishwacorp]

I was just reading about this on Asphalt & Rubber, and came across a shot of the headlight. That looks new. Also, note the Streetfighter-style digital tachometer.
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/ducati-monster-s4-spy-shot/

[MadDuck]

also, on the topic of a few of the posts here asking why would they decide to drop the sf1098 and replace it with this.  Im wondering if it has anything to do with the handling of the 1098 sf.  Ive seen a few threads in various places that say the handling on that thing is sketchy. mostly speculation regarding geometry or chassis not a good fit with that much horsepower. Who knows.  I will say this. I personally know someone who worked at a ducati shop who trashed a 1098 sf.. and told me the same thing.

Im not hating on the sf, actually i like it alot.. and have been on the fence about it for the last 2 years. I just like the clean look of the monster more. But I must admit, i like the refined/precision elegance the sf seems to have over the monster (if you ride them back to back).

Maybe a few SF owners should chime in here.  I've only had less than 20 miles on one but had a chance to run through some fast turns.  I will say it was way better than any of the older Monsters and better than my old 999.  Two of the guys I ride with have 1098SFs and I never hear them complain about handling.  Like any of those big Testastettas you have to be careful about when and how you add gas or you'll get your ass handed to you.  Kind of like old big bore two stroke dirt bikes except you're on the road.   

[Fergus]

good luck with that oil cooler on speed bumps, can they mount it any lower?

Yeah, they need to call Mr. Duck-Stew to help place the oil cooler as ingeniously as he did on that 695->1000 conversion.

[hbliam]

I would prefer a TFT style dash like the diavel or 1199.

[Duck-Stew]

Yeah, they need to call Mr. Duck-Stew to help place the oil cooler as ingeniously as he did on that 695->1000 conversion.

Thanks...   

[DRKWNG]

But I'd still 86 that dental supply headlight within 24 hours of ownership... 

This

[Skybarney]

This

I might be the only guy here that likes my stock Evo headlight..........     

[Curmudgeon]

I might be the only guy here that likes my stock Evo headlight..........     

Ducati makes bikes. The new ones were designed in their wind tunnel. It and the bikini fairing do a decent job of cutting the wind blast. Makes my other naked bike like riding in a hurricane at 70 MPH. They don't get it..., or are deaf already. Pay no attention. 

[Travman]

Ducati makes bikes. The new ones were designed in their wind tunnel. It and the bikini fairing do a decent job of cutting the wind blast. Makes my other naked bike like riding in a hurricane at 70 MPH. They don't get it..., or are deaf already. Pay no attention. 

Couldn't some of difference be from the better riding position.  Riding at highway speeds will always be easier with the lean-forward type riding position of the Monster versus the fully upright position of the Bonneville.

[thought]

Maybe a few SF owners should chime in here.  I've only had less than 20 miles on one but had a chance to run through some fast turns.  I will say it was way better than any of the older Monsters and better than my old 999.  Two of the guys I ride with have 1098SFs and I never hear them complain about handling.  Like any of those big Testastettas you have to be careful about when and how you add gas or you'll get your ass handed to you.  Kind of like old big bore two stroke dirt bikes except you're on the road.   

I love my sfs... I was going to get one before I got my 796 but was turned off by all the reviews of the "slow handling" "vague front end" and "ridiculous engine".  Then I finally rode mine... and it was love at first ride.

I never saw why those reviews said what they said... I just think the sf1098 got a bad rap from the press.  meanwhile the sf848 seems to be selling like hotcakes becuase of the great press it's gotten.

[hbliam]

I never saw why those reviews said what they said... I just think the sf1098 got a bad rap from the press.  meanwhile the sf848 seems to be selling like hotcakes becuase of the great press it's gotten.

Q1 the SF was the second worst selling model ahead of the Hyper but they contribute that to the new Hypers not being shipped until April.

[Curmudgeon]

Couldn't some of difference be from the better riding position.  Riding at highway speeds will always be easier with the lean-forward type riding position of the Monster versus the fully upright position of the Bonneville.

Hello Trav!

With the mods on both bikes, the riding position for me is almost identical. At most the bar on the T-100 is an inch higher but the seat I'm using is also 1 1/2" higher than stock. Best I can tell, the dirty air comes off the headlight and gauges and maybe the mirrors. This difference is HUGE though. I'm 5' 8", but my son who's 6' 3 1/2" was impressed with how quiet the 796 is, and at the time he was still riding an ST4s. The aerodynamics are real. Borrow one the next time you drop into Duc Pond and try it at speed.

You still have the 900SD? How many Guzzis now? 

[Travman]

Curmudge,

I have ridden two of the latest the generation M1100's.  I did get up to 120mph indicated on one ride. It was pretty smooth. I didn't really notice anything. So that is a good indication. I didn't really notice much on my recently sold '05 M1000 either. My 2001 Harley Dyna Wide Glide was very difficult to ride at 75mph and up. It had a very upright riding position with the feet set forward. Also the bars were around shoulder height.

I was interested in buying a '06 ST3 a while back and was very disappointed. Unfortunately it did have a lot of buffeting around the helmet area. The wind was very noisy too.  If I stood up on the pegs there was nice clean air. For reference I'm 5'10". I think I would have needed a taller shield or Laminar lip.