New Monster 1198

[DarkMonster620]

the S model has 10 more HP and it's all in the 3 ECUs, exhaust is basically the same, just black

Termis, do come in 3 flavors, "homologated" slip ons, full exhaust w/upmap and slip-ons w/upmap . . . NO idea if the USA will get what . . . M50 calipers on the S as in the Panigale and in the regular the ones found in MTS1200 and other models . . .

[twolanefun]

The key aspect of the S is the upgraded suspension, wheels, brakes, additional HP is bragging rights but doubt it will get used by most on the street, torque is where the actions is S has more of that as well, just MHO. - Gene

[The ModFather]

You said the HP difference and superior braking was immediately noticeable. Seems that answers your own question.

The question is posed to the "You" the members of the forum. I know how I feel... I was just curious what others here thought as their input is often interesting and provides another perspective. In other words I'm "just curious what the consensus is"

[LA]

I wish Ducati had used the 1198 superbike tune.  It would then be better competition for the KTM Super Duke's 180 at the crank and slightly lighter weight I believe. Price point is close isn't it?

[Moronic]

1200 Standard or S ... Is the S worth the money to you? Or would you rather go Standard & spend that money on a Termi Exhaust? Just curious what the consensus is?

As said above, the S is about Ohlins suspension and upgraded brakes. Whether it's worth it depends on how much that matters to you.

If it were me, I would go for the Ohlins gear. But then I do like really nice suspension. If the front end of my S4Rs is any guide, that 48mm Ohlins fork should be spectacular stock, if necessary resprung for your weight and riding style. The shock? Well my sig line points to what I thought of the stock Ohlins unit on the S4Rs, but the point is that even if Ducati has stuffed up the valving spec (and from early reports they have not), you can rebuild and revalve it until you get just what you want. No linkage to confuse matters, either.

OTOH, the fork seals on the standard bike could well outlast the soft Ohlins seals by a very big margin. And if you are not that much into suspension, the Ohlins stuff is probably more trouble and expense than it's worth. In which case the standard bike looks pretty attractive. I have not ridden either yet, but I find it hard to believe the non-"s" is any slower at low to medium revs.

BTW: there used to be a fair bit of opinion around saying that OEM Ohlins is not "real" Ohlins gear. I understand it is true that the OEM stuff is produced by a different division, but the build, principles and parts are basically the same, or certainly used to be. I've seen parts diagrams for my OEM Ohlins shock and the aftermarket Ohlins unit I now have, and most key parts and part numbers are shared. It is just the valving that differs (i.e. the particular shims specced on the shim stacks), and the aftermarket unit has a hose-mounted reservoir and hydraulic preload adjuster.

Edit: one thing to think about might be that if past practice is anything to go by, Ohlins probably won't make an aftermarket shock specially for the standard 1200. I am pretty sure that is a deal they make with Ducati when they supply an OEM unit. And you won't be able to buy the OEM Ohlins unit from Ohlins: it will be available only as a (very expensive) Ducati part. So, if you didn't like the shock specced on the standard, upgrading it might mean a bit of fussing about.

[Moronic]

I wish Ducati had used the 1198 superbike tune.  It would then be better competition for the KTM Super Duke's 180 at the crank and slightly lighter weight I believe. Price point is close isn't it?

My impression from reading and looking is that the Monster is a very different beast from the new KTM. I think it is way longer in the wheelbase. Much less aggressive, more easy-going.

It is good to read that people here who have ridden one (the Monster) are so impressed.

[Leo167]

My impression from reading and looking is that the Monster is a very different beast from the new KTM. I think it is way longer in the wheelbase. Much less aggressive, more easy-going.

It is good to read that people here who have ridden one (the Monster) are so impressed.

I test rode the S last weekend.. Never got it out of touring mode or at least I thought it was in touring mode.. And honestly I wish the wheel base was a little longer, just to keep the front down some, while rolling on aggressively .. I'm not a stunter of any sort.. But my god I feel like a pro with this bike and it's "wheelie on demand" character.. Bottom line I want one, just not sure if I should go standard or S.. As mentioned earlier 145 HP, I doubt I can exploit that power on the street, only rode like that just to see what it had... And it had, also lost my virginity with Ohlins this past Saturday.. And liking it.. Honestly I thought this suspension is only noticeable on the track.. But felt damn compliant on the street...never really noticed a huge difference with the better spec Brembos compared to the normal spec brembos, but the rotors look slicker..
So guess I need to scrape up another $2500.. Think the forged wheels and the ohlins alone are worth the extra.. What do you think?

[The ModFather]

I feel like if Im going to drop the coin to get the new Monster. I'd rather drop the extra and get the S. Something tells me Ill never "wonder if I shoulda got the Standard" but I would almost certainly "wonder if I shoulda got the S".

Im thinking get the S then add Termis later.

What Im really wondering is...should I get an Ohlins Steering Damper added when I buy it?

[thought]

Something tells me Ill never "wonder if I shoulda got the Standard" but I would almost certainly "wonder if I shoulda got the S".

This.

For a pretty small price increase you'll never wind up playing that mental game... it's something that kills me anytime I do it.

[The ModFather]

Can I put out a request to the photoshop gurus here. To show us what the 1200S would look like in black? Please? 

[Speeddog]

Can I put out a request to the photoshop gurus here. To show us what the 1200S would look like in black? Please? 

[hbliam]

 

[lazylightnin717]

  

[Moronic]

I test rode the S last weekend.... Think the forged wheels and the ohlins alone are worth the extra.. What do you think?

Umm, didn't I offer something on that just two posts above yours?

Edit: sorry, I realise now you are looking for wider opinion. 

What Im really wondering is...should I get an Ohlins Steering Damper added when I buy it?

IMO, most tankslappers arise from crap front suspension. So if the Ohlins front end works like it should, I doubt you will need a steering damper. All bets off for the standard.

The only time I ever felt ANY need for a damper on my Ohlins equipped Monster was when my shop mistakenly used heavier, non-Ohlins fluid after replacing the fork seals. All of a sudden, the 'bars were shaking around over bumps. Cured temporarily by setting the adjusters to full soft. Ohlins fluid went back in, the adjusters went back to near standard, and not a shake since.  

If you're likely to cling on hard to the 'bars when the front wheel comes up, then a damper might help you feel comfortable. Others feel differently about this, I know.

[thought]

I say own/ride the bike a while first before worrying about anything like steering dampers etc.  Most of the time you wind up never needing what you think you need... if the front end feels flighty to you after a couple of months of ownership then get the damper because you'll know you'll need it.