How are those "new" monsters?

[He Man]

How are those new gen monsters? How smooth are they? Handling wise compared to the old monsters?

Once i fix my monster, i was thinking of giving it an update, new suspension, new paint on frame and wheels and all that fun stuff. My all in cost is about $3500 for the update and I've seen some newer ducs for $7500-8000, so naturally, if i can sell my bike for 4k then i can double up and pick up a newer bike. Ive only ever ridden the 696 when it first came out and was not impressed at all in any department.

If i sell my duc, i would be looking at the M1100 EVO, Hypermotard 1100S or the hyperstrada, if the M1100EVO motor wasnt so addicting, i would consider an older 1100S Multi too.

Thoughts?

[Speeddog]

I've only ridden an M821 recently, and the RBW was so obnoxious I had a hard time concentrating on the bike.
Same with a 821 Hyper.
Oddly, the 899 Pani RBW was good.

But I did notice that the double layer exhaust heat shield on the M821 was very noticeable pushing on my right boot.

Quite a while ago, rode an M696, but remember little else other than my nuts being squashed against the tank.

[He Man]

but remember little else other than my nuts being squashed against the tank.

This. My nuts being squashed was ultimately why i didnt like it at all.

i didnt even know the new ducs had RBW. I would think the bike would be butter smooth and the throttle would be super easy to manipulate with that kind of setup.

[Mhanis]

I've only ridden an M821 recently, and the RBW was so obnoxious I had a hard time concentrating on the bike.

Serious question, I am not being inflammatory as I have never been on an 821.....

Define "obnoxious", I don't understand. Was it not smooth? I would think that it would either work, or not. If not, you don't go anywhere.

Mark

[JohnEE]

I rode the Hyperstrada a couple of weeks ago. I thought everything about it was pretty smooth. I wasn't able to ring its neck out to see what it's really capable of, but I liked it. The TC was in street mode since it was wet out and it was a group demo ride so grain of salt yada yada yada. It also squished my man bits into the tank, the seat kept sliding me forward. If i were in the market, i would get the Hyper SP and find a better seat for it.

[ungeheuer]

Like many I too found the M696/796/1100 nut crush to be rather nasty.  I hated mine.

Until I bought a DP Touring/Comfort seat  

Real issue, easy fix.

But when you say "new" Monster.... maybe you mean the newer ones...... 

[StephenC]

I like mine (M1100s), but I haven't had that many other bikes to compare it with. The Street Triple was much smoother, but lacked any soul. The seat is not an issue for me.

[AFdude]

M821 rider here...

I can truly say that this bike is a ton of fun. Riding around the city, out on the highway, or even tackling the twisty back roads, this bike really delivers. Touring mode for me seems to be the sweet spot. You get the full 112 HP with a smooth throttle response. For me, the "obnoxious" throttle response in RBW is only felt in Sport mode when you're in the lower half of the power band and doing something, like trying to maintain a specific speed. You will get used to it. Until then, it can be jerky, but when you get on it... wow, it GOES! FWIW I test ridden a M1100Evo also and it's not exactly smooth either with the abrupt throttle roll on and clutch engagement. After a few stop and go's I was getting used to it though. I was so close to buying one.

Also, check the ergonomics. I'm 6' with a 33" inseam and a size 11 boot. The aforementioned post about the right foot hitting the exhaust shroud was/is annoying. I upgraded to a Termi slip on and it somewhat resolved that issue. The real issue is rear sets. They stick out way too far, conflicting with your heels. After 2000 miles, I'm pretty used to it and just have my feet out wider on the pegs. Check out www.cycle-ergo.com


All-in-all, I think the new Monsters are great, with my experience test riding the M796, M1100Evo and M821. I went for the M821 because of it's motor and ride modes. The bike truly has 3 personalities, one of which you'll be happy with. My only gripe is ergos/geometry from the saddle down. I'm too cramped and am now looking (just looking) at the Hypermotard since the ergos are more relaxed and I get to keep the same 821 engine.

Best of luck with your decision.

[TitanMonsterS4R]

He-man - I rode the new Monster 821 for about 10 days while my S4R was in the shop. The engine is seriously butter smooth, so smooth you forget that you're riding a Monster. The RBW is a nice touch given my Monster lacks all those new fandangled technology. The riding modes make it easy for a new rider to manage power delivery. When you twist the throttle the bike will go, the more you twist it the more it will go. I had the Ohlins front and back and that was a nice touch as well to manage DC and VA rodes and through the twisty's canyons, it was pretty awesome.

The butter smoothness is my only gripe. When you get on it the bike will go but you dont get the feedback you get with the older Monsters. The throttle response is there but I have no sense of speed when i twist the throttle like my older Monster. The motor doesnt have a grumble to it, like it's alive it has more of a hum...Balls didnt get squashed either.

Net net, the older Monsters have a character/soul to them that I can connect with and love. It feels like a Monster. The 821 I rode was nice but every time I finished a ride, I got off thinking that was nice rather than holy make the beast with two backs I love this bike, exhausting as my S4R is, I love every minute of riding it.

[He Man]

Thanks for all the replies, how many of you guys have an older ST framed monster to compare to?

I've got an M1100EVO motor in my S2R1000 and its been tuned. VERY smooth motor with very little hiccup. So it is possible to have a great engine.

Although i will admit, these bikes are fatiguing to ride for some reason. I have't figured it out yet, but i could ride my DR in easy single track and not be anywhere as tired as riding my ducati 4 hours commuting/highway.

[Frank C]

I have an ST4s and a 97 M900 (with flatsides, dynacoils, light flywheel and clutch).
Rode a 1200 monster and the new hyper a few weeks back.  Test rode a few 1100 monsters a few years back.

I find the ST to be slimmer between the legs and better balanced compared to the bikes I tested.

The newer bikes are smoother.  But I thought the throttle was not as responsive or as linear compared to my old monster.  Assuming its the mods on the M900.  Would be interesting comparing a completely stock old monster to a new one. 

[Raux]

I really want to love the new monster, but the ergos arent there. The 696 was fixed with the d9 seat, maybe the new monster would be fixed with rearsets, but a way more expensive fix than a seat. I also like the cable throttle for things like quick throttle cam, slack adjustment and slow throttle changes to better make the bike fit you instead of you adjusting to the bike. Just seems the newer bikes are getting further and further away from being modifiable to being DP part sellers

[Raux]

For the record i would love an 1100s, dry clutch, ohlins, dp seat,

[He Man]

isnt the 1100 the same as a 696 minus the motor and swingarm (alright lets not get too technical here). its the same frame and ergos otherwise isnt it?

Ultimately, do you guys think its worth buying a new monster? or should i just keep my old one and mod the snot out of it? The end result is roughly the same cost. BTW, ive owned my monster since 2007 ( its an 06 S2R)

[TitanMonsterS4R]

isnt the 1100 the same as a 696 minus the motor and swingarm (alright lets not get too technical here). its the same frame and ergos otherwise isnt it?

Ultimately, do you guys think its worth buying a new monster? or should i just keep my old one and mod the snot out of it? The end result is roughly the same cost. BTW, ive owned my monster since 2007 ( its an 06 S2R)

Unless I had the chance to buy a 2009 M1100 witht he dry clutch and ohlins bits, I would just keep your 06 and mod the snot out of it. The nostalgia of the older Monsters is what does it for me. The engine, the ergos, the ability to customize, the less intrusive technology. Just think there's something about them.....