Going back to a Monster, need some advice

[dankatz]

Yes, I should ride them to compare. That is really the only way to know. It is a little harder when done with private parties, but hopefully, if I come in full gear on my own bike they would let me do it.

[Curmudgeon]

Yes, I should ride them to compare. That is really the only way to know. It is a little harder when done with private parties, but hopefully, if I come in full gear on my own bike they would let me do it.

That and cash. 

[EEL]

For me, the engine is something I tend to leave pretty much alone so thats the one thing I focus on when I buy a bike. As indicated by others, the 1100 motor is just more of all the good stuff you want in a monster but what really made me select the 1100 evo was a picture from He Man's s2r1100 evo build. Linked below.



Now I cant speak for the 1100 standard motor but what I saw from the 1100 EVO was that ducati went the extra mile with the internals. All the cogs are drilled out for reduced weight and from what I've been told, the flywheel is similar to the 848.

He posted the base s2r 1000 motor guts as well and you can see the difference is night and day.



Also, I had an ATPC clutch on my old S2R 800 and those things are rock solid reliable and the lightened clutch pull and partial slipper are just plain awesome. I had 47,000 miles on the stock clutch pack. It was so reliable that I actually questioned my ability to judge whether my clutch pack was failing (see link to post below). I've heard many stories (and a physical test ride of an m1000) of the dry clutch being grabby and a little less predictable as well as not as durable. This was one of the main negatives for me for an older 1100 dual spark.

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=50675.0

Lastly, a comment about suspension. The only thing the 1100s has going for it is the front forks. I have an ohlins road and track rear on my 1100 evo and its good but not great. The rear shocks are relatively cheap. I cant attest to the ohlins forks but a simple respring on my stock marzocchis made them decent. This is only an assumption but if the shock on an 1100s is mediocre, I have a gut feeling that the forks may be better than other options but not up to what we would normally expect from the ohlins brand.

Just some things to consider. As always YMMV

[Raux]

Or u can apparently wait for 1200R model to come out...

[dankatz]

OK, these big Monsters scare me...I was under the impression that it's strengths were simplicity and style. I think the style remained, but they are getting to be significantly more powerful, bigger, heavier. When you look at those bikes, the competition is fierce.

[224wheels]

You have to look at the continued incorporation of technology into the new monsters.  The monster 1200 and 1200s come with traction control and abs standard.  Great for street or track use to prevent that costly low side and even costlier high side. 

These bikes also do not feel like they weight 460 lbs.  They are very well balanced and the geometry allows these bikes to be very flickable. 

I was going to buy a 1200s and I ended up buying a S4RS.  Huge difference!  The power delivery of the 1200s was intoxicating and it handled like it was on rails.  I guess i'm more old school and wanted the character of the 998 Testastretta and dry clutch. It spoke to me- right on Curmudgeon   

test ride at dealerships not private party.  Dealers have insurance 

[dankatz]

I don't doubt the 1200 and 821 are better bikes. They also cost a lot more than the used bikes I am looking for. What I was trying to say is that when you are looking at a 1200, you also can compare to a Tuono, Speed Triple, Superduke, etc....all of which have some character as well.

My Daytona 675 is better in many ways compared to my old 696, but I miss the simplicity and character of my old Monster. I have researched a lot about the S2R1000, 796 and 1100 (base, evo and S). What is left is for me to try them and to manage successfully to sell my Daytona. I can get an S2R1000 for significantly less than the other two since it is older and will have more miles. My understanding is that the handling and riding position is slightly different and the newer Monsters are lighter as well.

[224wheels]

I'm not saying the 1200 and 1200s are better bikes.  I'm just saying the tech incorporated in these new bikes allows a street rider to put an insane amount of power down safely and stop quicker due to the tech gear.

I know nothing about any other naked bike out there, so I will be no help there.   

S2r1000 is a GREAT bike for the money and I pretty sure the ergos are the same as the s4r.   


But I have to say the new 1200 had an extremely comfortable riding position and i'm pretty sure they are the heaviest monster ever made.  They also start @ $13,500 new and the S starts @ $16,000.  You can find a really good used S4R or S2R under 7K that someone sunk thousands of dollars in mods into. Just my 2 cents

[dankatz]

Yes, and that is why the dilemmas ;-)
Trying to compare an s2r1000 to a Monster 1100. At the moment I have to see if I get my asking price of $5800 for my Daytona. My goal is not to add more than $1000 to it. It's easy to find 696's in that range, occasionally a 796, rarely 1100. For an 1100S or EVO I would need to add at least $2k more. I have not yet decided on how much really I want to spend and since this will be my fun/sunday ride bike I would like to make sure I maximize the fun part ;-)

[Kev M]

My Daytona 675 is better in many ways compared to my old 696, but I miss the simplicity and character of my old Monster.

You have hit the nail on the head with one of the big reasons my:

Buell S3T (100 rwhp), Guzzi Breva 1100, and BMW R1100RS are all gone and the current fleet exists of:

M696
Guzzi V7
HD XL1200Lr

The related other half of the puzzle is that it can be more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow and I can push all of the current fleet more (relatively speaking) than the listed departed.

As such, if given your list, I'd get the 796.

There is just something cool about doing more with less.

YMMV, so pick your own road and have a ball...

Ride safe!

Kev