My bikes, part five.

[mickj]

As I have more than one bike and they are all different (but similar) I thought I might write a little review of each of them, so here is the fifth oldest (newest).
Ducati M1200s Monster.
When looking for the BMW I tried it head to head with the Ducati Monster and picked the BMW as it was a more sophisticated bike and better two up bike but a year on I still had a hankering for the Monster so went for another test ride and was hooked. I liked the price of the standard bike better but also liked most of the extras on the ”S” model so my wife said just buy the bike you want so the “s” it was, better (lighter) wheels, ohlins suspension, led indicators and DRL and a quick shifter. The bike is just brilliant, it has a lot of electronics on it with power modes, cornering ABS, traction control, anti-wheelie and a quick shifter. I had a higher seat and grab rails fitted as part of the deal and bought a single can for it straight away, having the cat in the silencer made it get very hot and it was burning my wife’s foot at it was very close to the foot peg, a lower single straight through can fixed that. This is great fun to ride and the sound is bloody fantastic although I have fitted the baffle which has reduced the noise a little but improved the drive, it pulls better with the baffle fitted. So far I have had no problems with the bike except a recall for the gear lever which has failed on a couple of panigales, mine was fine so nothing changed. I does seem very lazy on the starter but always starts first prod, (just wish it would spin up a bit) but they “all do that sir”. It is better on my own but is acceptable two up and just pulls, not as good as the Suzuki or BMW lower down but higher up the rev range its bloody nuts with nearly 160 BHP on tap and superb handling and when it’s time to slow the Brembo M50 brakes make stopping very easy. The riding experience is much rawer than my other bikes as I am constantly reminded that it is a big twin but the vibration is not intrusive, it’s like being massaged as you go along and the sound it makes is lovely. I am now shopping for the right bits such as tail tidy, radiator and oil cooler guard and of course crash bobbins, I’m also looking into some bar end mirrors as the standard mirrors are crap, not only because they mostly show my elbows but they also rotate on their axis if I start to make any progress. I’ve only had this bike for a year and it’s obvious why this bike has a cult following, especially the earlier air cooled bikes, it’s raw, it vibrates, its full of character and just so much fun to ride and I am getting over 50mpg, I love it. I think the biggest downside for me is that most of the power is only made up the top end of the rev range so the bike has to be revved hard to get the benefit which I don’t like doing (I have a high degree of mechanical sympathy), I buy big bikes so I don’t have to rev the nuts off them to get a move on. In a head to head below 6000 the Beemer and the Suzuki will easily blow the monster into the weeds.

So which bike is best? They all do something for me so it’s a difficult question. For a solo ride my Speed Triple or the Monster will always be my first choice, two up it will be a choice between the BMW and the Suzuki although longer distances will favor the BMW. And the MZ is just very different, rare, has a lot of character and is very satisfying to ride, the induction roar at 3500 rpm is addictive. I ride all year round but only if it’s dry and they all give me a buzz. Next will almost certainly be a bike with some character so that rules out most UJMs so that means it will most likely be another European bike, maybe Moto guzzi will make a big bike soon.

[slob]

That’s a great collection Mick, thanks for taking the time to write reviews and share with us.

[Darren69]

Yea, thanks Mick. Obviously the Monster is far and away the best one! Maybe you should look at an older one to compliment it (M900S/1000DS/S4/S4R/RS) ? Any of those would be my pick.

[mickj]

Thanks lads, I was considering getting an earlier monster but at 6'3" I think the 900's are a bit too small (although I have never ridden one) so was thinking about an 1100 evo. But I have a few more ideas on what's next.

[Darkness]

Originally Posted by mjgt

Thanks lads, I was considering getting an earlier monster but at 6'3" I think the 900's are a bit too small (although I have never ridden one) so was thinking about an 1100 evo. But I have a few more ideas on what's next.

I manage fine on the M900 and I’m 6’ 3”.

Having said that, I also like the Elefant which is just a little taller at the saddle.

Try one, it’s how it suits you that matters?

[Albie]

Originally Posted by Darkness

I manage fine on the M900 and I’m 6’ 3”.

Having said that, I also like the Elefant which is just a little taller at the saddle.

Try one, it’s how it suits you that matters?

That's another elephant there then.
Tbh I always thought early monsters small. I since have changed my thoughts since fitting the online and actually thinking more they squat because suspension to soft or knackered.

[slob]

Originally Posted by Albie

That's another elephant there then.
Tbh I always thought early monsters small. I since have changed my thoughts since fitting the online and actually thinking more they squat because suspension to soft or knackered.

I think he means

not


... I also think your autocorrect thinks ‘Ohlins’ is spelt ‘online’

[Flip]

Originally Posted by mjgt

Thanks lads, I was considering getting an earlier monster but at 6'3" I think the 900's are a bit too small (although I have never ridden one) so was thinking about an 1100 evo. But I have a few more ideas on what's next.

First of all, nice collection- not all to my taste if I am honest but I wish I had a garage big enough to keep them all in (mine is like a jigsaw puzzle of bikes and tools) and a great review of each too.

I think as others have said the earlier bikes may feel rather small compared to your existing bikes (and indeed to almost all current large capacity models) but they do seem to 'fit' a varied size and shape of rider pretty well although the handling may feel quite 'sketchy' to what you have become accustomed to as well.

Also worth bearing in mind is that out of all the original shapes the 'easier to live with' fuel injected models are getting on in years now and will almost certainly need more attention to keep in good order than a newer modern bike. This fact is even more apparent if you decided to go for an even earlier bike with carbs- they don't really like being left too long and aren't so much of a 'hop on and go' kind of bike.

What you do get though is the start of the Monster line, an undiluted, very 'organic' riding experience with only around 80 bhp. 180Kgs and no rider aides what so ever. With the suspension sorted and decent tyres you feel everything going on underneath you not to mention ease of maintenance and relatively low running costs (especially if you do your own servicing) along with a bike that has most likely plateaued in value and may well be on the increase if investment is your thing. It isn't mine- bikes should be ridden not just looked at.

And I think that is why there are so many long term owners or people who have owned them in the past returning to those early bikes so you probably should try one anyway even if it is a case of 'never meet your Heroes'.

On a personal note, even after almost twenty years of owning my 900 I still love it as much if not more than ever. It doesn't get ragged these days quite as much as it used to but holds it's own on the right roads as well as still looking (in my opinion) bloody lovely, which when I pop in the garage on those rainy days when I don't want to ride is enough to make me smile.

[mickj]

Originally Posted by Flip

First of all, nice collection- not all to my taste if I am honest but I wish I had a garage big enough to keep them all in (mine is like a jigsaw puzzle of bikes and tools) and a great review of each too.

I think as others have said the earlier bikes may feel rather small compared to your existing bikes (and indeed to almost all current large capacity models) but they do seem to 'fit' a varied size and shape of rider pretty well although the handling may feel quite 'sketchy' to what you have become accustomed to as well.

Also worth bearing in mind is that out of all the original shapes the 'easier to live with' fuel injected models are getting on in years now and will almost certainly need more attention to keep in good order than a newer modern bike. This fact is even more apparent if you decided to go for an even earlier bike with carbs- they don't really like being left too long and aren't so much of a 'hop on and go' kind of bike.

What you do get though is the start of the Monster line, an undiluted, very 'organic' riding experience with only around 80 bhp. 180Kgs and no rider aides what so ever. With the suspension sorted and decent tyres you feel everything going on underneath you not to mention ease of maintenance and relatively low running costs (especially if you do your own servicing) along with a bike that has most likely plateaued in value and may well be on the increase if investment is your thing. It isn't mine- bikes should be ridden not just looked at.

And I think that is why there are so many long term owners or people who have owned them in the past returning to those early bikes so you probably should try one anyway even if it is a case of 'never meet your Heroes'.

On a personal note, even after almost twenty years of owning my 900 I still love it as much if not more than ever. It doesn't get ragged these days quite as much as it used to but holds it's own on the right roads as well as still looking (in my opinion) bloody lovely, which when I pop in the garage on those rainy days when I don't want to ride is enough to make me smile.

Thanks for that Flip. I know what you mean about the older bikes, I love my Speedtriple which has no rider aids and is easy to service. It makes its relatively low power lower down the rev range than it's modern equivalent which makes it more useable to me and every now and again I just plug in my laptop and check the injectors and system with tune-ecu.

[Darren69]

They earlier ones are a bit small its true. I don't know as I've not ridden one of the later ones but maybe they were bigger? But Evo nah 1100S everytime!

[mickj]

Originally Posted by Darren69

They earlier ones are a bit small its true. I don't know as I've not ridden one of the later ones but maybe they were bigger? But Evo nah 1100S everytime!

At the risk of starting a fight, why is the 1100s a better proposition than the evo?

[slob]

agree about the s over the evo but they’re still a physically small bike compared with the mk3

[Jez900ie]

Originally Posted by slob

they’re still a physically small bike compared with the mk3

Its one of the myriad of very desirable attributes. Each to their own but I like smaller compact bikes over the current crop.

[slob]

Me too but Mick’s 5 or 6” taller than I am.

BTW, I’d absolutely recommend EvoTech for radiator/cooler guards on your 1200S

[slob]

ohlins suspension (albeit budget ohlins), forged wheels. twin-plug heads and a dry clutch (for the purists)