Best Monster ever made?

[rgramjet]

2001 M900 Cromo

Simple, mesmerizing, mischevious.

It's not an sbk and doesn't try to be one.  If I wanted superbike performance, I'd get a bike with plastic.  I find all the plumbing to be, disruptive.

[rgramjet]

Great thread btw!

[Mike_D]

This one

[duccarlos]

I'm partial towards the S2R1K. Best of all worlds.

[Betty]

FINALLY!!!! someone who agrees!

Context is a wonderful thing

... to avoid if it suits your argument

[jaxduc]

Older style trellis, sssa, dry clutch, termignioni, argument over 4 valve v 2 valve.

[Case S2R]

Best Monster IMO...

Has to be air cooled.  Friends with more experience tell me the 4 valve is a bit much for the chassis of a monster (especially on the track), purist think the radiator ruins the clean lines.  Still I find it impossible to look away when I see a S4Rs White/Red with Ohlins  

My choice S2R 1000, the final evolution of the original Monster, or perhaps the 2005 (steel tank? I know the S4's had it then) so you do not have the tank problems and you operate the choke vs. the stepper motors.

My alternate is the early M900, Where it all started.

Third, the 09 (fact check me on this) S version (last of the dual sided exhaust cans) with ABS, Ohlins, assuming the newer body style does not disqualify it from your list.

Case

[zooom]

How bout we switch the question? Which model monster would you kick out of bed?

  Anything Norm modified.

can't say I necesarily disagre with this sentiment...due to some sketchy modifications that happened to some of those....like I recall back in the history books a Barone owned "Hurricane" that was controversially twitchy or something....

[Moronic]

Friends with more experience tell me the 4 valve is a bit much for the chassis of a monster (especially on the track), ...

I've heard and read this too, but I don't really get it.

The Monster chassis is derived from the 888 Superbike, which was a 4-valver with, let us say, a wee bit of track cred.

Aside from that, what exactly is the problem supposed to be? It is not as though the 4V motor bends the swingarm under power, or anything weird like that.

Stiffness? High-speed change of direction? Hardly problems for a naked bike, where you can't hang on at consistent high speeds anyhow.

The reality is, the 4V Ducs are silly powerful for a naked bike, whatever chassis it rolls on.

Which is why the 2V motors make more sense.

Question then is: is the best Monster the bike that makes most sense? Or is the Monster at its best a silly hot-rod?  

[zooom]

Question then is: is the best Monster the bike that makes most sense? Or is the Monster at its best a silly hot-rod? 

the answer is, the best Monster is the one that brings the most shit eating ear to ear silly googley smile to your face !!!

[roggie]

I've heard and read this too, but I don't really get it.

The Monster chassis is derived from the 888 Superbike, which was a 4-valver with, let us say, a wee bit of track cred.

Aside from that, what exactly is the problem supposed to be? It is not as though the 4V motor bends the swingarm under power, or anything weird like that.

Stiffness? High-speed change of direction? Hardly problems for a naked bike, where you can't hang on at consistent high speeds anyhow.

The reality is, the 4V Ducs are silly powerful for a naked bike, whatever chassis it rolls on.

Which is why the 2V motors make more sense.

Question then is: is the best Monster the bike that makes most sense? Or is the Monster at its best a silly hot-rod?  

well said 

[Anthony81586]

Well I've seen so many great responses and to me the best arguments come from two places the first being the "whatever monster you love crowd"  which seems to be self explanatory and doesn't need much backing.
As far as a more specific "best"  monster, the side of the s2r seems very compelling. I think the fact that the 2v air cooled engine seems to be the monster most comfortable and familiar area. It seems to stick with the original concept of the bike as well.
That's just my opinion of course and purely based on the information I've seen in this thread as the one and only duc I've owned went to heaven on Saturday and I'm still hospitalized recovering.
Thanks for all the responses all! Such a good thread.

[mitt]

2003-2005 1000S. They have all the classic good looks of the classic air-cooled Monsters.  Steel tanks that won't deform.  All the power you need from the 1000DS engine and the S models had adjustable suspension.

+1

late to the show

mitt

[TitanMonsterS4R]

I'd have to throw my vote to the S2R800, specifically the 05 (acid yellow). While some components are trash, it's the perfect bike for around town and weekend twisties. And once sorted out with proper springs and shock, just dandy!

[Case S2R]

I've heard and read this too, but I don't really get it.

The Monster chassis is derived from the 888 Superbike, which was a 4-valver with, let us say, a wee bit of track cred.

Aside from that, what exactly is the problem supposed to be? It is not as though the 4V motor bends the swingarm under power, or anything weird like that.

Stiffness? High-speed change of direction? Hardly problems for a naked bike, where you can't hang on at consistent high speeds anyhow.

I do not have a direct answer, but could part of it be that the 888 was low on power compared to a S4rS? 

Overheard the sales guy at my local Ducati dealership, mention "Yep, it rides like a Monster" to which I asked "Is that different than any other bike?"  His answer was "Compared to a Superbike, Yes".  This is a question I will answer myself someday, but till then a sweet 2 valve Monster is close to perfection. IMO

Case