NEW MONSTER 821

[DarkMonster620]

The scrambler is still rumored to be air cooled.  I understand why they are switching away with more noise & exhaust emission issues to deal with. I will always prefer the simpler looks of the air cooled bikes though.

On that one, even us dealers, still have no word on . . . But, we were informed, NO more air cooled Monsters . . .

[HotIce]

I like it.
Fsck, the clean, see-through, clean engine like old Monster was gone long time ago. Even my 1100 EVO, though not having the plumbing, still, it is pretty crowded in there.
A swap from my 1100 EVO to the 1200 might be happening somewhere in the future.

[ducpainter]

Please elaborate... as I'm very interested in this bike and am debating the 820 vs. the 1200. Esthetically the appeal of the appearance is of course subjective and I am a fan of the new look and prefer it to the recent 695, 795 and 1100 models. I perfer the new headlight and tank and turn indicators. Tail is essentially already chopped. I like the fact that it comes with a seat cowl and all the electronics and new display.  I also like the snaking exhaust. The only thing I have to accept is the ugly watercooled elements that clutter up the front end of the bike. Is there an issue with the build, performance, control etc.? The ergonomics and quality of the seat are superior in my opinion after test riding the 1200.

It looks like every other new bike out there. I think the aesthetics suck. Ducati has had a unique look for a long time, and I think they've lost that. Even some of the more recent SBK's, while not the best looking, were at least different from the herd.

If I saw that going down the road with no logos anywhere I would never guess it was a Duc.

It undoubtedly has better power, more features, and maybe better handling than the past Monsters, but Ducaudi must be targeting the Ninja Turtle generation with their styling.

The fact that it's water cooled is due to regulations, and you just can't hide all that hardware on a naked bike.

This is strictly one old cranks opinion.

[Skybarney]

+1

[1.21GW]

Is there an official reason for the move away from air-cooled?  I'm not buying the noise feature.  Stock (i.e. w/o an aftermarket exhaust or open clutch cover, etc.) monsters I see riding around don't seem particularly loud.  At least not regulation-inducing loud.

[duccarlos]

Emissions?

[the_Journeyman]

Emissions?

That and they can get better power AND less emissions going water cooled.

JM

[DarkMonster620]

Is there an official reason for the move away from air-cooled?  I'm not buying the noise feature.  Stock (i.e. w/o an aftermarket exhaust or open clutch cover, etc.) monsters I see riding around don't seem particularly loud.  At least not regulation-inducing loud.

Basically, emissions, . . .

[koko64]

Looks German designed. You'd think it was a BMW copy of the Monster.
You can tell Italians designed the S4, S4R and S4Rs, even with the radiator and all the plumbing.
Although the water cooling forces compromise, there is no excuse for Ducati to get so far away from their iconic styling. Very disappointing.
Just my opinion.

[Curmudgeon]

I LOVE IT!!! My M796 "Pantah" is an instant "classic"!  http://gallery.leica-users.org/d/383062-1/M+796_10S_LM-Pantah_C01S+_1200x800_.jpg

No doubt they needed to do this for Euro 4, but unless it has a timing chain and 15,000 mile major service intervals, no way today I could afford to maintain a 4V these days. Probably goes like stink and 4V's are certainly smooth, but as others have noted, the left side looks like "Transformers" and needs a cover of some sort at a minimum. 

The stock exhaust actually looks kind of trick. The only element I can find to like, and since in many markets it has to stay there, not a bad thing.

[thorn14]

I can't wait until the next generation design comes along. 

[memper]

I can't wait until the next generation design comes along. 

+eleventy-billion

[brad black]

the prick that decided on the brown swingarm and covers needs the arse.

an sv650 doesn't look that crap around the engine.  it's much the same thing.  did they have an inhouse comp to see who could screw it up the most?

[lazylightnin717]

I think it's a fine looking bike.

I'd like to see it with a low-slung wheelbarrow exhaust just like my S4.

[danaid]

 Still hoping for a new streetfighterS in the future. Finally saw the 1200S in person, not bad at all but does seem like the minimalistic and lightweight styling has gone out the window.  I think Ducati will sell many of these newest monsters, I'm sure the price will be about rite with these 821's.
  I'll be keeping my 1100 S for a while longer.