NEW MONSTER 821

[DRKWNG]

Have you ridden a KTM streetbike?

I can't speak to the SD specifically, but my 990 SMT was BY FAR the best handling street bike I have ever owned. It was leap years ahead of my 2 Monsters, 2 Multistradas (gen.1), and the new Multi and Diavel that I did extended test rides on. I can't believe the SD would be any different. The motor was friggin' awesome as well, even if it was down on power to the 11* Multi/Diavel motor.

All. Of. This.

My SD down right crushes just about any stock monster out there, with the possible exception of an S4RS and has just as much soul as any 4v Ducati.  And that's with it being the 2nd gen SD.  The new ones will most likely pregnant dog-slap the hell out of the M1200 each day of the week, and twice on Sunday.

[The ModFather]

The KTMs may be great bikes but they are nowhere near as sexy as the Monster, SF or Panigale.

[Triple J]

The KTMs may be great bikes but they are nowhere near as sexy as the Monster, SF or Panigale.

The original Monsters, sure...the last 2 tries, nope. I'd take a Superduke over either. Same with the SF, but I've thought the SF was fugly from day one.

I'll agree the Panigale is a better looking bike than the RC8. RC8 sounds better though (I've been around race-prepped versions of both). My RSV4 sounds & looks better than both though. 

[twolanefun]

Amazing how we get all these comments from non Ducati owners, seems like some are trying to justify their purchase of another brand. As for performance any of the modern bikes offer more performance than most will ever put use. The new monster , both models, offers other technology that is current, relevant, and makes for a safer ride. Build quality is excellent, metal tank, S suspension. If you are interested go test ride one, don't listen to the detractors, listen to yourself. Just MHO - Gene

[silas]

Who designed these new 1200 & 821 Monsters? Same designer as the HYS821?
(Why does the  Hyperstrada 821 have such a cleaner engine look than the new M821/M1200S?)
Was on a road trip last week and Ducati New Orleans (Transportation Revolution) had the 1200S next to the SF848 for sale. No M821's yet. In person the 1200S is quite blingy, more so than any other monster IMO. It does look better in person.

[Triple J]

Amazing how we get all these comments from non Ducati owners, seems like some are trying to justify their purchase of another brand. As for performance any of the modern bikes offer more performance than most will ever put use. The new monster , both models, offers other technology that is current, relevant, and makes for a safer ride. Build quality is excellent, metal tank, S suspension. If you are interested go test ride one, don't listen to the detractors, listen to yourself. Just MHO - Gene

Actually, my original comment was in reference to someone bagging on a KTM out of nowhere. I just asked if they'd ever ridden one, as they're actually very nice and the one I had rode better than any Ducati I've ever ridden. I'm not trying to justify anything, that's an honest opinion (from a former DOC president even).

Another perspective is that some Ducati owners would buy a turd if it had the Duc logo on it.  

I do agree though that any modern bike packs a lot of performance, and they're all pretty much great bikes. In the end it boils down to which one do you like better, since they're all more than capable.   Test ride for sure, and get whichever...but other makes allow test rides too.  

[MadDuck]

Amazing how we get all these comments from non Ducati owners, seems like some are trying to justify their purchase of another brand. As for performance any of the modern bikes offer more performance than most will ever put use. The new monster , both models, offers other technology that is current, relevant, and makes for a safer ride. Build quality is excellent, metal tank, S suspension. If you are interested go test ride one, don't listen to the detractors, listen to yourself. Just MHO - Gene

Just sayin' that a lot of these comments are from former Ducati owners as well as a few that still do own them. I've had three Ducati's and loved them all. Just because I don't currently have one doesn't mean I wouldn't have a valid opinion. Some are just lamenting a sort of "dumbing down" in order to appeal to a wider, or different, market. Not good or bad. It might help Ducati sales and attract more buyers but at the same time they are losing some of their original fan base. Me included. I'd rather have a 2008 1100 Hypermotard than any Monster today ( and good thing that I have access to one that I can ride at any time   )  

[MadDuck]

Actually, my original comment was in reference to someone bagging on a KTM out of nowhere. I just asked if they'd ever ridden one, as they're actually very nice and the one I had rode better than any Ducati I've ever ridden. I'm not trying to justify anything, that's an honest opinion (for a former DOC president even).

Another perspective is that some Ducati owners would buy a turd if it had the Duc logo on it. 

I do agree though that any modern bike packs a lot of performance, and they're all pretty much great bikes. In the end it boils down to which one do you like better, since they're all more than capable.  Test ride for sure, and get whichever...but other makes allow test rides too. 

See!  +1     

[thought]

Haha, how this board doesnt have a icon for a mob holding pitchforks suprises me...

[Curmudgeon]

Haha, how this board doesnt have a icon for a mob holding pitchforks suprises me...

[DRKWNG]

Yup.  Still have my SC as well, so my negative opinion of the new models isn't coming from a non, or former, Ducati owner.  Just saying that the company has gone away from what made them attractive in my eyes, and that I feel other brands (such as KTM) now offer a superior product.

[duccarlos]

If I were in shopping for a new midsize naked, I might be looking at the MV Dragster. Not to say that the Duc would not be up there. I personally think that Ducati, in terms of looks, should have gone from gen1 to gen3 and skipped gen2. Give me more trellis in gen3 and I would be all over that.

[lawbreaker]

No hydraulic clutch
No single sided swing arm

Prety much it aint a Ducati no more...

Hell, I've talked to some peeps (Ducatisti so they say) that know NOTHING of the brand aside from their current- which seems to be New- model..... Who's Fogarty?

Whats a Bayliss?

Hailwood,Polen,Kocinski, Chile (Kee-Lee)... I could go on- all foreign names

SPS.... cool (with a weird look in their face)... What is that?



There are those who will immerse themselves in the passion and history of the love that is Ducati.... and those who buy a "bike" because they think its a cool fashion accessory.


Many a different owner resides here I suppose.....

[The ModFather]

Companies need their product lines to change and evolve. Otherwise they get saddled with being stagnant and not evolving. You really cant win as you please one group and piss of another. It's amazing how people are so resistant to change when what you're currently enamored with now was once a departure from a previous generation bike. Evolution in Ducatis product line is a good thing and over time hopefully the good things stick and the bad things get dropped but Ducati cant keep making the S4R as it was while other companies evolve and eat their lunch. There's a strategy in the new model that targets a certain rider type. Mature riders with sufficient expendable cash seeking a sexy bike that's got some muscle but is comfortable and easy to ride with all the modern amenities of the 21st century as well as the latest in safety and multiple ride modes. I think it makes sense from a business stand point but then again I'm in that target market so I love the new bike. I love my air cooled Monster 620 that's been modded to my exact taste but I want all the features in the new model (especially the seat and ergos) plus I love the look, the new engine, tank, headlight and exhaust. When the 1200S comes out in black I'm buying it.

[Curmudgeon]

Hell, I've talked to some peeps (Ducatisti so they say) that know NOTHING of the brand aside from their current- which seems to be New- model..... Who's Fogarty?

Whats a Bayliss?

Hailwood,Polen,Kocinski, Chile (Kee-Lee)... I could go on- all foreign names

SPS.... cool (with a weird look in their face)... What is that?

Now you know how I feel when I read all the moaning here from "newbies". 

I knew Mike too..., but that was 1964 when he was testing MV at Spa and I was wrenching for NART.