Is the MT-09 or new Monster best for real-world fun?
Looking for a bit of fun in the sun? Search no further...
Ahealthy dose of sunshine makes everything seem rosy. And what better way to enjoy the sunshine than on two class-leading premium middleweight nakeds? Taking to the MCN250 today we have two new-for-2021 offerings that are certain to be at the top of the sales ratings come the end of the year. In the blue (and silver...) corner is the heavily updated Yamaha MT-09 SP. You know the story by now – a new chassis, better electronics and bigger-capacity engine have transformed the MT from a wobbly but hysterical bike into a serious
middleweight weapon.
In the red (or grey or black for £200 extra...) corner is the allnew Ducati Monster. A bike that has shocked a lot of people with its prowess. The new Monster with its Panigale-style front frame replacing the trellis is far more than ‘a budget naked’… it is, in actual fact, a full-on sporty naked with a great blend of performance and agility. But which is best? Slipping on a leather jacket and pair of riding jeans is a genuine delight and so is lining up on a pair of premium nakeds. I love a good naked bike and nothing is more enjoyable than a spirited sunny road ride on them, mainly as when you get home you don’t spend the next six months nervously awaiting the postman. Nakeds don’t demand you go fast everywhere in the same way a sportsbike does and keeping close to the national speed limit is far easier as that’s where they work best. Especially the MT-09 SP. Yamaha claim the new CP3 engine has gained a extra 7% low-end grunt but on the go it feels like a total transformation compared to the old triple and when you take to a twisty B-road, it is unbelievably good. The MT always seems primed and ready to respond. But not in an aggressive way as even the throttle connection has been perfected for 2021. And now its chassis has been sorted too, the MT-09 SP finally feels like the complete package. “Everything works together and works incredibly well,” enthuses fellow tester Justin Hayzelden when we catch breath halfway around the B-road route. “It really is an astonishing bike to ride, so much fun, but it is certainly more on the sporty side of the naked market as the suspension is quite firm.”
He has a point, but the joy of an SP is that you pay the extra for quality suspension, which means that if you do want to ease-off its ride then
you have the full adjustability to do so. Something that is missing on the reborn Monster.
On paper the Ducati seems to have a bit of an ‘Italian premium’ to its price as its suspension lacks adjustability (or a flashy brand name) and the 937cc V-twin is viewed as being the ‘budget’ engine in the firm’s range. However, in the flesh its cool styling, attention to detail and general fit and finish, not to mention the feel-good factor of owning a Ducati, help justify its Yamaha SP-matching price. And if this doesn’t sway you into considering one, taking it out for a test ride most certainly will.
The Monster is one of those bikes that just feels right and as a result delivers huge amounts of satisfaction. As soon as you get rolling its light weight and muscular riding position make you feel ready for action. Show it a set of bends and the Ducati comes alive. It’s a proper sporty Monster in the grand tradition of the original, which is a welcome return to form for Ducati’s beloved naked after some slightly forgettable generations.
Set noticeably softer on its suspension than the MT, the Monster feels far more than 2kg lighter than the Yamaha and that makes it nowhere near as demanding to ride and with less of an aggressive edge. Maybe it’s the chilled-out nature of the V-twin also playing its part, but where the Yamaha encourages speed, the Monster is happy to leave the choice up to you and go with whatever you decide. If you fancy attacking an apex it responds with glee but if you just want to cruise and enjoy the scenery, it’s good with that as well. And it’s also amazingly adept in town with a brilliant turning circle and light clutch action seeing it zip through traffic with ease. The MT can also take on congestion – but should you wish to perform a quick U-turn, its sporty side manifests itself with lock-stops that come into play with a clunk far too eagerly. But at least your legs are saved from a roasting on the Yamaha, which isn’t the case on the Ducati when the going gets slow.
Back out and on the faster A-road section of the route, we discover a limitation on both bikes – fuel range. It’s around 120 miles between fill-ups (ignore the Monster’s pessimistic warning light at 100 miles). They can do more and their respective seats and riding positions are fairly relaxed but why push it on a naked bike? Stop after two hours, grab a coffee in the sun and enjoy the ride rather than just racking up the miles for the sake of it. Which is key to owning both of these bikes. While the Monster and MT-09 SP can handle a daily commute, they are better savoured on a sunny ride with a carefully chosen route to exploit their fun-loving strengths. If you know a cracking B-road route, then few bikes can deliver as many smiles per mile as these two nakeds. These are machines that come alive when the sun is out, the tarmac warm and the bends arriving thick and fast. And best of all, you will be doing it (if you wish) while wearing a nice comfortable leather jacket and pair of riding jeans, which also help keep the speeds down to more sensible numbers than you might hit on a sportsbike. Is there a better way to spend your free time in summer? I’m struggling to think of one, especially if you throw in a cheeky ice cream stop.