Trade or upgrade?
Ducati Monster 1200 S owner rates 2021 model
JAMES MILLAR, 38 Relatively fresh to two wheels, James bought the Monster 1200 S as his first big bike in January 2020 after getting his licence. He used to commute in London on it but now sticks to the A-roads around Worcestershire and the Cotswolds.
DUCATI’S MONSTER IS the unsung hero of the Italian brand’s model range. The bike that formed the foundations for the firm’s expansion in the 1990s (the 916 mainly supplied the glamour...), the Monster has come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes in both air and liquidcooled form. However, one thing has always remained constant, a V-twin at its heart. For 2021 Ducati has taken its iconic naked bike back to its roots and made it lighter, sportier and packed with tech. Will these changes be enough to tempt Monster 1200 S owner James to trade-in his bike for the smaller-capacity model?
“Some people thought I was crazy getting the Monster 1200 S as my first big bike, saying I should have gone for the smallercapacity version, but I found it really easy to live with,” James remembers. “I love it but I am in the market for a new bike now as it has covered over 7500 miles and I want a bike to ride all the time so I can keep my 1200 for special occasions, rather than just hacking-out miles on it. I love naked bikes and the Monster’s classic styling and, with the 2021 bike’s PCP plan, I’m considering one as a day-to-day bike.”
Let’s see if a ride on one will help him make up, or change, his mind.
The ride
“I can’t tell you how happy I am to finally see a fuel gauge and gear indicator on the Monster’s dash,” says James after a quick blast. “One thing that really annoys me is the fact I have no idea how much fuel is in my bike’s tank. When I ride with mates they all say ‘I have xx-miles left’ while I have to open the tank and take a guess! And on a Monster, you need to know how much fuel you have left as it only does
‘I love the Monster’s classic styling’
about 90 miles until reserve – the 158-mile claimed range on the new Monster’s dash is a joy to see but, although the display is now a bit cluttered compared to mine. But the mirrors are still crap.” Plus a change...
“The new Monster feels far lighter and shorter than mine,” says James after a few more miles under his belt. “Once you open it up and explore some bends it makes total sense. The suspension feels far more compliant than on mine, which is probably my fault as I’ve left the Öhlins set firmly but it is the agility I love. Mine definitely feels harder to turn as it is longer and in tight bends the new bike is much more eager and fun. It’s also nice to see Ducati has listened to owners and the exhaust pipes don’t get in the way of your legs when you ride on the balls of your feet.
“I’m in two minds about the brakes, however. My bike’s Brembos are far sharper than the Monster’s, which I do like, but the new bike’s calipers feel more progressive and easier to be smooth with, which would be good if you took a pillion regularly. I don’t, however.
“The new Monster also makes a far better town bike than my 1200. I used to ride mine in London and it was hideous due to the heavy clutch and poor turning circle; this bike is a joy at low speed, has a great turning circle and would make a fantastic commuter as it is really nippy. If I was still riding in London, that would be a big selling point for me.”
The engine
“I know full well I seldom use the top 30% of my 1200’s engine’s power, so I’d be more than happy with the performance of the smaller motor, although it just feels a bit ‘modern’ and lacking in character,” James reports. “It’s smoother than mine, the gearbox is far slicker and you can actually locate neutral but the motor isn’t as gutsy and doesn’t have that lovely thump you get from a big V-twin.
“On mine you can roll-on the throttle in top gear to overtake where the smallercapacity Monster requires a gear to be dropped as its power is higher up the rev range. I wouldn’t say the Monster is lacking in power but you certainly need to search for it more than you have to on mine, which is to be expected considering its engine’s size. I miss the lazy feeling mine has if you aren’t in the mood while also still containing a real kick of top-end power if you want a thrill.”
The technology
In terms of technology, the only thing the Monster has that James’ bike lacks is really an up/down shifter, IMU and connectivity (oh, and a fuel gauge...). “I love the quick
2021 DUCATI MONSTER The 937cc Testastretta 11° V-twin engine is Euro5compliant and has 9000-mile/12-month service intervals with a desmo service at 18,000 miles.
2014 DUCATI MONSTER 1200 S The 1198cc Testastretta 11° V-twin has service intervals of 9000 miles/12 months with a desmo service at 18,000 miles. S has 10bhp/5lb·ft more than stock.
2021 DUCATI MONSTER The 4.3-inch TFT screen features rev counter and gear indicator. Connectivity can be added via the £216 Bluetooth module and multimedia system.
2014 DUCATI MONSTER 1200 S The TFT screen has three layouts and includes a lap timer function, which records up to 30 lap times, max speed and rpm. Connectivity is not an option.
2021 DUCATI MONSTER As well as leansensitive three-level ABS, the Monster gets eight-level traction control, three riding modes, launch and wheelie control and up/down shifter.
2014 DUCATI MONSTER 1200 S The Monster 1200 gets eight-level DTC, three-level ABS and three riding modes (Sport, Touring and Urban). None are lean-sensitive.
shifter; it’s clean in its action and great to use but I’m not fussed about connectivity and certainly wouldn’t spend £216 adding it. As for the angle-sensitive electronics, I’m happy with my bike’s standard ABS and TC systems and have never really felt the need for more.”
The looks
“I’m not sure about the new Monster’s look,” concedes James as we stop in a layby near the end of our ride. “The lack of trellis frame is a bit disappointing as there is just a huge area of black plastic instead and the logos on the tank are nasty stickers where mine, before I got it painted, were metal. I’m not 100% convinced it says ‘Monster’; where I look back at my 1200 parked in the garage and smile, I don’t feel the urge to give the new one a second glance. I’d have had a really fun ride on it, I just wouldn’t have the urge to stand and look at it afterwards, which is a big part of Monster ownership it fails to satisfy.”