The review is spot on. I’m a new rider, bought this bike after 6 months on a Honda 250. Under 7,000 rpm’s in ‘touring’ this is a comfortable, docile bike with excellent fueling. You definitely adapt to it: the tall gearing, the grumbly engine, the heat, the quirky gearbox. Once you get to know each other the quirks go away and you just bond with it. It will take me several years to fully grow into this bike. Thanks for the great review.
Rick del Monte I’m somewhat in the same position you were , wen u just started riding. Been riding now for about 9 months now and looking to purchase this or a left over 19 super duke r...glad to hear it’s easy to ride. How are you liking it this far..?
@@jayrock497 it’s been a great bike, no problems. I don’t know If I will ever full throttle this thing on the road, one past 6,000 rpm it is brutal. I love that you can just have a relaxing cruise on this thing and enjoy the engine rumbling along, but twist the throttle and it becomes a manic sports bike. It is one of those bikes that I have to stare at when I pull the cover off: it’s just a beautiful bike. You will really appreciate the Ohlins suspensión and Brembo brakes, they are outstanding.
The best review of a motorcycle I have ever watched. For all the other motorcycle review companies learn from this fellow. I've been watching Ducati reviews for the past 3 years. In 11 minutes and 27 seconds i learned more about the Monster than i have in the 3 years. Well done and you most definitely deserve a raise! Thank you!
I run the 1200R, after trading my BMW 1200RT a year ago following a major heart episode. Needed something lighter (difference was -85KG, my body weight). The last 12 months, despite Covid lockdowns, has been brilliant. The R is a doddle to ride, very forgiving, with more handling, braking, accelleration, suspension and cornering capability than you'll ever need. I've never taken it above 6000 RPM, don't need to. Comfortable for a 200 mile plus day ride too. Overtaking is a breeze, much safer than the RT - just imagine it and go. All this at 50mpg, and you can pick up a three year old model with Termi's for under £10K. The only downside is its mirrors which you need to swap for bar ends to get a decent view. Why pay £20K for a Streetfighter, twice the price, when you can't access its power unless you're on a track?
Having owned my 1200s for two years - having moved up from a Gen 1 Ducati of many years - your comments are spot on. Once broken in a bit after new and warmed up for a ride - as you mention - the bike is a very enjoyable machine. My only addition as an owner is to have the Ohlin suspenders set up properly for your weight - as this pays significant dividends. As I'm on the lighter side, I took the further step of having softer Ohlin springs installed for my weight. Ducati's are factory set for a rider at 185/190 lbs. I'd encourage anyone who is even thinking about one to take a 1200/821 out for a test ride.
@@richardcollins586 Very nice to hear you've got a 797. In some ways, the 821 is superior - power to weight is very good for the street, you get to use more gears, slightly better sound, lower price - but the 1200s has the better suspension and, of course, more power. I would test ride both the 821 and 1200s and see what you think.
I run my own channel and wanted to congratulate you that this format is how a real world bike review should be done. Informative and practical and answers the real questions. Thank you.
Damn great review, John. You are simply up there with the very best reviewers. Period. The Ducati isn't my kind of bike, but I do love the noise it makes.
Great insight, thank you. Makes me miss my Diavel. It had the same character when it was cold. I felt like we got along better once we both woke up, like you said.
Awesome review and an awesome bike I think I’ve repeated this video 5 times. The monster 1200s is definitely one of my dream bikes. Right now riding an air cooled 795 which is awesome too.
I have a 1200s 3 months and I love it around town or open road great bike. It's my first Ducati and was a little afraid about spending that sort or money but after 2 hours on it I forgot about the money and fell in love
Great review! I own one of these since 2018 and have ridden 20k (tours and trackdays). No major issues except air in the rear brake. IMHO best allrounder in Ducati’s lineup. Still missing a bit of my Evo’s character - but the 1200s is even easier to ride and more accessible to Ducati novices.
Lived with my Monster 1200 for a year and loved it. Yes there was the odd thing that needed fixing. Can't wait to get my next one. I want to try the S. Great review.
Absolutely awesome video man. Makes me want a monster again. I started riding in 2017. 27 years old. I have had experience on fast dirt bikes as a kid and wanted to take it to the streets. I got my permit and bought a 2016 monster S. I ended up going to fast and laying it down in the grass 7 days after I got it. Rode it home and the damages ended up being totaled. Frame damage off a rock. I immediately I got a monster 1200 R. Loved it. Learned from my mistakes and kept it til March of this year. I got an MT09 now and an older Yamaha vstar 1300 for the gf. That MT09 is amazing. Cheaper and still a beast. But something about the monster and this video makes me wish I never would have ruined the S. Inexperience. But I’ve learned. And I will always forever love the Ducati brand and the liter bike monster specifically. I’ll probably get another eventually
Top review, thanks for all the practical and well articulated details. Refreshing in motorsports, among the typically shallow and subjective generic jaw-jacking.
Great review. I have a 1200r and you've nailed what it's like to live with one. It's truly a do it all bike. I've just done a 2000 mile tour to the picos mountains on mine - it was perfect.
I've had this bike, in this color, since 2017. I'm never letting it go. The V4 Streetfighter is coming out, and I'll have that and this Monster. With the QS--just make sure you're firm with your shifts. The gearbox is pretty stout, and a light tap will get you BETWEEN gears. Also, the steering radius lock thingy is just a bolt against the frame. I'm looking for maybe a rubber stopper for that. Do get this beast above 6k rpm, it loves it.
Fantastic review!! No BS, just Impressions from a seasoned rider. It's 2021 and I just bought a 2018 in grey that sat at the dealer for three years! Can't wait to pick it up.
ha I just did the same! Brand new 2018 in grey, at a discount. Can't hardly wait til the Spring. this video is gonna have thousands of more views just because of me...
Great review! Another good point not brought up are the brakes. Oh my god they are good. I have previously owned a 2004 S4R and a 2012 796. They do not compare to my new 2019 1200 25th Anniversario. Loads of power with a sportier yet more comfortable feel. My old Monsters use to really show their flaws when they were pushed to the limit. The new 1200 is so stable and confidence inspiring. *Patiently waiting for more Desmosedici content.
Really nice review, man. I test-rode one of these from that shop in Vauxhall and it was a total hooligan! Not sure if I'd want it as my only bike but it was heaps of fun to ride.
Have had my M1200S for over two years now and it's been my absolute favorite bike that I've owned so far. Glad to hear my opinion is shared with the reviewer that this machine is exciting yet can be civil. It's also true that you feel cool any time you're riding this bike. Also, as stated in the review, if you're considering one of these get it in the grey. The number of compliments that I've gotten on the color is insane. It also stands out against the usual red that you see just about every Ducati owner with.
I die a little inside every time I see a Ducati that isn't red lmao. I saw a blue Ferrari once, and I was like......WHYYYY??? lol. But I've never really known them to be anything but red. I got my 93 900SS when I was 20, I was aware of Ducati, loved the sound but not how pre 90s models looked, until I saw a 916 in a magazine, but I wasn't aware of any other new models, the article didn't mention anything else and no internet back then lol. But when I pulled into my dealership (about 2 days after I saw the article, I couldn't help myself lol, I was already in love with that sexy red machine, was actually there just to look...drool lol, I new I could never afford one ) I pulled up next to a near new 900SS and man I was hooked. I walked in, drooled over a brand new 916 they had taking centre stage..... walked up to a salesperson, pointed at my soon to be 900SS and said something like, I'd like to take a look at my new bike please...... I couldn't even test ride it because I didn't have my full license yet lol, the next day I got to ride it home tho and OMG. The noise, the feeling, the stance of the bike and riding position, the look of that body under me, all red and shiny lol, I didn't want to turn it off.....and I'd literally only gone across the road to the servo to get fuel lmao. After that every moment I spent with my beast (it was never a him or a her, I just called it my beast, a female beast is not sexy, and damn that bike was sexy to me, and there was no way I wanted a sexy male beast between my legs lol, but these days we have a term I could use.....my Non-Binary Beast lmao) was just pure fun and excitement, even when it wasn't lol, it was a bit temperamental. Anyway, at the time they were so rare I think it was around 6 months before I saw another one ( ducati ) on the road, I new the SL came out in yellow from magazines but never even saw one in the showroom, so to me they are just Red. So I don't care how many of them there are now, to me, they forever have been....and forever will be..... RED. BUT....... Because it is now 20 years after selling my baby ( I am finally looking to get another one, finally going to fill the massive hole left in my soul when I sold my beast ) you would think I wouldn't be all that fussy, especially with a very low budget, but I found a 1098, the sexiest of them all imo, and my absolute dream bike since it came out, it's 2007 model, 20k kms which is very low compared to most other bikes on the internet in my price range, and for only $8k.....bargain.....definitely worth a look.....NOPE.....It's Yellow. Just my bloody luck, the only yellow Ducati in my search results and it just so happens to be my dream bike, AND, the only 1098 in my price range. But......It's not RED .....so the search continues lol. And red's not even my favourite colour, I've never bought another thing that is red as far as I can recall, black is my favourite colour, but black Ducatis, it just isn't right man lol......omg this post is long and boring lmao TL:DR..... I like red Ducatis lol...... oh and there is way too many lols lol
Previously owned a 2017 Monster 1200 (standard). Funny the comment about it being grumpy when cold...I thought it was just me not being on the ball. It definitely benefits from a short warm-up, once the engine gets to 40 degrees it all seems fine. I had a quickshifter put on mine, never felt great, you always had to give it a bootful, but more importantly the throttle needs to be open a fair amount, you need to be going for it, then it is butter smooth. Gripes, engine in town in the summer...chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Tyres were Rosso 3s, just brilliant, as good as everyone says. Finish, quality and reliability - the best, better than my GSA. I traded it for a 2019 Hypermotard SP, another truly brilliant bike. So if you want a cossetted and loved Monster 1200 with extra candy it is sitting at Ducati Aylesbury, 6,705 miles on the clock. My only other point is....I would go for the 1200S next time. BTW, for taller riders..I am 6.1, always felt comfortable for my legs and rear. And yes if you hold a gear you will be surprised by what happens past 5-6k.
Great review. I've had my 2016 1200S for 3 years now and I love it. It's really tame to ride, but if you wanna open it up it'll go like hell! It's comfortable, awesome suspension and incredible brakes. Easily the best bike I've owned. Oh and then there's the sound, sublime doesn't do it justice..(I have an Akrapovic slip on with the restrictor removed)..can't see myself ever selling it!
I've own a M1200R since late 2016. Had a Panigale 959 at the time. Bought the M1200R because of the sheer pull on your arms and that front wheel lifting every chance it gets just literally scared the bejeesus out of me until I got used to it. Then again, it still does. Loaded with an SC-P carbon exhaust with ecu flash. 15,000kms. Only issue was the warped front discs covered on warranty. Brake pads were switched to sintering EBC to prevent further occurrence caused by heavy braking. Replaced the Panigale with a Multistrada leaving the Monster for occasional track days. Bike is pure joy to ride.
Just to add...you need to give it time. It takes time to get the hang of the bike. At first I thought I had made a mistake buying it. Three months in I was getting up at 4am to go for blasts before work, as in London to Brighton, London to Cambridge, for a coffee, that sort of thing. So an hour-long test ride might leave you feeling what's the fuss about.
I stepped into the 821 stealth with an Austin racing pipe on it and i love the bike ! the Monster is just an all around great bike and looks incredible. i turn heads everywhere i go, and the AR exhaust makes it sound like some mean street muscle !! im sure the 1200 would be wild to ride, but for me, I stepped up from a BMW 310GS so its quite the upgrade for me, first weekend i did a 707km ride in a day with 2 BMW S1000RR's and i had no problem keeping up in the passes and corners
Nice review and the one you had is exactly what I'm looking for. Last year I made the huge mistake of selling my 2009 696 which gave me zero issues over the 5 years I owned. I've regretted selling it ever since. Hopefully I can jump into this particular model and color later this summer or over the fall months.
Great review, I'm lucky enough to own a beautiful red 696+ with Termi cans, although a fraction of the horse power a fantastic ride, simple and oozing character, and cheap to buy.
The exhaust indeed is huge. But I love the blast sound when I stop for a traffic signal by rolling down the throttle completely and gearing down without using the clutch to engine brake. It's Godly!
I just stumbled on to a 2019 Monster 1200s in the "Liquid Concrete Gray" today at the local bike shop. They made me a deal and I rode off on it. Wasn't even planning to buy anything, and the Monster wasn't even on my radar. It's got the Termignoni pipes on it, and a bunch of tasteful style mods. Looks amazing, sounds mean and raw, and holy balls does it fly! After only a short ride I'm pretty sure I'm going to enjoy owning it... Especially once I get it dialed in and gain familiarity.
I have a owned a red 2017 Monster 1200 for 2 years now and I love it to bits. It's quite enjoyable to drive, awesome power, quick acceleration, and handles great. I use it for urban riding, but on Sport mode. It has a number of safety devices, such as traction control and cornering ABS. What can I say, what can I say...? Only drawback I see is it doesn't look as good as Panigale or XDiavel S. It doesn't have a clean look like those bikes. Don't get me wrong, it still looks good!
Thats a really nice review! - I've got a monster 1200s in liquid concrete grey - love the name of the color, one guy in bologna first had to have the idea, so Ducati :) I rode it for around 20'000k's. It's a lovley bike, it has character for shure :) The power is insane for public roads, almost incompatible with the law. Because the monster wants to be ridden. I love my monster. The really big negative point is the gearbox.. i had some really bad empty gears... it can be even really dangerous sometimes, if you flying to the next corner, kicking down the gears and find yourself inbetween the gears, while expecting the motorbrake :( And the placement of the steering-dampner looks like they forgot about it, because it has wheelie control. And in the last second they thought; what's about the guys and lady's who want to ride the monster like a real monster without wheeliecontrol. If you plan on riding it whitout the wheelie control get the upgrade! Also i was really unhappy with the pirelli that is mounted originally.. it's a good tire, if the temparture is stable and the roads are dry and clean. But its really twichy when the road conditions are changing all the time.. dirt, wet spots, like in spring in switzerland.. i changed to the m7 rr, which handles road imperfections and changing temperture's way better and inspires additional confidence even on the worst roads of sardenia... the metzeler is the perfect partner for the monster in my opinion. cheers from Switzerland ride on
Nice review. I really hope that when Ducati updates this bike (it has been around for a while now) they put the 1200cc Superquadro engine from the old Panigale into it (which they really aren't doing anything with now). Again, good review.
I have this exact bike in the grey with termis on it. sounds beautiful. I use mine everyday and i ride all year round. I'm just coming up for 7500 miles. Bike handle wet days almost as good as dry. I have to agree with pretty much everything in this review, Especially the part about the bike doesn't quite like to be woken up too early in the morning and also bit about the quickshifter. I've found with the quick shifter is that you have to be very deliberate with with you changes otherwise you will get a jerky gear change or even false neutral. Some people might blame the bike but i would put it more down to rider error. Once you have it works it then it is buttery smooth especially along fast back roads at higher revs. Great review. Cheers.
I have a 2016 1200 S (without that stupid quick shifter) and it’s been the BEST bike I’ve ever owned. It doesn’t make me miss my sports bikes at all. It has so much torque. The suspension is amazing. Plus, my back doesn’t hurt after a long ride because it’s a comfy ride position. Simply amazing. I have 3k miles on mine and I’ve only done 2 services on it. Break in and then just an annual one. Break in service was free. Annual service was $500. Not bad, at all!
Great review, thank you for the details as I’m seriously considering the 1200s. Would you recommend a an aftermarket cruise control/throttle lock for this bike as we tour periodically. Thanks again.
I took one short ride on my buddies 2019 Monster 1200 and instantly had to have one. I was luckily enough to find a barely used 2019 Monster 1200 25 Anniversario edition with only 506 miles on her, she is both calm subtle and brutally aggressive all dependent on rider input. Just waiting to put an Akrapovic rear can on her to make sound the way she was designed to sound. Cheers mate 🤘😎🏍🎸
I know I’m late to the game on this video but I’m looking at buying my first Ducati so I’ve been watching all the reviews I can. I’m interested to see people’s opinions on the 821 vs the 1200. I’ve heard the 821 is a great all rounder. I mostly ride to work, do 200 mile day rides, and weekend trips. No idea which to buy. Obviously gonna go ride both before I make the decision. Thanks!
I have the R model & when you put the Termi pipes on, it totally transforms this bike. If you like sound, the pipes are a must! To try & explain it in words what the pipes have done, it's a bit like this. They say it lifts power & torque by about 5% - 8%. But it feels more like 25%. The sound becomes huge, & the torque feels like its 50% more. Mind you the R already has the full system pipes up front, so when you put the Termi slip on from Ducati, which comes with mapping as well, it becomes a "Full" system. It is simply immense what the pipes have done. The bike actually feels subdued before the pipes. Every bike should have a good pipe set up, but no other bike is must like this current Monster series. Cheers groovers ;-)
I’m a newbie and the Monster is my dream bike. This review was awesome and honest. My question for old and new Monster riders is how has the maintenance been on your bikes? Are the desmo valve adjustment issue overblown? I’m considering 696, 1100 Evo or more modern 821.
Please do more follow-up reviews like that! I have a 2019 1200s and can add that passenger comfort is ok for a bigger second number but it's not perfect for longer rides. I get ~100 miles range in the city, significantly more on the highway. Excellent bike overall but the seating position is too aggressive for a naked bike in my opinion.
Multistrada is for folk who like to sit bolt upright. Nakeds, in my opinion, should have some lean to help with wind blast and front end control. Ducati did a great job.
Another great review from John Hogan. The only thing I kept wondering is the ergonomics for "taller" people (e.g. 6 foot) and if you do have big feet, coud you rest your foot without touching exhaust pipe.
5' 11" here. With the balls of my feet on the pegs, my heel would rest on the exhaust guard. This was a deal breaker because I knew I'd feel it while riding and it would probably annoy me.
I'm 6' 1" and on my monster 1200s -14 my heel will touch, not really that annoying and you get used to it. On the 2018 and 19 models i have test driven this was no longer a issue for me atleast
Hi Guy`s I`m on my 11 Ducati since 2012. and on my 3 Monster 1200s. Done lots of miles, love them for all. I`m 180 cm, just bought a original 2.5 cm higher seat. so don`t let the space in the leg department get in your way of buying one of theese. Its a cracking bike....
I have the baby monster, 797 and to be honest I love it. I would like a little more leg room and more power. But the brakes, suspension, sound are great. I am trying to think of a reason not to buy another one. This time the 1200s, and to be honest I am struggling with finding something I like as much.
I part exed triumph street RS for this bike got it in red and had a lad at Ducati Manchester do the white decals all over then junked the cans for a double crt SC project and my god its feckin loud and is a real monster pops like a shot gun when quick shift up tickle the throttle when the boys in blue are around gotta say l absolutely love this bike and lm still getting used to it and l love that street RS was good but this so much better 👍👍👍
Had my 1200s for 2 years, done 16,000 miles and it makes grin from ear to ear every time I ride it!! There is nothing out there I would rather own, FACT!!
Have you ridden the 1290R? If you have: How would you say it compares to this in comfort? As in seating position and wind? (How did you like the comfort on long stretches?)
Question, does the 1200 feel heavy compared to the smaller monsters. I have ridden a friends 696 around town and I loved it.. I'm looking for a monster now and I would like to go for the 1200s but I'm not sure if it will lose some of the fun factor because of being heavier. Any comments from someone who has ridden both would be appreciated.
i am starting to feel like i have a man crush every time i leave a comment on here now !! but i can not state enough how fucking good there’s reviews are !! i have a monster 796 and love it , just because i felt it was as sexy to look at as the 1200 but not as scary. well done john you should be as proud as punch about how you and bike world go about your work . 👍👍❤️🏍🌎
I own - besides 2 old Ducatis (748 / 750 Sport) a Monster 1200S from 2014 and just love the bike as a daily driver. The only thing really annoying me is the cockpit! As the sun shines to it, there's nothing to be seen
