I was fortunate enough this week to be asked by the local stealer to have a pre-premiere go on the new Monster 1200S, and give them some feedback on it. BTW the US Premiere is tomorrow, April 5th, 2014. Most stealers will have some flavor of the 1200 for you to try. If you have a choice, just skip the standard one.

My ride was urban, with some bits of freeway (most ramps and run-up blasts) and a couple of short, somewhat hidden, twisty bits in the vicinity. I was the only one to have ridden it, except for one of their mechanics who set it up (also the shop's suspension guru - a really candid Argentine guy). Even
though not at first service mileage - I still rode it like I stole it. The other guys at the dealer just hadn't had opportunity.

The Good:

- I'll start by saying that it is the best, as in most-refined and tractable Ducati I've ridden. Even in "Sport" mode - with it's quick-early throttle response, it was never jerky or fluffy at any point. Nor was it soft in anything but "Urban" mode. And then, not lame - just softer.

- Default ride modes (engine management + TC mode + ABS mode) are intelligently chosen, to where the bike will appeal to wide range of riders and skill levels. The baby "Urban" mode felt more like my SD990, except that it had much smoother throttle response. In this mode however, it doens't pull like the 990 at the top of the rev range. Probably a good thing for newbies, or for getting used to the bike and break-in. I began in "Sport" and spent most of my time riding in this mode. More power is better, right? Conclusion:

It is a worthy dance partner, that you could easily take home even if sober. It was muy fun. If I could get bits to sort the ergos, with a little suspension work, I could easily put one in the garage for the daily ride.

Think it's not as good as your 990? You'd be wrong. Sorry. It's the truth. Then again, I don't think I'll ever tyre of the 990's looks. Much has evolved since 2007 (first "official" entry of the SD into the US), and I look forward to my roll on the 1290R. Kind of pathetic that after all that hype, KTM can't get them to us yet. Would have been fun to do my own back-to-back.

Very good and detailed write up! That 72 degree knee bend (according to Cycle-ergo) looks to be a killer. That is the same as my Speed Triple, rode it from Tucson to Houston and back, didn't ride it after that. Sucks getting old.. I'm kinda tempted to ride the Hypermotard 821

Nice review mate, and thanks for taking the time to do it.

That's a great review and good to read.

Lost in all the detail though is the big picture. The vast vast majority of people will buy based on what it looks like, the image it reflects on them and what their peers will think. The number of people getting within 10% of the standard bikes performance limits is tiny. It called a monster, is made by Ducati and looks good when shiny and thus is the most powerful one they have ever made. That's plenty good for most folk, I bet they sell loads!

if you are considering one for the track, the monster really isnt in the same league as the 1290/Tuono/S1000r:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YUt4ur4ixc

Nice write up Nerd. Thanks for the effort.

Nice write up. Just a shame it looks so middle aged man. There was nothing I found exciting about the look of the bike when I saw it at the bike show. Seat was just plain ugly and I know the headlight says Monster but its just so dated. It felt like it was built for someone of Pedrosa's height to ride. Killed my knees just trying to sit on it. I'm sure the engine is great fun but in the looks stakes it's just plain boring and ugly imo and comfort for anyone over 6" it's a massive no no