Ducati
is no stranger to the warfare in the naked bike class; in fact, Ducati started
it way back in 1993 when it released the very first Ducati Monster 900.
Since
then other manufacturers have followed in wake of the Italian manufacturer by
releasing their own “naked” machines, and within the last few years the class
has been in a state of war with each manufacturer trying to out-perform and
out-power one another.
And now, for 2017, Ducati is releasing an “all-new” Monster 1200
and 1200 S in hopes to claim its throne once more. The face-lift it receives
has more purpose than just styling; the tank has been reshaped and shrunken in
size by one liter (0.26 gallon) and paired with a sleeker tailsection for a more
compact feel for the rider while resembling the same shape of the original
Monster 900 of 1993.
The new Monster also gets a new, more round-shaped
headlight (with the S model getting integrated daytime running lights), a TFT
color dashboard, and separate-mount passenger pegs.
Ducati’s
chassis department also briefly had its hands on the 2017 Monster and took time
to tinker with the bike’s geometry to bring out more agile handling. Rake is
steepened by one degree from 24.3 to 23.3 degrees, and trail has been shortened
to 87mm from 94mm. And thanks to a new die-cast aluminum single-sided swingarm,
the wheelbase also gets cut down by 1 inch.
Additionally, the new model is
dressed with Pirelli’s latest Diablo Rosso III tires for gobs of traction in
all conditions.
At 9,250 rpm the new Monster 1200 S is said to produce 150 hp,
which is five more than its predecessor and 15 more than the previous standard
model, due to the increase in compression ratio from 12.5:1 to 13.0:1 and the
larger 56mm oval throttle bodies of the newest Testastretta 11° engine. To top
it off, it is also fitted with a Monster 1200 R-inspired muffler for a more
racy appearance.
Perhaps the most notable modification to the Monster is its
new electronics package and the addition of a Bosch IMU. The new system
incorporates cornering ABS and Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) using data received
from the IMU for a new level of bike control. The Ducati Quick Shift also comes
standard on the S model and allows for clutchless upshifts and downshifts.
To try
the new Monster 1200 S for ourselves, Ducati packed us journalists up and
shipped us overseas to Monte Carlo, Monaco; a Principality that borders the
Mediterranean Sea. After tiptoeing past royal casinos and weaving through a sea
of exotic supercars, we found ourselves in the French mountains unleashing the
Monster’s newfound steam.
Right
off the bat, it’s noticeable that the Monster has taken on a livelier persona
than its predecessor thanks to its revised geometry and compact design.
Steering on the 2017 model is lighter than you’d anticipate, especially
midcorner where the previous model struggled, but the new bike stays stable
when it comes to putting the power to the ground.
The revised fuel tank also
contributes to a sportier feel and allows you to lock your knees in when the
riding gets spirited. In a tight series of corners, however, the lively feel
plays against the handling of the bike and is too twitchy for any sort of
confidence at full lean.
Saying that the Ducati’s
suspension is phenomenal, however, is an understatement. The 48mm fully
adjustable Öhlins front fork and rear shock soak up any imperfections in the
pavement and provide all the feedback necessary for comfort at every riding
pace.
Similarly, the Brembo M50 brake calipers and 330mm discs do an impressive
job at stopping the Monster all while providing good feel through the lever
without being too grabby.
The engine, too, runs
smoothly, and the extra horsepower it receives is evident, but it still feels a
little underpowered compared to some of its competitors.
The 1,198cc powerplant
comes alive around 7,500 rpm and signs off at 11,500 rpm, pulling considerably
all the way through that window of power. Sounds good, right? Well, while nothing
bad, it just doesn’t provide the same excitement as some of its competitors.
Tinkering
with the Monster’s three riding modes (Sport, Touring, and Urban) during the
ride proved more worthwhile than expected.
Sport mode (the most aggressive of
the three) is too touchy for most of the ride, but a quick switch to Touring
was the perfect fix. Transition between on and off throttle feels seamless, and
the power delivery is linear throughout the rev range, making the bike very
friendly to ride in even the trickiest conditions.
The clutchless shifting also
pays dividends after a long day of riding by reducing fatigue, and the wheelie
control worked well to keep the front wheel down without cutting too much
power—except we think wheelies are acceptable on a bike like this!
Okay, so despite a small disadvantage in power and low-speed
handling, there’s no doubt that Ducati has delivered the best Monster 1200 S
yet—but unfortunately that comes with a hefty price.
Dealers are to put a
retail price of $16,995 for the red colorway or $17,195 for the gray models as
they hit their showrooms in January of next year, but that’s still more than
most of the competition. But if price is no concern, pick the right roads and
conditions, and the Ducati will surely fight for the top spot of the naked bike
class.
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