As my signature "used" to indicate, I owned a Ducati Diavel. I made the mistake of riding by the local Ducati dealer on my way to the mountains and saw the "Ducati Experience" Tractor/trailer.
Thought I'd stop and test ride a Panigale to prove to myself that I'm way too old and achy for something that would bend me up like a pretzel. Well, the Panigales (2) were taken leaving Monsters, Streetfighters, Scramblers, and Multistradas. I opted for the Monster 1200s as it was the same basic engine as is in my Diavel but in a sportier package. Back in 2002 I had a Ducati Monster S4 Senna. So it was familiar.
Well, what a mistake. That Monster was absolutely AMAZING! While it is down about 18 hp due to tuning compared to my Diavel, its was only noticeable when starting "off the line". In Sport mode and being aggressive on the throttle, the front-end would come up, but the traction control, anti-wheelie, kept it to a minimum. The handling was absolutely telepathic. Maybe its the Ohlins suspension but it just went anywhere I even thought about going. Being a Monster it was also very comfortable just cruising…
I went home and told my wife how awesome the bike was. Her response; "So, you're replacing the Diavel…"
For me, its the perfect companion to my S10. Kinda like a sport car next to my SUV. The Monster will never replace my S10 as they are polar opposites in purpose and utility...
Here it is;
Thought I'd stop and test ride a Panigale to prove to myself that I'm way too old and achy for something that would bend me up like a pretzel. Well, the Panigales (2) were taken leaving Monsters, Streetfighters, Scramblers, and Multistradas. I opted for the Monster 1200s as it was the same basic engine as is in my Diavel but in a sportier package. Back in 2002 I had a Ducati Monster S4 Senna. So it was familiar.
Well, what a mistake. That Monster was absolutely AMAZING! While it is down about 18 hp due to tuning compared to my Diavel, its was only noticeable when starting "off the line". In Sport mode and being aggressive on the throttle, the front-end would come up, but the traction control, anti-wheelie, kept it to a minimum. The handling was absolutely telepathic. Maybe its the Ohlins suspension but it just went anywhere I even thought about going. Being a Monster it was also very comfortable just cruising…
I went home and told my wife how awesome the bike was. Her response; "So, you're replacing the Diavel…"
For me, its the perfect companion to my S10. Kinda like a sport car next to my SUV. The Monster will never replace my S10 as they are polar opposites in purpose and utility...
Here it is;
