May 15, 2009
Bart Schuster
I have had very limited time riding big twins. I have always thought of them as “Niche” products, with proven race results, outstanding customer service and a commitment to racing excellence.
My gracious host, Julian Taylor, put together the route (one of those let's go get lost and find our way back routes). I was not in any way to complain. The stable was well equipped and to be noted a Ducati 999 would be the chase bike, not too shabby. It was funny to think that a Ducati 999 would be put in the role of following an upright street bike.
Our day started out with an impending doom of bad weather. None the less, we are big boys and rain was not going to stop the task at hand. I started on the 999, a bike I have ridden in the past and enjoyed at Barber Motorsports Park.
The power delivery of the twin down low has some very redeeming qualities. We worked our way (I think legally) through the minutia of highways.
We come to the switch point and my thoughts begin to run wild. Should I just stay on the Ducati 999 and forego the Monster? After all how much fun could it really be to ride?
After finding a safe area to make the exchange (a standing red light), it was time to see what the Monster would do. The Monster looked heavy and cumbersome, with a wheelbase that was too short to offer any high speed stability and without a damper.
Much to my pleasure and after 125 miles or so on the 999, my brains screamed with joy as I placed my butt on the ever so comfortable seat (Monster + 1). With a little pushing and pulling with the front brake engaged to see what I was dealing with and off we went. I will only ride in full battle armor and thought that with a bike like this, jeans, tee-shirt, and flip flops would have been the appropriate dress. Well... I was very mistaken indeed..!!
At this point I think it is important to say I wanted to come out of this road test not being a fan, therefore went into it as, “OK, I'll do the ride but don’t expect me to change my allegiance to my four cylinders”.
How is this thing going to handle? Will it stop? At what point will I have the pleasure of experiencing a life threatening tank slapper? My findings where contrary to my preconceived notions and I was very impressed. This machine handled solidly.
On acceleration, the bike was smooth with a linear power delivery and the engine note was pleasing to the ear. The lack of rev's and early red line did take me by surprise (after all my Kawasaki ZX6 starts at 9,000 and pulls me through 17,500).
Ducati made a masterful decision to implement a rev limiter. As we entered the first turn on route 250, I begin to slow as two things came to mind. First, I did not want to have to explain to anyone why their brand-new bike with a whopping 8 miles is at the bottom of the mountain. Secondly, I am old and wise enough to know that it hurts when you fall.
Much to my pleasure the Monster made me feel comfortable, which leads to speed and it was game on. The bike was very stable and cooperative on pavement transition as well as gravel and grass (the last two were a joke). As we picked up the pace, my comfort with the Monster grew and I enjoyed the ability of it to change directions with nothing more than a thought. Entrance, apex and exits on corners that I have never ridden before where predictable and without surprise on the Monster. The acceleration out of corners helped to get the bike stood up on the sweet spot of the tire with an enjoyable feeling of the front end getting light through the power and torque.
I did have a couple of gripes. The front did not like steering input on aggressive front braking. The back end while exiting tight corners didn't seem planted, leaving a feeling of insecurity in heavy acceleration on the exit. If the front became light because of elevation changes you did get a minor head shake. Leg fatigue from extended highway speeds with lack of fairings was evident at the end of the ride.
I mentioned earlier that we picked up the bike with 8 miles on it and we didn’t turn a wrench on the bike to our advantage. I am going to state that with some suspension tweaking we could correct all of the above. Apart from the last point, I probably just need a little more muscle on my legs!!!!
I am not a major street rider as it can be a dangerous place. However, if I did, the Monster would be everything I would like as viable, fun and engaging for any daily rider and weekend warrior.
Thanks Ducati it was great…
Bart.
