1100 Evo Test Ride

[Tomfoolery]

Bike: Ducati Monster 1100 Evo
Location: Hyside Motorcycles, Romford
Weather: Beautiful sunshine, 23º
Footwear: Daytonas

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6056/5908138825_bde734c395_z.jpg

I've loved Monsters for a looooong time. But I've never had the desire to actually purchase a real one before now. Yeah, I've looked at M750/800/900s, but they've always been too expensive for what they are, and no substitute for my GS. A new one, however, a new one with Traction Control, ABS, fuel injection, decent service intervals, a single-sided swingarm and a killer exhaust note sounds ****ing brilliant.

I rode down to Hyside Motorcycles on the edge of East London hoping it wouldn't rain, chatted with the non-commital, but also not patronising manager dude, sipped a cheap coffee and had the bike warmed up.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6022/5908140825_a5c61781c8_b.jpg

The bike's loud. Proper, aftermarket race can loud. I instantly forget all ideas about stumping up £1300 for the Termi system. The bike's tiny. Buell tiny. The bike's pretty. Breathtakingly pretty. The proportions are cock-on. The gap between the rear wheel and seat unit, the trellis chassis, the thin-spoke wheels, the forks, calipers, that snaking exhaust. I even like the stacked exhaust cans. I hated them in the pictures, they dominate the bike, but in the flesh they melt into the whole. Lovely. Firstly, I stall it. I use two fingers on the clutch, and trapped my third and fourth behind the bar and lurched it. Ah, well.

Out into traffic and my hips are killing me. I have a weird thing where if I get into a certain position, a nerve or something gets pinched or whatever and I get pain. It's like cramp. It hurts for a few minutes, I shuffle around and it goes. If it continues, it's a deal-breaker. Thankfully, it never returns. Even when I stop for a bit then get back on. I sigh with relief.

The clutch is wet, unlike older Monsters and light, the 1/4 turn throttle is light and accurate, the brakes are great (although need adjusting for me) and the suspension feels lovely, but again not set up correctly.

The whole bike feels taught, light, stiff, eager and naughty. I don't realise how naughty until we get to some country roads and I'm cracking the ton, taking corners up to 30mph faster than the GS, with no effort. It turns in quick with little effort, gets to mid-lean and you can feel the stability once there. You can then decide what to do, lean more, less, brake, gas whatever. Lovely. The ABS is wonderful to use, and not intrusive in the slightest. You can feel it working at the lever, but the front end stays glued.

The engine is instantly my favourite. 8 stone less weight and another 20bhp means it leaps ahead compared to the GS, and keeps on revving where the GS slows. Six gears make good use of the power. It's happy down to around 2750rpm, pulls urgently then flies. On the brief motorway stint on the way back, I sit at 80 and have a play, and there's no need to change gear at all.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6037/5908131203_c8463ed552_z.jpg

[Tomfoolery]

I'm riding familar roads I used to commute 300 miles a week on and give it some. The tyres feel great (standard Pirellia Diablo somethings) and kick out a surprising amount of heat when I stop. I have a crack at some faster corners and take advantage of the stability. I've yet to work out how to ride it, so stop hanging off and get onto it. Arse stays where it is, I drop my shoulder and lean in to some 90mph sweepers, bars shimmy-ing over the bigger bumps. I'm laughing the entire time. Full throttle is reached quickly, gears snicked in, exhaust is roaring. It bangs and spits as I change down, seeing if I can feel the slipper clutch working, but I can't. It feels like the reciprocating parts of the engine are tiny, and making a disproportionate amount of power. What an engine. What a noise. What a bike. I want it.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6055/5908136073_6d9a2a4973_z.jpg

I stop in a village I've photographed many bikes in, but I don't want to hang around. I don't care about taking loads of shots, I want to jump on a ride the thing. Never had that on a test ride before...

I'm frustratedly flicking through menus on the dash, trying to find the TC settings and such, but can't work it out. Seems there are four modes, but I can't cycle through them. I'm hoping one of them is a 'makes you ride like Stoner' mode.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5076/5908125239_215342a626_b.jpg

I get back, and start talking. I don't ask for discount, he doesn't mention it. He has no prices for parts I'm interested in (the downloadable data USB thing, tail-tidy etc), which is annoying. £200 a month he comes up with. Hmmm...very, very interesting. But he doesn't seem interested. Unlike the fat prick who turned up in some off-road Audi who he couldn't be more helpful too. Git.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6009/5908687058_85edf0bd79_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6023/5908690938_23e36af60d_b.jpg

I want it. Time to start cleaning up the GS...

[Tomfoolery]

When I jump on my faithful GS, which has taken me all over the UK and across Europe, it feels disappointing. The engine isn't torquey anymore, it's flat and worse, has flat spots across the rev range I'd not even noticed before. The throttle turns too far, the brakes are too spongey, it takes too much effort to turn, the rear shock is too soft and the front unadjustable. The riding position feels tilted back like a chopper, although the seat feels lovely. I'd order a more comfortable seat if I got a Monster.

I hadn't realised what an effort riding the GS is. This is the main impression I'm left with, and the most surprising. The GS takes effort the M1100 didn't need. The light throttle, brakes and riding position/chassis make it effortless for me.

[Albie]

Go buy one. I had a swap ride on one last thursday at Ducati Ashford when the 1100s was in for service. 2 hours play. I did comment that its what I would have if I hadn't got mine. Very good write up indeed and far better than mine.

Good luck with the purchase if you do.

[rac3r]

Haha great read, good luck with the hunt :thumbsup:

[Tomfoolery]

Go buy one. I had a swap ride on one last thursday at Ducati Ashford when the 1100s was in for service. 2 hours play. I did comment that its what I would have if I hadn't got mine. Very good write up indeed and far better than mine.

Good luck with the purchase if you do.

Just read your review before I posted, funnily enough. I'd agree with everything you said. Even though I've never ridden an 1100S. Clever, eh? ;)

Invaluable insight, though. I'd talked to a journo I've met before who had an 1100S for a while who was very keen on it, and preferred it to the Triumph he's currently using.

It's left a big impression on me...

[Albie]

The riding position feels tilted back like a chopper, although the seat feels lovely. I'd order a more comfortable seat if I got a Monster.



I found it very comfy stock. My original seat has done just 130 miles return journey. I have the touring seat 2 up and the very expensive £600 DP solo one. It felt as good as them.

[Tomfoolery]

I'm never one to jump into a purchase, so I'd leave it until I'm writhing in agony, cursing why I didn't buy one before :D

[Pomp1]

Wasn't too keen on Hyside the one time I had to deal with them. Good luck on getting the bike thought!

[Tomfoolery]

Wasn't too keen on Hyside the one time I had to deal with them. Good luck on getting the bike thought!

Did that come across in my writing? :D

I'm going up to Parkinson's next time I need to. Triumph first next week, though.

[Tomfoolery]

I hate this photo, but it's the only one I took of the left side. The right side has all the good bits :D

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6128/5916969770_8f3285e47e_z.jpg

[singletrack]

A great review. And the bike is even better in stealth black ;)

Go and buy one!

[Tomfoolery]

Thank-you.

I like the black, but not the black frame. If I get bored of the colour, I'd get one of those bodykits they do for the 796. Probably the silver Pantah one. Yum.

[singletrack]

Thank-you.

I like the black, but not the black frame. If I get bored of the colour, I'd get one of those bodykits they do for the 796. Probably the silver Pantah one. Yum.

The black doesn't have a black frame - it is a silver grey.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w2/singletrack_photos/M1100EVO/bikebits.jpg


I think the body kits would look better on that frame rather than a red one

[Panther]

Thats a lovely bike singletrack, for me if the cans were a shade darker similar the the engine case or frame it would me it perfect.

Enjoy

[Tomfoolery]

The black doesn't have a black frame - it is a silver grey.
I think the body kits would look better on that frame rather than a red one
True, my mistake.

The kit I have in mind already has a bit of red in it, so would go well I reckon.

Thats a lovely bike singletrack, for me if the cans were a shade darker similar the the engine case or frame it would me it perfect.

Enjoy

That's a cracking idea...

[singletrack]

Thats a lovely bike singletrack, for me if the cans were a shade darker similar the the engine case or frame it would me it perfect.

Enjoy
Thank You.

Don't worry - carbon Termis are being fitted next week :D

[Bonzo]

Can you pop a pic up when you get your Termis fitted?

Be nice to see them on a black Evo :thumbsup:

[Bonzo]

..ooh and great reveiw & pics Tomfoolery :thumbsup:

[Tomfoolery]

Cheers! The parts catalogue on the Ducati website is pretty extensive, but ****e to browse, IMO. Hyside didn't have one for the 1100 Evo, or a price list which was dissappointing. Hopefully another dealer will have one.

Aside from the tank melting/changing shape and leaking - are there any other known faults? Hyside assured me the tank thing isn't a problem anymore...

[Albie]

Cheers! The parts catalogue on the Ducati website is pretty extensive, but ****e to browse, IMO. Hyside didn't have one for the 1100 Evo, or a price list which was dissappointing. Hopefully another dealer will have one.

Aside from the tank melting/changing shape and leaking - are there any other known faults? Hyside assured me the tank thing isn't a problem anymore...

Ones we as a club have known about had or heard are these

Early models mainly 696 had a weeping oil leak from bolt and or lefthand cover due to poor sealing gasket. Rally had his happen the other week. Not a big deal but aware.
A known leaking tank. By the way a lot smell but dont leak. Mine has an odour when full.
( I will wait for the gaffs on that one :biggrin:)
Fronts discs replaced due to warping. Mine were and replaced under warrenty. A small batch known.

I dont know of any other issues so far. Not had any reason to worry and very happy with my bike.

[Tomfoolery]

Sounds alright to me, and mostly batch issues.

From a home servicing point of view, the belts are the same setup as earlier Dukes right? Anyone know how you adjust the valves (shim and bucket or locknut or whatever?) Not worked on a Desmo head before.

[Albie]

Sounds alright to me, and mostly batch issues.

From a home servicing point of view, the belts are the same setup as earlier Dukes right? Anyone know how you adjust the valves (shim and bucket or locknut or whatever?) Not worked on a Desmo head before.

I have for the first time bought a new one. So I took to a dealer and very happy with them @ Ducati ashford ( Laguna's )
First service was £180 thats the yearly one where they found the discs problem. Just had service 2 ie 24 month with belts. Mileage was low so nothing major. Cost as expected was £440 but 4 hrs plus , actually more like 5 as they knew I was going to UKMOC trackday and wanted it right for me. But I got to play on the EVO for free.
After 2 years the warranty can be extended at a cost but you can use who you trust or prefer. If you a good mechanic diy but their are some things I would leve to a trained ducati guy. The biggest problem you would face is the predetermined dash service light. It needs software system to be turned off.
Basic stuff is fine. Brakes ,oil change etc. Shims I wouldnt as you need a kit .

[fuelline]

Stop ****ing about Tom, and hiding over here...get it bought...:chuckle:

[slob]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIj3nSJGPZw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WQY1MRlmH4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vzPZ84ZRjU

[Marcus]

I'm riding familar roads I used to commute 300 miles a week on and give it some. The tyres feel great (standard Pirellia Diablo somethings) and kick out a surprising amount of heat when I stop. I have a crack at some faster corners and take advantage of the stability. I've yet to work out how to ride it, so stop hanging off and get onto it. Arse stays where it is, I drop my shoulder and lean in to some 90mph sweepers, bars shimmy-ing over the bigger bumps. I'm laughing the entire time. Full throttle is reached quickly, gears snicked in, exhaust is roaring. It bangs and spits as I change down, seeing if I can feel the slipper clutch working, but I can't. It feels like the reciprocating parts of the engine are tiny, and making a disproportionate amount of power. What an engine. What a noise. What a bike. I want it.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6055/5908136073_6d9a2a4973_z.jpg

I stop in a village I've photographed many bikes in, but I don't want to hang around. I don't care about taking loads of shots, I want to jump on a ride the thing. Never had that on a test ride before...

I'm frustratedly flicking through menus on the dash, trying to find the TC settings and such, but can't work it out. Seems there are four modes, but I can't cycle through them. I'm hoping one of them is a 'makes you ride like Stoner' mode.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5076/5908125239_215342a626_b.jpg

I get back, and start talking. I don't ask for discount, he doesn't mention it. He has no prices for parts I'm interested in (the downloadable data USB thing, tail-tidy etc), which is annoying. £200 a month he comes up with. Hmmm...very, very interesting. But he doesn't seem interested. Unlike the fat prick who turned up in some off-road Audi who he couldn't be more helpful too. Git.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6009/5908687058_85edf0bd79_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6023/5908690938_23e36af60d_b.jpg

I want it. Time to start cleaning up the GS...

I bought it!

Owned 2 1200GS BTW. Most unreliable things I've ever had,

[Tomfoolery]

That exact bike? Cool! Wish I could've afforded it.

I've heard of loads of problems with the 12s but have never ridden or owned one. Never had any real issues with my two 1100s, aside from normal bike ****.