UK Monster Owners Club Forum - View Single Post

Luddite · 02-08-2020, 10:29 AM

Ah, the agony of choice!

I've owned both the DS 1000 motor, (in the shape of the S2R), and currently, (for ten years now), own an Evo. There's a generation between the two models and there are differences in engine, handling and electronics, (not to mention the obvious style change).

Engine
I have to say that, despite owning an Evo, the DS motor is probably the sweetest 2v twin in standard trim, certainly in the lower half of the rev range. The Evo engine, while having more power, is hamstrung by more stringent emission equipment and also by Ducati tuning it to hit the magical '100 hp' figure on, what was to be, the final and ultimate iteration of the air-cooled twin.

The emission restrictions only affect 'closed loop' running, i.e. below about 5k rpm and part throttle running. I don't know what your riding style is but, if you're constantly 'on it', you probably wouldn't consider it a problem. But, if you do any slow speed riding, town work or just cruising, the effect is very annoying. And not helped by the fact that Ducati fitted sportier cams, (with greater lift and overlap), plus a lighter flywheel, (about half the weight of the DS version). Also, with the Evo, you lose the dual plug heads, which help to minimise misfires at low rpm and therefore contribute to the DS's smoother low-speed running.

Other mechanical changes between the two include the Evo's lighter, wet, slipper-clutch versus the old-style dry clutch of the DS. Personally, I much prefer the action, (and silence!), of the Evo version.

Chassis
If you're a single-sided swinging arm aficionado like me, then that'll be a big plus for the Evo over the 1000. Overall, the 696/796/1100 models steer much more like 'traditional' Japanese bikes than the slower handling of the old-style Ducatis, with quicker turn-in and greater flickability. Still reassuringly stable mid-corner though.

Don't be overly-influenced by the Evo's supposedly fully adjustable suspension; twiddling the adjusters in the forks makes no apparent difference and the ride remains harsh on anything other than smooth roads. The progressively sprung Sachs rear isn't much better although changing the spring gives a quick and, relatively, cheap improvement.

Braking on the Evo is via radial calipers against the M1000's axial although, whether you'd notice much difference on the road is debatable.

Electronics
Perhaps the biggest change between the two models is in the electronics. The M1000 is very old-school - an immobiliser and some LCD digits in the dash and that's your lot. The Evo, although way behind current TFT wizardry, is a lot more modern. A fully digital LCD dash plus traction control and ABS, both of which can be disabled if you so choose.

Other stuff
The Evo and I think the M1000 have plastic tanks so can be vulnerable to swelling due to ethanol in the fuel. Whichever you choose, therefore, stick to ethanol-free Esso Synergy Supreme+ and use a fuel stabiliser if you leave fuel in the tank over winter. If the tanks have swollen, it'll be more noticeable on the M1000 and may show up as cosmetic damage. On the Evo, as the tank is hidden under plastic covers, you may not notice anything, although it would show up if you removed the tank, when you might struggle to line-up the mounting points on replacement.

What I like about the 696/796/1100 is the fact that you can easily change the look by swapping those plastic tank covers. (Have a look at doggy's constantly evolving colour schemes http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...ad.php?t=57863).

02-08-2020, 10:29 AM	#4
Luddite Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Southampton Bike: M1100evo Posts: 2,465	Ah, the agony of choice! I've owned both the DS 1000 motor, (in the shape of the S2R), and currently, (for ten years now), own an Evo. There's a generation between the two models and there are differences in engine, handling and electronics, (not to mention the obvious style change). Engine I have to say that, despite owning an Evo, the DS motor is probably the sweetest 2v twin in standard trim, certainly in the lower half of the rev range. The Evo engine, while having more power, is hamstrung by more stringent emission equipment and also by Ducati tuning it to hit the magical '100 hp' figure on, what was to be, the final and ultimate iteration of the air-cooled twin. The emission restrictions only affect 'closed loop' running, i.e. below about 5k rpm and part throttle running. I don't know what your riding style is but, if you're constantly 'on it', you probably wouldn't consider it a problem. But, if you do any slow speed riding, town work or just cruising, the effect is very annoying. And not helped by the fact that Ducati fitted sportier cams, (with greater lift and overlap), plus a lighter flywheel, (about half the weight of the DS version). Also, with the Evo, you lose the dual plug heads, which help to minimise misfires at low rpm and therefore contribute to the DS's smoother low-speed running. Other mechanical changes between the two include the Evo's lighter, wet, slipper-clutch versus the old-style dry clutch of the DS. Personally, I much prefer the action, (and silence!), of the Evo version. Chassis If you're a single-sided swinging arm aficionado like me, then that'll be a big plus for the Evo over the 1000. Overall, the 696/796/1100 models steer much more like 'traditional' Japanese bikes than the slower handling of the old-style Ducatis, with quicker turn-in and greater flickability. Still reassuringly stable mid-corner though. Don't be overly-influenced by the Evo's supposedly fully adjustable suspension; twiddling the adjusters in the forks makes no apparent difference and the ride remains harsh on anything other than smooth roads. The progressively sprung Sachs rear isn't much better although changing the spring gives a quick and, relatively, cheap improvement. Braking on the Evo is via radial calipers against the M1000's axial although, whether you'd notice much difference on the road is debatable. Electronics Perhaps the biggest change between the two models is in the electronics. The M1000 is very old-school - an immobiliser and some LCD digits in the dash and that's your lot. The Evo, although way behind current TFT wizardry, is a lot more modern. A fully digital LCD dash plus traction control and ABS, both of which can be disabled if you so choose. Other stuff The Evo and I think the M1000 have plastic tanks so can be vulnerable to swelling due to ethanol in the fuel. Whichever you choose, therefore, stick to ethanol-free Esso Synergy Supreme+ and use a fuel stabiliser if you leave fuel in the tank over winter. If the tanks have swollen, it'll be more noticeable on the M1000 and may show up as cosmetic damage. On the Evo, as the tank is hidden under plastic covers, you may not notice anything, although it would show up if you removed the tank, when you might struggle to line-up the mounting points on replacement. What I like about the 696/796/1100 is the fact that you can easily change the look by swapping those plastic tank covers. (Have a look at doggy's constantly evolving colour schemes http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...ad.php?t=57863).