What I like/dislike about my M1100 Evo

SunEye · 11-09-2012, 08:22 PM

What I Like

• The ABS works very well and reasonably unobtrusively. I seem to be activating it on the front more than I would expect to leaving dashed lines of rubber around the place, so I suspect there isn't enough weight over the front of the bike (due to the riding position), the fork pre-load is set too high or the fork springs are too firm. Regardless of that it works well and has stopped the front locking up on numerous occasions.

• The engine is great and pulls all the way through the rev range. At an indicated 129mph (genuine 119mph) it is still pulling very strongly in 6th gear. I think there's a bit more life at the top of the rev range than on the M1100

• The gear changes are slick, just like they were on the M1100.

• The stock fork setup is better than on the M1100 which needed a bit of tweaking to get close to how the Evo is out of the box. It tracks the road surface very well and doesn't seem to get too upset by rough road surfaces giving me confidence to ride quite quickly on some very badly surfaced roads.

• The stock Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tyres are very good, even in the wet. They have withstood over 5,200 miles of my riding very well and are still going strong.

• The wet clutch is very light at the lever making a shorty clutch lever a viable proposition. Something that I would have never even dared to try on the M1100.

• The slipper clutch is very good. Only changing down at quite silly revs will provoke movement from the back wheel. In general you can bang it down through the gears without thinking about it. On the M1100 you had to blip the throttle on down changes if you didn't want the rear wheel hopping around as if you were the last of the late brakers in a WSB race.

• The traction control is a nice thing to have. I have it set on the most intrusive level, just to see if I can feel it working, but I've only noticed its presence a few times. This may be due to my riding style or because it works without me noticing. It seems to do a very good job and I was pleased to have it after watching my friend on his derestricted and non traction controlled Triumph Rocket III exiting a petrol station slightly enthusiastically and fishtailing the first 200m up the road. At least I know that won't happen to me.

Conclusion

Am I happy with it? Yes. It's a great bike. Would I swap it for my old M1100, probably not, but at the moment it's a close call. With the Evo there are a few too many niggles for me, but I think I can sort the most important ones out and in the process give me a bike that is almost ideal for me, albeit with slightly less tank range than I would ideally like.

J.P · 13-09-2012, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunEye

What I Like

• The traction control is a nice thing to have. I have it set on the most intrusive level, just to see if I can feel it working, but I've only noticed its presence a few times. This may be due to my riding style or because it works without me noticing. It seems to do a very good job and I was pleased to have it after watching my friend on his derestricted and non traction controlled Triumph Rocket III exiting a petrol station slightly enthusiastically and fishtailing the first 200m up the road. At least I know that won't happen to me.

Don't rely on it too much....remember my high-side..

Headhunter · 13-09-2012, 10:37 AM

Excellent write up suneye!

Having ridden a 620ie for the past 7 years, I'm currently borrowing a mate's 696 and one thing I immediately noticed (minus the better brakes, suspension, acceleration etc) is that its smoothness actually made me think I was riding a Japanese bike.

Just wondered if the newer Ducati's are moving towards this style over the rawness of the old 620/900/1100 injected models. Maybe it's the lack of Termi's etc but it just doesn't feel like a Duke (that I'm used to anyway).

SunEye · 13-09-2012, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.P

Don't rely on it too much....remember my high-side..

Hmmmm. What setting did you have the DTC on? I've left mine on 4 for now and may well keep it there. I don't intend to rely on the DTC. I ride as I always have. I have never highsided or had a tank slapper and have never felt the need for traction control. The DTC is there to hopefully help me if I accidently do something silly or unexpectedly encounter a situation where it is needed. I also don't do track days which probably eliminates some of the risk of the DTC not helping.

14-09-2012, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunEye

What I Like

What I'd like to add to this...

It looks beautiful! People stop and stare at it everywhere I go...

It's light! A whole 90kg lighter than my ZZR1400.

It handles!

It sounds great (even with the stock can).

It's rare (comparatively).

It's fun to ride! Gone are the days of periodic boredom whilst out on a long ride, and this is even whilst staying within the speed limit. The bike launches an assault on the senses everytime I start it up. It's got character!

SunEye · 14-09-2012, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilo

What I'd like to add to this...

It looks beautiful! People stop and stare at it everywhere I go...

It's light! A whole 90kg lighter than my ZZR1400.

It handles!

It sounds great (even with the stock can).

It's rare (comparatively).

It's fun to ride! Gone are the days of periodic boredom whilst out on a long ride, and this is even whilst staying within the speed limit. The bike launches an assault on the senses everytime I start it up. It's got character!

Would have to agree with you on all those points.

BeePee · 14-09-2012, 07:32 PM

The handlebars on my 1100s were killing my wrists even after 50 miles. They were the same ones fitted to my CanAm Renegade 800rX (made by Magura I think ).
I changed them for Easton bars, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-EASTON...a#ht_500wt_949

I bought the Henry Reed bend with a slightly higher rise than standard Ducati.
2 mods to keep in mind if you choose this option,
1. adjust your lock stops to suit the new bars
2. I added a 2" adjuster to the stock throttle cable as I felt the standard length was now on the short tight side.

I also fitted Rizoma grips and throttle to complete the install, result........PERFECT !

13-09-2012, 10:37 AM	#3
Headhunter THFC Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London Bike: M620ie Posts: 829	Excellent write up suneye! Having ridden a 620ie for the past 7 years, I'm currently borrowing a mate's 696 and one thing I immediately noticed (minus the better brakes, suspension, acceleration etc) is that its smoothness actually made me think I was riding a Japanese bike. Just wondered if the newer Ducati's are moving towards this style over the rawness of the old 620/900/1100 injected models. Maybe it's the lack of Termi's etc but it just doesn't feel like a Duke (that I'm used to anyway). __________________ Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened. Sir Winston Churchill

14-09-2012, 07:32 PM	#7
BeePee Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: GALSTON Bike: S2r Posts: 215	The handlebars on my 1100s were killing my wrists even after 50 miles. They were the same ones fitted to my CanAm Renegade 800rX (made by Magura I think ). I changed them for Easton bars, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-EASTON...a#ht_500wt_949 I bought the Henry Reed bend with a slightly higher rise than standard Ducati. 2 mods to keep in mind if you choose this option, 1. adjust your lock stops to suit the new bars 2. I added a 2" adjuster to the stock throttle cable as I felt the standard length was now on the short tight side. I also fitted Rizoma grips and throttle to complete the install, result........PERFECT ! __________________

11-09-2012, 08:22 PM	#1
SunEye Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Bognor Regis Bike: Other Ducati Posts: 589	What I Like • The ABS works very well and reasonably unobtrusively. I seem to be activating it on the front more than I would expect to leaving dashed lines of rubber around the place, so I suspect there isn't enough weight over the front of the bike (due to the riding position), the fork pre-load is set too high or the fork springs are too firm. Regardless of that it works well and has stopped the front locking up on numerous occasions. • The engine is great and pulls all the way through the rev range. At an indicated 129mph (genuine 119mph) it is still pulling very strongly in 6th gear. I think there's a bit more life at the top of the rev range than on the M1100 • The gear changes are slick, just like they were on the M1100. • The stock fork setup is better than on the M1100 which needed a bit of tweaking to get close to how the Evo is out of the box. It tracks the road surface very well and doesn't seem to get too upset by rough road surfaces giving me confidence to ride quite quickly on some very badly surfaced roads. • The stock Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tyres are very good, even in the wet. They have withstood over 5,200 miles of my riding very well and are still going strong. • The wet clutch is very light at the lever making a shorty clutch lever a viable proposition. Something that I would have never even dared to try on the M1100. • The slipper clutch is very good. Only changing down at quite silly revs will provoke movement from the back wheel. In general you can bang it down through the gears without thinking about it. On the M1100 you had to blip the throttle on down changes if you didn't want the rear wheel hopping around as if you were the last of the late brakers in a WSB race. • The traction control is a nice thing to have. I have it set on the most intrusive level, just to see if I can feel it working, but I've only noticed its presence a few times. This may be due to my riding style or because it works without me noticing. It seems to do a very good job and I was pleased to have it after watching my friend on his derestricted and non traction controlled Triumph Rocket III exiting a petrol station slightly enthusiastically and fishtailing the first 200m up the road. At least I know that won't happen to me. Conclusion Am I happy with it? Yes. It's a great bike. Would I swap it for my old M1100, probably not, but at the moment it's a close call. With the Evo there are a few too many niggles for me, but I think I can sort the most important ones out and in the process give me a bike that is almost ideal for me, albeit with slightly less tank range than I would ideally like.