DUCATI MONSTER 1100S (2009 - 2013) Review

Like the Ducati Monster 696 that arrived earlier in 2008, the bigger capacity Monster range was, after 15 years, in desperate need of an update. And the result is a belter. Only subtle styling tweaks have been applied, but serious thought and attention has been lumped on the engine and chassis components. If it’s a pleasurable, no-nonsense, quality and stylish ride you’re after, this is it.

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The 1100S comes with Ohlins suspension front and rear, whereas the standard 1100 uses Showa. Visually, the forks add a welcome touch of class to the bike with their gold finish and titanium nitride-coated sliders, but practically they’re not the bonus you might imagine. Set harder than the standard forks, most riders wind down the compression damping until they feel just like the cheaper and more supple Showas. The Ohlins work better on track though. The Ohlins shock is a disappointment – it’s hard and has no compression damping adjustment so you can’t wind it off to ease the B-road pummelling. Fitting a softer spring helps. Overall, the Monster 1100S is still a sweet handling bike (all modern Monsters are), but unless you do plenty of track work it’s not the step up over the standard Monster you might imagine.

Being an air-cooled engine, the Ducati Monster 1100's peak power of only 95bhp doesn’t come into the equation, but the way the V-twin delivers the power is a seamless, grunty character-laden joy. Claimed torque of 79ftlb makes the short burst of performance in each gear very satisfying, and deceptively fast. And also very easy to control...  

- Video: Ducati Monster 1100S tested

Ducati got it together by the time the 1100S was launched and, at last, its motorcycles are tidily put together. There are no unnecessary wires or cables flapping about in the breeze and everything is finished to perfection. From frame to engine cases, everything is new and polished. 

The problem with the Ducati is, for the performance it offers there is a lot of competition that offers more for the same price. But then it is arguable the Ducati is far better looking and has a shade more credibility when the garage door swings open. Find a Ducati Monster 1100 for sale.

You get more spangly bits on the 1100S than the standard 1100. The S has aluminium front disc carriers, carbon fibre cam belt covers and silencer guards, and the front mudguard is carbon too. Gold five-spoke Marchesini wheels to match the 43mm Ohlins forks are the finishing touch. Everything else is as per the standard 1100.