DUCATI MONSTER 1100 (2009 - 2013) Review

Year: 2009

Annual servicing cost: £230

First of all it's an excellent bike I had to get used to riding the torque hit the rev limiter in 2nd and 3rd a few times on 1st ride , brakes and chassis are superb with a great soundtrack. My only small niggles are background light on speedo way to dim and the seat needs leveling out a bit to stop your privates smashing into the tank , but overall great bike.

Buying experience: Private sale

Year: 2010

This bike has re lit my passion for biking. It is truly sublime.Creamy power fantastic handling and looks to die for. I stand and stare at it, I can't believe its 13 years old. Did a lot of research before buying and decided the mix of tec free raw biking mixed with the looks made the base 1100 the right choice. Word to the wise, The bike standard gearing is too high.Ducati had to do this to get it through emission laws.I have put +1 tooth at the front and -2 teeth at the rear. The difference is incredible. The bike is so much more rideable. One of the bikes I have loved the most !

Buying experience: Bought from CMC Chesterfield, great to deal with.

Year: 2010

I love this bike, did a lot of research before buying and decided this model was the one. Air cooled, no electronics and 1100cc only weighing 169kg. Its fantastic to ride, superb handling with creamy v twin power, there is nothing i don't like. Fitted 40mm bar risers for a slightly relaxed ride and after owning a lot of litter + nakeds over the years, I think this is my favourite bike ever.

Year: 2009

NO GEAR CHANGE INDICATOR OR FUEL GAUGE BUT MASSIVE GRIN FACTOR TRADED UP FROM THE 796 GOOD TRADE UP I FEEL. FANTASTIC FEEL MORE SMILE TO THE MILE THAN ANY OTHER BIKE I'VE HAD ON MY 38TH

Buying experience: PRICE A LITTLE BIT STEEP FROM DEALER

Version: evo

Year: 2013

A great all round bike that is comfortable yet still sporty to ride. Makes all the right noises, especially with the Termi pipes. Gives off a bit of heat, but thats the price of an air cooled engine (with one cylinder under your bum). Shame it doesn't have a gear indicator but it is true that you 'feel' this bike as it has so much character. The bike will tell you what gear it needs to be in.

Year: 2009

Easy to fall in love with. Amazing looks, torqey and powerful yet useful engine.

Year: 2013

Annual servicing cost: £300

Very emotional, completely focused on riding. Good compromise between comfort and sportiness. Not recommended around town for the engine is pretty rough in low RPMs and it gets quite hot.

Buying experience: Dealer. Depends as always. However I do trust my guys.

There is compression adjustment on the rear shock, but you have to to buy your own C-spanner to use it, as there isn't one in the tool kit. Personally I don't find it a problem riding in traffic although the characteristic low down lumpiness took a couple of rides to get used to & it does, granted, get a little warm after a while (as with all air-cooled bikes?). The balance & precision of handling is superb which, combined with the light weight, makes low speed manouvres a doddle & inspires confidence in out-of-town corners, or even at the indicated top speed of 134mph (with luggage, on the autobahn!). I have to take issue with the last reviewer's final comment: The sensation of speed is, for me, enhanced by the way the motor thunders up to speed, not hidden. After test riding the Monster, my 1250S Bandit felt phenomenally quiet, slow & boring at the same speeds. Test one. If it's the sort of bike you're looking for it will instantly seduce you to the point where you just have to get one!

Nice bike that succeeds to keep it simple. Ride is sporty but not too harsh but I would've appreciated some compression adjustment on the rear shock. Handling is light and stable and the riding position is much sportier than it's naked appearance suggests making it great fun on twisty back roads and mountain passes. Not so good in town unfortunately. Fueling is snatchy at low revs and hunts around when trying to hold a constant speed and clutch is a bit heavy for stop-start traffic. Inside thighs will get uncomfortable hot if you get stuck in traffic! Best mod for this bike is dropping a tooth on the front sprocket. It's been over geared to help pass emissions regulations and the motor is much happier spinning a little faster with noticeably less 'shudder' at low rpm's. Equipment is ok when you consider Ducati have tried very hard to keep the cost down. Brakes are Brembo and plenty strong enough and suspension is very well matched to bike. No fuel level but it does have a reserve light and economy is excellent. I rode nearly 2.5k miles around Europe and was seeing 200 miles to a tank cruising in 6th at 65mph. Usually 130 miles to reserve light when giving it a weekend thrash. No reliability issues at 8k miles and finish is good too. Ok it's a bit expensive for the level of kit you get but it should hold it's value well and and it's great fuel economy takes the sting out out of Ducati ownership if you plan on riding more than 3k miles a year. Servicing is around £350 for 7.5k mile service at a main dealer which is a bit pricey but nothing compared to the superbikes in their ranges. Engine is a real gem. Loads of torque from as low as you can stand the vibes (about 2.5k rpm for me) and you can actually use all of the rev range without accidentally hitting 3 figure speeds. Your usually moving faster than you think though as the slow revving motor hides the sensation of speed.

I've only had mine a few weeks but knew what I was getting into after riding 800 k's in Spain in October 08 at the Ducati World Presidents Meeting. That pre-launch adventure was enough to convince me to trade the Sport Classic in on something more practical and comfortable, although I loved that bike as well. The Monster provides superb torque and tractability and brings a smile to my face every time I jump on. It's light and handles like a dreram. Yes, they're expensive but what the heck, it's a Ducati! I reckon this one might be a keeper!

I have had motorcycles for the past 25 years, but it was only when I moved to London that I started using it everyday. After 1 year on a Honda Hornet, I wanted something bigger. Tried the Honda CB1000 and the Speed Triple, and they are very nice bikes, but the minute I got the Ducati out for a ride I felt I was 13 again riding my two stroke bike. Fantastic. Very fast. The sound is great, the response of the two cilinders amazing. Put some Leo Vince pipes and opened the clutch, really enjoying it. Only problem is: you hit traffic those 1,100cc will generate tons of heat. All of my friends that took it for a spin got back with a big smile. Impressive if you consider that it does not even have 100hp.

Straight from the off I have been massively impressed by this bike. A few little niceties missing like gear and fuel indicator but with a bike this much fun to ride im willing to forgive. Although expensive I have the Titanium Termis, all considered I would say they are worth every penny.