Ducati Monster 1200R First Ride – MotoGeo Review

The iconic Ducati Monster 1200 just got sporty thanks to a power increase and weight loss with the new ‘R’ model.

MotoGeo gets to ride it and Jamie Robinson gives you the low-down after a day of riding the Monster 1200R at the Ascari Racetrack in Spain.

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Gear used in this video:

• Suit: Alpinestars GP Tech Leather Suit (custom version)
• Helmet: Arai Corsair V
• Gloves: Alpinestars GP Tech Leather Gloves
• Boots: Alpinestars Supertech R Boots

Below are few photos from Jamie’s day blasting around the track as he got familiar with the 160HP beast.

Video Transcription:

Here we are in Ronda, Spain, to test the new Ducati Monster 1200R. The R is for performance, it’s in the racing that’s in Ducati’s DNA, and they brought that to the Monster range now. How have they done that? They’ve added all-in suspension front and rear. They’ve lost some weight and they’ve given it more power. You’ve now got 160 horsepower here, it’s actually Ducati’s most powerful naked bike.

What they’ve done mainly at the back, they’ve changed the sub-frame. It’s lost weight, it gained a trellis, a beautiful trellis sub-frame, it’s also slim. You have to really feel that on the bike, it feels nice and light, it’s agile. The forged aluminum wheels really help. It’s got Panigale wheels on and tires, so the bike is just really becoming more flickable, through the chicanes here in Ronda. We’ve got loads of little chicanes here, the bike just breezes through them, no problems at all. These big upright bars obviously help with that, but yes, the bike does feel much more agile. Usually with a Ducati Monster 1200 it feels like a big bike, because it is a big bike, it’s 1200 CC, but usually it feels a bit heavier, you’ve got to muscle it around, not with the R. It’s lost weight and it’s just become really agile.

I also really the cockpit here, typical Ducati, not many buttons, and a very clear display. It’s a nice small little display, but it’s very clear. It’s got a big tank, but it’s nice and slim at this point, so it doesn’t feel big when you’re riding it, even thought it looks quite big. The riding position feels slim and very comfortable.

The braking system on this bike is absolutely superb. Yes, you’ve got 160 horsepower to get it up to speed quickly, but you do need to decelerate, and this bike decelerates very quickly indeed. Lots of feel through the lever, good connection between the lever and the front forks and the front tire, so overall I’ve been really impressed with the braking system.

The bike’s also increased its lean angle, we’ve now got a 50 degree lean angle. What they want you to do with the Monster is enjoy it on the road and be able to take it to the track and still be competitive, and they’ve definitely done that. It’s got some nice racing pegs here, super grippy, the exhaust system is new, increased power throughout the engine.

The all-in suspension, fully adjustable, so you can set that up for your own weight, for your own riding styles and for your own speed, but I found that the bike is actually just right now pretty well balanced. As usual with the Ducati range we’ve got 3 levels of ABS, 8 levels of traction control and 3 riding modes: urban, touring and sport. Power does increase as you go through the ranges there, so for sure, you can definitely use the modes in and around town, then when you get to the canyons, or actually take it to the track, hit sport mode, you’ll definitely enjoy it.

It’s also got some nice little features, a beautiful little carbon mud-guard there. You can get some extra parts for the bike, if you need to, they do a carbon chain-guard, they also the Termnignoni exhaust, increases power about 3% overall. The bike comes in 2 awesome color ways, you’ve got the brilliant Ducati red, and it also comes in black, which looks fantastic.

Price point is just over 18 and a half thousand dollars, and a touch more for the black. Overall from the new Ducati Monster 1200R, you’ve got more power, less weight and much more agility. Overall, much more fun.

2016 Ducati Monster 1200R Technical Specifications:

See more on the Ducati Monster 1200R website