2014 DUCATI MONSTER 1200/1200S
FIRST RIDE
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the overall styling.
A new two-into-one-back-into-
two exhaust system (with catalyt-
ic converters located in the muf-
flers) looks all business with its
52-50 mm diameter pipes curv-
ing around the right side of the
bike. The exhaust also features a
separate lambda sensor in each
header and a electronically con-
trolled mid-section power valve
to control exhaust pressure to
further enhance power delivery
and throttle control.
Wheel-wise the Monster
1200 comes with Panigale style
10-spoke alloy rims with a 3.50 x
17 up front and a 6.00 x 17 on the
rear. Of course the S model gets
all-new Triple Y-shaped spoke-
designed wheels of the same
size. Both models share the
same Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tires
that need no formal introduction.
As far as color schemes go the
standard Monster 1200 comes
in red with a red frame and black
wheels, while the Monster 1200
S comes in the same red fuel tank
and frame, but features glossy
black wheels. But if you've had
enough Ducati red over the years
then you're in luck because you
can also get the 1200 S in white
with a bronze-colored frame and
glossy black wheels.
For such big bikes the new
Monster 1200 and 1200 S are
quite practical. I just kept thinking
of all the accessories fitted to the
new Monster and how they have
taken what would otherwise be
a real bear of a motorcycle and
tamed it into an every day user-
friendly bike. But just flick the
switch a few times and your right
back to the highly aggressive fire-
breathing beast that the Monster
1200 really is.
The standard model will sell for
$13,495 while the S model will
carry a suggested retail price of
$15,995. CN
