[JesseM]

Hi guys,

I sold my S2R1000 to a friend of mine because I wanted something new since I saw the '17 1200s. At my dealer they now have a grey (color which I really like) demo bike with 7000kms for sale but also a 1 owner '16 1200R with only 3100kms and different exhaust for sale for the same price and I can't make up my mind.

I like the R because it is a bit taller (i'm 6'2) and love the wheels. However i'm not a track rider and mostly use it go to work or ride with friends. The 1200S has the quickshifter and better electronics and might be a better street bike.

What are your opinions?

 

[Dolemite]

Hi guys,



I sold my S2R1000 to a friend of mine because I wanted something new since I saw the '17 1200s. At my dealer they now have a grey (color which I really like) demo bike with 7000kms for sale but also a 1 owner '16 1200R with only 3100kms and different exhaust for sale for the same price and I can't make up my mind.



I like the R because it is a bit taller (i'm 6'2) and love the wheels. However i'm not a track rider and mostly use it go to work or ride with friends. The 1200S has the quickshifter and better electronics and might be a better street bike.



What are your opinions?

1 vote for the R: better wheels, suspension, engine performance (hp/torque), damper, plus lower miles on the clock. Not to mention a one owner bike vs a demo bike - likely treated better. Try riding both, and see which one leaves you with a bigger bulge in your pants after ;-)


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[sal]

RRRRR

 

[Billy16]

I think I'm also taking the R.

 

[duc96cr]

R all the way. If it’s like most R models there will be a bunch of upgrades that even the dealer won’t realize are there. If you keep it long term it will be worth more. You won’t end up saying to yourself, “ I wish I had that on mine, I should have bought the R “

 

[ozdavo]

Is there a factory Quick shifter available for the 2016 R? I had one installed on my base 2017 model and love it.

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[DarR]

Hi guys,
I sold my S2R1000 to a friend of mine because I wanted something new since I saw the '17 1200s. At my dealer they now have a grey (color which I really like) demo bike with 7000kms for sale but also a 1 owner '16 1200R with only 3100kms and different exhaust for sale for the same price and I can't make up my mind.
I like the R because it is a bit taller (i'm 6'2) and love the wheels. However i'm not a track rider and mostly use it go to work or ride with friends. The 1200S has the quickshifter and better electronics and might be a better street bike. What are your opinions?

I own an "R" but have ridden extensively the new "S". I did my best to do an objective back to back comparo. Details were posted here:
Standard 1200 or 1200s or 1200r? - Page 7 - Ducati Monster Forums: Ducati Monster Motorcycle Forum
Hope this helps.

 

[JesseM]

Thanks all for the replies. Just got back from holiday and the R was already sold.. what a shame since I was in contact with the dealer before my holiday to go and take a testdrive with it next Tuesday..

 

[duc96cr]

Patience, grasshopper.

 

[Ohm3d]

Get the R.

 

[Gavatron1]

Based on my own personal experience, S is the better machine. I was in this same predicament. I rode both bikes back to back.

I believe that if you are buying a bike for long term financial gain, then the R would be the bike to purchase. However if you are buying a bike for riding, then the S is the better bike for the following reasons..

You can buy a touring seat which gives lots more leg room. I am 6’1 and the comfort seat makes a big difference vs standard seat. On long rides (recently completed a 10 day tour) I even run a Air Hawk which works great.

S comes standard with up and down quick shift. If you have ridden a bike with a QF you will know how good this is. If not, it will change your riding forever!

Cornering ABS on S. Even though we all think we are never going to break in mid corner, it’s there in case..

Heated grip option on S. I have them and they are great.

Better digital display on S. Sun issue on R

Ducati changed the Monster geometry in 2017 for a reason. It rides so much better. Yes the R is different to the other Monster models during its model period, however in 17 the Monster has been redefined.

My last point was that if you were buying a bike to track, then I wouldn’t look at a Monster at all. By a track bike that you can flog and not concern yourself with when you ring its neck. Then ride your Monster on the road.

Hope these add some light on your situation. I too have the carbon Grey S. I am always getting heaps of good comments like “that looks amazing in real life”.

S all the way for me

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[flynbulldog]

That look amazing in pictures too! :wink2:

 

[ELK]

Ditto. A good-looking, classy bike.

 

[GOLD MEMBER]

Ditto again. I were to get a monster again that exact look, type, and options would be my calling! Perfect clean looking set up.

 

[Gavatron1]

It looks even better in the flesh! Another upgrade the S has over the R is the LED lighting. The front looks fantastic and the safety is improved.


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[JesseM]

Thanks for your replies. And that grey looks so good indeed..

This is the demo bike with a 3 year warranty and 7000kms.

https://www.ducatizaltbommel.nl/occasions/ducati-monster-1200-s-15000292/

 

[Gavatron1]

3 year warranty is great. Normally only 24 Months from factory.

I have done the following accessories on mine in case it helps.

1. Full termi exhaust. Transforms the bike
2. Sports screen from Ducati
3. Tail tidy from R&G
4. Tech Spec tank grips
5. Quad Lock iPhone holder
6. Ducati heated grips
7. Ducati performance adjustable leavers.

That’s it for me in relation to the changes. Everything but the tail tidy is OEM Ducati. It’s addictive so make sure you understand the costs for the bike and then the extra bits should you go down this path.

There are faster bikes out there with performance figures that show off. These are the KTM 1290, Aprilia Tuano factory and BMW S1000r. I have owned each of these bikes over the past 18 Months. I wish I bought the Monster from day one. More character, soul and useable power. It’s strong, fast and even though the numbers via HP and RPM don’t look as impressive, it is! It’s fast enough for most riders. Unless you want to race it on a track against the competition, which will only just beat it. Or in the hands of a better rider it won’t

Test ride it for yourself and decide.




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[Sergio22]

tested the R and the S at the end I got the S to me more bang for the bucks and I love it.

 

[tarless]

funny seeing this. I"m going to go try to grab a ride on both tomorrow. I'm not 6'2" but I have a 34" inseam having long limbs at 6'. I'm thinking the R is better for me but its a couple grand more for not much more it seems.
THere doesn't seem to be much you can do with the pegs on the S though.

 

[DarR]

I had the opportunity to test ride the new 2017 Monster 1200 S twice. Here's my hopefully unbiased opinion relative to the 2016 Monster 1200 R which I ride.

The handling didn't feel any different at all. The power of the new S did feel somewhat lower than the R. I may be subliminally biased here or it may be because I have an SC Project on mine. Regardless, you may want to take this one with a grain of salt. In second gear, give it a twist and the front wheel still defies gravity even with the DWC "on" albeit at a low setting. More on that later.
The rubber lined foot pegs are definitely more comfortable with less vibration although more slippery than the R's metal ones. Keep in mind that slippery is a relative term to the extreme grip and sole ruining ones on the R. That may be good or bad depending on your personal preference.
Right heel space is as good as it gets relative to previous Monsters and may be marginally better than a stock R however, the SC Project slip-on is better than both stock set-up.
The tank is noticeably slimmer and contains a liter less fuel thus shorter range. Aesthetically, I prefer the bigger tank but that's just me.
The seat is softer and more comfortable on the New S than the R.
The instrument console on the new S is not as nice as the R but does contain more information namely, a fuel gauge and perhaps other things which I did not see as I have not fiddled with all the settings except the DWC.
About the DWC: on my second ride, I modified the Sport setting to increase the DWC from 3 to 8. I tried everything possible in second gear to raise the front wheel off the ground. DWC works, the most you can raise the front wheel is about an inch and for less than a second. An amber light turns-on for the same period of time. I was actually expecting to feel a cut in power but no, it was very transparent and unobtrusive. Nice feature for some that don't like looking at the sun.

The quickshifter is impressive and is the biggest improvement IMHO. However, the down-shift feature on the "S" is clunky where I don't feel the need to use it considering you still have to completely close the throttle for it to engage as it does not have the auto blimping feature offered on the 1299 Panigale's DQS. Consequently, it's just as fast if not faster and more reassuring using the clutch and maintaining the throttle. BTW, I have recently purchased an after-market quickshifter for my R.

All and all, I still prefer my R as the forward look of the new S looks bland and incomplete missing both a steering damper and the front windscreen which you would have to purchase separately. Love the forged wheels. The R's paint job is much better also but again, that's just me.