New bike… Ducati Monster or Triumph ST?
Discussion
Hi
I’m edging closer to replacing my current bike and would welcome some thoughts on the following options. My bike history is a 2009 Street Triple (new), which was replaced after a year with a 2010 Speed Triple…this only lasted 500 miles when I collided with a deer and then sold it. Three years ago I got back into biking with a BMW 650 Xcountry, and having covered 22k miles it’s definitely time for a change. My budget is around £8-10k. I use it for a bit of commuting, but also love riding for pleasure as much as I can. I do like a bigger bike, and the aesthetics are important. I do my own work on bikes so maintenance costs aren’t a big issue.
I’ve narrowed it down to the following options -
Ducati Monster 1200S (2017 updated model) - love its looks, and it does get some great reviews.
Triumph Speed Triple 1050 circa 2016-18 - again I like the look of it and the triple is a great engine.
Triumph Speed Triple 1200 - these seem to be coming in just below my top budget.
I did have a look at a new Street Triple 765 R and RS last week, and I think they look great especially in cosmic yellow (RS), and by all accounts they are great bikes (I did love my old ST 675), but they do feel slightly small/compact and they don’t have as much presence as the larger Speed/Monster.
Any thoughts welcome as I’m terrible at making decisions!
I’m edging closer to replacing my current bike and would welcome some thoughts on the following options. My bike history is a 2009 Street Triple (new), which was replaced after a year with a 2010 Speed Triple…this only lasted 500 miles when I collided with a deer and then sold it. Three years ago I got back into biking with a BMW 650 Xcountry, and having covered 22k miles it’s definitely time for a change. My budget is around £8-10k. I use it for a bit of commuting, but also love riding for pleasure as much as I can. I do like a bigger bike, and the aesthetics are important. I do my own work on bikes so maintenance costs aren’t a big issue.
I’ve narrowed it down to the following options -
Ducati Monster 1200S (2017 updated model) - love its looks, and it does get some great reviews.
Triumph Speed Triple 1050 circa 2016-18 - again I like the look of it and the triple is a great engine.
Triumph Speed Triple 1200 - these seem to be coming in just below my top budget.
I did have a look at a new Street Triple 765 R and RS last week, and I think they look great especially in cosmic yellow (RS), and by all accounts they are great bikes (I did love my old ST 675), but they do feel slightly small/compact and they don’t have as much presence as the larger Speed/Monster.
Any thoughts welcome as I’m terrible at making decisions!
Many thanks for all the replies. The Tuono Factory looks like a great bike but just doesn’t do it for me personally looks wise.
I had read about the harsh ride on the new 1200 Speed but also that you could adjust it to be more compliant? That said, the Monster is probably edging it; the R looks great but I would also be more than happy on the S. I suppose it just depends on what I can get for my budget. The search begins!
I had read about the harsh ride on the new 1200 Speed but also that you could adjust it to be more compliant? That said, the Monster is probably edging it; the R looks great but I would also be more than happy on the S. I suppose it just depends on what I can get for my budget. The search begins!
WhisperingWasp said:
When I see pictures like that I realise that it is probably the bike for me; thanks for all the replies. Whilst I love a Ducati in red, I also really like the cement grey/black trellis they have on the >2017 models. Neal H said:
I sold my Speed Triple 1200 RS because of the harsh ride, even at the softest settings it was far too harsh for road use, I’m a lightweight at 60 kg so I don’t think that helped.
That aside I loved the bike and in the 18 months I had it, it was absolutely trouble free. If they are about to re-launch it with more compliant road biased electronic suspension, I’d seriously consider it again.
Thanks Neal, I’ve just rewatched some of the YT reviews and they all do seem to highlight the harsh ride. It’s a shame they didn’t release an S or R variant more suited to the road.That aside I loved the bike and in the 18 months I had it, it was absolutely trouble free. If they are about to re-launch it with more compliant road biased electronic suspension, I’d seriously consider it again.
I haven’t because I’m really bad at making decisions 
I was passing a local Triumph dealer today and had yet another look at the latest Street Triple and an older Speed….the newer Street is probably the more sensible option (a year old one). I’m probably hung up on getting a “big” >1000cc bike because my current bike is particularly small for a 650 and looks like a bit of a toy when I parked up next to the demonstrators. The 765 is probably big enough, then I watch a video of a Monster 1200 and I’m back to square one!
I was passing a local Triumph dealer today and had yet another look at the latest Street Triple and an older Speed….the newer Street is probably the more sensible option (a year old one). I’m probably hung up on getting a “big” >1000cc bike because my current bike is particularly small for a 650 and looks like a bit of a toy when I parked up next to the demonstrators. The 765 is probably big enough, then I watch a video of a Monster 1200 and I’m back to square one!
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