BMW's Newest Naked Bike Is a Better Monster Than Ducati's 1200

"matt miller" (mattmiller1973)
10/29/2014 at 17:00 • Filed to: None

BMW's R nineT is retro-sport-cruiser that does a better job doing all of the things the Ducati Monster 1200 is supposed to do, even if it's not Italian and doesn't have an L-twin engine. In this case, the air-cooled boxer is better.

``R nineT'' is a totally un-German play on words chosen to mark the Bavarians' 90 th year of building bikes and to channel the famous R90S of the 1970's — the cool ones like your dad used to ride, back when these upright cruisers were considered ``sportbikes.'' In fact, the R90S actually won the first U.S. AMA Superbike Championship in the hands of British pilot Reg Pridmore in 1976.

But these days proper sportbikes are all liquid cooled (boo!) so they can go faster and packed with computer gizmodiarrhea (yay!) so you don't crash. If you want a daily driver you can ride to work AND take to the track, BMW also makes a stripped-down, four-cylinder superbike with 160 hp in less than one liter. And KTM's 1290 SuperDuke twin makes 180 hp. Choose one of these:

That's not what this Beemer is about, and neither is Il Mostro — though it also has superbike roots: Godlike motorcycle designer Miguel Angel Galluzzi created the original Monster in 1993, by taking the faring off an 851 superbike frame with the front end of a 750 SS, throwing in a 900 SS engine, and adding handlebars.

Then-technical director Massimo Bordi told Godlike motorcycle journalist Kevin Ash that he'd asked Galluzzi for ``something which displayed a strong Ducati heritage, but which was easy enough to ride and not a sportsbike.''
``This was the bike Marlon Brando would be riding today in the film The Wild One !'' Bordi told Ash.

Ok, so that's a Triumph (correction of awesomeness: Matchless). But it's much more in the vein of the original Monster or the R nineT than the space-aged mid-life crisis that is the 1200.

They all have round headlights, they all have sweet looking man-tanks, whereas the 1200's tank has a waist like a woman and looks painted with nail polish.
And they all feel like timeless classics, like rebels from an age of innocence, but with an attitude. The new Monster is a MILF with fake boobs.

The BMW doesn't have four different riding modes, it doesn't have traction control, hell it doesn't even have a slipper clutch! It will bite you if you downshift into a corner and the engine's spinning too fast, but that feels authentic.

And that doesn't mean it's slow, or old, or fat, like Marlon Brando was when he got on in years... Can you believe this shit? That's seriously him.

BMW's 1200 cc airhead also makes 110 horsepower, and while the boys from Borgo Panigale are able to get more horses (135) out of the Monster by adding water, the big boxer actually makes more torque at 119 nm.

Anyway, what the R nineT, lacks in power, it more than makes up for in character. And I'm not just talking about looking-at-it-in-front-of-Starbucks character, I'm talking about ripping-off-the-factory-cans-and-scraping-the-pegs-on-the-pavement character. ``Because I'm talking about the road...''

The BMW is *awesome* in the twisties, and it sounds even better sucking wind. Both bikes have pretty decent ergos, but the BMW is easier to control with big wide bars and the flat twin engine that works like a gyroscope when you goose the throttle. Seriously, i have never had so much fun with a boxer engine.
At first, the bike BMW lent me felt like a toy, there was so much play in the clutch, so much off-kilter centrifugal force, and it is so low it feels like a Vespa. So fun and easy at slow speeds I felt like I should be wearing a Hawaiian shiRt, cargo shorts and flip-flops. Until I got on the West Side Highway.

*Not my actual route.

I was glad to be wearing all of my gear when I spun the engine up past 5,000 RPM and towards the 8,500 red line, the torque kicks in and the thing takes off! Not like a Panigale jerks you away, or like an HP4 sends you into hyperspeed (I know because ``I've made a huge mistake''), but pretty damn fast for such a short, heavy little fcker! (It weighs almost 500 pounds fully fueled.)

And then I got to my favorite spot in New York City: you know when you're headed up the Hendry Hudson, those S-curves through Washington Heights, right before you get to the toll bridge that takes you into Riverdale? And that's where I realized the best thing about this bike: it's got a Webelo-like ability to pop-up once you twist the throttle. It's amazing how it gets upright.

Is this what a Sopwith Camel feels like?

Fortunately the incredibly poorly paved roads of New York city and state remind me that I'm not in a plane. Up the Sprain Brook is great but 287 West across the Tappan Zee Bridge is horrendous and the Palisades Parkway north to Bear Mountain is not much better. Though it's an excellent test of the stock suspension, which soaks up the bumps just fine, a helluva lot better than the superbike.

A helluva lot more relaxed, a helluva lot more fun, which is what these bikes should really be about.

The OG Monster was iconic, it created a class of its own. I mean, Ayrton Senna owned one. And that's frankly all that needs to be said.

And the second generation got lighter, faster and more aggressive. It was a real step forward without being a betrayal of the original formula. I love them both, I have owned two of each, and I still have at least one...

*My second-gen, Monster 1100 Evo (20th Anniv. Edition) pictured.

But the new 1200's stretched-out, single-sided swingarm looks less than, not equal to, the coolness of both of those groundbreaking bikes, and it's boring to ride. Plus, and I didn't want to have to say this, but it's LIQUID COOLED. That is simply not on for a Ducati Monster. It should be called something else.

In contrast, the R nineT is an improvement on the original, without breaking with tradition. Same old formula, better execution.
``It's really amazing, what they can get out of an airhead,'' exclaimed my Ducati mechanic after taking my loaner for a spin, and he used to be employed by Ze Germans. It's also an improvement on the air-cooled GS's and R1200R's I've ridden with similar engines.

*BMW Motorrad sells my dog, Steve, as an accessory.

I still don't think it's worth $16,000, but I guess that's up to the market, and this market is all about supply: there isn't any. BMW says the R nineT is sold out and it's taking orders for the 2015 models now (no change, still black only).
The seat is abysmal, but this bike is easy to customize yourself. In fact, that's a big part of the business case and anyone who's read this far knows that Roland Sands and a bunch of other designers have already taken a crack at it.

I even ordered a new seat from Corbin — $500 and this bike isn't even mine. But it's worth it even if I only ride it for a few weeks. My butt will thank me (and I'll probably buy my own R nineT when they take this away from me).

P.S. Here's a video I made of Galluzzi's five favorite bikes.

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DISCUSSION (100)

E30Joe drives a Subaru > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 17:04

I see your language setting is German :)

Tom McParland > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 17:09

You are lucking I don't write on Lanesplitter, because I would totally do a post and hat-tip you on this. :D

ComeOnMann > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 17:09

Awesome write up! A used nineT will be on my radar in a couple years. But for the mean time I am going to enjoy my American naked sport bike. Buell for life!

jsn081 > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 17:15

saw my first one in person this past weekend at the Union St. blockparty. Owner is a really nice guy and waited for over a year to get it. Gorgeous machine.

FYI, much of the Palisades has been recently repaved. Jersey portion is smooth as glass. NY portion was never all that bad. Makes a nice run up to Bear Mt.

matt miller > E30Joe drives a Subaru
10/29/2014 at 17:15

Indeed! Girlfriend hates that...

E30Joe drives a Subaru > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 17:18

Mines in German, now I'm trying to learn Japanese so it wont be long until I switch it over.

Mosqvich > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 17:20

This is one of the BEST write-ups on Oppo, regardless of topic, that I've seen in a long, long, long time. Well done.

I just spent a Sunday on a Monster S4 and had a blast. The BMW looks terrific and I'd likely go for it over a Ducati. Except the guy in the F430 and Huracan I was driving around with did think the Ducati was awesome.

matt miller > Mosqvich
10/29/2014 at 17:29

Thanks! The s4r is one of my favorite bikes of all time, regardless of the water works.

matt miller > Tom McParland
10/29/2014 at 17:47

Haha — h/t!

chicagoE36 > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 17:56

Kinja'd!!!

No!!!!! This is NOT a Triumph that Brando is posing on. It is a Matchless. He did ride a T-Bird in the movie itself.

chicagoE36 > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 17:58

That's actually a Matchless that Brando is posing on, not a Triumph.

472CID > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 17:58

Kinja'd!!!

Based on one of the coolest bike of the 70s (and there were a lot of cool bikes in the 70s) I'd still take the Duc for it's looks and name recognition though.

tonered > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 18:00

I like the R nineT, but I have an eye on the new R 1200 RS to replace my aging Duc ST4. BMW is hitting it out of the park these days.

Although with the Monster 1200 and Scrambler, Duc is finally making good looking bikes again. The Pani is just okay to me.

TulsaMtnBiker (OkieRising) > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 18:11

Kinja'd!!!

Love love love love this. Also love the Duc as well

PQ44 > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 18:12

Awesome bike.

...But why would you want to wear a Hawaiian shit?

" I should be wearing a Hawaiian shit, cargo shorts and flip-flops. "

foodeater > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 18:13

A better ride would be to continue on the Sprain Brook Parkway, up to 9A in Pleasantville, then on through Peekskill (this part is fairly straight & boring), and get on US 202/6 (this is fun part) over to the Bear Mountain Bridge then just a bit south to Bear Mountain Park

kbasa > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 18:15

It has a metal tank that is an actual gas tank. It has a metal fender. All those trim bits on there? Metal. This bike is a real motorcycle. I especially like that the tank isn't shaped to crush my nuts. I have an old school R100CS and the R9T redeems BMW after they built that horrible R12C cruiser thing.

Whiskey Warrior > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 18:16

a Hawaiian shit, cargo shorts and flip-flops.

I think you may have misplaced a letter, my friend. Great article, though!

whan > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 18:19

I want one so bad. Planning on getting one when my bonus comes in next year, but why are they in such limited production/so expensive/impossible to find on the used market? I feel like its the equivalent of trying to find a BMW 1M

Derp Herpington > Tom McParland
10/29/2014 at 18:20

Both these bikes are gorgeous.

ShirtBloke > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 18:21

The Brando bike isn't a triumph. I think it's a Matchless.

greg23 > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 18:22

I have both the R NineT and the Monster 1200S and the Ducati is far better than the BMW in almost everything...

crankaholic > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 18:29

Absolutely agree with you... I was looking at a Monster, but decided on the R9T in the end. I love the design, and there's just something about that boxer and shaft drive that drew me in. I'm loving it so far, such an easy and fun bike to ride... the copious amounts of torque that engine produces makes it a pleasure to accelerate in any gear, you just twist your wrist and the bike takes off. Handling is more than anything I personally need on the street, you don't really feel the weight since the center of gravity is pretty low. It's not like I stepped off some chopper either, the bike will do everything you'd reasonably want of it. While it is a bit pricey... the great components (suspension, brakes, exhaust, etc...), attention to detail and beauty show exactly where that money went. Got lucky with my buy as well... some guy withdrew his deposit on a bike that was already unpacked the same day I went to the dealer to reserve one :D

Darko > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 18:31

Kinja'd!!!

1290 SDR is the best overall sportbike on the market right now. 95lbs-ft of torque at the rear wheel... that's absolutely insane . I'd pick it over any inline4, any day.

I had the 990 R and it was a magical bike. The 1290 just does more of everything, better.

TorsoMan > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 18:33

This is on my short list. Along with the Moto Guzzi Griso 8V SE. I wouldn't mind either of the bikes having a better back seat so I can take my wife along.

Radcardude > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 18:33

Brando is riding a Matchless (note the upside down M) not a Triumph.

PartySloth > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 18:35

I felt like I should be wearing a Hawaiian shit

Seems unpleasant.

Vracktal > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 18:36

Sadly the 2015 R1200r is going watercooled as well, which means if the NineT ever gets a refresh it'll more than likely end up water cooled too.

Kinja'd!!!

matt miller > PartySloth
10/29/2014 at 18:40

ha! Thank you, corrected

matt miller > Vracktal
10/29/2014 at 18:41

That would make it something different and it would suck. It makes sense with the R1200R, I suppose. It certainly did with the GS.

matt miller > Darko
10/29/2014 at 18:44

True, but it's a different kind of beast altogether. I should have included the Aprilia Tuono V4 in that upright sports group as well.

sv177 > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 18:44

Bear Mtn, my playground

matt miller > kbasa
10/29/2014 at 18:45

True! That was fugly. Stenegard is a success, I think it's safe to say.

matt miller > crankaholic
10/29/2014 at 18:47

ConGRATS! You lucky dog! Hope I get one too, for keeps. I'm going to try and trade my HP4 — at a big loss financially but it will feel like a win ergonomically and cosmetically.

matt miller > tonered
10/29/2014 at 18:50

i love love love the Panigale!!! Also love riding my Multistrada 1200 — it is a beast. But heavy with a high center of gravity. I bought that red gen-2 monster you see in pics recently, after I realized that air-cooled 1100 isn't coming back. And I can't stop looking at the Hypermotard SP! I like it better than the Scrambler, but it's got a buzzy little 821 in it...

matt miller > chicagoE36
10/29/2014 at 18:50

Ah very cool! Good info, will dig deeper. Thanks!

matt miller > whan
10/29/2014 at 18:52

Yes and the reward may be similar. Cannot wait for the M2! I don't know why BMW is so stingy with these huge fan favorites.

matt miller > greg23
10/29/2014 at 18:55

I've only taken the Monster out for day rides, but I found it boring every time. Granted, it's usually after getting off of another Ducati... I recently went to a press even with 8 or 9 other journalists and every single bike Ducati makes up in the Catskills — nobody was fighting over the Monster, or talking about it. Most popular bikes were the Hyper, the Diavel and the Panis.

Spoon! > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 18:55

Absolutely on my post-winning-lottery-ticket list.

matt miller > chicagoE36
10/29/2014 at 18:55

Good catch!

matt miller > sv177
10/29/2014 at 18:56

Mine too! See you at Rockwell's?

matt miller > TorsoMan
10/29/2014 at 18:56

Would love to get my hands on a Griso for a test! Piaggio doesn't seem to have a big fleet on the east coast...

Pinkslip > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 18:58

I LOVE my V4R, though I do wish I had the means for a second bike like the R Nine T.

I had a Monster 1100S a few years ago and liked it's handling, styling, and light weight. But it was not powerful enough for what I wanted long term. I then got a Multistrada 1200S, thinking my wife would ride two up with me more (she didn't). That Testastretta II motor sounds like a tractor and has little personality (even with pipes), which is a shame considering how much I like the more aggressive version in the 1198. I was bummed when I heard the more pedestrian version was going in the Monster. I get that the Monster should have more accessible torque than the Streetfighter, but the difference in motors is bigger than the spec sheets suggest.

If I could have another bike to compliment my Tuono, my short list would include the R Nine T, or maybe an XR1200- something high in personality, not made for heavy touring, with decent passenger accommodations- or another sport tourer like the BMW RT or Multi.

iamAGUAMAN > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 19:02

I can't say I agree with you on this. I just traded in my 796 for a 1200s. I was deeply considering the RnineT, but I just kept thinking about how I might regret the decision after the fact. It just didn't seem as fun of a bike. The torque and the suspension on the S really got me, and I am super happy with my decision. No doubt the RnineT is a gorgeous bike, and a great example of a roadster.

kniga > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 19:13

Kinja'd!!!

Looks like Flavio Briatore. All this time away from F1 has taken toll on him.

matt miller > iamAGUAMAN
10/29/2014 at 19:13

Many Ducati employees disagree with me too, they all say the 1200 is a great bike, and even better with the ohlins on the S. But even some of those guys say it should have been called something else.

matt miller > kniga
10/29/2014 at 19:14

Hahaha! Brando

ArtemisGoldfish, Unashamed PT Cruiser Owner > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 19:19

I rode a Griso. Way too much vibration from the bars, the foot controls were oddly placed, it just wasn't very pleasant to ride IMO.

crankaholic > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 19:34

Thanks. Go for it man, especially if've ridden one and loved it. My other (and previous) bike is an R6; just riding around at normal speeds is such a pleasure now... no need to pretend you're Rossi to have fun. I'm going to hang on to the R9T for as long as I can and sell the R6 come spring.

friskfyr32 > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 19:52

Kinja'd!!!

That's a man who's known the great things life has to offer.

lddk > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 20:11

You had me up until the Brando pics ;-)

cardriverx > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 20:21

Kinja'd!!!

Knee sliders? I got head sliders.

greg23 > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 20:27

Hi Matt, your point is definitely interesting. I have several Ducs and two BMWs. The problem I have with the R Ninte T is that it lacks in soul and it reminds me too much of my R1200 GSA engine wise... The Monster 1200S instead I find it very engaging especially since the Termis went on! Just my 2 cents!

matt miller > Vracktal
10/29/2014 at 21:03

dammit! even that's a better looking monster than the monster!

matt miller > Pinkslip
10/29/2014 at 21:09

damn, i love my multi! i have the pike's peak. i know the engine is similar blueprint to the monster and the diavel, but i feel like the monster uses it in the worst way (love the diavel too, for riding. it looks redic though).

i do have high hopes for the yamaha XJR 1300 that damon wrote about on lanesplitter. it looks freaking badass. to me, that's what this new monster lacks. it looks like it's painted in nail polish. it's too slim at the waist, it reminds me of a woman but not the kind that will hurt you and leave you wanting more. not into it.

matt miller > crankaholic
10/29/2014 at 21:10

i hear ya there!

matt miller > 472CID
10/29/2014 at 21:12

the duc is pretty but looks too tame for me. the beemer is manly!

matt miller > ArtemisGoldfish, Unashamed PT Cruiser Owner
10/29/2014 at 21:14

you know i still have to try it for myself. it looks too cool for school.

bob and john > ComeOnMann
10/29/2014 at 21:22

I wish I hadn';t sold my blast...and I so wished I had gotten a XB instead of the SV650 I have right now....
one day...one day....maybe a EBR SX

SirPoopyPants > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 21:24

I'm in love with this bike. If I didn't have a little one one the way I would have bought one already. Got to do a few hot laps on one at Blackhawk and I personally think it handles better vs. the current Monster. Reminds me of the Hypermotard a bit.

ThatbastardKurtis > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 21:25

I'm still waiting for a middleweight sport bike from BMW...seems like I'll be waiting for a long time....

Conrad > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 21:34

In my humble opinion, the German Griso should be compared to this beauty:

Kinja'd!!!

472CID > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 22:27

I think the purpose of the Monster is to be curvy and sensuous, rather than be manly. I will say, with a simple headlight and beefy traditional forks, this BMW is the best looking German Motorrad in a loooong time.

Dugg-117 > matt miller
10/29/2014 at 23:32

Kinja'd!!!

I have wanted to ride one of these sense I saw the teaser.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > matt miller
10/30/2014 at 00:54

Superb write-up!!!

I love my 748

Kinja'd!!!

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > matt miller
10/30/2014 at 00:59

I don't see how adding water cooling makes it bad.

Dirty987S > matt miller
10/30/2014 at 03:01

hi.

matt miller > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
10/30/2014 at 06:01

With the BMW, I couldn't tell you from firsthand experience. I've never ridden a liquid-cooled boxer. But in the case of Ducati there is a clear difference in the way the engine feels and sounds that makes the air-cooled experience so much better.

dotter101 > matt miller
10/30/2014 at 06:58

next time cross the GW and ride on teh NJ side up to Bear Mnt, much nicer on that side (In my humble opinion). Plus then you have a chance to be taken out by an eagle on the Parkway

brufleth > matt miller
10/30/2014 at 07:10

Someone in my condo complex has one of those Ducatis. It falls over in the parking lot when the wind blows hard enough. How's the kickstand on the BMW?

Lime - Light > matt miller
10/30/2014 at 08:27

I'm not disagreeing with you that the Monster has lost its way, but it had to change. 20 years of being a retro bike means the retro was retro. Il Mostro is famous because it is cool, but it's successful because it is accessible. Yes maybe the M1200 is getting pretty hard edged, but the rest of the Monster range is still a range of easy to live with bikes, now with gadgets like ride modes and TC and ABS that sell bikes.

tiberiuswise1 > matt miller
10/30/2014 at 08:30

If you're looking for good roads in the area, I highly recommend Seven Lakes Drive. Then stop at Rhodes Tavern North for the shaved pork hero.

towman > matt miller
10/30/2014 at 09:35

Too pricey as a whole package, but what do I know, apparently this bike is the 4th best selling bike in the US (yet I did not see one on the streets yet).

matt miller > 472CID
10/30/2014 at 09:36

i think you're right, but MONSTERS aren't supposed to be curvy and sensuous. it should be called the Ducati Pin-Up Girl.

matt miller > matt miller
10/30/2014 at 09:37

correction: the 2007 Ducati Monster S4RS is my favorite motorcycle ever.

matt miller > Lime - Light
10/30/2014 at 09:40

i'm not against all those electronics, i just think the bike looks too nice. not mean. it frankly appears a bit japanese to me, honestly. and i prefer the 1100 evo motor.

matt miller > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
10/30/2014 at 09:44

i love your 748 too!

matt miller > brufleth
10/30/2014 at 09:48

no motorcycle manufacturer makes a decent kickstand. though surely for different reasons, it's a lot like exhaust — when you buy a new bike you need to factor in a new set of cans to the cost.

matt miller > Dirty987S
10/30/2014 at 09:48

sup.

matt miller > towman
10/30/2014 at 09:49

it is expensive, that's for sure. i hope they make enough of them next year.

delongedoug > matt miller
10/30/2014 at 10:24

Kinja'd!!!

Yooo! Vito!

Ntovorni > matt miller
10/30/2014 at 10:36

At least the road heading up Bear Mountain is paved now. Sadly it's secondary paved with slow ass traffic...

MadisonSuicide > matt miller
10/30/2014 at 10:37

Kinja'd!!!

Dirty987S > matt miller
10/30/2014 at 10:55

lol, I had to edit my response...I ended up being wrong on some info so I couldn't figure how to delete it so the next best thing I had was "hi".

Regarding the article though, something relevant is...I have an '09 Monster...and the gosh darn thing is just a f'ing blast to ride! Especially here in Germany where I can exploit it in all it's glory!!!

tonered > matt miller
10/30/2014 at 11:12

Eh. The Pani is just okay to me. It's not the standout of the 9x6 series. The 999 was just too far ahead of it's time. It would have been the perfect styling successor to the 1x98 machines. Then, there's the fact that Duc has not won with their frameless design. For a company built on racing, that is not good.

sv177 > matt miller
10/30/2014 at 11:40

haha yea! cant wait till all the leafers are gone

kbasa > matt miller
10/30/2014 at 11:45

I'm a big fan of David Robb, but Stenegard is doing some cool stuff. I'm looking forward to a K16 Roadster to replace the late, lamented K12/13R as BMW continues to leverage themselves into niches we didn't know existed.

TCN21 > matt miller
10/30/2014 at 11:55

The S Curve and Straightway, definitely an awesome and scenic spot of driving in the city. I feel like an F-1 star every time my mini van rolls on through there.

towman > matt miller
10/30/2014 at 12:27

I mean, for the price of the RnineT you can buy the S1000R, and that is just a whole lot more performance and tech. I understand that value =/= pricing, just look at HDs success, but I can't think any other reason for the high price, just because they can charge that much and peeps still picks them up. Good for BMW, I was just hoping, when the early news came out for this bike, that it will be chuck full of tech and still brings the style.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > matt miller
10/30/2014 at 15:48

When I had my FXDL a few years ago, the Taconic Parkway was a great ride up to Albany from southern CT where I'm at.

matt miller > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
10/31/2014 at 07:55

it is still an awesome ride. i call it the Taconic Raceway. there are some guard rails that will kill you, though, and the serious threat of deer at night.

Turk > kbasa
10/31/2014 at 08:30

Just need to say that I agree with a lot being said in these comments, something special about air-cooled experience, late Monsters are a little too pretty, though I'm sure all still fun, hey they're motorcycles!

Along a similar vein - being not a cruiser guy, I couldn't understand when my dad picked up a 10+yr old R1200C a few years back. Then I started riding it once in a while (he keeps a fleet so we go for rides when we can).

The R: Goofy and oddly both way overteched (two-piece frame with engine as stressed member, tele and paralever susp., fuel injection) and also low tech at the same time (air cooled), yes. But they are AWESOME to ride, at least compared to most of my cruiser experience.

Need to get video next time we do a ride...

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > matt miller
10/31/2014 at 08:46

And the NY State Police always sit in the same places too. I've never seen deer driving home at night, but I know there's lots of them there.

kbasa > Turk
10/31/2014 at 11:19

True confessions: I've always liked the yellow/gray/black Phoenix version of the R12C. And yeah, I've ridden the R12C and they just make me giggle in my helmet the whole time. My wife rode one when they were first introduced and when she got off of it, she was laughing her butt off. She really thought it was a hoot.

ACESandEIGHTS > matt miller
10/31/2014 at 11:37

Love that thing. Would take it in an instant over Il Monstro, but what's with those gold fork sliders? Just say nein. A little bit of gold stanchion I could handle, but it offends mine eyes.

Needs some crash bungs/ crash bars on it. Would not want to see the carnage after this joint gets laid over.

Wicked smaht article, btw.

matt miller > ACESandEIGHTS
10/31/2014 at 12:35

hahah — i LOVE the gold forks! looks so ohlinsy. but it's not (they should trademark that color).

Daverides > matt miller
12/14/2014 at 20:25

The Monster 1200 is not the first watercooled monster. You called the Monster 1200 boring, which if you have ridden one, I can assure you, you would not do. You have publushed a bike comparison and only actually ridden one of the bikes. Lazy journalism. If it matters, I have an S1000R, but at least I've ridden the Monster and know how to use spell check.

matt miller > Daverides
12/15/2014 at 08:42

in fact i have ridden the monster 1200 s and the base version, both in the catskills and at bear mountain. and no i did not say this is the first water-cooled monster — you may have spell check but i don't think you can read — i realize, of course, that the s4rs and it's kin were also all wet. i think i mentioned that i have owned a few monsters — i still have a 99 900 and a 13 1100 (pictured). and i wouldn't call this lazy journalism, or any journalism — it's just a blog post.

k > ComeOnMann
02/11/2015 at 03:12

buell now largely controlled by indian company -hero.

George > matt miller
11/13/2015 at 00:54

Nice review, and agree on all retro criteria. I love and have ridden both extensively. My short summary is the monster is a proper sports bike with a bit of retro with solid dynamic and plenty of bite. The BMW is a proper retro, a beautiful one at that, with some modern styling but all in all much more of a soft-belly cruiser with soft suspension and ok performance.