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Monster 937 owners who upgraded to SP - Worth it?

932 Views 16 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  AS451
I've put 4K on my 2022 Monster + and with all the upgrades I'm considering might be a wash to just get the SP.

Thoughts from others who have upgraded? Does the change in position/fork angle plus the steering damper make it more planted at speeds over 100mph?

Are the brakes noticably better?

I started looking around at different bikes but for all the same reasons find myself looking back at the Monster. There are worse problems to have than trying to figure out where to spend my 2023 fun $$$, either countless upgrades of Monster + or a complete swap for SP.
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I've got about $20 into my '22 which includes taxes/fees and upgrades. The biggest of which was the Termignoni exhaust and then items like euro signals, tidy tail, belly pan, custom seat cover, TWM gas cap, Rizoma spy mirrors...I've considered (briefly) the SP and others but really do like my Monster and certainly not worth a $7,000+ swap out.
I will, probably, go back to having a 2nd bike.
I've put 4K on my 2022 Monster + and with all the upgrades I'm considering might be a wash to just get the SP.
That would depend upon the upgrades you have planned, and the cost of them. One of the things you may already be considering is resale value. A heavily upgraded + would still be a +. The SP will carry a somewhat higher resale value for that reason.

Thoughts from others who have upgraded? Does the change in position/fork angle plus the steering damper make it more planted at speeds over 100mph?
I think the upgrades are valuable for cornering at speeds significantly lower than 100 mph. The difference going straight and level at 100 mph will likely be minimal. Cornering and handling would be the main reason for changing suspension components. The bike is remarkably stable at high speeds in stock configuration. Upgrades in that condition would likely be unnoticeable.

Are the brakes noticably better?
Upgrading pads significantly improves braking of the Plus. It is unlikely that the SP is significantly better at braking but due to the adjustable front suspension, braking can be done more aggressively without bottoming for riders over 180 lbs. Of course, if you weigh between say 165 and 180, the stock suspension settings on the Plus would be indistinguishable from the SP.

I started looking around at different bikes but for all the same reasons find myself looking back at the Monster. There are worse problems to have than trying to figure out where to spend my 2023 fun $$$, either countless upgrades of Monster + or a complete swap for SP.
For everyday enjoyment, it is hard to beat the Monster. I have a '22 with stock suspension and it has amazing grip with those Pirellis. The only reason I plan to upgrade is my weight. I am over 200 lbs. and while riding aggressively, I can "push" the front end a bit more than if I had more adjustability in the forks. I think the fork upgrade is more important than the rear, as the KYB seems adequate. I don't track the bike much but I do love the corners. More gifted riders would appreciate the monoshock upgrade as well, I imagine. I haven't had any problems with the steering and have not even considered a damper. They do look cool but with ABS and traction control...unless I'm doing wheelies regularly probably don't need it. The advantage in the fork upgrade and pads (probably about $1300 for Ohlins and pads), you have a very fun bike in the Plus.
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Thank you for the feedback, good points. What fork upgrade are you considering? Ohlins cartridges are expensive.
if you already got $4k (or did you mean 4k miles?) in your current monster, you're better off just continuing to upgrade to match the sp. you will most likley not get back the $4k you invested if you try to sell you current monster to fund a sp.
Yes I meant 4k miles not upgrades. My upgrades to date have been minor but this chat has made me decide to stay the course with my current Monster + as I start getting into bigger upgrades.
Thank you for the feedback, good points. What fork upgrade are you considering? Ohlins cartridges are expensive.
Ohlins kit is well thought out. They waited until they had it well sorted prior to releasing it. It sure isn't cheap but it is likely going to provide great performance and in my opinion, better handling due to its targeting street use. I looked at some other kits and they also look good. I nearly purchased the Andreani kits but decided to wait for the Ohlins. One of the reasons I waited is that the Ohlins are optimized to consider the Ohlins MonoShock and I may eventually upgrade that as well.
I might add...if you want to see how far a human can take a Plus, have a look at Jaques Mallard's 937 Here:

937 Accessories So far

His posts about modifications to his 937 should be a stickie. That guy, while some of his mods require a significant technical ability (or fearlessness)…he has excellent taste, understands the theory behind the performance mods, provides a conversational narrative of his exploits and excellent photos. If you like 937's you will love that thread.

And... If you've never heard of 937's and discovered that thread...you would certainly want one after reading his work.
I might add...if you want to see how far a human can take a Plus, have a look at Jaques Mallard's 937 Here: 937 Accessories So far His posts about modifications to his 937 should be a stickie. That guy, while some of his mods require a significant technical ability (or fearlessness)…he has excellent taste, understands the theory behind the performance mods, provides a conversational narrative of his exploits and excellent photos. If you like 937's you will love that thread. And... If you've never heard of 937's and discovered that thread...you would certainly want one after reading his work.
If I were buying now, I’d get the SP. It is worth the difference. To trade? Hard to say but not for me. The suspension is a very worthwhile mod, but even with the SP you will likely need a spring swap. The brakes are nice for weight loss, but the stock brakes are more than sufficient, especially with pads. But I like to play with things…not everyone wants to be that involved.
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Ohlins kit is well thought out. They waited until they had it well sorted prior to releasing it. It sure isn't cheap but it is likely going to provide great performance and in my opinion, better handling due to its targeting street use. I looked at some other kits and they also look good. I nearly purchased the Andreani kits but decided to wait for the Ohlins. One of the reasons I waited is that the Ohlins are optimized to consider the Ohlins MonoShock and I may eventually upgrade that as well.
Off topic possibly, would you still rock the Ohlin's kit if you were able to get a hold of the newer shocks that came on the SP or the 2023 models that are adjustable? Debating on the next step and Ohlin's is on my mind but getting a hold of the OEM ones from the SP or 23 has crossed my mind.
I like the way the SP Ohlins has the reservoir integrated. It is cleaner. Would like to see the specs and see if the shock length is the same. If the SP shock is longer then I'd prefer it. Generally the oem Ohlins doesn't have the same quality valving as the units you order from Ohlins. Could be different now, but in the past that was the case. And of course the oem spring won't be selected for your weight unless you are lucky.
Just adding more thoughts..
I had an SP ordered, but after realizing I was about to pay over 18k OTD for it I started having second thoughts. My dealer got in a 22 plus with the clear clutch and full termi exhaust on trade and I went for it instead, figuring I’d make my own better version of the SP for cheaper. (SP damper being non adjustable, not the full termi system anyway with no option to buy their midpipe stand-alone)

So far the big things I’ve done..
-Ohlins NIX 30 cartridge kit for less than $900 shipped plus springs for my weight for $120
-Adjustable shock from Nitron for $750 shipped with spring for my weight
-Performance pads for the stock brake calipers and quality fluid

Plan on adding the adjustable Ohlins damper, Stylema calipers, rcs master cylinders, and lithium battery to complete “my SP”, but I’m honestly perfectly happy with the bike as it sits. It doesn’t have the gold tubes, no, but they weren’t weren’t worth $18k to me. And if I do end up doing the calipers and all that I’ll still be well under $18k..
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Don’t forget the SP has alloy carrier rotors. 1.5lbs of weight on the front wheel right there. The stylemas are sexy but for the money I’d think the rotors make a bigger difference.
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Don’t forget the SP has alloy carrier rotors. 1.5lbs of weight on the front wheel right there. The stylemas are sexy but for the money I’d think the rotors make a bigger difference.
True, I had rotors factored into my initial wishlist and “sp build” as well. I have to admit, this bike already having the full termi system made it make sense in my situation. I understand they have to sell the SP meeting regulations without the mid pipe but not having the option to add it after the fact really left me with a bad taste in my mouth on it after the OTD price I was quoted. Yes, you can add a different aftermarket mid pipe, but none look as clean as theirs imo. Then you have to find a third party tune.
I’m not sure I’d notice the rotational mass of the rotor carriers more than the arm pump I did coming off the long straights bearing down on the font brakes in the later sessions on my bike yesterday at the track though. Not sure if the stylemas and rcs masters would be the biggest help, them both with lighter rotors, if our bikes’ brake lines are braided steel under there, or if I just need to have stronger forearms (probably)
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Off topic possibly, would you still rock the Ohlin's kit if you were able to get a hold of the newer shocks that came on the SP or the 2023 models that are adjustable?
Nope.
Just adding more thoughts..
I had an SP ordered, but after realizing I was about to pay over 18k OTD for it I started having second thoughts. My dealer got in a 22 plus with the clear clutch and full termi exhaust on trade and I went for it instead, figuring I’d make my own better version of the SP for cheaper. (SP damper being non adjustable, not the full termi system anyway with no option to buy their midpipe stand-alone)

So far the big things I’ve done..
-Ohlins NIX 30 cartridge kit for less than $900 shipped plus springs for my weight for $120
-Adjustable shock from Nitron for $750 shipped with spring for my weight
-Performance pads for the stock brake calipers and quality fluid

Plan on adding the adjustable Ohlins damper, Stylema calipers, rcs master cylinders, and lithium battery to complete “my SP”, but I’m honestly perfectly happy with the bike as it sits. It doesn’t have the gold tubes, no, but they weren’t weren’t worth $18k to me. And if I do end up doing the calipers and all that I’ll still be well under $18k..
where did you get the nitron shock from.
where did you get the nitron shock from.
Got it from Andreani USA but looks like you can order one from Motowheels also
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