I've ridden my Monster several times between 350 and 500 miles at a shot. It's not a pleasure ride, but its not a torture rack either.
Monster Comfort Compared to Sportbike Comfort
ok I have to start off by saying that I am relatively new here, atleast as an active poster and not lurker. Since I have been here I have heard a lot of members say how uncomfortable the Monster is on long trips but its good for short hops and city riding. My question is this, how uncomfortable is it really? I am coming off of a TL1000R so anything has to be an improvement (which is all I am looking for) but now I am starting to wonder if a Monster is really what I am looking for.
Thoughts, opinions and such?
Thoughts, opinions and such?
1 - 20 of 34 Posts
Compared to a repli-racer type sportbike, the Monster is very comfortable. The seat is comparatively wide, soft, and supportive. The riding posture is more upright and the seat to footpeg distance is longer.
The Monster isn't a Goldwing though and the riding position is more sportbike than touring bike. I'd say it is similar to sport touring bikes like the Honda VFR. However, the lack of any effective wind or weather protection does make long days in the saddle tiresome for some.
The longest I've ridden in one day on a Monster was about 600 miles. Some was high speed interstate and most was rural highways at about 65 MPH. I wasn't worn down or exhausted by the trip and could have done the same the next day.
I could easily ride a Monster twice as far as a repli-racer and feel fine at the end of it. I find that what limits the Monster is my energy and endurance -- rather than my pain threshold which is the limiting factor on repli-racers for me.
The Monster isn't a Goldwing though and the riding position is more sportbike than touring bike. I'd say it is similar to sport touring bikes like the Honda VFR. However, the lack of any effective wind or weather protection does make long days in the saddle tiresome for some.
The longest I've ridden in one day on a Monster was about 600 miles. Some was high speed interstate and most was rural highways at about 65 MPH. I wasn't worn down or exhausted by the trip and could have done the same the next day.
I could easily ride a Monster twice as far as a repli-racer and feel fine at the end of it. I find that what limits the Monster is my energy and endurance -- rather than my pain threshold which is the limiting factor on repli-racers for me.
After about 200 miles on the Monster, the stock seats starts to be a real pain; I bought a Corbin seat and found it to be little if any better. Then I purchased the Ducati Performance "Comfort Seat" and, man, does it live up to it's name! Single best "mod" I've made to the bike.
So, long story short, if you do end up getting a Monster and plan on spending more than about three or four hours on it at a time, buy the DP Comfort Seat; makes all the difference in the world.
So, long story short, if you do end up getting a Monster and plan on spending more than about three or four hours on it at a time, buy the DP Comfort Seat; makes all the difference in the world.
I've done a couple long rides on the Monster and by the end I was ready to call it a day. The first one was a 600 mile trip from Detroit to central WI. It might not have been so bad but it was all Interstate and it was cold. 50ish in Detroit when I started and by the time I got into WI the sun had gone down and it quickly dropped into the 30's and the upper 20's. I think that had alot to do with my discomfort.
The next week I left Wisconsin for Lousiana. It was slightly warmer (mid 50's) and I did about 700 miles the first day. I wasn't nearly as sore as the first time, but I felt it.
I can't compare it to the TL, the only other sportbike I've owned was a Speed 4. Compared to that the seated position is better, but I think the stock seat on the S4 was a little more comfortable. I did several 200-300 mile days with absolutely no discomfort. Normal riding around town and backroads I'm good for a while on the Monster. About the time the fuel light comes on (120 miles or so) I'm ready to stretch a little. I'm also 6'2" and 230 lbs so your results may vary.
The next week I left Wisconsin for Lousiana. It was slightly warmer (mid 50's) and I did about 700 miles the first day. I wasn't nearly as sore as the first time, but I felt it.
I can't compare it to the TL, the only other sportbike I've owned was a Speed 4. Compared to that the seated position is better, but I think the stock seat on the S4 was a little more comfortable. I did several 200-300 mile days with absolutely no discomfort. Normal riding around town and backroads I'm good for a while on the Monster. About the time the fuel light comes on (120 miles or so) I'm ready to stretch a little. I'm also 6'2" and 230 lbs so your results may vary.
I concur on this one. Try to send a PM to SoCalMonster (if he's still around here). He has/had a Monster and bought a 999 in Pennsylvania, then rode it home Xcountry to SoCal...n2f said:...the Ducati Performance "Comfort Seat" and, man, does it live up to it's name! Single best "mod" I've made to the bike.
"...quickly dropped into the 30's and the upper 20's. I think that had alot to do with my discomfort."
ya think?
ya think?
I've found the limiting factor in comfort on mine to be the seat. I put the Corbin seat on, and am very happy with it. Once you break it in, it's lightyears better than the factory seat.
The pertinant question for you is, what are you going to be using it for? If it's mostly for a short commute, or a day in the twisties, with the occasional 300-500 mile trip, then a Monster should be perfect. If you're doing a ton of highway riding, and lots of touring, you might consider a sport tourer or multi.
Hope that helps,
James
The pertinant question for you is, what are you going to be using it for? If it's mostly for a short commute, or a day in the twisties, with the occasional 300-500 mile trip, then a Monster should be perfect. If you're doing a ton of highway riding, and lots of touring, you might consider a sport tourer or multi.
Hope that helps,
James
I have heard that and made it one of my priorities in negoticating with the dealern2f said:After about 200 miles on the Monster, the stock seats starts to be a real pain; I bought a Corbin seat and found it to be little if any better. Then I purchased the Ducati Performance "Comfort Seat" and, man, does it live up to it's name! Single best "mod" I've made to the bike.
So, long story short, if you do end up getting a Monster and plan on spending more than about three or four hours on it at a time, buy the DP Comfort Seat; makes all the difference in the world.
Yeah, I rode the last 200 or so miles freezing my ass off. I remember prying myself off the bike when I finally arrived. [laugh]CliveS2R said:"...quickly dropped into the 30's and the upper 20's. I think that had alot to do with my discomfort."
ya think?
I dont do a lot of highway riding, mostly twisty back roads and some track days.DucHockey said:The pertinant question for you is, what are you going to be using it for? If it's mostly for a short commute, or a day in the twisties, with the occasional 300-500 mile trip, then a Monster should be perfect. If you're doing a ton of highway riding, and lots of touring, you might consider a sport tourer or multi.
Hope that helps,
James
i haven't ridden mine a really long way, yet. only two or three hours stretches, point a to b, with a gas stop here and there.
but for me the worst thing was the stock bars, before i went to a set of tommaselli clip-ons. i like to tuck down on the highway, and the stock bars would just kill my elbows. i've no particular qualms about the seat or rearsets, though i have had a couple instances of my knee cramping up. but i think this is more just "me" than "the bike."
tell you what, though. three hours of dehydrated, hung-over riding after a weekend party in another town kinda sucks. :
but for me the worst thing was the stock bars, before i went to a set of tommaselli clip-ons. i like to tuck down on the highway, and the stock bars would just kill my elbows. i've no particular qualms about the seat or rearsets, though i have had a couple instances of my knee cramping up. but i think this is more just "me" than "the bike."
tell you what, though. three hours of dehydrated, hung-over riding after a weekend party in another town kinda sucks. :
Monster.sconly said:I dont do a lot of highway riding, mostly twisty back roads and some track days.
Can I ask a really stupid question? Isn't my monster a sportbike? I thought it was a "naked sportbike." ???
depends on which insurance agency you talk to... [laugh]sausage creature said:Can I ask a really stupid question? Isn't my monster a sportbike? I thought it was a "naked sportbike." ???
i think it is considered by most to be (especially in stock form) a "standard."
eh I didnt mean it like that, I meant it more in the sense of Superbike vs Sportbike then ;D or we could do the my TLR will smoke your Monster at the track and your Monster will smoke my TLR on the street (which one do you find most comfortable)sausage creature said:Can I ask a really stupid question? Isn't my monster a sportbike? I thought it was a "naked sportbike." ???
no seriously, it was meant to be a question of fully faired sportbike designed to race vs. an exotic sportbike for the street, two totally different markets.
the monster looks like a "standard" bike. the handlebars are wide and relatively high. But when you sit on it you find that you have to lean forward quite a bit to reach the bars and this can be more tiring than a real standard bike which puts you in a more upright sitting position.
i had an R1 before my monster and the monster is more comfortable but not as comfortable as a real "standard" bike.
i had an R1 before my monster and the monster is more comfortable but not as comfortable as a real "standard" bike.
IMHO, it's more sportbike than standard bike.
I think one rides a sportbike like a jockey rides a thoroughbred and a standard bike like a plow horse...
I think one rides a sportbike like a jockey rides a thoroughbred and a standard bike like a plow horse...
I used to find that the stock seat was uncomfortable for me after about 45 minutes. I switched to a Sargent seat, and I have no problems with it. [thumbsup]
I am looking for the next level in comfort but dont want to sacrifice my entire riding experiance. if I wanted a couch I would be looking at a goldwing.
I will say this though, I went and tormented myself again yesterday and sat on a Multistrada, S4R, S4RS, Paul Smart SC, and a SCGT and out of all of them the MS was the most comfortable with the Monster coming in second. I am going with a Monster though.
I will say this though, I went and tormented myself again yesterday and sat on a Multistrada, S4R, S4RS, Paul Smart SC, and a SCGT and out of all of them the MS was the most comfortable with the Monster coming in second. I am going with a Monster though.
1 - 20 of 34 Posts
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