Ducati Monster 1200 Review

Used Buyer Review

The Monster 1200 is a genuinely brilliant motorcycle that'll absolutely ruin you for anything sensible. That 1198cc L-twin punches hard from idle, pulls like a freight train mid-range, and sounds absolutely filthy through the Termignoni cans that most previous owners have already fitted. Handling is sharp without being nervous — this is a proper motorcycle that rewards commitment rather than punishing it. Here's the thing nobody tells you upfront: Ducati servicing costs are real. Budget £400-600 for desmo valve clearance checks every 18,000 miles, and they cannot be skipped. Check service history religiously. Pre-2016 bikes ran dry clutches that chatter and drag in traffic — annoying but fixable. Wet clutch models from 2016 onward are dramatically nicer to live with daily. Electronics package on S models is genuinely excellent, not gimmicky.