[BHF]

I was thinking in my fickle little mind what I might replace the R9T with. I’ve lusted after the Ducati Monster just on looks alone and the KTM for its savage performance. So I went out into internet land and started researching. I got totally overwhelmed with opinions and decided to go with specs and data and built a spreadsheet to organize and put it all in perspective. Going in I had the impression that the R9T would be totally outclassed on the performance side of things. It’s rather porky.
Yes the R9T is heavier by 70-75 pounds than the other two and down on hp by 2 and 12, but she is up on torque by 17 and 26 foot pounds over the other two. 1/4 mile times are even more telling. Duc 12.3 @ 119, KTM 11.0 @ 129 and our little porker turns in 11.3 @ 118.
The R9T is not slow. There is a lot of other factors involved like the big one for me would be handling. The extra weight would be evident braking into and then coming out of corners. The KTM I’m sure would be the most “flickable”. But our little girl ridden well would be respectable. Overall I ended up surprised that the R9T is not outclassed and can more than hold her own against the other two, at least on paper.
Realistically I’m old and slow anyway so the R9T probably suits me well and I should just keep her and be happy with the amazing little bike that I already have. Especially since she is paid for and already broken in and ready to thrash to my heart’s content.

 

[BlitzSchnell]

I was thinking in my fickle little mind what I might replace the R9T with. I’ve lusted after the Ducati Monster just on looks alone and the KTM for its savage performance. So I went out into internet land and started researching. I got totally overwhelmed with opinions and decided to go with specs and data and built a spreadsheet to organize and put it all in perspective. Going in I had the impression that the R9T would be totally outclassed on the performance side of things. It’s rather porky.
Yes the R9T is heavier by 70-75 pounds than the other two and down on hp by 2 and 12, but she is up on torque by 17 and 26 foot pounds over the other two. 1/4 mile times are even more telling. Duc 12.3 @ 119, KTM 11.0 @ 129 and our little porker turns in 11.3 @ 118.
The R9T is not slow. There is a lot of other factors involved like the big one for me would be handling. The extra weight would be evident braking into and then coming out of corners. The KTM I’m sure would be the most “flickable”. But our little girl ridden well would be respectable. Overall I ended up surprised that the R9T is not outclassed and can more than hold her own against the other two, at least on paper.
Realistically I’m old and slow anyway so the R9T probably suits me well and I should just keep her and be happy with the amazing little bike that I already have. Especially since she is paid for and already broken in and ready to thrash to my heart’s content.

Quit debating and get thrashing … and yes … I mean right now ! …. Tempest Fugit ! StayUpOn2 … besides the 9T is SOOO much prettier than a Ducks !
ALL red ? What’s with that, you’d think they’re a frickin Fagarrie I mean Ferry, Ferrari, whatever ! Quack quack … have you ever owned one? They are a maintenance nightmare, if you have a mechanic have at it … otherwise, (as the Italians say “Forgetaboutit” ! …have you noticed they aren’t doing so well at the track these days, read their record. If you like tinkering, twisting bolts …tuning and towing get a Duck. Otherwise get thrashing on yur-BeemerBuddy ! …………………………….. Blitz

 

[BHF]

I’ve owned 3 KTMs. 2 690s (SMCR and enduro) and a 790 adventure. Both 690s vibrated off the bolts holding on the rear fender. The SMCR lost the starter freewheeling clutch and would no longer engage the starter. The 790 broke off the headlight/ speedometer cluster needing to replace the frame under warranty. I still own the enduro but the other two went away.
The Duc is drop dead gorgeous in my opinion. The SP is not all red.
I definitely can’t knock the R9T reliability and I really really enjoy riding it. I think part of the problem is psychological with those huge jugs hanging out the sides. I’m afraid of the lean angles. I just need to get her out for a track day.

 

[tarby]

I was thinking in my fickle little mind what I might replace the R9T with. I’ve lusted after the Ducati Monster just on looks alone and the KTM for its savage performance. So I went out into internet land and started researching. I got totally overwhelmed with opinions and decided to go with specs and data and built a spreadsheet to organize and put it all in perspective. Going in I had the impression that the R9T would be totally outclassed on the performance side of things. It’s rather porky.
Yes the R9T is heavier by 70-75 pounds than the other two and down on hp by 2 and 12, but she is up on torque by 17 and 26 foot pounds over the other two. 1/4 mile times are even more telling. Duc 12.3 @ 119, KTM 11.0 @ 129 and our little porker turns in 11.3 @ 118.
The R9T is not slow. There is a lot of other factors involved like the big one for me would be handling. The extra weight would be evident braking into and then coming out of corners. The KTM I’m sure would be the most “flickable”. But our little girl ridden well would be respectable. Overall I ended up surprised that the R9T is not outclassed and can more than hold her own against the other two, at least on paper.
Realistically I’m old and slow anyway so the R9T probably suits me well and I should just keep her and be happy with the amazing little bike that I already have. Especially since she is paid for and already broken in and ready to thrash to my heart’s content.

I think you've answered your conundrum here! No doubt the dukes are good to look at. Reliability. Not sure. Although they did win Motogp, WSB, championships in 22. KTM. There's reliability issues there too. No the 9T ain't perfect. Nor is BMW. Obviously we're biased on a 9T forum. But when you look at the competition. There's not much out there which is individual like the 9T. Possibly Harley. There I've dropped the H bomb! They just keep pretty much to there own thing. Yes a few changes (electric, water cooled, etc). All the big four have brought out "retros". I think BMW nailed it with the 9T (well I would!). Modern retro, yes like the others. But with that flat twin still there. I'm also old(ish) and slow(ish). 1/4 mile times with about a second in it, and younger lighter rider on a (probably) closed circuit. Certainly don't cut the mustard for me. You made the right choice

 

[[email protected]]

I’ve just bought a Nine T racer and am selling my Ducati Scrambler so working on the opposite of you !!
I’ll give my conclusion soon 👍

 

[wyoplinker]

Just gotta ride it like you're Nate Kern.

 

[BlitzSchnell]

I’ve owned 3 KTMs. 2 690s (SMCR and enduro) and a 790 adventure. Both 690s vibrated off the bolts holding on the rear fender. The SMCR lost the starter freewheeling clutch and would no longer engage the starter. The 790 broke off the headlight/ speedometer cluster needing to replace the frame under warranty. I still own the enduro but the other two went away.
The Duc is drop dead gorgeous in my opinion. The SP is not all red.
I definitely can’t knock the R9T reliability and I really really enjoy riding it. I think part of the problem is psychological with those huge jugs hanging out the sides. I’m afraid of the lean angles. I just need to get her out for a track day. View attachment 162722

The lower center of gravity more than makes up for that minor cornering handicap … As you can see in @wyoplinker pict … you can get your knee down way before you hit the valve cover …. To practice and get used to those big jugs and those expensive valve covers … I tied a piece of bailing-wire around the cylinder head fins (temporarily) and then twisted it off under the cylinder and cut it so when I lean into a corner I can tell by listening how far off the ground I’m getting. I started off at around five inches clearance and after some practice continued to cut it back to around three ….. when it touches the pavement it puts up a racket and you know exactly how far off the ground that big cylinder actually is …. When you get used to the grip at speed and angle you can feel it when you’re pushing to hard as it starts to drift, ..and not where you want it to go … if you can keep that cylinder off the tarmac and not touch down you’ll have an opportunity to correct and head for that apex ….. if you set that practice wire at what you believe is your point of no return you’ll know the moment you need to return ………… I’m old now and don’t do extreme sh*t anymore … well not near as much anyway … if your serious perhaps crash bars would be a wise investment … some good knee pads too ! … Good Riding is learned behavior and practice moves towards perfect … BeWell and StayUpOn2 ………………………………… Blitz

 

[BHF]

I have put crash bars on already and looking at the knee pucks on my leathers I’ll need to replace them before I go out again. Back in the day I had skills. Not so much anymore. I’ll never be fast and competitive again but I’ll be having fun at reduced speeds and reduced lean angles.

 

[Timmyjoe]

I had one of the early Ducati Monsters in the 1990's and I'll be honest, I loved that bike. The power delivery from the V-twin was really sweet. It was like an Italian Harley, all the grunt of a big V-twin, but with style and handling only the Italians could muster. I stupidly sold in when we moved cross country and later the person I sold it to refused to sell it back to me (he was obviously smarter than I was).

That said, the current Ducati Monsters are nothing like that old classic. Ride position, suspension, power delivery, much more like a modern day sports bike than the "classic" original version. Nostalgia made me interested in trying one out, but one test ride and "Nope"

I think these R nineT's are much more of a "classic" motorcycle, in feel and performance. And as another "older" gentleman, I find the R nineT just fits better.

Best,
-Tim

 

[BMWMG]

Well said!

 

[BHF]

Well I test rode the Doc yesterday. Rides and sits like a sport bike. Feels taller and more leaned forward. I could definitely feel the lighter weight. Very "flickable". Narrower bars. More hold you in place seating. Noticably less bottom end torque. Nice motor though it just comes on a little higher in the rev range. I'm totally torn between the R9T and the Duc. Out for a leisurely cruise I'd take the R9T. Going for it in the twisties, the Duc hands down.
The Duc's seating position bothers me somewhat. I got rid of my sport bike a few years ago because of the seating position. I have concerns the Doc would put me back into hurting to much to ride mode. I'm going to ride the Monster one more time later this week, but right now I really don't think I want to give up the R9T.

 

[Lmrsb]

Hi there

I can probably help a bit, since I've had a monster 821 for about 5 years, that was replaced with a Duke 790 (that I still own) and I just recently bought an R9T.

Actually the R9t is the one I must get to know before I can say anything about, but hey, the looks are there! Handling wise, I must get to know it, but I suspect it won't have the handling of the two others. Not saying it won't have a great handling, it apparently does!, I got that already from the few km's I've made with it, but not on the level of the other two: the monster handles great (and also looks great, in my opinion), and then there is the duke 790, that although ugly as hell is a ultra effective machine. It is not just the frame, engine, also the crazy electronics, it is a mad pack, incredible what the bike can do on the road, it really is one of the best fun bikes you can have.

So I guess if you value looks over everything else: R9T; if you want it to look fine with fine handling: the monster. If you don't really care about looks but just want a super fun bike go for the Duke. If my 790 is like this I can only imagine a 890R

 

[jpaton]

Owned a Ducati 1100 Monster for a couple of years: I loved it!
The handling was superb, looked great, and was a blast to ride.
But, I travel a lot. Sometimes gone for months; and, although the Ducati was always stored in a garage and the battery was plugged in, she would never start when I returned (usually took 2-days to get her going). I looked at having her serviced, and belts + valve adjustment was stupid expensive.
Then the RNINET came into the picture.
It does not handle as well as the Ducati, but that is a small price to pay for reliability.
It always starts.

 

[Norbi]

But I thought Ducati gave you Luigi’s number on speed dial, no?

Joke aside, your monster was somewhere in the 2009-2013 years, correct?
Audi bought Ducati in April 2012 for a whooping billion $, I’d guess that Ducs after model year ~2014 have less reliability issues?
One thing they definitely did improve is their notoriously expensive Desmo service intervals. They are now stretched out to 18000 mls/30000 km, which is impressive.

 

[Lmrsb]

But I thought Ducati gave you Luigi’s number on speed dial, no?

Joke aside, your monster was somewhere in the 2009-2013 years, correct?
Audi bought Ducati in April 2012 for a whooping billion $, I’d guess that Ducs after model year ~2014 have less reliability issues?
One thing they definitely did improve is their notoriously expensive Desmo service intervals. They are now stretched out to 18000 mls/30000 km, which is impressive.

Mine was a 2015 monster 821, post AUDI era. Bought semi-new (1500 km), sold with around 45 kkm, no issues whatsoever... Maintenance cost were not cheap, but also not ridiculous, specially after the warranty when it started getting services outside ducati. Still miss that bike - although a different kind of beauty from the R9T, it was indeed a gorgeous bike!

 

[BHF]

Well I already have Luigi's number! (At least for the pizza place in town.) And I own a "Chicago Typewriter" So I think I have to buy the Duc !

 

[BlitzSchnell]

Owned a Ducati 1100 Monster for a couple of years: I loved it!
The handling was superb, looked great, and was a blast to ride.
But, I travel a lot. Sometimes gone for months; and, although the Ducati was always stored in a garage and the battery was plugged in, she would never start when I returned (usually took 2-days to get her going). I looked at having her serviced, and belts + valve adjustment was stupid expensive.
Then the RNINET came into the picture.
It does not handle as well as the Ducati, but that is a small price to pay for reliability.
It always starts.

You’re spot on @jpaton ! Read some history about the Second World War and what a work horse the BMW R75 (750cc) turned out to be. Much of the reputation for being bullet proof was earned by BMW in those days and came from those stories .. they often referred to the R75/sidecar version as “Rommels Arbeitstier” or Rommel’s Workhorse, it had two wheeled drive as both the bike rear tire and the sidecar were powered ……. Then you add to that the dependability of an aircraft engine in a motorcycle ! The stories are great, and are a very interesting read … Enjoy ………….. Blitz

 

[DaveSnowPros]

I had a Ducati S4R before the 9T.

It was undeniably a beautiful thing to look at and it didn't go wrong that much, when I look back now at photos of it, I was a fool to sell it because it was a work of art.

However, with time, you forget the things that you didn't like about it. I could never get comfortable on it, the ergos were all wrong for me. On the tar snakes they put in the roads here to cover the cracks, it used to wiggle and squirm and I lost the front a few times.

The 9T is a joy to ride compared and equally quirky bit of design, beautiful to look at too. It's a lot more stable in the corners, the power is more usable than the Duc ever was (which just wanted to be thrashed everywhere). The 9T suits my style which is short shifting and riding the torque curve.

I think modern Ducati are supposed to be more rideable and more reliable, it certainly seems that way now but I won't be giving up the 9T anytime soon. It's a glorious piece of analogue design (mine is a 2014) and one of the last of its type. Enjoy it whilst you still can.