I worked out that my riding style was playing a part in this, however. False neutrals are to be found up and down the range. Meanwhile, whereas the unrefined growl and punch of the engine are most certainly selling points, IвЂ™m not so sure IвЂ™d say the same about the Monster 1200 SвЂ™s unpredictable six-speed transmission. Whereas the bikeвЂ™s styling, power, and suspension all make the soul ache for summer IвЂ™m not sure how much fun youвЂ™d be having if stuck riding at city speeds on a hot day. The engine is liquid-cooled but still manages to produce a fair bit of heat. Even at idle itвЂ™s a joy to listen to, but on the go youвЂ™ll have all kinds of fun letting off the throttle from high revs and listening to the вЂњpop popвЂќ of deceleration. Related to that, the exhaust note is a hoot. Still a lot of fun, but a lot less crazy.ДЄlthough the Monster 1200 S is markedly more powerful than the BMW R nineT I rode not too long ago, I was reminded of that bike here: a twin engine that produces a delightfully raw experience that, if you try to describe it, sounds awful but is, in fact, quite the opposite. In its third riding mode, вЂњUrban,вЂќ the bikeвЂ™s power output is reduced to 100 hp. ThatвЂ™s assuming youвЂ™ve put the bike in Sport or Touring mode. Interestingly, the Monster 1200 S doesnвЂ™t feel as fast as the similarly powerful Triumph Speed Triple S (this, despite the fact peak horsepower on the Monster 1200 S is found almost 1,000 rpm sooner вЂ“ 9250 for the Ducati vs 10500 for the Triumph), but it definitely wins in the вЂњInducing Maniacal LaughterвЂќ category. Delivering 91 lb-ft of torque at peak (7750 rpm), the DucatiвЂ™s engine is capable of delivering cruiser-level punch alongside a sporty 148 hp. There are a lot of things to love about the Monster 1200 S and almost all of them start with that snarling metal box of explosions that serves as the bikeвЂ™s heart and soul. To paraphrase James Carville, itвЂ™s the engine, stupid. IвЂ™ll have to learn to just get used to it. Sitting on the bike and looking ahead, I personally felt the TFT instrument panel looked a little out of place, but TFT is the thing now for all bikes. However, IвЂ™d suspect anyone under 5 feet 6 inches might feel a little overwhelmed, if not simply because theyвЂ™ll be having to balance the bikeвЂ™s roughly 200 kg wet weight. An adjustable seat height вЂ“ running from 795 mm to 820 mm вЂ“ means it can accommodate a decent range of riders.

Hands fall naturally to the relatively wide вЂbars. Feet are tucked a little further back than I might choose, but not uncomfortably so. Throw a leg over and the seating position is surprisingly comfortable for a 6-foot-1 rider. The stout, muscular front end those looping exhaust pipes the large, spaceship-like headlight that dominates its front profile. ItвЂ™s a Ronda Rousey, might-break-your-arm sexiness.

Like all Ducatis, the Monster 1200S is a sexy motorcycle вЂ“ the sort of thing you want to just sit and stare at вЂ“ though, here that sexiness is brutish. From a road riding perspective, itвЂ™s excessive pointlessness for the sake of excessive pointlessness, like Ferraris. Impressive, yes, but utterly useless toвЂ¦ wellвЂ¦ pretty much every road rider thatвЂ™s not an experienced track racer screaming down a German autobahn on a traffic-free Sunday morning. The Panigale V4, for example: 214 hp from a bike weighing less than 180 kg. I crashed a friendвЂ™s 888 back in the late 1990s, and I had found the modern SuperSport to be disappointing in failing to live up to the expectations I had built up for it.ДЄnd as a result, I felt Ducati made expensive, sexy, finicky bikes for a niche percentage of riders. Hitherto, IвЂ™d held a doubting attitude toward the brand, partially built вЂ“ I admit вЂ“ on limited exposure. ItвЂ™s because the 90-year-old Italian company makes ridiculous bikes like this.

READ MORE: Check Out All of TMOвЂ™s Bike ReviewsДЇinally вЂ“ within just two minutes of firing up the motoвЂ™s liquid-cooled 1198cc L-twin engine вЂ“ I understood why some people are so stupid for Ducatis. OK, I get it now,вЂќ I said aloud in my helmet, the 2018 Ducati Monster 1200 S not yet having even been pushed to fourth gear.