As the scaremongering media fills the front pages with talk of how the world's perched on the brink of meltdown, slipping on a crash helmet is fast becoming the only way to truly escape the circus of madness currently surrounding us. The pub, having already been infiltrated by the tooth-sucking brigade, is no longer the sanctuary it used to be. As for TV, forget it – even EastEnders is positively euphoric compared to the nightly news. Nope, when you want real escapism a leather jacket, gloves and crash helmet are the way forward, and a street bike the perfect companion.
And what better companions could you ask for than these two European beauties? A muscular and unmistakable Austrian and a sexy and sophisticated Italian, fresh from a top-to-toe makeover and ready to take on the world.
Standing back you have to admire the flair Ducati has managed to inject back into its Monster with the new 1100S, and the lower-spec 1100. After its illustrious 15-year lifespan, the old design had run its course, so at the end of 2008 a new Monster emerged from the design studios of Bologna. A fresh Monster that will, Ducati hope, prove as much of a cornerstone to its range as the original. And boy has it done well.
In the crisp spring sunshine the tank and seat unit sparkle, while the deep black of the frame contrasts with the gold wheels beautifully. It’s an odd-looking bike, tall and almost ungainly on its suspension, with a flat front and a headlight like a boxer’s nose. Just as the Japanese create a race bike then add lights to create supersport bikes, so the Monster looks like it’s been designed to look beautiful first and then had the necessary road gubbins added as an afterthought. The road legal pipes look plonked on rather than designed, while the huge cast footrest hangers, along with the numberplate bracket, are an eyesore. Look at the Monster and imagine these areas cleaned up with stylish aftermarket items and you get a glimpse into the designer’s mind.
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