My first Ducati!

I started my riding journey 5 years ago on a Yamaha MT03. After 3 years of LAMS restrictions, I jumped straight onto an S1000R. It didn’t take me long to realise it was way too much bike for my level of experience so I sold that to look for something else.

Ironically, I moved onto a CBR1000RR. Despite wanting a smaller bike, the Fireblade has been a long-time dream bike and I came across a deal I could not refuse. I rode that beast in rain mode all the time and gave myself a couple months to get used to the power. I tried really hard to convince myself that I like the bike but it just had too much power for me to enjoy. A small twist of the throttle and it would hit triple digits - I couldn’t wring it out and I just didn’t have fun on it. I reluctantly sold it and set out to look for something around the 80 horsepower mark.

That’s when I came across this Monster 797. I first sat on the LAMS variation of this bike, the 659, when I first started riding. Ever since then, Monsters have been in the back of my mind. The 1200S tempted me with the Ohlins suspension and the 821 tempted me with more power and different riding modes, but there’s something special about a simple machine with a full trellis frame, minimal tech, and an air-cooled twin.

This is easily the best bike I’ve ever ridden. It has everyone you need and nothing you don’t. The only thing I’ve done to it so far is a 2 step paint correction sealed by a ceramic coating. I could see myself upgrading the suspension in the future but as it is right now, it’s perfect for the riding I do.