Monster rips up Ducati rule book
New Ducati Monster rips up the rule book by ditching the trellis frame and 18kg of mass
When the Galluzzi-penned Ducati Monster M900 emerged from the factory doors back in 1993 we immediately fell in love with its purity. It defined a whole generation of nakeds: Two wheels, a curvaceous tank, big single headlamp, exposed frame and engine, somewhere to sit and a place for your hands and feet to rest. And that was it. But Ducati’s USP was always the use of the sporty trellis frame that gave the bike a visual and riding character that was unique to the Monster family. And now it’s gone. Good thing or bad – it’s certainly given the Monster a new lease of life.
‘The aluminium frame is based on Ducati’s superbikes’
Meet the 2021 Ducati Monster – the Bologna firm’s latest middleweight performance naked and the first model in the Monster family without a trellis frame since the range was born in 1993. Simply called the Monster, the new machine supersedes the existing 821 model and features new looks, more tech and a Panigale V4-inspired aluminium frame that uses the engine as a stressed member.
Starting at £10,295, the bike aims to be all things to all riders, with just shy of 110bhp in standard trim from its 937cc Euro5-friendly desmodromic V-twin, a seat height of 820mm (lowerable to as little as 775mm) and an additional A2compliant model also available. Weighing a claimed 166kg dry and presenting a thin stance, it could be the ideal introduction to the Italian brand for new riders, while also promising sporting thrills for the more experienced motorcyclist. Those wanting a little extra bling can also opt for a £10,545 ‘Plus’ model, which gets a small screen and rear seat cover as part of the package.
Time for a diet
The new bike’s aluminium frame design is based on Ducati’s latest superbikes and bolts directly to the head of the engine - shedding 4.5kg over the Monster 821’s trellis set-up in the process. The weightsaving doesn’t stop there with a new aluminium swingarm also slashing 1.6kg and a fibreglass polymer subframe/tail section helping to shift even more mass. As a result, the bike is a claimed 188kg in running order – 18kg lighter than the existing 821. This figure has also been achieved by weight loss in other areas, too – including a further 2.4kg from within the engine. Away from lightness and sticking with the chassis, the steering head angle has been altered by seven degrees, which is intended to improve manoeuvrability at low speed. This manageable nature is then taken a step further with the revised riding position, which Ducati say is more relaxed than on previous Monsters. The handlebars are now 70mm closer to the rider and more upright, with pegs lowered by 10mm. This equates to a roomier, less wristy riding experience and suggests the Monster is designed to be more at home around town and on a sweeping B-road, than it is scratching on track.
Sport still the goal
That’s not to say that the new Monster has no sporting credentials – far from it – and on top of a performance increase of around 2bhp, peak torque of 68.6lb.ft (up by 5.1lb.ft) is now 1250rpm earlier at 6500rpm, meaning more punch out of every corner. As well as this, reliability and running costs also look good; with oil services needed every 15,000km (around 9320 miles) and valve inspections required every 30,000km (around 18,640 miles). Away from the Top Trump stats, riders can also opt between three riding modes, thanks to the inclusion of a ride-by-wire throttle. These sit alongside a full suite of electronics, including eight-stage traction control, which can be personalised from a set level in each riding mode.
There’s also a launch control system and anti-wheelie, which can be adjusted independently of other settings. All of this is controlled via a 4.3in colour TFT dash while an up-and-down quickshifter comes as standard. Moving back to the new modes, the most aggressive of these is Sport, which delivers full power and reduced traction control, ABS and wheelie control intervention. This is followed by Touring mode, which again offers full power, but with a more progressive delivery. There’s also increased traction, ABS and wheelie control, to ensure a more relaxed experience for making progress, rather than thrill-seeking. Last up is Urban, which serves up around 75bhp of shove with a progressive throttle response. As you would expect, electronic controls are at their most intrusive in this setting.
Proper kit
Away from electronic gadgetry, the bike rolls on a set of non-adjustable 43mm inverted forks and a preload adjustable rear shock. It’s shod with Pirelli Rosso 3 tyres and features dual Brembo monobloc four-piston calipers up front, with cornering ABS at the front and rear. Alongside new tech there is obviously new styling, which takes a step away from more traditional Monster looks originally penned by Miguel Galluzzi for the 1993 M900 and shares more than a passing resemblance to midsized MV Agusta Brutales. To go with the fresh style, there is full LED lighting, plus wrap-around indicators at the base of the tank.