Three months after its debut, Ducati begins production of the new Monster, continuing the legacy of Italy’s most famous naked bike. The new Ducati Monster is scheduled to arrive in Ducati showrooms beginning next month, April 2021.
MotoGP riders Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), Enea Bastianini, and Luca Marini (Esponsorama Racing) attended the assembly phase of the first model to come off the production line, shortly before leaving for the tests of the 2021 racing season in Qatar. They visited the factory for this special occasion and were able to personally observe the birth of the new model through the explanations of the expert line operators. Bagnaia, Bastianini and Marini spent a whole morning in Ducati, having lunch in the company canteen and experiencing first-hand the affection of all the employees present in Borgo Panigale.
With over 350,000 units produced and distributed throughout the world, the Monster family is the best-selling and the longest-running in the history of the Bologna-based company. The new model, presented during the 2021 Ducati World Première, is inspired by the original 1993 philosophy: a lightweight and essential sport naked with a frame derived from the superbike and a powerful engine that is at the same time perfect for road use.
New for 2021
The heart of the bike is the 937cc 11° L-twin Testastretta engine with desmodromic distribution. Maximum power stands at 112-Ps at 9,250 rpm with torque of 93-Nm at just 6,500 rpm. Thanks to the increased displacement compared to the 821cc version, torque has improved at all revs, particularly the medium-low range, which is the most commonly used part of the powerband on the road and through the curves. Thanks to the engine and the new gearbox with a Ducati Quick Shift Up / Down fitted as standard, the new Monster guarantees thrilling performance and riding pleasure.
No more trellis
Ducati engineers and designers have devoted great attention to reducing the total weight of the new Monster. The vehicle has been completely redesigned: from the subframe, rims, swingarm, and above all the frame, which is now an aluminum front frame with a load-bearing engine, conceptually like that of the Panigale V4. This makes it 4.5 kg lighter (60% less) than the trellis-based predecessor. The work carried out on the chassis, together with a lightening of 2.6 kg on the engine, has taken the dry weight of the Monster to only 166 kg (almost 20 kg less than the Monster 821) and this translates into an agile bike in traffic and with excellent handling.
The design reinterprets the key elements of the Monster, such as the "bison-back" fuel tank, the circular headlight, the clean tail, and the centerstage engine, placing them within a more contemporary vision. The shapes have evolved towards the exaltation of essentiality and technology, with very narrow sides that allow the rider to easily place his feet on the ground when the bike is stationary. The saddle height is now 820 mm in the standard version, and which can be lowered to 775 mm by mounting the low saddle accessory and the lowered suspension kit.
Urban assault bike
The ergonomics of the bike are also improved compared to the 821 version by moving the saddle closer to the handlebar, which allows the rider to maintain a more upright position, putting less load on the wrists, ang gaining greater control over the bike. The steering angle has been increased to 36° (a full 7° more than the 821) to facilitate maneuvering and ensure maximum maneuverability even at low speeds and in the urban context. The footrests have been repositioned to offer a more comfortable riding position.
The standard electronic equipment enables the performance of the bike to be expressed with a high degree of active safety and includes ABS Cornering, Traction Control, and Wheelie Control, all adjustable to different levels of intervention. The sporty character of the bike is also underlined by the Launch Control which ensures lightning-fast starts. The standard equipment also includes sophisticated elements, such as a hydraulic clutch, radial brake, and clutch pumps, and adjustable levers.
Superb electronics
The new Monster is equipped with three Riding Modes (Sport, Urban, Touring) that make it possible to shape the character of the bike according to tastes and needs. Engine delivery is particularly smooth thanks to the Smart Power Modes, which provide specific torque curves in first and second gear (Urban and Touring) or only in first gear (Sport), making riding easier. Everything is easily manageable through the handlebar controls and the 4.3-inch color TFT dashboard, characterized by racing graphics that echo those of the Panigale V4. A large rev counter shows the indication of the gear engaged in the center. Always having the essential information under control during sporty riding Connectivity is guaranteed by the presence of the Ducati Multimedia System (DMS), which enables the smartphone to be linked to the bike via Bluetooth.
Built to be customized
The Ducati Monster has always been synonymous with customization. For this new version, stickers and cover kits with graphics have been created, which enhance the shapes of the Monster and celebrate Ducati's sportiness, allowing you to make your bike even more unique. On the Ducati.com website, there is a configurator section, where it is possible to view all the customization options.
The new Monster is available in the range in Ducati Red and Dark Stealth with black wheels, Aviator Gray with Red GP wheels. For those who want even more accentuated sportiness, the Monster Plus version is also available in the same colors with the front fairing and passenger seat cover as standard.
