Modern classics: A guide to the Ducati Monster as one of the best road bikes


Ducati Monster 2021

When the Ducati Monster M900 appeared in 1994, simple, elegant, ideal for the urban jungle and for cutting along country roads, it seemed very unusual: before that, Ducati had only produced fully bonneted motorcycles, and not too many of them.

Later, when the public tried out powerful naked bikes and asked for more, the S4R based on the 996 came out, then the Monster 1200...

Over the almost three decades that have passed since then, ideas about powerful motorcycles have changed in the most surprising way. Nowadays you can find such herds on the road that you wouldn’t see on the track before, but they are not ridden by MotoGP supermen, but by quite ordinary guys. This is what I'm talking about: a modern powerful motorcycle does not have to have a character that's knocked off its head. A good modern naked overliter has a pleasant, smooth traction characteristic, and although it can tear off your arms with acceleration, it can and likes to ride calmly and civilizedly without any tricks.

Ducati Monster 2021

This is what the new Monster is like, and so are its ergonomics and controls: it is comfortable, flexible and adequate. It has an excellent soft seat, and at the same time it is narrow between the knees, the handlebar is almost 7 centimeters closer to the rider, the footpegs are 1 centimeter lower and 3.5 centimeters back compared to the previous Monster 821. So the current Monster, contrary to its name, has become the most convenient city motorcycle of the entire family.

And that's not to mention the fact that they reduced the weight of the new Monster by 18 kilograms. No matter how you feel about the new aluminum monocoque frame and composite subframe, they alone save about 7 kilos of weight. The pendulum has thrown another one and a half, the wheels have almost two more, and the engine has more than two. As a result, we have 166 kg of dry weight and 187 kg of curb weight. This is almost 4 kilos more than the Yamaha MT-07, but one and a half lighter than the new MT-09, and approximately on par with the KTM Duke 890 and Triumph Street Triple.


Ducati Monster 2021

Ducati Monster - Urban Format

The Ducati Monster is ideal for city driving: by getting rid of the steel frame, the designers freed up space in the steering column area, increasing the steering angle by 7 degrees in each direction. This allows him to easily turn around in the narrowest places, comfortably maneuver in parking lots and all that - you know, the city is not only and not so much wide avenues and bridges. What's more, the new frame (if I may say so) makes the Monster narrow between the knees, making it easier for short people to ride and increasing maneuverability. In general, it is obvious from it that Ducati is trying to make it comfortable for short and inexperienced riders: the standard seat has a height of 82 cm, the optional low one is 80 cm, and for an additional approximately 300 bucks you can buy a suspension lowering kit to lower it by almost 3 centimeters. .

The new hydraulic clutch is softer and smoother than that of the ancient Monsters, and in addition to easy squeezing, it is equipped with a slip function. However, given the standard bi-directional quickshifter, the clutch lever will not be used too often. In any case, the six-speed gearbox has been refined and shifts gears easily and clearly - and even perfectly catches neutral when the bike is completely stopped.

As I already said, Ducati is positioning this model not as a beginner, but as convenient for beginners - hence the not too high price and classic suspension: 43 inverted fork, cantilever monoshock at the rear with a spring of variable stiffness. The suspensions are well balanced and have 13cm of travel in the front and 14cm in the rear, which is sufficient for most urban situations. Where there was a lack of suspension, the situation is smoothed out by a cool soft seat. In general, the only complaint about ergonomics is the location of the brackets for the passenger footrests - the heels of the shoes rest on them. True, I have large feet.

Reviews of Ducati Monster Rating: 4 out of 5 3 reviews found

03/30/2009
So, I decided to share information with those who are looking at the monster8-) Krasto can be described as a “Urban Hooligan” So from the beginning: The initial task was to find a motorcycle with sufficient engine life, lightweight and with a low saddle, as easy as possible to maintain, with minimal amount of plastic, with a fit close to the classic... In the end, my gaze settled on the montsre... at the time of purchase, the moto was undervalued and practically unrepresented in Russia... after reading some of the foreign reviews about the cattle, I decided to find it, I went to get acquainted with it in Moscow salons to look for something. there were 3 of them decently in 2 different salons, respectively 2 in one and 1 in the other salon, upon arrival at the first salon I looked at two handsome men .. the first black the second yellow, looked sat swayed back and forth excellent weight distribution immediately felt on the spot ... which was pleasantly surprised , light as a feather, compacted, dense... well, when it goes, I thought, asked to start it, and oh horror, it started... of course from the external battery, since the one that was in it was already dead.8-) A small digression, my first motor was URAL, then there were a lot of Hondas.. VF750SC Saber, then CB1000, And then X4... and then I heard how DUCATI works up close, you can say I felt it with all my hands.. if I used to use Kavass I consciously shouted, “Oh, a bucket of nails... then I was completely upset, it knocked and rattled so much that it was scary, I thought the chichas would crumble... but, having gotten used to it, I began to listen to how the engine works.. To better hear the work of the engines, I had to squeeze the clutch, the main noise comes from clutch basket, on the yellow one there was a clutch cover with tuning-type slots so it sounded loud, on the Duce it is dry, it sounds with a clicking and clanking sound, on everyone it’s like that, but then it was a shock for me, I didn’t expect that it sounded so loud and loose Well, in the end I figured out what sounds were coming from, it didn’t seem deaf, in the yellow one there was a terrible knock in the rear cylinder. I climbed into the air filter box, it was slightly melted, the surfaces of the sides of the cover had collapsed, and the heat had also caused the air filter to collapse... the air filter wasn't exactly replaceable... just when I opened it, the rubber band fell off in pieces and remained on the edge of the box... no filter was found in the dirt, I listened to the engine without a filter the knocking did not go away... the bright color had to be put aside due to the condition that was dying in my opinion... they rolled out a black one, it started on its own, the engine sounded smooth and carish, the wings/fender liners were sent for polishing and painting.. (or repairs) in general there were none. . the covers from the belts and clutch were also removed... the belts were in poor condition (there was a belt on each head) on the rear boiler the belt had already begun to get shaggy, which in no way fit with the 22,000 Km mileage on the speeder, but the engine ran quietly and smoothly (as far as possible in a Ducati ) But it was 15 kilo rubles more expensive and it wasn’t clear what happened with the lids, I didn’t want to go into debt, I went further to look at the 3rd 900 that arrived and was stunned, almost NEW! looks red... asked to start it.. he was knocking with all the boilers and all the dismodromes.. crackling and roaring... terrible, he fired almost without changing the throttle... in general, he had seen enough, listened enough and decided that it was better to order from Japan through acquaintances because what was sold in Moscow was quite satisfactory you can’t name it...except for black, but something told me that “Bolivar won’t take two out” I ordered, it was delivered by April. At first, she completely refused to start... I began to figure out what the problem was... the starter relay and imagine my surprise when I discovered the turn signal and starter relays... The 5-pin Zhiguli starter relay and the other relays are also standard, I8-) opened them, washed them with a spray contact, removed the oxides .. and stuck, without unnecessary knocks , but unevenly, the choke cable runs away on its own, and in general it has warmed up... it seems to have started working.8-) And put it in order. So now from the water to the main thing: Service: Mots is served elementary compared to ANY Japanese. The tank rises on hinges like on the CB1000 with the difference that the tank rises really high and the tank footrest is high, the engine is inside the frame but access to it is elementary, the dismodromes can be adjusted by yourself, there is a lot of literature, I haven’t adjusted it myself yet, the clutch is easily accessible. The sliders were delivered and were in stock. The original morter held super, but the spring was already sagging on the bumps with the passenger breaking through. I changed it and installed a YSS (the Drozdovsky one fits in size and height, with the difference that the lower bushing had to be cut) The ass became softer (YSS are not super morters), adding comfort and reducing a little precision in control, but the balance was practically not affected... Consumables are available in Moscow, in general, no problems , but of course not like the Japanese. The oil burns a little... but it is an air vent, there is no tachometer, there is no speed limiter either... Driving: The weight distribution is ideal for the city.. The brakes are extremely tenacious and predictable. The frame rigidity is excellent. Steering is excellent, the thrust is all at the bottom and in the center of the revolutions, up to 160 at any moment the thrust is above the roof and pulls you out of space at once.. In traffic it provokes steering and confusion, after 140 it starts to really blow away, driving comfort is lost, 200 goes but it’s not at all comfortable, there’s absolutely zero mud protection when driving through a puddle, the splashes from under the front wheel hit your foot, it’s not good to ride in wet weather in boots with laces. The motorbike's fun factor is simply huge, it steers like a toy, there's a lot of power at the bottom, the vibrations are harsh but not annoying, the clutch is soft and predictable, it's not difficult to drive through traffic at idle, there's no twitching like on a cheesecake or teelka, gears are engaged clearly and easily, there's pseudo neutral between 3rd and 4th, damn it, you need to look for neutral. Of the similar ones I rode, this is the current Byul, but it is heavier, the vibrations are softer and the power output is completely different. The Ducati raises the speed more than twice as much, the acceleration is approximately the same, the trembling and movements of the Byul are like the wobbles of a joyful dog, Dukas is a strong downed fighting DOG that growls. Now I really want to try the Super Duke , but it will allow you to drive like a classic, absolutely leisurely and with pleasure8-)

Ducati Monster engine

Monster entered the Euro 5 era with the 937 cc 11-degree Testastretta, which replaced the 831 cc. In the Monster version, this engine produces 111 hp at 9250 rpm and 93.5 Nm at 6500 rpm. That's 2hp and 2Nm more than the 831, which seems a little disappointing given the extra 116cc and the new engine's high compression ratio of 13.3:1. On the other hand, peak thrust occurs 1200 rpm earlier.


Ducati Monster engine

In any case, he has plenty of power. It rushes right from idle, and after 5000 rpm, with a large opening of the gas, a serious explosion occurs, at which the Monster easily lifts the front wheel. All the electronics are borrowed directly from the Panigale, including the wheelie control, so you can set it to one, put it in second gear and practice getting into reverse without the risk of flipping over, if you really want to.

It seemed to me to be more torquey in person than on paper: the new, lower thrust peak reminded me of the powerful kick of the Indian FTR1200. It is not as powerful as the FTR, but it is also almost half a centner lighter - so the sensations are similar. The Monster is equipped with a typical set of driving modes, but even in the most aggressive, Sport, the traction is perfectly controlled, predictable and smooth, even driving in a tight traffic jam is not a problem, well, sometimes you can play it safe with the clutch.

An important part of the charm of the Ducati L-twin is its somewhat rough performance at idle and slightly above. This is completely in order, but when you open the gas, power and thrust instantly and smoothly increase: the engine likes to spin and not chug at idle.

DUCATI Monster 797: do you know who my brother is?

The name alone of the DUCATI Monster 797 will take your breath away. Those who have never sat on this motorcycle or experienced two-wheeled equipment in action have a hard time agreeing to test the “Monster” on the road, fearing that it fully lives up to its name. Of course, the name of the motorcycle is somewhat scary, but once you touch it, drive the first kilometers, it becomes clear that the “Monster” can be tamed, curbed, made to be submissive, calm, and measured.

The Monster 797 model was created to meet modern market requirements and the wishes of potential buyers of DUCATI motorcycles. The first thing the engineers of the Bologna company decided to do was to reduce the engine size and output power of the “Monster”. Essentially, the DUCATI Monster 797 is the little brother of the beast. The bike is driven by a power unit with a volume of 803 cubic centimeters and a power of 75 horsepower. A special feature of this engine is air-oil cooling and an L-shaped layout. Paired with the engine is a 6-speed transmission.

The ABS system and the proprietary DTC (DUCATI Traction Control) motion stabilization system, which are installed on the Monster 797 already in the basic version, are responsible for the safety of the biker. For more demanding bikers who are used to riding liter sportbikes, this may not seem enough. But in reality, everything is not as it seems at first glance. The model belongs to the Monster series not only because of the corresponding identification marks and the sticker on the fuel tank.

The DUCATI Monster 797 may not inspire immediate admiration, but this is only the first opinion, which changes when you get to know the bike in more detail. This is an excellent option for driving around the city, for daily trips to work - a compact street with excellent technical performance. This motorcycle has a great future in our country. He will certainly be able to gain a whole army of fans.

Pictured: DUCATI Monster 797 tubular frame

As soon as you start the DUCATI Monster 797, everyone in the area will turn around at the rich sounds of the exhaust and engine operation. When you first look at the device, you will be struck by its interesting color, developed tubular frame, painted red, as well as its classic appearance. We can say with all confidence that this design will remain relevant for many years without requiring any changes.

DUCATI Monster 797 is, in fact, a bike made in the naked style, devoid of fairings and additional cladding elements. It allows you to immediately examine your design, the location of technical components, and also make sure that every part fits perfectly.

The history of the Monster family

The first motorcycle of the Monster series appeared in 1992. It was equipped with a 400 cc power unit, modest by modern standards, developing only 43 hp. With. The reason for the appearance of the European naked bike was the market need for this model.

Before this, many Europeans chose Japanese motorcycles. Model 999, due to its high price, was mainly chosen only by avid motorcycle fans. For this reason, the company made a strong-willed decision to remove everything unnecessary from the motorcycle, leaving a bare frame, and putting up a “half-disassembled” bike for sale. This is exactly the impression one got when first looking at the new product.

Pictured: street riding on a DUCATI Monster 797

The engineers and designers of the Bolognese company not only managed to hit the bull's eye, but stunning success awaited them. All naked bikes now emulate the DUCATI Monster.

How to curb the "Monster"?

To start riding the DUCATI Monster 797, you don’t have to get used to it for a long time. This is a balanced, obedient and excellent-handling bike that does not require a lot of getting used to the peculiarities of its operation.

The DUCATI Monster 797 has a familiar street riding position. At first it may seem that the rider is hanging over the front wheel, but this is the first impression. A biker of any size can easily sit on this device, which is facilitated by a comfortable seat made in accordance with the anatomical features.

In addition, the fact that the motorcycle racer always has unloaded hands also helps to quickly get used to the bike. Thanks to this, it seems that the rider managed to curb the “Monster”. The rider's body is relaxed, and when cornering it is enough to move slightly on the seat. The handlebars of the Monster 797 are not placed far forward, but are in a position that does not require strain from the rider.

Even though the Monster has the same engine as the DUCATI Scrambler Icon, its road behavior is completely different. To understand this, just unscrew the throttle. The 797 revs up much more dynamically and accelerates faster, fully expressing its essence from the very first minutes of control.

In the photo: instrument panel DUCATI Monster 797

The dashboard of the DUCATI Monster 797 is a large monochrome display that resembles a brake pad. It displays extremely useful and important information. There is nothing to distract the rider from the road. A third of the display is occupied by the tachometer, and the current speed is displayed in the very center.

Despite its moderate volume and low power during acceleration, the Monster 797 will keep up with its more serious rivals in traffic, fully living up to its name. All the torque available to the engine is available to the rider from the very lowest speeds.

Skidding at the start is eliminated, since the non-switchable traction control is activated in time. This allows the DUCATI Monster 797 to be ridden not only by experienced riders, but also by those who have only recently become members of the two-wheeled fraternity. The gears come out quickly, but there is no desire to upshift. If you play with the engine settings, you can achieve higher dynamic performance. Powerful engine thrust is provided throughout the entire speed range.

Yes, the DUCATI Monster 797 is inferior to the 1200 version, but the 1200 model has twice as much power. The 803 cc engine delivers the maximum of what it is capable of. The thrust it produces is something to be emulated by other bikes, regardless of their type and engine size.

That is why the rider has the opportunity to move comfortably in any gear, regardless of the correct choice. This motorcycle will feel great not only in the city, but also on the track, on country roads that are far from ideal.

Pictured: DUCATI Monster 797 rear suspension

The chassis, being at the limit of its capabilities while riding, does not even hint that the rider should slow down a little. On the contrary, everything about this bike encourages you to go even faster. Although there is not much power, it is enough to ride as quickly as possible and at the same time safely, with full control of the motorcycle at any speed.

On bad roads there is enough power with a reserve, since there is nowhere to really accelerate properly. It is while driving on bad roads that you begin to understand that this landing was not chosen by the engineers by chance. It allows the biker to get used to motorcycles of this class and eventually move on to a more powerful model. It is the landing that allows for maximum control over the device in any conditions.

It can be assumed that fifth and sixth gears will be used extremely rarely, mainly on the track, since it is unlikely that even the most experienced biker will be able to resist the sound of acceleration of the V-twin, as well as the excellent power delivery when the revs rise.

Surprisingly, the DUCATI Monster 797 has two different characters. On this motorcycle you can get around the city perfectly, using it as everyday transport, and ride long distances, where the last two gears will come in handy.

Despite the fact that the motorcycle is designed for a rider and a passenger, long trips for two will be uncomfortable, since there is little space in the back and the pegs have a specific location. Therefore, it is better to go on long trips on the Monster 797 alone.

Turning on neutral requires special skill. There is not enough gear indicator on the instrument panel, so as not to embarrass yourself like a newbie when starting from a standstill at a traffic light. But after a while you begin to get used to it and understand exactly how neutral is switched on.

Without a doubt, the DUCATI Monster 797 is a motorcycle that has its own soul and philosophy. This is a small “Monster” that breaks out at the behest of its owner with sufficient power and a wild roar of the engine. Anyone who thinks that this motorcycle is not made for him should ride it at least once. This will allow you to experience the whole essence of a compact naked bike, understand how obedient DUCATI engines are, and how the exhaust of a small-capacity engine sounds.

The DUCATI Monster 797 is the perfect choice for a beginner biker, an excellent opportunity to experience the spirit of motorcycles from Bologna at an affordable price.

Recently, DUCATI has been focusing maximum attention on the safety of its equipment, using the most proven technologies. Also, special attention is paid to the reliability of the motorcycle so that it does not fail at the most inopportune moment.

The decision of DUCATI engineers to release the “Monster” with a smaller engine is completely justified and correct. This is already evidenced by the fact that this is the best-selling series of Italian motorcycles.

Ducati Monster outside the city

I leave the concrete jungle, and the Ducati Monster goes great, showing almost 180 km/h (don’t tell anyone!

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