Ducati Monster 2015 Range
For 2015 the Monster family is enlarged by the introduction of two new version: the Monster 821 Stripe and Monster 1200 S Stripe, which sharpens the sports character of Ducati’s world-renowned naked even further.
Stripe versions are characterised by a red colour scheme with a white double side-stripe on mudguard, tank and passenger seat cover. Both bikes also have a red-painted nose fairing, while the Monster 821 Stripe is also equipped with adjustable forks and the Monster 1200 S Stripe with a Ducati Performance under-tail plate holder and carbon belt covers.
The world premiere of the Ducati Monster at the 1992 Cologne Motor Show introduced the first motorcycle to harmonise simple features of essential design. More than a motorcycle, it was destined to become a style icon, minimalistic and essential.
Charismatic in its simplicity, it presented a bold and brave concept from the Bologna-based manufacturer, which signified a break from tradition. The Ducati Monster was incredibly successful for the company and kick-started a new and futuristic direction in motorcycling – the “naked”.
Ducati continues the evolution of the family, with the latest generation of the model.
More than two decades on from the Monster’s first unveiling, Ducati has introduced the latest generation with the Monster 1200 and 1200 S powered by the Superbike-derived 1198 Testastretta 11° DS engine, and with the Monster 821, the mid-size version of the iconic model.
The Monster family presents a new chassis and muscular styling designed with premium components fully integrated with Ducati’s latest technologies. High-spec brakes, suspensions, swingarm and lightweight wheels combine with Ducati’s best -yet ergonomics to offer the Italian manufacturer’s most attractive Monster ever. Super comfortable and introducing an innovative adjustable seat height, the model also combines 8-level traction control, 3-level ABS and 3-level Ride-by-Wire into Ducati’s user-friendly, press-button Riding Modes.
Overview of Monster family models and specifications
Monster 1200 – Ducati Red with red frame and black wheels
- 1198 cm³ Testastretta 11° DS engine
- Maximum power 135 hp
- Trellis frame attached to cylinder heads
- Single-sided swingarm o TFT instrumentation
- Riding Modes
- Ducati Safety Pack (3-level ABS, 8-level DTC)
- Fully adjustable 43 mm Kayaba forks
- Adjustable Sachs shock
- Radial brake/clutch master cylinders
- Height-adjustable seat
- Passenger seat cover
Monster 1200 S – Ducati Red with red frame and black wheels or Star White with bronze frame and black wheels
- 1198 cm³ Testastretta 11° DS engine
- Maximum power 145 hp
- Trellis frame attached to cylinder heads
- Single-sided swingarm
- TFT instrumentation
- Riding Modes
- Ducati Safety Pack (3-level ABS, 8-level DTC)
- Fully adjustable 48 mm Ohlins forks
- Fully adjustable Ohlins shock
- Radial brake/clutch master cylinders
- Brembo M50 front brake callipers
- Brembo 330 mm front brake discs
- Carbon front mudguard
- Height-adjustable seat
- LED indicators
- Wheels with Y-shape spoke design
- Passenger seat cover
Monster 1200 S Stripe – Red with dedicated graphics, red frame and black wheels
- 1198 cm³ Testastretta 11° DS engine
- Maximum power 145 hp
- Trellis frame attached to cylinder heads
- Single-sided swingarm o TFT instrumentation
- Riding Modes
- Ducati Safety Pack (3-level ABS, 8-level DTC)
- Fully adjustable 48 mm Ohlins forks
- Fully adjustable Ohlins shock
- Radial brake/clutch master cylinders
- Brembo M50 front brake callipers
- Brembo 330 mm front brake discs
- Carbon front mudguard
- Nose fairing
- Carbon belt covers
- Ducati Performance undertail plate holder
- Height-adjustable seat
- LED indicators
- Wheels with Y-shape spoke design
- Passenger seat cover
Monster 821 – Ducati Red with red frame and black wheel rims or Star White Silk with red frame and matt red wheels
- 821 cm³ Testastretta 11° engine
- Maximum power 112 hp
- Trellis frame attached to cylinder heads
- Double-sided swingarm o LCD instrumentation
- Riding Modes
- Ducati Safety Pack (3-level ABS, 8-level DTC)
- 43 mm Kayaba forks
- Adjustable Sachs shock o Height-adjustable seat
- Passenger seat cover
Monster 821 Dark – Dark Stealth with carbon black frame and black wheels
- 821 cm³ Testastretta 11° engine
- Maximum power 112 hp
- Trellis frame attached to cylinder heads
- Double-sided swingarm o LCD instrumentation
- Riding Modes
- Ducati Safety Pack (3-level ABS, 8-level DTC)
- 43 mm Kayaba forks
- Adjustable Sachs shock
- Height-adjustable seat
Monster 821 Stripe – Red with dedicated graphics, red frame and black wheels
- 821 cm³ Testastretta 11° engine
- Maximum power 112 hp
- Trellis frame attached to cylinder heads
- Double-sided swingarm
- Riding Modes
- LCD instrumentation
- Ducati Safety Pack (3-level ABS, 8-level DTC)
- Adjustable 43 mm Kayaba forks
- Nose fairing
- Height-adjustable seat
MONSTER STRIPE
For 2015 the Monster range has been extended with a new, exclusive version aimed at the most demanding motorcyclists: the Stripe. Available with an 821 or 1200 S engine, the Monster Stripe sharpens the sports character of Ducati’s world-renowned naked, giving it nothing less than cult status.
The Monster 1200 S Stripe stands out on account of an exclusive red colour scheme with a white double side-stripe on mudguard, tank and passenger seat cover plus a red frame and black wheels. What’s more, the Monster 1200 S Stripe has a red-painted nose fairing with windshield, carbon belt covers and a Ducati Performance undertail plate holder machined from solid aluminium instead of the standard one attached to the swingarm.
Powered by an 1198 cm³ Testastretta 11° DS engine with a maximum output of 145 hp at 8750 rpm, the bike features a Trellis frame attached to the cylinder heads, and a single-sided swingarm. The suspension set-up consists of 48 mm Öhlins forks and a fully adjustable Öhlins damper while the front braking system has a Brembo set-up with 330 mm discs and Brembo M50 callipers.
The Monster 1200 S Stripe features TFT instrumentation and Riding Modes, as well as the Ducati Safety Pack with three-level ABS and eight-level DTC (Ducati Traction Control). The bike also includes wheels with a Y-shape spoke design, LED indicators, front carbon mudguard and height-adjustable seat.
Likewise, the Monster 821 Stripe also sports the exclusive red colour scheme with double white side-stripe on mudguard, tank and passenger seat cover, plus the red frame and black wheels. Its 821 cm³ Testastretta 11° engine provides a maximum power of 112 hp at 9,250 rpm, while the Trellis frame is attached to the cylinder heads. The suspension consists of 43 mm Kayaba forks up front – fully adjustable on the Stripe version – and a Sachs unit at the rear, adjustable in spring preload and rebound damping, which employs a progressive pull-rod linkage attached to the vertical cylinder on one side and the double-sided cast aluminium swingarm on the other. Shorter than that of the Monster 1200, the double-sided swingarm on the Monster 821 provides enhanced agility with precise handling for optimum riding pleasure.
The Monster 1200 S Stripe also features LCD instrumentation and Riding Modes, as well as the Ducati Safety Pack, which lets riders choose from three different ABS sensitivity levels and eight different DTC (Ducati Traction Control) levels. The seat is height-adjustable and, last but not least, the Monster 821 Stripe sports a red-painted nose fairing with a clear windshield.
MONSTER 1200 – Testastretta 11° DS second generation
The Monster returns to its outrageous roots with the Desmo, liquid-cooled, 4-valves-per-cylinder, 1198 cc Testastretta 11° DS motor. Underlining its naked motorcycle passion with the mantra: “it’s all about the engine”, these latest generation models present the most usable, excitement-fuelled power ever delivered by a Monster.
The second generation Testastretta 11° Dual Spark engine, which is a fully-stressed chassis member with Panigale-style attachment points for the Trellis frame, uses a number of important and highly effective features to deliver 135 hp @ 8750rpm and for the Monster 1200 S, an extra 10 hp to 145 hp @ 8750rpm. Ducati have dialled-in an impressive torque curve to further enhance riding pleasure, generating a peak torque of 87 lb-ft (12kgm) for the Monster 1200 and 92 lb-ft (12.7 kgm) for the 1200 S version, both values @ 7250rpm.
A number of well-proven technical advancements in Ducati’s twin-cylinder technology have been combined with the 1198’s torque-laden 106 mm x 67.9 mm bore and stroke to create an exciting, customisable and user-friendly character for the newest generation Monster.
Breathing through circular Mikuni Ride-by-Wire throttle bodies, the 1198 Testastretta 11° DS uses the latest fuel injector positioning to target spray directly onto the rear of the hot intake valve instead of the relatively cold surface of the intake port wall. The enhanced vaporisation achieved as the fuel hits the valve, fully atomises the incoming charge, eliminating the chance of compromised combustion efficiency experienced if droplets of fuel enter in liquid form. With the delivery of a fully vaporised inlet charge, the concept of Dual Spark (DS) with two spark plugs per cylinder-head, provides a twin flame-front that ensures complete and efficient combustion across a shorter period of time. The engine, which is cooled with a stylishly curved radiator equipped with two high-efficiency electric fans, also uses Ducati’s secondary air system, maintaining performance-optimised fuel mapping for smoother cycle-to-cycle engine operation, without compromising emissions.
The Testastretta 11° engine effectively took the fire-breathing 1198 Superbike power plant and re- engineered it with increased user-friendliness. Engineers achieved this to great effect by reducing the amount of valve over-lap from around 41° – typical in performance engines that operate constantly at high RPM – to just 11°, which reduced peak horse-power slightly, but enhanced mid-range and overall smoothness.
The Monster engine features an oil bath clutch with ‘slipper’ function and super-light feel at the lever. Its design uses a progressive self-servo mechanism that presses the plates together when under drive from the engine, enabling the reduction of the clutch spring rates. This results in a much lighter clutch lever at the handlebar, ideal in stop-start traffic or long journeys. When the drive force is reversed (over-run), the same mechanism reduces the pressure on the clutch plates, enabling them to provide a race-like ‘slipper’ action, which reduces the destabilizing effect of the rear-end under aggressive down-shifting and provides a much smoother feeling when closing the throttle or down-shifting under normal riding conditions.
The impressive 50-52 mm (1.96-2.04 in) section exhaust headers lead the 2-1-2 system through power- enhancing equal lengths that help enable the Monster’s efficient power delivery. The engine management system dedicates a lambda probe to each header to provide precise fueling, while the stylish cannon-style, vertically stacked silencers carry catalytic converters to provide Euro 3 conformity and electronically controlled mid-section valve to optimise exhaust pressures throughout the rev-range.
The Monster 1200’s Testastretta 11° DS engine reaches another milestone in Ducati’s constant investment in quality by enabling the distance between major service intervals (valve clearance check) to be set at an owner-friendly 30 000 kilometres (18 000 miles).
Monster chassis
While maintaining the vitally important aspects of the original Monster concept, the last generation chassis introduces Ducati’s very latest design techniques. The model’s signature Trellis frame still features predominantly in the overall styling, while its attachment points move directly to the engine’s cylinder heads, a method pioneered on the innovative Panigale Superbike. This compact frame design combined with its large diameter steel tubing has effectively doubled its torsional stiffness compared to previous models.
Considerable attention has been applied to the ergonomics of the model with a stability-enhancing 60mm longer wheelbase ideal for two-up riding comfort, and handlebars a ride-transforming 40 mm higher and 40mm closer to the rider. The seat design with high-grip surface, further enhanced with red stitching, boasts a comfortable 80mm of foam at its deepest point and presents Ducati’s first-ever adjustable seat height system with innovative simplicity. Using a simple block-and-pin system, the seat is able to be transformed from its standard 810 mm seat height to a confidence-inspiring 785mm and even further to 745 mm with the accessory low seat – Ducati’s lowest ever. This easy adjustment without changing the overall aesthetic profile of the Monster introduces true ergonomic flexibility to this impressive sports-lifestyle motorcycle.
Perfectly formed grab-rails provide a confidence-enhancing grip for the passenger without compromising the lines of the Monster’s beautifully styled tailpiece. A sleek and sporty single seat cover comes as standard equipment, giving the rear-end a clean and sharp look, further minimalised by a Diavel-style registration plate holder. While enhancing the presence of the Monster with a more muscular silhouette, the 17.5l (4.6 US gal) steel fuel tank is carefully shaped to fit the rider perfectly.
Presenting a clean and minimalist cockpit area, the tapered aluminium handlebars are mounted with Ducati’s well-proven compact switchgear and adjustable brake and clutch levers on radial master cylinders, which introduce tinted transparent reservoirs with stylish functionality. Foot controls are mounted on dark grey, diecast aluminium hangers, contrasting elegantly against the bronze-coloured single-sided swingarm, colour-matched with the Testastretta 11° engine’s outer-cases.
The Monster uses fully adjustable 43 mm Kayaba forks up front with a single Sachs unit on the rear adjustable in spring preload and rebound damping, while the Monster S gets the typical ‘S’ treatment with an upgrade to fully adjustable 48 mm Ohlins forks with sliders finished in TiN and a fully adjustable Ohlins unit on the rear with integrated piggy-back reservoir. Operating through a progressive linkage, the rear suspension attaches directly from the rear vertical cylinder to a beautifully diecast aluminium single-sided swingarm.
The Monster 1200 rolls on Panigale-style 10-spoke light alloy wheels with rim sizes of 3.50 x 17 for the front and 6.00 x 17 on the rear, while the Monster 1200 S sports a triple Y-shape spoke design with extra machining. Both models use Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tyres in 120/70 for the front and impressive 190/55 for the rear, constructed in bi-Compound to combine long lasting mileage with excellent full-lean grip. The high quality tyres use Pirelli’s Enhanced Patch Technology (EPT) to optimise contact patch for improved grip and Functional Groove Design (FGD) to enhance their wet weather characteristics.
The Monster 1200 and Monster 1200 S both use Ducati’s Riding Mode technology to incorporate three-level ABS and eight-level DTC into the Ducati Safety Pack (DSP) concept, further underlining the company’s increased focus on performance safety.
Bosch Brembo Braking system with 3-level ABS
Included as an integral part of the Ducati Safety Pack (DSP), both the Monster and Monster S are equipped with the Bosch ABS 9MP controlled Brembo braking system, with integrated pressure sensor, as standard equipment, an impressive combination of state-of-the-art security and proven performance.
The 3-level system provides shorter stopping distances with enhanced stability appropriate for the motorcycle’s environment by being fully integrated with the Riding Modes. While level-1 of the system enables a sport-oriented ABS intervention with no rear lift-up prevention, level-2 delivers the same intervention with rear lift-up prevention activated. Level-3 provides maximum braking stability and rear lift-up prevention.
The Monster uses twin radially-mounted Brembo, four piston, Monobloc M4-32 callipers gripping 320mm discs, while the flagship Monster S is equipped with Superbike-style 330mm discs and M50 Monobloc callipers. Both models use radial front brake pumps with remote reservoirs and a single 245mm disc on the rear gripped by a single Brembo calliper. Typical of all Ducatis, these components ensure high performance braking and set the standard in this segment.
An option to disable the ABS in each individual Riding Mode is available via the instrumentation, and the system allows the setting to be saved and memorised at the next ignition-on.
Ducati Traction Control (DTC)
The Ducati Traction Control is an intelligent system which acts as a filter between the rider’s right hand and the rear tyre. Within milliseconds, DTC is able to detect and then control rear wheel-spin, considerably increasing the bike’s active safety and performance, an important component of the Ducati Safety Pack (DSP). The Monster uses the very latest DTC software, now optimised with seamless intervention to ignition timing only.
The system offers eight ‘levels of sensitivity’, each programmed with a level of rear wheel-spin tolerance in line with progressive levels of riding skills classified from one to eight. Level one is programmed to offer the least amount of interaction while level eight uses the most amount of interaction.
DTC levels are factory pre-set in each of the three Riding Modes, but can be individually customised and saved to suit the rider by accessing the set-up menu within each mode. A ‘Default’ option is available to easily return all settings to factory pre-sets.
Ducati Riding Modes
Ducati’s industry-changing Riding Modes effectively offer optimised settings appropriate to rider and environment by selecting from a choice of three pre-set modes: “Sport”, “Touring” and “Urban”. Each Riding Mode is pre-programmed to instantly change engine character, ABS and DTC intervention – even while riding. The modes are made possible by combining a number of class-leading technologies
An electronic Ride-by-Wire (RbW) system uses Ducati’s innovative e-Grip throttle to administer different mappings to regulate power delivery, while the Ducati Traction Control system (DTC) uses eight levels of system interaction to enhance control by reducing rear wheel-spin and the ABS processor provides pre- programmed three levels of anti-lock braking.
The “Sport” Riding Mode provides 135 hp (145 hp for the S Model) delivered with a “High” RbW throttle response, reduced DTC system intervention and level-one ABS of sport-oriented intervention with no rear lift-up prevention.
The Touring Riding Mode provides 135 hp (145 hp for the S Model) delivered with a “Medium” RbW throttle response, increased DTC system intervention and level-two ABS with rear lift-up prevention activated.
The Urban Riding Mode provides 100 hp, delivered with a “Low” RbW throttle response, further increased DTC system intervention and level-three ABS with maximum braking stability and rear lift-up prevention.
The full Ride-by-Wire (RbW) system is an electronic interface between the twistgrip and the engine which decides the ideal power response depending on the Riding Mode selected and according to the rider’s throttle input. The twistgrip no longer uses a throttle cable to control the throttle body butterflies, but instead Ducati’s “e-Grip” delivers a signal to a control unit, which in turn operates the butterfly opening. The RbW system enables the use of three different mappings to regulate the power delivery. The three maps offer 135 hp (145 hp for the S Model) with a “High” sports-type delivery, 135 hp (145 hp for the S Model) with a “Medium” progressive delivery suitable for touring and 100 hp with a “Low” reduced delivery for urban use.
The Monster and Monster S use Ducati’s industry-leading Thin Film Transistor (TFT) technology to present a stunning instrumentation display, which combines exceptional user-freindliness with state-of-the-art information delivery. The system serves the rider with full environment integration by changing its display layout according the Riding Mode selected.
The fully customisable display is programmed for its Urban, Touring and Sport Riding Modes with three different layouts entitled “Core”, “Full” and “Track”, each designed to display information appropriate to each of the three Riding Mode environments.
Urban (Core information layout)
In Urban Riding Mode the display adopts the “Core” layout, offering the bare minimum of information appropriate to the urban environment, and in a style immediately and easily readable so that the rider can focus fully on city traffic. The vehicle speed becomes the largest, most prominent piece of information in the centre of the screen with a reminder of the Riding Mode selected below and the time displayed above, a practical feature for those working the full schedule of everyday life. To the left of the time is a reminder of the ABS level programmed in the Riding Mode and to the right the Ducati Traction Control (DTC) level. On the bottom left of the screen by default is the odometer and on the right the engine coolant temperature. Both left and right lower data read-outs are scrollable using the buttons positioned above and below the indicator button on the left-hand switchgear to display trip A, trip B, trip fuel reserve, trip time and lap times (if activated) on the left, and average fuel consumption, actual fuel consumption, average speed and air temperature on the right.
Touring (Full information layout)
In Touring Riding Mode the display completely changes to “Full” layout, delivering the maximum amount of information required during a long journey, reducing the size of the speed numerals and replacing the data previously displayed at the top of the screen with a 1000-11000 graphic rev-counter. The incremental bars of rpm are animated to adjust the orange and red coloured sections of the rev-range subject to running-in and engine warm-up periods and increase numeral size as each value is reached. With the selected Riding Mode now shown to the left of the speed the entire lower part of the display from left to right is dedicated to time, engine temperature and DTC and ABS levels and on the bottom left of the screen by default the odometer and on the right the average fuel consumption. Both left and right lower data read-outs are scrollable using the buttons positioned above and below the indicator button on the left-hand switchgear to display trip A, trip B, trip fuel reserve, trip time and lap times (if activated) on the left and actual fuel consumption, average speed and air temperature on the right.
Sport (Track information layout)
In Sport Riding Mode the display adopts the “Track” layout, presenting sport-essential information only. The rev-counter graphic recalibrates itself in a scale that curves through 90° around the left and upper edge of the main screen in Superbike style, with speed prominently displayed in the centre of the screen and ABS engine temperature and DTC displayed across the bottom from left to right. Positioned bottom centre is the odometer read-out by default, scrollable using the buttons positioned above and below the indicator button on the left-hand switchgear to display trip A, trip B, trip fuel reserve, time, trip time and lap times (if activated) average fuel consumption, actual fuel consumption, average speed, engine temperature and air temperature. All three display layouts feature a setting memory whereby, information scrolled-and-selected other than default setting is memorised by the system and re-displayed upon the model’s next ignition-on.
Fixed icons on the left of the main screen from top to bottom show warnings for left turn signal, main beam, ABS-off and neutral, while from top to bottom on the right of the display are turn signal right, oil pressure, fuel reserve and engine electronics. Countdown icons are programmed to appear on the screen to advise of upcoming scheduled maintenance. Red lights positioned at the top of the instrumentation unit illuminate incrementally inwards to the centre as a count-up warning of over-rev, while below the top, centre over-rev bar is a second bar that illuminates in orange during DTC interaction.
When stationary, the instrumentation doubles as a user-friendly control panel to personalise and save ABS, DTC, and RbW settings within each Riding Mode as well as redesignating any of the three layouts to each of the three Riding Modes. In addition to listing the last 30 recorded lap times, each time also shows the lap number and the maximum speed and maximum rpm recorded during that lap.
MONSTER 821 – Testastretta 11°
Already well received in the Hypermotard models, the second generation 821cc Testastretta 11° engine, becomes a fully-stressed chassis member with Panigale-style attachment points for the Trellis frame. The Desmodromic motor uses a number of important and highly effective features to deliver an impressive 112 hp @ 9250rpm and a ride-enhancing torque of 65.9 lb-ft (9.1 kgm) @ 7,750rpm.
In addition to the crankshaft rotating on shell main bearings lubricated with an oil pump, a number of well- proven technical advancements in Ducati’s twin-cylinder technology have also been combined to create an exciting, customisable and user-friendly character for the new generation mid-range Monster.
Breathing through circular Ride-by-Wire throttle bodies, the 821 Testastretta 11° uses the latest fuel injector positioning to target spray directly onto the rear of the hot intake valve instead of the relatively cold surface of the intake port wall. The enhanced vaporisation achieved as the fuel hits the valve, fully atomises the incoming charge, eliminating the chance of compromised combustion efficiency experienced if droplets of fuel enter in liquid form. The engine, which is cooled with a stylishly curved radiator equipped with two high- efficiency electric fans, also uses Ducati’s secondary air system, maintaining performance-optimised fuel mapping for smoother cycle-to-cycle engine operation, without compromising emissions.
The Testastretta 11° engine concept effectively increased user-friendliness by reducing the amount of valve over-lap from around 41° – typical in performance engines that operate constantly at high RPM – to just 11°, which enhanced mid-range and overall smoothness.
The Monster 821 engine features an oil bath, cable-operated APTC clutch with ‘slipper’ function and super- light feel at the lever. Its design uses a progressive self-servo mechanism that presses the plates together when under drive from the engine, enabling the reduction of the clutch spring rates. This results in a much lighter clutch lever at the handlebar, ideal in stop-start traffic or long journeys. When the drive force is reversed (over-run), the same mechanism reduces the pressure on the clutch plates, enabling them to provide a race-like ‘slipper’ action, which reduces the destabilizing effect of the rear-end under aggressive down-shifting and provides a much smoother feeling when closing the throttle or down-shifting under normal riding conditions.
The impressive 50-52 mm (1.96-2.04 in) section exhaust headers lead the 2-1-2 system through power- enhancing equal lengths that help enable the Monster’s efficient power delivery. The engine management system dedicates a lambda probe to each header to provide precise fueling, while the stylish vertically- merged silencers carry the catalytic converter to provide Euro 3 conformity and electronically controlled mid- section valve to optimise exhaust pressures throughout the rev-range.
The Monster’s Testastretta 11° engine underlines another milestone in Ducati’s constant investment in quality by enabling the distance between major service intervals (valve clearance check) to be set at an owner-friendly 30 000 kilometers (18 000 miles).
Monster chassis
While maintaining the vitally important aspects of the original Monster concept, the new generation chassis introduces Ducati’s very latest design techniques. The model’s signature Trellis frame still features predominantly in the overall styling, while its attachment points move directly to the engine’s cylinder heads, a method pioneered on the innovative Panigale Superbike. This compact frame design combined with its large diameter steel tubing has effectively doubled its torsional stiffness compared to previous models, while reducing weight.
Considerable attention has been applied to the ergonomics with a stability-enhancing 30 mm longer wheelbase ideal for two-up riding comfort, and handlebars a ride-transforming 40 mm higher and 40 mm closer to the rider. The seat design with high-grip surface boasts a comfortable 80mm of foam at its deepest point and is equipped with Ducati’s adjustable seat height system. Using a simple block-and-pin system, the seat is able to be transformed from its standard 810mm seat height to a confidence-inspiring 785 mm and even further to 765 mm or 745 mm with the accessory low seat – Ducati’s lowest ever. A third accessory seat also offers an 830 mm seat height option for those who require, therefore providing an extensive range of 745-830 mm. This easy adjustment without changing the overall aesthetic profile of the Monster introduces true ergonomic flexibility to this impressive sports-lifestyle motorcycle.
Perfectly formed grab-rails provide a confidence-enhancing grip for the passenger without compromising the lines of the Monster’s beautifully styled tailpiece. A sleek and sporty single seat cover comes as standard equipment, giving the rear-end a clean and sharp look. While enhancing the presence of the Monster with a more muscular silhouette, the 17.5 l (4.6 US gal) steel fuel tank is carefully shaped to fit the rider perfectly.
Presenting a clean and minimalist cockpit area, the steel handlebars, finished in matte chrome, are mounted with Ducati’s well-proven compact switchgear with adjustable brake lever and axial master cylinders with integrated reservoirs and cable-operated clutch. Foot controls are mounted on dark grey, diecast aluminium hangers, contrasting elegantly against the bronze-coloured single-sided swingarm, colour-matched with the Testastretta 11° engine’s outer-cases.
The Monster uses 43 mm Kayaba forks up front with a single Sachs unit on the rear, adjustable in spring preload and rebound damping, attached directly to the rear cylinder and operating through a diecast aluminium, double-sided swingarm. Shorter than the Monster 1200, the Monster 821 swingarm provides enhanced agility with precise handling for optimum riding pleasure.
The Monster 821 rolls on Panigale-style 10-spoke light alloy wheels with rim sizes of 3.50 x 17 for the front and 5.50 x 17 on the rear, mounted with Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tyres in 120/70 for the front and an agile 180/60 for the rear, constructed in bi-Compound to combine long lasting mileage with excellent full-lean grip. The high quality tyres use Pirelli’s Enhanced Patch Technology (EPT) to optimise contact patch for improved grip and Functional Groove Design (FGD) to enhance their wet weather characteristics.
The Monster uses Ducati’s Riding Mode technology to incorporate three-level ABS and eight-level DTC into the Ducati Safety Pack (DSP) concept, further underlining the company’s increased focus on performance safety
Bosch Brembo Braking system with 3-level ABS
Included as an integral part of the Ducati Safety Pack (DSP), the Monster is equipped with the Bosch ABS 9MP controlled Brembo braking system, with integrated pressure sensor, as standard equipment. This impressive combination of state-of-the-art security and proven performance provides shorter stopping distances with enhanced stability appropriate to the motorcycle’s environment by being fully integrated with the Monster’s Riding Modes. While level-1 of the system enables a sport-oriented ABS intervention with no rear lift-up prevention, level-2 delivers the same intervention with medium rear lift-up prevention activated. Level-3 provides maximum braking stability and rear lift-up prevention.
The Monster uses twin radially-mounted Brembo, four piston, Monobloc M4-32 callipers gripping 320mm discs, with an axial front brake pumps with integrated reservoirs and a single 245mm disc on the rear gripped by a single Brembo calliper. Typical of all Ducatis, these components ensure high performance braking and set the standard in this segment.
An option to disable the ABS in each individual Riding Mode is available via the instrumentation, and the system allows the setting to be saved and memorised at the next ignition-on.
The Monster’s super compact headlamp assembly uses conventional halogen main light illumination with LED position lights on either side and full LED lighting for the beautifully shaped rear and brake light illumination. The directional indicators sport also provide a hazard light function, activated by holding the left- turn signal button on for four seconds.
Ducati Traction Control (DTC)
The Ducati Traction Control is an intelligent system which acts as a filter between the rider’s right hand and the rear tyre. Within milliseconds, DTC is able to detect and then control rear wheel-spin, considerably increasing the bike’s active safety and performance, an important component of the Ducati Safety Pack (DSP). The Monster uses the very latest DTC software, optimised with seamless intervention to ignition timing only.
The system offers eight ‘levels of sensitivity’, each programmed with a level of rear wheel-spin tolerance in line with progressive levels of riding skills classified from one to eight. Level one is programmed to offer the least amount of interaction while level eight uses the most amount of interaction.
DTC levels are factory pre-set in each of the three Riding Modes, but can be individually customised and saved to suit the rider by accessing the set-up menu within each mode. A ‘Default’ option is available to easily return all settings to factory pre-sets.
Ducati Riding Modes
Ducati’s industry-changing Riding Modes effectively offer optimised settings appropriate to rider and environment by selecting from a choice of three pre-set modes: “Sport”, “Touring” and “Urban”. Each Riding Mode is pre-programmed to instantly change engine character, ABS and DTC intervention – even while riding. The modes are made possible by combining a number of class-leading technologies.
An electronic Ride-by-Wire (RbW) system uses Ducati’s innovative e-Grip throttle to administer different mappings to regulate power delivery, while the Ducati Traction Control system (DTC) uses eight levels of system interaction to enhance control by reducing rear wheel-spin and the ABS processor provides pre- programmed three levels of anti-lock braking.
The “Sport” Riding Mode provides 112 hp delivered with a “High” RbW throttle response, reduced DTC system intervention and level-one ABS of sport-oriented intervention with no rear lift-up prevention.
The Touring Riding Mode provides 112 hp delivered with a “Medium” RbW throttle response, increased DTC system intervention and level-two ABS with medium rear lift-up prevention activated.
The Urban Riding Mode provides 75 hp, delivered with a “Low” RbW throttle response, further increased DTC system intervention and level-three ABS with maximum braking stability and rear lift-up prevention.
The full Ride-by-Wire (RbW) system is an electronic interface between the twistgrip and the engine which decides the ideal power response depending on the Riding Mode selected and according to the rider’s throttle input. The twistgrip no longer uses a throttle cable to control the throttle body butterflies, but instead Ducati’s “e-Grip” delivers a signal to a control unit, which in turn operates the butterfly opening. The RbW system enables the use of three different mappings to regulate the power delivery. The three maps offer 112 hp with a “High” sports-type delivery, 112 hp with a “Medium” progressive delivery suitable for touring and 75 hp with a “Low” reduced delivery for urban use.
Monster Instrumentation
The Monster has a compact instrumentation panel with a well arranged and data-rich black on white LCD display. The unit displays RPM from 0-12000 in an easy-to-read bargraph positioned in a semi-circular shape across the top of the unit with speed indicated prominently in the centre of the screen.
The three riding modes of Sport, Touring and Urban are positioned left of the vehicle speed value and are easily scrollable using the indicator cancel button on the left-hand switchgear. When each Riding Mode is selected its corresponding DTC and ABS levels are displayed to the right of the vehicle speed value in additional to a service icon which appears when scheduled maintenance is due. Further left of the three Riding Modes, the screen also displays a tag to confirm that Stopwatch mode is activated and ready for use.
Engine coolant temperature is displayed at the lower centre section of the screen with rectangular windows of additional data positioned either side, scroll-controlled using two buttons positioned above and below the indicator cancel button on the left-hand switchgear. The upper button scrolls the left window to present total mileage, trip A, trip B, trip reserve fuel, trip time, time and lap time, while the lower button scrolls the right window for air temperature, fuel consumption, average fuel consumption and average speed
Illuminated icons on the top left of the instrumentation, from left to right, show warnings for left turn signal, engine electronics, ABS-off and neutral, while from top right of the instrumentation, from right to left, are turn signal right, fuel reserve, main beam and oil pressure. In the middle of these two banks of warning lights, and designed to advise via the rider’s peripheral vision, are a strip of red lights incrementally counting-up to engine over-rev, until finally illuminating also the main red over-rev warning light in the top centre of the display. Below the main top, centre over-rev bar is a second bar that illuminates orange to denote DTC interaction.
When the Monster is stationary, the instrumentation is accessible as a user-friendly control panel to personalise and save ABS, DTC, and RbW settings within each Riding Mode. Additionally, the stopwatch function, actuated manually by using the flasher button on the left-hand switchgear can list the last 30 recorded lap times, each time also displaying the associated lap number, maximum speed and maximum rpm. The brightness level of the display can also be adjusted from the same control panel area.
