Ducati unveil most power Monster ever
Ducati Monster 1200 R
The new Ducati Monster 1200 R is equipped with a 1200 cc Testastretta 11° DS “R” version which delivers 10% more power and 5.5% more torque than the Monster 1200 S. With 160 hp and 13.4 kgm (97 lb-ft) torque the Monster 1200 R promises to be a naked supersport bike able to show its true colours on a race trac,k while making the rider feel perfectly comfortable during daily commutes – thanks to a full-bodied, smooth delivery at low and medium RPM.
The latest naked model out of the Ducati factory features a higher stance than the Monster 1200 S, for more extreme lean angles and to make the most of the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tyres. At the rear end, grip is guaranteed by the 200/55 x ZR17 size tyres.
The Monster 1200 R is equipped with new suspensions and Öhlins steering damper and is even lighter than the S version thanks to the new tailpiece, forged wheels, and carbon fibre components – bringing the total dry weight down to 180 kg (397 lb).
The nose fairing, radiator trim with engraved “R” logo, and the two available colour schemes – Ducati Red and Thrilling Black.
The Monster 1200 R is also equipped with the Ducati Safety Pack including the ABS and Ducati Traction Control systems to enhance vehicle performance, optimise control and improve overall riding safety. This package is managed by three different Riding Modes (Sport, Touring and Urban): three different Monster R ‘souls’ delivered by different settings of the power mode, the ABS and Traction Control systems.
Monster 1200 R
• Colours
1. Ducati Red with R livery, Ducati Red frame and Dark Chrome wheels
2. Thrilling Black with R livery, Dark Chrome frame and wheels
• Standard equipment highlights
o Testastretta 11° DS, 1198,4 cc, 160 hp “R” version engine
o Exhaust with pentagonal section twin silencers
o Euro 4 conformity
o Sport seat with model ID plate
o New design passenger seat cover
o Separate rider and passenger footpeg supports
o Billet machined footpegs
o Nose fairing
o Carbon fibre front fender
o 3-spoke forged wheels fitted with Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tyres, 120/70 ZR17 at the front and 200/55 x ZR17 at the rear
o New 48 mm adjustable diameter Öhlins forks
o New Öhlins adjustable shock absorber
o Öhlins adjustable steering dumper
o 3 Riding Modes
o Ducati Safety Pack (3-level ABS, 8-level DTC)
o Colour TFT instrumentation display
The Monster 1200 R has been substantially revised to make it visually compact, lightweight and high-slung. The single-piece rider and passenger seat is shorter and thinner if viewed from the side, with a tapered, sharp-edged look in the passenger section.
This motorcycle’s higher stance features an increased gap between the tyre and seat assembly, making the rear look more streamlined, further enhanced by the new design of the high-mounted aluminium plate holder, fully exposing the 200/55 rear tyre; both the rear and the front tyres are mounted on 3-spoke, Panigale R-inspired forged wheels.
The Monster 1200 engine version has been revised to increase its efficiency to a maximum power of 160 hp (117.7 kW) at 9,250 rpm and a maximum torque of 13.4 kgm (97 lb-ft) at 7,750 rpm, whilst maintaining smooth delivery at low and medium RPM, typical of latest-generation Testastretta 11° DS power units. The Monster 1200 R engine is in line with the Euro 4 pollution control standards.
The Monster 1200 R’s Testastretta 11° Dual Spark engine is equipped with a new 2-1-2 exhaust system with 58 mm diameter pipes and redesigned twin silencers. Although their routing has not been changed, the exhaust pipes have a new cross-section with a diameter that’s been increased by 8 mm to boost engine efficiency which now breathes better thanks to a new throttle body. The original round design with 53mm diameter bodies featured on the Monster 1200 has been replaced in the new version by a larger, oval section design with a 56mm equivalent diameter. A lower-height cylinder seal has made it possible to increase the compression ratio from 12.5:1 to 13:1, improving combustion efficiency.
At lower RPM, delivery is consistently smooth and responsive to throttle opening, with 75% of the torque already available at 3,500 rpm.
The Monster has a wet clutch with ‘slipper’ function actuated by a Brembo master cylinder. Thanks to its progressive self-servo mechanism, it can be operated smoothly and progressively. 15,000 km (9,000 miles) or 12 month intervals are recommended between major services, with valve clearance adjustment checks only required every 30,000 km (18,000 miles).
As with the rest of the Monster family, the signature Trellis frame remains a feature of the Monster 1200 R, with attachment points directly on the cylinder heads, a race-derived solution pioneered by the Panigale for the first time in the world of production motorcycles. Thanks to this configuration, the resulting frame is highly compact and lightweight and, with large cross-section pipes, it offers massive torsional strength – a characteristic which enhances the dynamic profile of the Monster 1200 R.
The rear sub-frame is also attached directly to the engine, creating a compact structure designed to support the new passenger footpeg brackets – now a separate design from the rider’s, to guarantee greater freedom of movement for the best road and track sports riding experience.
To ensure lean angles suitable for track use, the chassis set-up has been raised by 15 mm both at the front and at the rear end, and the seating height has been adjusted to 830 mm (32,7 in) accordingly. The ‘ergonomics triangle’ has been preserved to ensure a natural riding position and improved control during both road and track use and help the rider complete more laps with less effort.
Another major focus of attention was weight reduction. The new tailpiece, wheels, carbon fibre parts and the new footpegs together made for a 2kg (4.4lb) weight saving – down to a total dry weight of 180kg (397lb). A critical factor in weight saving was the use of forged wheels – making the Monster R even more agile in tackling corners thanks to the reduction in unsprung weight and inertia.
The high-tech suspension system features new, fully adjustable dia. 48 mm titanium nitride-coated Öhlins forks with black-anodised bottoms and bodies and a fully adjustable Öhlins rear shock. Operating through a progressive linkage, the rear suspension attaches directly from the rear vertical cylinder to the die-cast aluminium single-sided swingarm at the opposite end. The Öhlins suspension package is completed by the adjustable steering damper that controls handlebar movement under heavy acceleration and enhances the sports inspiration of the instrument panel view.
The Monster 1200 R braking system is the very best of the Brembo production range and includes twin radially-mounted M50 Monobloc callipers gripping 330 mm discs at the front – the same components that are part of the equipment of the 1299 Panigale supersport model, actuated by a master cylinder with remote reservoir. At the rear, the Monster 1200 R features one 245 mm disc gripped by a single Brembo calliper with sintered friction material pads to improve efficiency. The braking system is controlled by the triple stage ABS Bosch 9MP system – which can be disabled by the user.
The Monster 1200 R is equipped with the DSP (Ducati Safety Pack) system including the ABS and Ducati Traction Control systems to enhance vehicle performance, optimise control and improve overall riding safety. This package is managed by three different Riding Modes (Sport, Touring and Urban): three different Monster R ‘souls’ given by different settings of the ABS and DTC (Ducati Traction Control) systems.
The Ducati Riding Modes offer different factory settings designed to optimise vehicle behaviour according to riding styles and environmental conditions. The Monster 1200 R comes equipped with three Riding Modes (Sport, Touring and Urban) – each programmed to adjust the Ride-by-Wire (RbW) engine control system and the ABS and DTC intervention levels. The modes are made possible by combining a number of classleading technologies. If the Riding Modes can be changed while riding, the customised setting of ABS and DTC can only be changed when the bike is stationary with the throttle closed.
Sport
The Sport Riding Mode provides 160 hp (117,7 kW), delivered with direct Ride-by-Wire throttle response, reduced DTC system intervention (level 3) and ABS high braking performance (level 1) with no lift prevention.
Touring
The Touring Riding Mode provides 160 hp (117,7 kW), delivered with a more progressive Ride-by-Wire throttle response, increased DTC system intervention (level 4) and ABS-controlled lift prevention (level 2).
Urban
The Urban Riding Mode provides 100 hp (73,5 kW), delivered with a progressive Ride-by-Wire throttle response, further increased DTC system intervention (level 6) and ABS ensuring maximum braking stability and lift prevention (level 3).
