Motorcycles

Ducati celebrates a quarter century of Monsters

Ducati celebrates a quarter century of Monsters
Ducati brings back the yellow color, exclusively for the 2018 Monster 821
Ducati brings back the yellow color, exclusively for the 2018 Monster 821
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The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 in action
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The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 in action
Rider's view of the 2018 Ducati Monster 821
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Rider's view of the 2018 Ducati Monster 821
The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 in action
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The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 in action
The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 in action
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The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 in action
The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 in action
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The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 in action
Ducati brings back the yellow color, exclusively for the 2018 Monster 821
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Ducati brings back the yellow color, exclusively for the 2018 Monster 821
The LED headlight of the 2018 Ducati Monster 821
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The LED headlight of the 2018 Ducati Monster 821
The new color TFT dash of the 2018 Ducati Monster 821 can be configured to three different display modes - urban, touring and track
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The new color TFT dash of the 2018 Ducati Monster 821 can be configured to three different display modes - urban, touring and track
The 821 cc Testastretta variant remains in production only for the 2018 Ducati Monster 821
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The 821 cc Testastretta variant remains in production only for the 2018 Ducati Monster 821
New exhaust and catalyzer system for the 2018 Ducati Monster 821
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New exhaust and catalyzer system for the 2018 Ducati Monster 821
The Brembo M4 radial four-piston front calipers remain in service on the 2018 Ducati Monster 821
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The Brembo M4 radial four-piston front calipers remain in service on the 2018 Ducati Monster 821
The seat height of the 2018 Ducati Monster 821 can be adjusted from 785 mm (30.91 in) to 810 mm (31.89 in)
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The seat height of the 2018 Ducati Monster 821 can be adjusted from 785 mm (30.91 in) to 810 mm (31.89 in)
The tail unit of the 2018 Ducati Monster 821 is shorter that the previous model, tailored after the 1992 M900
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The tail unit of the 2018 Ducati Monster 821 is shorter that the previous model, tailored after the 1992 M900
The view from the rear of the 2018 Ducati Monster 821
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The view from the rear of the 2018 Ducati Monster 821
The redesigned fuel tank of the 2018 Ducati Monster 821 has lost one liter (0.26 gal) of its capacity compared to the previous model
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The redesigned fuel tank of the 2018 Ducati Monster 821 has lost one liter (0.26 gal) of its capacity compared to the previous model
Ducati brought back the aluminum clip that secures the 2018 Monster 821 fuel tank in place
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Ducati brought back the aluminum clip that secures the 2018 Monster 821 fuel tank in place 
The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 in all-black color
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The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 in all-black color
The red 2018 Ducati Monster 821 also sports red frame tubes
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The red 2018 Ducati Monster 821 also sports red frame tubes
The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 from above
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The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 from above
Most of the changes of the 2018 Ducati Monster 821 refer to its styling
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Most of the changes of the 2018 Ducati Monster 821 refer to its styling
The silhouette of the 2018 Ducati Monster 821 is unmistakably characteristic from any corner
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The silhouette of the 2018 Ducati Monster 821 is unmistakably characteristic from any corner
The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 in its exclusive yellow color
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The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 in its exclusive yellow color
The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 pays tribute to the original 1992 M900
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The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 pays tribute to the original 1992 M900
View gallery - 23 images

Over the course of 25 years in the market, the Monster family has become one of Ducati's greatest commercial successes. The Italian company is celebrating this important milestone by redesigning the Monster 821 as a tribute to the original M900 and adding a touch of fresh gear.

It was 1992 when Ducati introduced the world to a new model called Monster. Designed by Miguel Galuzzi, the naked bike was much more than just a new model, luring a whole new generation of riders that appreciated the combination of everyday practicality with the sportbike genes that had helped build Ducati's legendary status.

A quarter of a century and hundreds of thousands of Monsters later, Ducati puts the unavoidable update of the Monster 821 to good use by honoring the 1992 original M900.

The Monster 821 was first introduced in 2014, built on the smaller-capacity Testastretta engine of the Hypermotard 821. Over the last three years, the Hypermotard family upgraded to a bigger 939 cc unit, while the 821 cc version of Ducati's V-twin remained in production only in the Monster. The 821 bridges the gap between the entry-level air-cooled Monster 797 and the 1200 big boys' toy with the Panigale superbike engine.

Most of the changes of the 2018 Ducati Monster 821 refer to its styling
Most of the changes of the 2018 Ducati Monster 821 refer to its styling

For 2018, the 821 had to align with Euro 4 mandates, so Ducati retuned the engine accordingly and added a new exhaust system and catalytic converter, resulting in a minor loss of 3 hp (2.2 kW) for a maximum output of 109 hp (80 kW) at 9,250 rpm and 86 Nm (63.4 lb-ft) at 7,750 rpm.

The most obvious changes to the bike revolve around its styling, as the fuel tank, tail unit, front fender and headlight have been redesigned in order to better fit the 1992 Monster 900 silhouette. Ducati has even reintroduced the aluminum clip that secures the front part of the fuel tank – which now holds 16.5 liters (4.4 gal), one (0.26 gal) less than its precursor.

Other than the aforementioned changes, everything else remains as we know it from the 2014-2017 models, including frame, suspension and brakes. The Monster is equipped with a full electronic arsenal that includes ride-by-wire throttle, ABS, selectable riding and power modes, and traction control. It can also be optionally outfitted with a quick shifter kit from the Panigale superbike.

The new color TFT dash of the 2018 Ducati Monster 821 can be configured to three different display modes - urban, touring and track
The new color TFT dash of the 2018 Ducati Monster 821 can be configured to three different display modes - urban, touring and track

One last change that we note on the 2018 Monster 821 is the color TFT dashboard, straight off from the Monster 1200 models, configurable to three different display modes (urban, touring and track), and ready to connect to Ducati's multimedia system via Bluetooth.

In Italy the new Monster 821 will retail from €11,440 and will be available in red, black and yellow solid colors. The latter is a historic color that will bring back fond memories to Monster riders of the past, and is returning to Ducati's range only for the specific anniversary model.

Source: Ducati

View gallery - 23 images
2 comments
2 comments
vince
A quarter century of gasoline junk. All gas bikes are destined for the trash can of history.
Martin Hone
I’m guessing Vince has never ridden a motorcycle, much less a Ducati....