Motorcycles

Beginner-friendly beast among Ducati Monster debuts

Beginner-friendly beast among Ducati Monster debuts
Ducati has unveiled an entry-level Monster 797 and two Monster 1200s at EICMA Milan
Ducati has unveiled an entry-level Monster 797 and two Monster 1200s at EICMA Milan
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The new Ducati Monster 797 at EICMA
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The new Ducati Monster 797 at EICMA
The digital display on the Ducati Monster 797
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The digital display on the Ducati Monster 797
The Monster 1200 is built around a trellis frame
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The Monster 1200 is built around a trellis frame
The Monster 797 makes use of a single exhaust, rather than the dual setup you'll find on the rest of the range
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The Monster 797 makes use of a single exhaust, rather than the dual setup you'll find on the rest of the range
The Ducati Monster 797 is a new entry point to the Monster lineup
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The Ducati Monster 797 is a new entry point to the Monster lineup
The Monster 797 shares its outputs with the Scrambler
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The Monster 797 shares its outputs with the Scrambler
The Monster 797 is unmistakably a Ducati
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The Monster 797 is unmistakably a Ducati
The Monster 797 continues on where the 796 finished off
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The Monster 797 continues on where the 796 finished off
With a low seat height, the Ducati Monster 797 is designed to be accessible for a wide range of riders
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With a low seat height, the Ducati Monster 797 is designed to be accessible for a wide range of riders
Ducati has unveiled an entry-level Monster 797 and two Monster 1200s at EICMA Milan
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Ducati has unveiled an entry-level Monster 797 and two Monster 1200s at EICMA Milan
The Ducati Monster 797 is a simpler bike than the high-end Monsters
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The Ducati Monster 797 is a simpler bike than the high-end Monsters
The Ducati Monster 1200 S is powered by a 150 hp engine
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The Ducati Monster 1200 S is powered by a 150 hp engine
Ducati Monster 1200 bike sits on a Sachs rear shock and Kayaba fork
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Ducati Monster 1200 bike sits on a Sachs rear shock and Kayaba fork
The Ducati Monster 1200S is kitted out with fully adjustable Ohlins suspension
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The Ducati Monster 1200S is kitted out with fully adjustable Ohlins suspension
Ducati has retuned the Monster's engine for power and smoother low-rev performance
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Ducati has retuned the Monster's engine for power and smoother low-rev performance
Getting a knee down on the new Ducati Monster
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Getting a knee down on the new Ducati Monster
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Ducati might be known as a red-blooded maker of scary superbikes and powerful nakeds, but even aspirational brands need entry-level bikes. That's where the Monster 797 steps in. Designed to fill the hole left by the (now discontinued) Monster 796, it's a cheaper and more approachable take on the Monster formula. Unlike the pair of new Monster 1200s that launched alongside it in Milan.

Monster 797

The new Ducati Monster 797 at EICMA
The new Ducati Monster 797 at EICMA

The 797 might technically be an entry point to Ducati sports bikes, but it still packs quite a punch. Power comes from an air-cooled Desmodue twin, making the same 75 hp (56 kW) of power and 68 Nm (50 lb.ft) of torque as the Scrambler. Although that's not overly powerful, real work has gone into making it accessible, 90 percent of peak power is available between 4,000 and 8,500 rpm.

Although the engine comes from a Scrambler, the 797 is still a Monster through and through. With a one-piece trellis frame, prominent round headlamp and chunky tank it certainly looks the part, although the single exhaust is simpler than the ones found on higher-end models.

Suspension is a fully-adjustable 43 mm front fork, coupled with a preload and damping adjustable rear shock, while the bike's brakes are almost identical to the ones found on the Monster 821.

Pricing will kick off at US$9,295 when the bike lands in showrooms in April 2017.

Monster 1200 and 1200S

Ducati Monster 1200 bike sits on a Sachs rear shock and Kayaba fork
Ducati Monster 1200 bike sits on a Sachs rear shock and Kayaba fork

If the Monster 797 is a gateway to the world of Ducati, the Monster 1200 sits near the top of the tree. Powered by Testastretta DS engine with new exhaust plumbing and throttle bodies, there's now 150 hp (112 kW) of power and 126 Nm (93 lb.ft) of torque on tap, and Ducati says the motor's torque curve should make it easier to tap into all that performance from low revs.

Although both the Monster 1200 and 1200S share the same engine, they've been given very different suspension setups. The standard bike sits on a Sachs rear shock and Kayaba fork, while the more expensive S benefits from adjustable Ohlins units front and rear.

Both bikes come with the full Ducati Safety Package, which includes traction control and cornering anti-lock brakes, and wheelie control also makes an appearance. The 1200 and 1200S will sit below the Monster 1200R when they arrive in showrooms. Expect to pay US$14,695 for the 1200 and $16,995 for the Monster S.

Source: Ducati (1, 2)

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1 comment
1 comment
Tom Lee Mullins
I think being able to drive a Ducati at that price is really neat.