THE first Ducati Monster was created in 1993.
Over the years, the Monster has gone through many changes from having an engine capacity from 600cc to 1,200cc.
Fast forward to the present, the new Monster is powered by a liquid-cooled V-twin 937cc engine delivering 111hp at 9,250 rpm and 93Nm of torque at 6,500rpm.
The highlight of the new Monster is its decreased weight.
The new Monster weighs 166kg which is 14.5kg lighter than its Monster 821 predecessor.
Despite the larger displacement, the Monster’s new engine is 2.5kg lighter than before.
Now that is what I call, engineering advancement.
Besides this new change, the ergonomics of the new Monster has also improved.
The new Monster’s sitting position is less aggressive compared to Monster 821.
The sitting position is much more upright thus less pressure on the shoulders.
This sort of sitting position is achieved with lower foot pegs and a taller handlebar that is nearer to the rider.
This bike is also designed with Asian riders in mind, thus allowing riders to flat-foot at traffic stops rather than standing on the ball of their feet.
Design wise, there is not much difference except for the headlamp and the tank which is relevant to the younger generation.
The new Monster is fitted with a host of electronics that are useful to every rider.
The 4.3-inch TFT display comes with an anti-glare screen, legible text and numbers.
The display also allowed me to choose from three riding modes of Sport, Touring, and Urban.
Besides the riding modes, the Monster’s eight-stage traction controls can be personalised are available.
The naked bike also came with IMU-based cornering ABS, cornering traction control, as well as wheelie and launch control.
I tried the Urban mode on the highways and it was a wrong move for me.
It reduced the engine output to 75hp but this mode worked well in traffic jams and city rides.
Once on a clear road, the Urban mode does not do justice to this Monster.
Touring and Sport modes are what riders should engage with when on long distance rides.
If you are bored of Touring mode, the Sport can deliver a burst of power.
Also available is the Ducati Quick Shift (DQS), a race-derived electronic system which allows upshifting and downshifting without using the clutch.
In my opinion, this feature is useful when you are on Sport mode and wanted to enjoy bike’s power and the torque without thinking of anything else.
The Ducati has also ensured that the Monster’s suspension is able to soak up any bumps and humps.
The ride was smooth be it on the highways and backroads with patched roads.
The front suspension is fitted with KYB non-adjustable 43mm USD fork with 5.1 inches of travel and a preload-adjustable rear shock with 5.5 inches of travel.
The factory setting was already good enough for a smooth ride.
I entered a few corners fast and the mid corner stability will give confidence to any rider,to push the bike harder and faster.
One of the main reasons for the Monster’s stability during high-speed cornering was the use of a lighter cast-aluminium spar frame in place of the classic steel trellis frame.
This frame change has resulted in a reduced weight of 4.5kg.
Furthermore, its glass fibre-reinforced polymer rear subframe also made the bike lighter by 1.2kg.
All these reductions in weight together with the new materials gave birth to a lighter and agile Monster that delivers unforgettable cornering adventures.
On the highways, the Monster still maintained the old characteristics every time I unleashed the throttle.
The bike is ever ready to slice through the air, eat up every bit of the tarmac and give every rider an enjoyable time.
The sixth gear is very useful when you want to go beyond the highway speed limit.
The Monster stayed rock solid without any vibrations at high-speeds with the engine clocking 5,600rpm.
Good biting Brembo brakes are standard with the front wheel featuring 320mm discs mounted on four-piston calipers, while the rear wheel gets a single 245mm disc with two-piston calipers.
This new generation of Monster costing RM69,900 (without insurance, road tax and number plate) has all the boxes ticked that will appeal to naked bike enthusiasts.
Its styling, performance and array of electronic goodies are hard to resist.
The evolution of the Monster gets better with every new generation.
SPECIFICATIONS
Ducati Monster
Engine: 937cc, liquid-cooled, V2
Maximum power: 111hp at 9,250rpm
Maximum torque: 93Nm at 6,500 rpm
Transmission: Six-speed
Suspension: Front 43mm USD, non-adjustable; rear monoshock, adjustable for pre-load
Braking system: Front 2X320mm discs, four-piston calipers; rear single 245mm disc, twin-piston caliper
Features: Ducati Quick Shift, Ducati Power Launch, 4.3-inch TFT colour display, Full LED headlight and lighting system, Dynamic
turn indicators, USB power socket
Fuel capacity: 14 litres
Weight: 166kg
Price: RM69,900 (without insurance, road tax and number plate)
Keyword: Ducati Monster: Getting better every time