The bike can tap into our frantic speed instincts, yet, with a muted sound from the exhaust, it has a decent demeanor
The bike can tap into our frantic speed instincts, yet, with a muted sound from the exhaust, it has a decent demeanor
It’s supposed to be hard to build on the success of its predecessor, and in many ways, this appears to be the case with the Ducati Monster. Whereas previous demons were always worshiped for their raw, street-naked appeal, the new monster brings an entirely new formula to the table.
In fact, the brand new Monster raised quite a few eyebrows when it first broke cover, as Ducati Monsters stood out for their beefy, street brawler design. The new monster is quite a departure from tradition, almost as if it hit the gym for its toned, chiseled look. While some monster purists might scoff at this motorcycle, in reality and on the roads, it is a good looking machine.
The matte gray paintwork of our test bike contrasts beautifully with the blood red wheels. The optional flyscreen along with the oval LED headlight is a nice touch, while the fuel tank adds to the visual mass without being heavy. Beneath this is the 937cc L-twin engine, which is suspended from the new aluminum frame. Add a neat tail section with sharply raked twin exhausts, and the Monster becomes a lesson in balanced design.
As is the case with any current Ducati, all the components from the body panel and mirror stalk to the crisp 4.3-inch TFT display deliver a premium experience.
In case anyone has to nitpick, the buttons are non-intuitive to navigate through the menus. A simple joystick like the Multistrada V4 would have made life easier. The projector-style LED headlight has decent spread, but the attractive high beam doesn’t quite illuminate the road ahead.
The bigger problem is that despite how good the new Monster looks, it doesn’t have the same road presence as the previous bikes. Park it in a crowded place and chances are it will get lost in the mix. However, the ride experience has improved by leaps.
Ducati’s decision to make a compact monster has paid dividends in the way this motorcycle feels off the stand. With 18kg shaved off the previous bike, it’s notably lighter and devoid of top-heavy feeling. Actually, due to the low perch set of the rider in relation to the fuel tank, it gives you the feeling of sitting in the bike. This, along with the wide handlebar, results in a sporty yet comfortable position, though tall riders will find the toe peg position a bit tight on longer rides.
The bike feels light on its feet on the go and there is a beautiful feeling of balance in the chassis. Whether it’s ditching rush hour traffic or hitting your favorite pier, Monster is fascinating and how. In fact, the crystal clear feedback you get from the front end improves your confidence in the handling capabilities of the motorcycle, even on the roads.
That’s impressive, as the front fork is non-adjustable and there’s only preload adjustability for the rear monoshock. The magic lies in the suspension being set up to provide a fine balance between ride and handling. That being said, the nastier of the potholes makes its presence felt as a result of the suspension’s inherent firmness.
Helping you extract the chassis potential is the L-twin engine, whose figures of 111hp and 93Nm are enough to keep one entertained. It is a fast-moving motorcycle whose engine is tractable enough for city riding.
And with an extensive suite of electronics — cornering traction control and ABS in the mix — this monster is pretty forgiving when going overboard. Even in Sport mode, it’s delightfully fast, but not in a frantic way. In the quest to make it more accessible and meet current emission norms, the Monster appears to have gotten a decent demeanor, even with exhaust sounding well below 2,000rpm. Thankfully Ducati’s bark is present at 4,000rpm.
It’s a big Ducati Twin – so it’ll generate heat – but it didn’t get too unbearable, even in slow-moving traffic. When it comes time to stop, the fast and progressive Brembo M4.32s do a reassuringly great job.
Starting around ₹12 lakh (ex-showroom), the Monster commands a premium price tag. Throw in the fly screen and rear seat cowl and it adds up to around ₹20,000 more for the Monster Plus. These prices are in the Triumph Street Triple RS zone, which is a more powerful bike and comes equipped with fully adjustable suspension and sticky tyres.
However, the Monster is a completely entertaining motorcycle in every aspect. If taking a Ducati Street nude has always been your desire, and you want a bike that’s very powerful but easy to ride, then Monster is about to put your money in.