Bike Files: Ducati Monster

Turns out Ducati’s Monster isn’t so scary...

What’s a Ducati Monster?

The Monster is Ducati’s naked roadster. The name dates back to 1993 and it is a model which has always been famed for its brutish looks and rawness. The latest version retains that brawling style but, whisper it, underneath it’s a bit of a pussycat. Ducati’s 937cc motor and cutting edge electronics make it one of the easiest to ride ‘big’ bikes out there.

But it wasn’t always like that?

To be fair, the Monster has always been a pretty easy to access motorcycle.

The first iteration, the M900 of 1993, aside from the stocky looks, was a bit of a Monster in as much as it took parts from various other bikes in the Ducati range. The old air-cooled engine from the 900SS was a bit lumpy and the 851 superbike frame didn’t have much steering lock, but it’s never really been intimidating.

We saw the 916-engined S4 in 2001 and more recently a 1200 version, both of which offered more performance, but Ducati has let the Streetfighter fill the aggressive naked role in its range, leaving the less extreme Monster to appeal to a wider audience. It’s been a successful formula, with almost 400,000 Monsters sold over the years.

So who’s buying a Ducati Monster?

A really diverse range of riders are attracted to Monsters. It’s one of the easiest entries into the ranks of the Ducatisti and it has something for all: young or old, man or woman, experienced or rookie, the Monster’s in that sweet spot of power, price and performance for many riders.

So the Ducati Monster is suitable for new riders?

As a first big bike it has its merits. The narrow waistline and 825 seat height (which can be reduced down to 775mm with the low accessory saddle and factory lowered suspension option) makes it pretty manageable, and its light too by modern standards – at 166kg.

The SP version is a little taller and more aggressive in its ergonomics but even so, for most of the riders most of the time it’s a very simple bike to ride. For younger riders, it can be specified as a 33kw version to comply with A2 licence regs. It’s very possibly the poshest bike you can ride from the age of 19!

And are Ducati Monsters customisable?

Because they are so basic, many owners like to modify their Monsters.

Among the most popular mods are an upgraded exhaust, with an aftermarket system or end can really unleashing the full bark of that legendary desmo twin engine (and usually a few more ponies with it).

Termignoni, the famous Italian exhaust maker, was synonymous with Ducati racers in the 1990s and their products even feature in the official Ducati parts brochure, while other Italian component manufacturers like Barracuda and Rizoma make a whole host of parts like fancy mirrors, footrests and crash protectors.

Occasionally you’ll see a Ducati Monster with a custom paint job but, to be honest, there’s so little bodywork the focus is usually on neat machined parts which enhance the minimalism.

What is the Ducati Monster like to ride?

Ducatis have a character all of their own, thanks largely to that iconic V-twin engine. The latest examples are much more refined than the Monsters of old, but fire this one up and you can still tell there’s something very special underneath you.

Old Ducatis were notorious for their inconsistent build qualities but that couldn’t be further from the truth these days. The latest Monster might be one of the more entry level models in the Ducati range, but it’s beautifully built and detailed.

The feeling of lightness comes over immediately and it’s a bike which is perfectly at home on the twisties. The Streetfighter might offer more performance and more ground clearance, but you’ll have to be some kind of riding talent to find the limits of this machine.

The big V-twin still feels a little lumpier at low speed when compared to the competition, which includes the KTM 890 Duke, Yamaha MT-09 and Triumph Street Triple RS, but you soon get used to it and, once you are, that glorious Ducati torque is what you live for.

The way it drives out of corners is hugely impressive and everything else is as impressive as you’d expect from a motorcycle with the Ducati badge on the tank. From the posh TFT dash, through to the excellent brakes and suspension, there’s a real sense that you’re riding a special motorcycle.

Ducati have led the way when it comes to electronics and even though the Monster is one of the least expensive bikes in their range, the latest version comes endowed with some top class rider aids. Unlike many bikes, changing the ride mode really does modify the engine characteristics.

Sport has its own torque curve in first gear and really does feel more responsive than Touring, which gives a less aggressive power delivery in the lower gears. Urban mode actually caps the power to 75bhp and softens the power map, it’s a lovely motor and the electronics really enhance it.

Things like traction control are seamless, while high end gizmos like wheelie control, launch control and a two-way quickshifter all enhance the riding experience rather than dumb it down. Overall there’s a real aura around the Monster. It’s a real Ducati, make no mistake.

Are there many versions of the Ducati Monster?

In over three decades of production there have been a whole host of models, covering a wide range of specs, prices and levels of performance. With the Scrambler and Streetfighter lines now part of the Ducati range, the Monster line-up has been rationalised and built around the same 937cc V-twin motor at the time of writing.

As well as the base version, a more upmarket SP is available with upgraded chassis components.  The SP was also the base for the limited edition Senna of 2024, which paid tribute to the legendary Formula One driver Ayrton Senna. The Brazilian was a confirmed Ducatisti and one of the first Monster M900 owners. He was frequently spotted riding his Monster and his charitable foundation have regularly licenced his name for limited run Ducatis in the years following his death.

How has the Ducati Monster evolved over the years?

It has massively evolved over the years, often following the trends set by Ducati’s racers and production superbikes. Traditionally the Monster utilised Ducati’s famous steel frame and 90-degree V/L-twin motor with desmodromically operated valves.

Over the years we’ve seen Monsters adopt the single-sided swingarm set-up from the 916, the water-cooled Testastretta superbike engine and super fancy electronics which add aids like rider modes, traction control, wheelie control and engine brake control.

One of the biggest changes came in 2021, when the trellis frame was dropped in favour of a one piece monocoque, as seen on the Panigale superbike. It’s one of the key reasons why the latest Monster is so light but, despite all these changes, it remains pretty pure to the original concept.

Despite all the changes, Monsters have always featured that famous desmo V-twin, which gives a character unlike any other motorcycle.

But is the Monster really that big of a deal?

We say this is one of the most important model lines Ducati has ever made. Back in the early 1990s Ducati was a company flirting with bankruptcy. Sure the 888 and 916s might have been poster bikes for the era, but the Bologna company needed a volume seller which was cheap to develop and build.

The original M900 Monster was that bike. It spawned a full range of Monsters, which have ranged from 400 to 1200ccs, over the years. They’ve sold in big numbers and been the bedrock for Ducati through some tough times. It’s a model with such a great history and a simplicity of design. It might not be scary, but the Ducati Monster rocks.