Behold, the all-new Ducati Monster
In the final instalment of Ducati’s online launches for the year, they have taken the wraps off of the 2021 Monster. The all-new Ducati Monster harks back to the original in the sense that it is called just ‘Monster’ now. The bike has undergone radical changes, both in terms of form and function to bring it at par with the latest crop of naked middleweights. The Monster comes in two variants the Monster and the Monster Plus. The only difference being that the Plus variant gets a flyscreen and a pillion seat cover.
Design
The all-new Ducati Monster has been redesigned and it attempts to pay homage to the original Monster that was launched back in 1993. The iconic naked design was a key element in the design of the bike. The Monster receives a new all LED headlamp with a DRL that wraps around like a halo. The muscular tanks sits on the new front frame and engine which are fully exposed. The bike has a short rear and looks rather lean and muscular. The Monster also a gets a redesigned twin barrel exhaust that looks significantly smaller compared to the 821’s massive setup.
Powertrain
The Monster now gets the Euro5-compliant 937cc Desmodromic Testastretta 11° L-twin engine that is used in the Hypermotard 950 and Supersport 950. The engine, like most of the bike has undergone weight shedding and despite the conversion to meet the more stringent Euro5 standards, the engine makes 1.9bhp and 6.9Nm more power and torque giving it an output of 110bhp at 9250rpm and 93Nm of torque at 6500rpm. The power and torque curve on the new Monster are such that it kicks in earlier than the outgoing Monster 821, improving the low and mid-range of the bike.
Chassis
The new Monster features an all new frame and uses the front frame design in which the engine is a load bearing member. The wheelbase has also dropped to 1474mm and improved the steering angle to 36°, this is 7° more than the old bike. This, according to Ducati should make the bike more agile and maneuverable in all riding scenarios. The design has been derived from the Panigale V4. A new and lighter aluminum swing arm, lighter engine, lighter frame, lighter wheels etc. has all resulted in the new Monster weighing at 166kg dry making it a whooping 18kg lighter than the Monster 821.
Suspension duties on the new Monster are carried out by 43mm USD’s upfront with 130mm of travel and an adjustable rear monoshock that is good for 140mm of travel. Dropping anchor upfront are two radially mounted Brembo M4.32 callipers biting on 320mm discs and a Brembo floating 2 piston calliper on a 245mm disc. The brakes come standard with cornering ABS.
Electronics
The all new Monster comes standard with Ducati Traction Control, Ducati Launch Control, wheelie control, riding modes, engine power modes, cornering ABS Ducati Quick Shift which allows for clutch-less up and downshifts. As part of the new design, the Monster gets full LED headlamps and dynamic turn signals inspired from Audi cars which is the parents company. The bike now also receives a full colour 4.3inch TFT display with the interface of the Panigale V4.
2021 Ducati Monster price
We are certain that the all new Monster will makes its way to Indian shores some time in 2021 and are expecting it to be priced at around Rs 11.5 lakh ex-showroom. How the new Monster will stack up amongst its extremely competent rivals, remains to be seen.
