The 2021 Ducati Monster is now lighter, sleeker and more compact than ever before. We were recently invited by Ducati India to the Buddh International Circuit to experience it. Here is a list of things you need to know about the bike.
2021 Ducati Monster Design: The Italian motorcycle manufacturers have unveiled the all-new 2021 Ducati Monster via an online world premiere. The surprise to Ducatisti is that the new monster will not be anything like the previous iteration, as the monster models were previously well known for their chunky and beefy design language. Ducati say that this new Monster draws its DNA from the model dated back to 1993 and namely reflects what is needed to get supreme fun when riding a bike. In other words, an engine, a seat, a tank, a handlebar. Furthermore, it integrates all the elements that characterize the iconic Monster models: the bison-back-shaped tank, a roundish headlight and a clean tail section.
2021 Ducati Monster Chassis: The chassis is one of the main upgrades in the new Monster. Ducati have used an aluminium front frame which is inspired by their flagship motorcycle – the Panigale V4. This unit has been fit directly on top of the engine and eliminates the use of the trellis frame that the Monster models have used for so long. This has also helped them cut down on a lot of unnecessary weight and come close to the competitors in the naked streetfighter segment. The new aluminium front frame weighs just 3 kg, making it almost 4.5 kg less than the trellis frame unit.
2021 Ducati Monster Engine: The new Monster is powered by the 937-cc, twin-cylinder, Desmodromic Testastretta 11° engine. In this latest version, its weight has been reduced (-2,4 kg), now achieving further performance as well as usability levels. This is the same engine that is used in the Supersport 950 and the Hypermotard 950. Compared to the previous 821, it increases in displacement, power, torque, and weight (-2.4 kg), to contribute to the bike’s lightness and offer better rideability. It now delivers 111 hp at 9,250 rpm and a peak torque of 95 Nm at 6,500 rpm. With a combination of the new wheels, swingarm, a smaller tank and other components, a total of 18 kg has been reduced from the previous model and the bike now has a kerb weight of just 188 kg. The power is delivered smoothly with the raw grunt of the engine emiting from the new twin-barrel exhaust unit and riding flat out while using the bi-directional quickshifter showed how good of a track bike this can be.
2021 Ducati Monster Ergonomics and Handling: The new chassis has also resulted in a few changes to the ergonomics. The handlebar has been brought closer to the rider’s torso by about 7 cm to have a more upright riding position that guarantees greater comfort and control. The position of the feet has also been changed, and the legs are now less curled up. Ducati say that all this translates into greater riding ease, even in city traffic. On the track, the bike was a delight to ride on account of its light weight and easily flickable through a set of corners. The riding position felt natural and the seat was quite comfortable for this track day. What is new is that the bike now runs a pair of sticky Pirelli Diablo Rosso 3 tyres that instilled confidence and allowed me to push harder with every passing session.
2021 Ducati Monster Suspension, Brakes, and Tyres: The suspension setup comprises a non-adjustable 43mm USD fork at the front and a preload-adjustable monoshock at the rear. The braking setup on the other hand comprises twin 320-mm discs paired with Brembo M4.32 callipers at the front and a 245-mm disc gripped by a Brembo caliper at the rear. This is the same suspension and braking hardware seen on the previous model. The brakes are sharp, have a good bite to them and the stock suspension setup was ideal for blasting around the circuit.
2021 Ducati Monster Electronics: A new suite of electronics makes the Monster a more engaging bike than ever before. It now gets a 4.3-inch TFT display similar to the one seen on the Panigale V4 where the three ride modes (Sport, Touring, and Urban) can be changed from. The bike also gets a bi-directional quickshifter, cornering ABS and eight-level traction control, wheelie control and launch control. There is also an optional system on offer that enables a smartphone to be connected to the bike. All of these electronic aids surely came into play at the track and have made the bike a friendly and forgiving one even for an inexperienced rider.
2021 Ducati Monster Variants, Price and Availability: There are two variants of the motorcycle on offer – The Monster and the Monster +. While there is no difference to the variants mechanically, the bike has a couple of design elements that have been changed to make each one stand apart. The changes include a small flyscreen at the front and a rear seat cowl. The standard bike is priced at Rs 10.99 lakh and Rs 11.24 lakh for the Plus variant (ex-showroom prices). Watch out for a detailed first ride review in the upcoming issue of Bike India magazine.
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