Ducati recently revealed its first product developed exclusively for the Asian markets, the Monster 795,
in the presence of Valentino Rossi at the Rootz Club in Kuala Lumpur. Much like we have been expecting, the new Ducati looks quite familiar to its bigger and more expensive rivals, the main difference here being in the use of low-cost (comparatively speaking, of course) materials and a lower seat height (30mm).
Essentially a 696 chassis powered by the 796 engine, the Monster 795 ditches Ducati’s trademark single-sided swingarm and adopts three spoked rims instead of the 796’s five-spoke Marchesinis. The original Diablo Rosso tyres have been ditched in favour of lower-spec Pirelli Angel STs while the 803cc air-cooled L-Twin will now produce 87PS@ 8250 rpm, 7PS more than the Monster 696). Peak torque figure is 78Nm@6250 rpm. ABS is offered as an option and the bike will be available in three colour combos – Red (red / black), Arctic white silk (red / black) and Diamond black silk (red / black).
The Monster 795 will be assembled at Ducati’s Thailand plant – their first outside Europe – and go on sale very soon in Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Phillipines, Vietnam and Singapore besides India. Prices are undisclosed as yet but we reckon, it will cost around INR 5 lakh to 6 lakh in India. Which, needless to say, is a steal for a Ducati. Now, are you booking one?
It’s another Ducati and we’re pleasantly surprised, as always.
For a bike that tall and with weight distribution of 47:53 front as to rear, it was but natural for it to pop wheelies as if it were a backyard game. On the Hypermotard, it absolutely takes no superhuman effort to impress others on the road with antics like riding with the front end floating in the air, shifting up a cog and then popping it once again. To make things even more exciting, I got a pillion on board and realised that keeping the front wheel planted became all the more tough. The stunter in me was highly satisfied after a really long time. The way this bike popped and then the way its forks upfront handled, the landing was phenomenal, so easy yet so exciting! However, it was after all this that the bike started revealing a character that was rather unexpected. I reached the hills and the zigzags invited me to play with them. I was sceptical about leaning this machine, thinking about its tall stance, upright seating position and rear-biased weight distribution. But the Hypermotard handles like a track-focused machine. It was beyond my imagination and my ability to fathom the fact that I could actually go round most of the fast corners with my knee dragging on the tarmac and the bike willing to lean more than I asked it to. This Supermoto defies every assumption about its handling that you may have formed on account of its looks. Point it towards the corner, put a little pressure on the inside bar, throw the bike down and the suspension gives you such precise feedback that you wish you had the courage to lean further. Rock-solid, the HYM negotiates every corner with utter ease. In fact, it inspired so much confidence that I wished I were on a race-track, challenging my own supersport leans. Adding to all this is the set of Pirellis with super soft rubber, which don’t leave the tarmac at all. Every centimetre of their contact patch gripped the road so well that I had a hard time even sliding the bike on purpose.
Garware Hyosung unveil naked version of their 650-cc sport bike
