Ducati’s Monster naked bike is easily the most popular and best-selling street bike the Bologna brand has ever produced. However, over the last few years its popularity has waned. Monster packed on pounds and morphed into a model that was anything but the original. Ducati says it's getting back to the basics however, well sort of, with its 2021 Monster ($12,195 as tested).
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A Small, Lighter Monster
You don’t have to throw a leg over the Monster to tell that it’s leaner than before. We like its sleeker lines and slimmer, more accommodating cockpit. Overall, it is a more pleasing ergonomics package; however, it’s tad cramped for taller folks. Another strike for taller riders: The location of the engine’s left-hand-side water pump obstructs the inner knee area when seated in a stationary position. On another note, Ducati offers taller and lower seat options. It also sells a suspension lowering kit that further reduces seat height.
Powertrain
Thumb the starter button and the liquid-cooled 937cc L-twin settles into a healthy lump. The exhaust note sounds less tinny and emits an improved rumble. Twist the throttle and the engine has a pleasing spread of power. Rev it high or rev it low, the engine delivers enough oomph to put a smile on your face.
An overhauled six-speed gearbox is a big improvement versus the sloppy transmission of old. Gear exchanges are more solid-feeling without any misshifts. The hydraulic-actuated clutch offers good response with easy lever squeeze.
As usual, this Ducati is a tour de force in the electronics department. Adjustable combined engine power and throttle mapping, traction and wheelie control, are standard as is a bidirectional electronic quickshifter. Accessory heated handgrips can also be fitted for an up-charge ($373.14).
There’s also three-way-adjustable ABS with cornering function. It’s matched to a responsive set of triple disc brakes that are well-suited to slowing things down in a hurry. Ducati electronics offer plenty of adjustability, and in their least intrusive settings, they operate at a very advanced level for pro-level riders...
Find out more: https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/reviews/2021-ducati-monster-review/
Photography/video: Phewlid Films
Edit: Ray Gauger
Motorcycle Riding Gear
Helmet: Arai Signet-X
Jacket: Cortech Marquee
Gloves: Racer Tour FHH
Pant: REV’IT! Austin
Boots: TCX X-Cube WP EVO
Motorcyclist Shirts: https://teespring.com/stores/motorcyclist
Shop Products We Use: https://www.amazon.com/shop/motorcyclistmagazine
See more from us: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/
--
A Small, Lighter Monster
You don’t have to throw a leg over the Monster to tell that it’s leaner than before. We like its sleeker lines and slimmer, more accommodating cockpit. Overall, it is a more pleasing ergonomics package; however, it’s tad cramped for taller folks. Another strike for taller riders: The location of the engine’s left-hand-side water pump obstructs the inner knee area when seated in a stationary position. On another note, Ducati offers taller and lower seat options. It also sells a suspension lowering kit that further reduces seat height.
Powertrain
Thumb the starter button and the liquid-cooled 937cc L-twin settles into a healthy lump. The exhaust note sounds less tinny and emits an improved rumble. Twist the throttle and the engine has a pleasing spread of power. Rev it high or rev it low, the engine delivers enough oomph to put a smile on your face.
An overhauled six-speed gearbox is a big improvement versus the sloppy transmission of old. Gear exchanges are more solid-feeling without any misshifts. The hydraulic-actuated clutch offers good response with easy lever squeeze.
As usual, this Ducati is a tour de force in the electronics department. Adjustable combined engine power and throttle mapping, traction and wheelie control, are standard as is a bidirectional electronic quickshifter. Accessory heated handgrips can also be fitted for an up-charge ($373.14).
There’s also three-way-adjustable ABS with cornering function. It’s matched to a responsive set of triple disc brakes that are well-suited to slowing things down in a hurry. Ducati electronics offer plenty of adjustability, and in their least intrusive settings, they operate at a very advanced level for pro-level riders...
Find out more: https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/reviews/2021-ducati-monster-review/
Photography/video: Phewlid Films
Edit: Ray Gauger
Motorcycle Riding Gear
Helmet: Arai Signet-X
Jacket: Cortech Marquee
Gloves: Racer Tour FHH
Pant: REV’IT! Austin
Boots: TCX X-Cube WP EVO
Motorcyclist Shirts: https://teespring.com/stores/motorcyclist
Shop Products We Use: https://www.amazon.com/shop/motorcyclistmagazine
See more from us: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/
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SportsTranscript
00:00 Hey folks, pardon the annoying San Francisco downtown street buzzing, but we're live from
00:06 the official North American press introduction of Ducati's 2021 Monster.
00:12 Now for the 2021 model year, Ducati's getting back to its Monster roots.
00:19 And has assembled a lighter, more compact, and more Monster motorcycle in tune with the
00:30 1993 original.
00:32 Let's start with the engine.
00:33 This motorcycle is powered by Ducati's 937cc L twin engine.
00:40 It's water cooled, eight valve cylinder heads.
00:43 And even though it's the same basic engine from the Supersport and the Hypermotard model,
00:51 Ducati did a host of improvements to the powertrain.
00:56 New pistons, new cylinder heads.
00:59 This engine actually weighs almost six pounds less than its predecessor.
01:05 Ducati also did some much needed work on the six speed gearbox.
01:11 No more mis-shifts, no more false neutrals.
01:14 This six speed gearbox is a substantial improvement from the gearbox Ducati was using previously.
01:23 I also like the clutch.
01:25 It's a little bit lighter pull.
01:27 It still has hydraulic assist.
01:30 And overall, it's a very good unit.
01:32 Ducati's done their homework with the ride by wire settings of this motorcycle.
01:37 It continues to have three adjustable power modes.
01:40 I like riding this bike in the highest power setting.
01:44 The throttle response is sharp without it being too snatchy or too aggressive.
01:49 And it just makes for a motorcycle that's more easy to control.
01:55 Now this motorcycle lost a substantial amount of weight.
01:59 I think right around 27 pound weight reduction.
02:02 416 pounds with its 3.7 gallon fuel tank topped off.
02:08 And it makes a big difference.
02:10 The old monster that was before this bike, I didn't like that bike at all.
02:15 It was big, heavy, sluggish, lazy, had too much plastic.
02:19 This motorcycle is much more maneuverable.
02:21 It's much more fun to ride.
02:24 Now the suspension on this motorcycle is a little bit of a mixed bag.
02:29 While I like the damping calibration of the fork and shock, sometimes when you hit bumps,
02:36 it really translates those bumps through the chassis and into the rider's body.
02:41 And it's a little bit uncomfortable.
02:44 Also for the price, I mean you're paying $12,000 for this motorcycle and the suspension isn't
02:50 adjustable in any form aside for spring preload on the shock.
02:54 There should be some dampening adjustment for a motorcycle that costs $12,000.
03:00 Brakes, triple disc hydraulic brakes from Brembo really do a good job keeping the speed
03:07 in check.
03:08 I love the feel from the front and even rear brake pedal.
03:12 And the ABS programming as usual, these Ducati motorcycles have very high level ABS.
03:18 If you're a rider who really likes to use the brakes aggressively, you can put it in
03:24 the ABS setting 1 and it'll still let you do endos.
03:28 It'll still let you use the brakes very aggressively without having that ABS intervene so early.
03:34 On the other side of things, if you're new to riding and you want to have the brakes
03:39 really secure feeling and have the ABS come in even when you're using the brakes not in
03:44 a super aggressive setting, you can use ABS level 3 and that really gives less experienced
03:51 riders more confidence.
03:53 And that's what's really cool about these Ducati motorcycles.
03:56 Just the high level of electronic adjustment, Ducati traction control, wheelie control.
04:02 You have all of these rider aids that just make for a motorcycle that is easier to ride.
04:09 Now while I really like the styling of this motorcycle and the enhanced powertrain, $12,000
04:17 is a lot to spend for a motorcycle like this.
04:20 But if you're looking for a modern interpretation of Ducati's Monster that's lighter, more nimble
04:27 and more fun to ride, this $12,000 Ducati Monster might be the bike for you.
04:36 Alright folks, that's a wrap from the official North American press introduction of Ducati's
04:40 2021 Monster.
04:43 Make sure to surf on over to MotorcyclistOnline.com.
04:46 That's where all my written content will be.
04:48 Make sure to like this video if you liked it, thumbs it down if you didn't and again
04:52 we apologize for the annoying city drum beat.
04:56 That's one of the joys of city living.
04:58 Thanks for watching.
05:11 [00:09:51] [END OF AUDIO]