Ducati Monster

Ducati Monster
Ducati Monster S4R S Tricolore 2008
ManufacturerDucati
Production1993–
ClassStandard[1][2][3]
Engine90° V-twin, desmodromic valves
Transmission5-speed (M600) and 6-speed sequential manual transmission, chain-drive
Frame typeTubular steel trellis
Rake, trail24°
Wheelbase1,440 mm (57 in) (typical)
Seat height770–800 mm (30–31 in)

The Ducati Monster is a standard, or naked bike, motorcycle designed by Miguel Angel Galluzzi and produced by Ducati in Bologna, Italy, since 1993.[1][2][3] In 2005, Monster sales accounted for over half of Ducati's worldwide sales. Like most modern Ducati motorcycles, it has a 90° V-twin engine, called an L-twin by Ducati, with desmodromic valves, and tubular steel trellis frame, designed by Fabio Taglioni (1920–2001).

The Monster line has had numerous variations over the years, from entry level 400 cc (24 cu in) bikes up to top-of-the-line 160 hp (120 kW) multivalve, water-cooled superbike-engined versions, with as many as nine different Monster versions in a single model year.[4] The Monster's elemental simplicity has also made it a favorite platform for custom motorcycle builders, showcased at competitions like the Monster Challenge.[5] Monsters eventually accounted for two-thirds or more of Ducati's output.[6][7]

British weekly newspaper Motorcycle News commented in December 2016: "The Monster has gone down in folklore as 'the bike that saved Ducati' due to its popularity and cheap development costs", adding that approximately 300,000 had been produced.[8]

  1. ^ a b Brown, Roland (2004), History of the Motorcycle: s to the powerful and sophisticated superbikes of today, Bath, England: Parragon, p. 145, ISBN 978-1-4054-3952-7
  2. ^ a b Domino, Kevin (2009), The Perfect Motorcycle: How to Choose, Find and Buy the Perfect New Or Used Bike, 671 Press, p. 54, ISBN 978-0-9821733-3-6
  3. ^ a b de Cet, Mirco (2001), The Complete Encyclopedia of Classic Motorcycles: informative text with over 750 color photographs (3rd ed.), Rebo, p. 90, ISBN 978-90-366-1497-9
  4. ^ Ducati (2011), Model Year archive, retrieved 2011-01-15 (Nine models in 2005. 2008 Monster S4R S Tricolore, claimed 130hp - 95.7kW [sic] @ 9500rpm ){{citation}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  5. ^ West, Jim (August 2006), "Monster — Ducati's 2006 Monster Challenge: finally, a biker build-off worth watching", Motorcyclist, pp. 58(5)
  6. ^ Ash, Kevin (3 June 2006), "This beast's a beauty Kevin Ash examines Ducati's latest Monster, the 695", The Daily Telegraph, London, p. 7
  7. ^ West, Jim (October 2010), "2006 Ducati Monster Challenge - Family Album; Meet the motorcycle builders behind the bikes", Motorcyclist, archived from the original on 2012-03-10, retrieved 2011-01-15
  8. ^ The bikes that made us: Ducati Monster. Motorcycle News, December 14, 2016, pp.30-31 Accessed October 22, 2017.