Ducati’s third generation Monster has been unveiled as the brand new Monster 1200 at EICMA in Milan. Making the official reveal was current Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali, who was also joined on stage by Head of Volkswagen Group Design, Walter de Silva.
Twenty-one years on from its first unveiling, the latest generation 1200 features an entirely new chassis and styling, and is powered by the Superbike-derived 1198 Testastretta 11° DS engine.
Evoking memories of past models such as the S4R and S4RS, the 2014 Monster 1200 also boasts an exclusive S model (pictured above) with 145hp and 92ft-lb of torque, wrapped in a chassis that tips the scales at 182kg (401lb) dry weight.
While maintaining key aspects of the original Monster concept, the new generation chassis introduces Ducati’s latest design techniques. The model’s Trellis frame still features predominantly in the overall styling, while its attachment points move directly to the new engine’s cylinder heads, a method pioneered on the Panigale Superbike. This new and more compact frame design combined with its large diameter steel tubing has almost doubled its torsional stiffness compared to previous models, claims Ducati.
Attention has also been applied to the ergonomics of the new model with a 60mm longer wheelbase for increased stability, and handlebars set 40mm higher and 40mm closer to the rider. The brand new seat design incorporates Ducati’s first-ever adjustable seat height system. Using a block-and-pin system, the seat is able to be transformed from its standard 810mm height setting to 785mm and even further to 745mm with the accessory low seat – Ducati’s lowest ever.
As well as an adjustable seat height, the new Monster also combines 8-level traction control, 3-level ABS and 3-level Ride-by-Wire into Ducati’s press-button Riding Modes.
In terms of suspension, the 1200 uses fully adjustable 43mm Kayaba forks up front with a single Sachs unit on the rear adjustable in spring preload and rebound damping, while the 1200 S gets the typical ‘S’ treatment with an upgrade to fully adjustable 48mm Ohlins forks with sliders finished in TiN and a fully adjustable Ohlins unit on the rear with integrated piggy-back reservoir. Operating through a progressive linkage, the rear suspension attaches directly from the rear vertical cylinder to a diecast aluminium single-sided swingarm.
The new Monster rolls on Panigale-style 10-spoke alloy wheel designs with rim sizes of 3.50 x 17 for the front and 6.00 x 17 on the rear, while the Monster S sports a new style triple Y-shape spoke design with extra machining. Both models use Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tyres in 120/70 for the front and 190/55 for the rear.
As an integral part of the Ducati Safety Pack (DSP), both the Monster and Monster S are equipped with the Bosch ABS 9MP controlled Brembo braking system as standard equipment. The 1200 uses twin radially-mounted Brembo, four piston, Monobloc M4-32 callipers gripping 320mm discs, while the Monster S is equipped with Superbike-style 330mm discs and M50 Monobloc callipers. Both models use radial front brake pumps with remote reservoirs and a single 245mm disc on the rear gripped by a single Brembo calliper.
Source: Ducati
2013 will be recorded in bike history as the demise of the real Monster – the concept of which is a naked bike with exposed engine and trellis frame.
The new 1200 may perform well and be a nice bike to ride but it doesn't deserve the title Monster – you have to look hard to see that it really is a V twin engine so the original defining feature has gone.
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