A new entry level Monster from Ducati has been introduced at EICMA. The Monster 797 features an air-cooled twin and round headlight, just like Monsters of old.
A claimed 75 horsepower from the 803cc motor should move the lightweight Monster briskly (Ducati has not announced a weight, but expect a fully fueled 797 to come in around 420 pounds). Only the shock has adjustment (rebound and preload) but ABS brakes are standard.
The Monster 797 should be available in April of next year, priced at $9,295 for Red, and $9,395 for white. Here is the press release from Ducati:
Ducati presents the new Monster 797: Monster spirit and Ducati appeal that is now accessible to everyone. Sporty, compact, essential yet incredibly stylish and up to date, the Monster 797 embodies all the allure of the Monster and represents the gateway to the Ducati world. Everything on the Monster 797 recalls the iconic 90s bike while offering cutting-edge modernity: from the Trellis frame to the air-cooled L-twin engine and round headlight.
The Monster 797, the most accessible of the Ducati nakeds, has been designed to express that unique Monster essence right down to the last detail. With its compact yet beefy tank, iconic headlight and tapered tail, the Monster 797 is clean and sinewy. The Desmodue air-cooled L-twin engine is cradled in the Trellis frame, showcasing the mechanics in inimitable Monster style.
With a punchy maximum power of 75 hp at 8,250 rpm and great delivery throughout the rev range, the Monster 797 puts performance and fun within everyone’s grasp, ensuring an exciting ride experience, every day, on any road. EURO 4 compliant, the Monster 797 L-twin is perfect for those purchasing their first Ducati or simply their first motorcycle, yet still offers fun-packed riding for even the most expert motorcyclist. Moreover, active safety is always ready to kick in thanks to the as-standard Bosch ABS. The ABS on the Monster 797 works in concert with a top-drawer front braking system consisting of two 320 mm Brembo discs gripped by two Brembo M4.32 radial calipers.
Whether on city streets or country roads, the Monster 797 is the perfect bike for cool, carefree riding. Right from the very first mile, the low seat and wide handlebars inspire confidence. Contained weight and agile chassis geometry give riders outstanding ‘feel’, perfect control and superb handling whatever their level of experience.
The new Ducati Monster 797 finally makes the iconic essence, history and unique appeal of the Monster – and Ducati – accessible to anyone.
Ducati Monster 797
· Colours
- Ducati Red with red frame and black wheels
- Star White Silk with red frame and red wheels
- Dark Stealth with black frame and black wheels
· Main equipment
- 803 cm³ air-cooled Desmodue engine with 75 hp at 8,250 rpm and 69 Nm at 5,750 rpm
- Euro 4 emissions
- 2-in-1 exhaust with single silencer
- Tubular steel Trellis frame with cast aluminium twin-sided swingarm
- Seat height 805 mm
- Fuel tank capacity 16.5 l
- Light alloy 10-spoke wheels mounting Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tyres, 120/70 ZR17 up front and 180/55 ZR17 at the rear
- Kayaba upside down 43 mm fork
- Sachs shock with adjustable pre-load and rebound damping
- Bosch ABS braking system as standard
- Front brake with dual 320 mm discs and Brembo M4.32 radial calipers
- Rear brake with 245 mm disc
- LCD Instrumentation
- LED side lights and tail light
- Under-seat USB port
- Ready for Ducati Multimedia System
Design
In creating the Monster 797 the Ducati Design Center has developed a compact, sporty bike with dynamic flair that embodies everything the Monster is about. The tank is Monster through and through. Stylish yet beefy, it features an attachment clip at the front just like the one on the original 1992 Monster. The round headlight is a contemporary take on the one that has equipped this iconic naked bike since its inception.
On the Monster 797 the frame isn’t just a structural element, it’s a true design feature that returns to its single-piece origins, from the steering head to the tail, including the traditional tubular grab rails for the passenger. The same concept is seen on the air-cooled twin cylinder Desmodue engine, the cooling fins recalling the spirit of the first-generation Monster.
The Monster 797 combines traditional elements with ultra-modern components. It actually features LCD instrumentation, LED side lights and tail light plus new switchgears.
A look at the chassis set-up reveals, in addition to the already-mentioned Trellis frame, a light, sporty cast aluminium twin-sided swingarm with a laterally mounted shock absorber. The triangular swingarm also recalls another milestone in Monster history, the 696 from 2008.
Engine
The Monster 797 engine is an air-cooled 803 cm³ Desmodue L-twin. This power unit takes its cue from the original Monster but is an up-to-the-minute Euro 4 engine capable of delivering 75 hp at 8,250 rpm and a maximum torque of 69 NM at 5,750 rpm. With bore and stroke measurements of 88 mm and 66 mm respectively, it has been designed to provide pure Ducati riding pleasure without ever being overly challenging.
The twin cylinder engine on the Monster 797 features a single 50 mm throttle body with two sub-butterfly injectors: this solution ensures fluid power delivery and accurate control of the fuel mix aspirated into the cylinders. The 2-in-1 exhaust has been designed to ensure optimal fluid dynamics and excellent heat protection for both rider and passenger.
The gearbox is a six-speed unit, while the APTC wire-controlled wet multiplate clutch ensures light lever action and the additional advantage of excellent responsiveness: a huge help in the continuous start- stop of city traffic. Moreover, the clutch also has a servo-assisted slipper function that limits rear wheel destabilisation during down-shifting.
Designed to be simple and reliable, the Monster 797 engine also features competitive 12,000 km maintenance intervals.
Frame
The Monster 797 features a traditional tubular Ducati Trellis frame. Essential, rigid and light, it leaves the Ducati L-twin engine in full view and is, together with the steel tank, a Monster hallmark. The frame matches the cast aluminium twin-sided swingarm to perfection and, thanks to the compact 1,435 mm wheelbase, ensures outstanding agility in traffic and stability at speed.
Offering that unmistakeable Monster look, the fuel tank has a capacity of 16.5 litres. The low seat (just 805 mm off the ground), wide handlebars and generous steering lock provide manoeuvrability at low speed and when moving off.
Suspension
The Monster 797 is equipped with a 43 mm Kayaba fork with 130 mm of travel. At the rear, instead, the suspension consists of a Sachs shock absorber. This features adjustable spring preload and rebound damping, is mounted on the left side of the bike and connected to the frame and swingarm without rising rate linkage. Rear wheel travel is 150 mm.
Tyres and wheels
The Monster 797 mounts light, 10-spoke alloy wheels. Pirelli Diablo Rosso II dual-compound tyres combine mileage-enhancing durability with constant grip, even in assertive cornering. These quality tyres apply Pirelli Enhanced Patch Technology (EPT) to maximise the contact patch area whatever the lean angle, and Functional Groove Design (FGD) to optimise performance in the wet. The specifications are 120/70 ZR17 at the front and 180/55 ZR17 at the rear.
Braking system
The Monster 797 mounts a Brembo braking system featuring Bosch 9.1 MP ABS with an internal pressure sensor. To optimise braking performance and maximise safety, at the front the Monster 797 mounts twin Brembo M4.32 4-piston monobloc calipers that grip 320 mm discs and an axial-pump brake lever with incorporated fluid reservoir. At the rear, instead, is a single 245 mm, disc with Brembo caliper; like the front brake, it features enhanced-efficiency sintered brake pads. Premium components like these ensure top-notch braking performance, a feature that has always been a Ducati hallmark.
LCD Instrumentation
The Monster 797 instrument panel consists of a large, easy-to-see LCD screen that provides the rider with essential primary and secondary information. It gives info on speed, rpm, total distance ridden, trip1 and trip2, engine oil temperature and features a clock. Moreover, it also shows average speed and trip time.
Headlight and indicators
The Monster 797 mounts a headlight with LED side light, characterised by contemporary design and cutting-edge technology. A LED light is also incorporated at the rear. A hazard warning lights function is also available on the Monster 797; this is activated by pressing the dedicated indicator switch.
See more of MD’s great photography:
Great all around bike. Nice to see it back in Ducati’s line-up.
dig that crazy trellis man…!!! all the cool kids are doing it. 🙂
It’s nice to continue to see the air cooled two valver around. The reason they can’t interest me in a new Multistrada is because the old Multistrada has about the perfect street bike engine. How can NCR be wrong?
Disappointing that with all the article feedbacks about the muffler fouling the riders heels while on the balls of the foot, it’s still the same. Note the video at 0.21from start.
I would think the this 797 and the 821 share the same market spot.
The bar for “entry level” has really moved in the last twenty years. This has more or less the same power output as the original M900 Monster.
Yes, we’ve apparently reached the age where entry level riders need 80 hp. I entered motorcycling on a brand new late 80s XT350, after having ridden a Suzuki TU250 (I think that’s the right designation) and Honda 250 as a kid. I don’t think any of those made 25 hp.
That is strange. But that it is.
The guy I have known simply bought “Hayabusa”.
And he was ok. AFAIK.
Funny, my first street bike was a 50cc. A 350 like your XL would have been unfathonable as a first bike. Heck the CB160 seemed huge at the time. I didn’t get one as large as your first until my 4 th bike several years after the first.
It’s all relative somehow.
I was going to post the same thing. I have 3 carb 900s, and the FI800 is just as strong. I would not want my son using this bike as his first street ride. I’ve always used the old EX500 as a great example for many to use as a first bike. SV650 was sorta my upper limit to recommend.
Entry level Duc – yes.
I don’t look at this as an “entry level motorcycle” so much as an “entry level Ducati”. I don’t think it’s intended to be a first bike, and it shouldn’t be. It’s more for the rider who would like to get into a Ducati but doesn’t want to spend $20,000 to do it…
Nice bike, but the SV650 really does everything this bike does at a HUGE savings, both initially and over the long term.
The Monster has better suspension and much better brakes. You might be able to upgrade for less than the price difference, you might not.
Monster has cartridge forks, 4-piston monobloc brakes, alloy swingarm. SV650 has damper rod forks, 2-piston calipers (same as 1999!), and steel swingarm. Yes it does more or less the same job but, using bicycle speak, you’ve upgraded from Tiagra to Ultegra 🙂
Oooh Bicycle speak!
Sounds like a couple of Kia’s to me.
From the segment about the engine: “Designed to be simple and reliable, the Monster 797 engine also features competitive 12,000 km maintenance intervals.”
That’s 7,440 miles. They need to get that figured out.
Lol. No kidding. I wonder what they thought those competitive intervals are competitive with exactly. Previous air cooled Ducatis?
Which one should you buy? Italian SV650 or Japanese 797?
Nice to see an air cooled Duck with a full steel trellis frame, so much nicer looking than a cast aluminum subframe. Sweet looking bike.
The most beautiful monster ever
It’s great to see the air cooled engine make a come back. Maybe a dry clutch is next?
Oh what I wouldn’t give for a dry clutch again.
I’d take this over the Scrambler Cafe Racer any day of the week. In white.
No single sided swing arm and a cable clutch – ugh. At least they brought back the air cooled engine to the monster line.
Another lame “lifestyle” Duc video.
Ducati is attempting to do what HD has mastered. Probably not a bad thing, but kinda annoying.
That was my thought too. People like to be a part of the party. When they see others of a like style or how they wish to be seen. I thought it not too unlike “You meet the nicest..” Honda ads from the 60’s but with today’s chic.
Rather brings Ducati more mainstream don’t you think? I remember when Ducati, heck any of the Italians, weren’t hardly known outside of motorcycling circles.
Not a single plaid shirt, beard or open face helmet in the vid. must be going after a different demographic than the Triumph bobber lol
lol.
Looks great. I think I’d take the Z800 in this segment, particularly given the Ducati’s pricetag, but this looks like a really sharp package.