2017 Monster 1200

Better, Faster, Monster

Concept

Ducati goes back to the origins of the Monster, with a bike which is new in both shape and substance.
When the Ducati designers began work on the new Monster 1200, they took inspiration from those who had laid the foundations of the first project in 1993: the concept of the “sport naked bike”.

The Monster 1200 is the essence of the Monster in its purest form. Volumes, silhouettes, tank and headlights are all faithful to the lines of the bike born in 1993.

Design

When the Ducati Design Centre began work on the Monster 1200, it set itself the task of creating a streamlined bike which was compact and with a sporty character, to return to the concept of the “sport naked bike”. Great attention was obviously paid to the tank, now more “taut” and modern, the design of which was completely revised while maintaining the overall feel desired by Galluzzi in 1993. To highlight this connection with the past even more so, the fastening hanger in anodised aluminium has made a return.

The short tail, compact and with its sharp lines, supported by the steel trellis frame keeps the height-adjustable seat on two positions (795 and 820 mm) and supports the passenger footpeg plates which are now separate from the rider’s. This new configuration gives the Monster 1200 a sporty line and at the same time improves the ergonomics. Wheelbase and swingarm have been shortened to obtain compact proportions and significant improvements in terms of handling and riding precision.

 100% Monster

The design of the Monster 1200 is unmistakeable: sporty and compact but also essential and sophisticated. The lines and shapes clearly recall the legendary Monster, reinterpretated with a modern twist.

A contemporary icon

The new Monster 1200 reinterprets and modernises the original concept of the naked sports bike. The tank fastener hook, the trellis frame with larger pipes for increased rigidity, and the classic round headlight, iconic but current and with DRL technology on the S version, all ensure it is unmistakeably, 100% Monster.

Compact and sporty

The new Monster 1200 expresses and updates the concept of the authentic naked sports bike, while retaining the shapes, tank and headlight of the bike created in 1993. The compact proportions and short, narrow rear end make it sporty, as do the new rider footpegs, separate from those of the passenger. A compact and muscular bike ready to offer pure enjoyment.

Essential, sophisticated lines

The essential lines conceal a high level of stylistic and technical sophistication, where each element is the fruit of extensive research to achieve maximum performance, leaving only what is necessary and nothing more.

Pure riding enjoyment

A powerful, full engine, compact dimensions, an efficient chassis, and top of line electronic equipment all ensure maximum riding enjoyment and maximum safety.

Power and torque always ready

The latest evolution of the Testastretta 11° DS generates power equal to that of a 3/4 cylinder engine and is able to achieve even greater performance. The engine in fact guarantees power delivery of 150 hp at 9250 rpm and an impressive torque curve that further increases riding enjoyment, generating maximum torque of 126.2 Nm at 7750 rpm. Attention has also been paid to improving engine response in terms of torque delivery at low speed and the modulated response of the engine to any action on the accelerator.

Testastretta 11°

The Monster 1200 engine is the Testastretta 11° DS twin-cylinder, 1198 cm3 with 4 valves per cylinder, liquid cooled. Euro 4 type-approved it is the structural element of the suspension set-up with coupling points for the trellis frame. The 1198 Testastretta 11° DS breathes through the Ride-by-Wire Mikuni throttle body with oval cross-section with a diameter of 56 mm with two spark plugs for each head: the double flame front ensure combustion is completed extremely quickly which, together with the secondary air system optimising operation and reducing cyclical dispersion of the combustion without any impact on pollutant emissions, translates into a more regular distribution providing a more pleasurable and exciting riding sensation. Great attention was paid to improving engine response in terms of modulating the engine response times to the actions on the accelerator.

Power and torque

Thanks to the new throttle body and the dedicated exhaust, the second generation Testastretta 11° DS engine generates a power which can be compared with that of a 3/4 cylinder engine and is able to reach even greater performance levels. This engine in fact ensures a distribution of 150 hp* at 9,250 rpm and an impressive torque curve which increases riding pleasure even more, generating a maximum torque of 126.2 Nm at 7,750 rpm.

*The power values indicated above are measured using a chassis dynamometer. Homologated power data, as quoted in the Bike Registration Document, are measured using an engine dynamometer according to the homologation regulation. The two power values may differ because of the different measurement equipments.

Exhaust system

The Testastretta 11° DS engine is coupled to an impressive side-mounted 2-1-2 staggered shotgun exhaust that makes no secret of the performance of which the new Monster 1200 is capable. The engine management system dedicates a lambda probe to each header, providing precise fueling, while the stylish cannon-style, vertically stacked silencers carry catalytic converters to provide Euro 3 conformity. An electronically controlled mid-section valve optimises exhaust pressure throughout the rev-range.

Slipper Clutch

The Monster clutch is an oil bath type with “slipper” function which can be actuated with the little effort. Thanks to a gradual self-servo system, the spring load increases automatically. This results in much greater sensitivity, ensuring optimum comfort even in city traffic when frequent gear changes are required, or on long trips.
When the transmission force is reversed (overload), the same mechanism makes it possible to reduce the pressure on the clutch plates, enabling them to work in “slipper” mode, which reduces the destabilising effect on the rear end during aggressive downshifting and gives a feeling of greater fluidity when decelerating or downshifting in normal driving conditions.

Service intervals

The meticulous design and top-quality materials used for the Monster have allowed amazing results to be achieved. Adjusting the valve clearance is scheduled for every 30,000 km and changing the oil every 15,000 km, increasing maintenance intervals and cutting running costs. These results were made possible by improving combustion efficiency and cutting the operating temperatures of the new Testastretta 11° DS engine.

Ride-by-Wire

The Ride-by-Wire (RbW) system is an electronic interface between the engine and the Monster’s twistgrip, which enables the ideal power to be delivered to be set depending on the Riding Mode selected.
The twistgrip doesn’t have a throttle cable directly linked to the throttle bodies, but sends a signal to the control unit which, in turn, electronically controls the opening of the throttle bodies.The RbW system uses three different mappings to regulate power delivery:

• 150 hp* for a sports delivery
• 150 hp* for a progressive delivery suitable for touring
• 100 hp* for a progressive delivery suitable for city use

*The power values indicated above are measured using a chassis dynamometer. Homologated power data, as quoted in the Bike Registration Document, are measured using an engine dynamometer according to the homologation regulation. The two power values may differ because of the different measurement equipments.

Agile, sporty ergonomics

The short rear end, with its compact, narrow lines, supported by the steel trellis frame, bears the seat, height-adjustable with two positions (795 and 820mm), as well as the passenger footpegs, now separate from those of the rider. This new configuration gives the Monster 1200 a sporty line while also improving its ergonomics. The wheelbase and swingarm are shortened for maximum handling and speed during changes of direction.

Performance and safety

Advanced brakes and suspension, the Ducati Safety Pack with Ducati Traction Control, Ducati Wheelie Control, Bosch Cornering ABS and much more, for safe enjoyment with maximum control. The Ducati Safety Pack (Bosch Cornering ABS and Ducati Traction Control) and Ducati Wheelie Control that equip the Monster 1200 ensure that riding enjoyment is safe and comes with maximum control. The Brembo braking system, with M50 radial monoblock callipers on 330mm discs with the S version, ensures maximum riding precision and combines with latest-generation Bosch Cornering ABS. The suspension, with fully adjustable Öhlins fork and shock with the S version, makes for true sports riding.

Adjustable Seat

The new Monster 1200 is fitted with an adjustable seat (± 25 mm) that can adapt to the needs of riders all over the world.
The standard seat height can easily be adjusted to the lowest (795 mm) or highest (820 mm) positions.

Racing-Derived Frame

The new Monster has a frame structure which is inspired by racing bikes, with the engine as the star. The structure consists of a compact Ducati trellis frame, mounted directly onto the cylinder heads and the engine itself. Even the shock and the rear sub-frame are connected to the engine. The sub-frame has a classic tubular layout and is further enhanced by the way it is coupled with the exhaust system, the plastic parts and the tail light.

Single-sided swingarm

The Monster 1200 has a solid die-cast aluminium single-sided swingarm which provides qualities of high rigidity and reduced weight to ensure unmatched stability, giving the bike a dynamic and sporty look.

Wheels

The ten-spoke lightweight aluminium alloy wheels guarantee agility and perfect control of the set-up at all speeds. The wheel rims, 3.5″x17″ at the front and 6″x17″ at the rear, are fitted with Pirelli Diablo Rosso II 120/70 ZR and 190/55 ZR tyres respectively.

Suspension

The geometry of the frame, inspired by racing bikes, is completed by fully adjustable inverted forks (Ø 43 mm), while the rear suspension is entrusted to a Sachs monoshock with adjustable preload and extension, mounted on one side vertically on the cylinder head and, on the other, on a sturdy Ducati single-sided swingarm.
This exceptional suspension allows control and agility even in extreme riding conditions.

Braking System

The front brakes of the Monster 1200 have high-performance, radial pump-activated Brembo monobloc M4-32 callipers, equipped with multi-calibration Bosch 9.1 MP Cornering ABS as standard. The four-piston Brembo front callipers, fitted radially, act on 320 mm discs, while the Brembo two-piston rear calliper is coupled to a 245 mm disc.

Adapt it to your riding style

The pre-set Riding Modes allow the rider to optimise bike behaviour depending on riding style. Each of the three Riding Modes (Sport, Touring and Urban), is programmed to act on the electronic Ride-by-Wire (RbW) engine control system and on the ABS, Ducati Traction Control and Ducati Wheelie Control intervention levels. The three different settings, which can be further customised according to personal preference, allow a rider to have the ideal bike for any route, whether in city traffic or on out-of-town paths, perfect for expressing the real Monster instinct.

Controlled power

The Monster 1200, in both the standard and S version, is equipped with the Ducati Safety Pack (DSP) as standard, which, thanks to the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), integrates Bosch 9.1MP Cornering ABS, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) and Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC). An advanced electronics package that enhances performance and helps the rider to control the bike, thus increasing the level of safety on any route and with any level of grip.

Endless excitement

The cutting-edge materials and technologies of the Ducati Testastretta 11° DS ensure particularly long maintenance intervals. With an oil change required every 15,000 km or 12 months and valve clearance check every 30,000 km, the values are of absolute reference for its category.

Ducati Safety Pack (DSP)

The Monster 1200, in both the standard version and the S version, is equipped with the Ducati Safety Pack (DSP) which, thanks to the Bosch Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) integrates the Bosch 9.1 MP Cornering ABS, the Ducati Traction Control (DTC) and the Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) which contribute to highlighting the dynamic performance, optimising control and offering high levels of safety.

Headlight

The headlight is another element which has always been characteristic of the Monster. It has been completely redesigned for this bike and is now equipped with a double parabola and LED position lights. Adopting this new headlight has allowed a different dashboard mount to be implemented, which is now fixed to the handlebar riser. This gives the bike a visually lighter front part also thanks to the repositioning of the turn indicators, which are now mounted below the steering head and no longer to the headlight.

TFT Instrument Panel

The Monster 1200 dashboard has a last generation TFT colour display. The display has three configurations, known as Core, Full and Track, each designed to display information suitable for the different riding situations. Each configuration has an indicator showing the gear which is engaged and the level of fuel.

Ducati Traction Control (DTC)

Ducati’s DTC gives the rider a choice of eight profiles or “sensitivity levels”, each programmed with a different wheelspin tolerance value, matched to progressive levels of riding skill, and graded from one to eight. A preset level at which DTC intervenes is assigned to each Riding Mode. When DTC is on, the control unit analyses the data sent from the front and rear wheel speed sensors, detects the amount of wheelspin, and works out what type of intervention is necessary. This intervention is carried out very smoothly by electronically slowing down the engine injection to reduce torque, until rear grip is completely restored. DTC can also be disabled by the rider. The DTC profiles are factory pre-set for each of the three Riding Modes, but can be customised individually and saved in order to best meet the needs of the rider.

ABS Cornering

The Monster 1200 is equipped with the Brembo braking system with Bosch 9.1 MP Cornering ABS device. This exploits the presence of the Bosch IMU inertial platform (Inertial Measurement Unit) to optimally adjust the braking power of the front and rear wheel even in critical conditions with the bike is leaning. By interacting with the Riding Mode, the system is able to offer solutions which are suitable for any situation, condition or riding style.

The system acts with three different intervention levels. Level 1 offers maximum performance for a sporting ride, it does not involve activation of the rear wheel lift-up detection mechanism and allows rear skidding during braking actions by only applying ABS to the front. Level 2 ensures balance between the front and rear without rear wheel lift-up detection but with the Cornering function both activated and calibrated for a sporting ride. Level 3 ensures balance between the front and rear with rear wheel lift-up detection and with the Cornering function both activated and calibrated for maximum safety.

Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC)

The Monster 1200 is equipped with DWC (Ducati Wheelie Control) which can be adjusted on 8 levels. The system analyses bike set-up (wheelie) and subsequently manages the torque and power to ensure maximum acceleration in safety, without impairing the set-up. Like the DTC, it can be adjusted on 8 levels and is integrated with the Riding Mode.