In the February edition, we tested the new Ducati Monster – in a comparative that you can access online – and Fernando Neto talked about the brand new SP, stating that it was truly “mind-blowing”. Well, he was right. This Italian bike has everything to drive us crazy.
The Ducati Monster has been in production since 1993, and has undergone several changes during the 30 years it has been on the market. Nevertheless, the recipe has always been the same. An aggressive and sporty engine, but friendly enough for daily use, combining a frame and chassis focused on performance – or at least that was Ducati’s intention. In essence, a recipe that has been successful in recent years with various models.
BETTER EQUIPMENT
The “SP” initials immediately reveal that we will find top-of-the-line equipment in this Monster, and that’s exactly what happens. This bike has noticeable differences from the “normal” version in various departments, starting with the aesthetics with the 2022 colors of the Ducati Lenovo Team’s Desmosedici GP, red seat and rear seat cover, and a different logo on the tank. Then, in terms of chassis, it features a fully adjustable and lighter Ohlins NIX30 fork, with golden anodizing, providing a beautiful look to the bike. In the front, it also has Brembo Stylema calipers to bite the two 320 mm discs and lighter aluminum flanges. There is also an Ohlins steering damper, a lighter lithium-ion battery, and moving to the rear, we find a fully adjustable Ohlins shock absorber and a homologated Termignoni silencer, but due to Euro5, it doesn’t sound as expected. In terms of electronics, all the riding modes have been properly recalibrated and there is even a Launch Control, for bullet-like starts!
THE BEST Suspensions, brakes, agility of the whole package TO IMPROVE Engine vibrations, throttle response
BUT WHAT DOES IT ALL TRANSLATE TO? INFINITE BREATH
If it is true that there is much equipment that differs in this SP version compared to the Monster already tested by us, it is also true that the heart is the same. With an increase of over 100 cc compared to the previous generation, the new engine of the Ducati Monster remains a 90-degree L-twin, but now with 937 cc and 111 hp at 9,250 rpm. The engine also has a torque of 93 Nm at 6,500 rpm, which translates into very interesting performance at medium and high revs. The truth is that this engine feels comfortable in those ranges, showing some weaknesses at low revs. In city rides and at lower speeds, this Testastretta engine presents many vibrations and reveals great discomfort, which can even be unpleasant, mainly because, at times, first gear is too short and second gear requires constant use of the clutch to keep the Monster alive. But we are talking about a Ducati, right? And when we talk about the Borgo Panigale brand, we immediately think of performance. And this engine does not lack it.
Once past the “stress” and anxiety range of the twin-cylinder, that is, above 4,500 / 5,000 rpm, the Ducati Monster SP only asks for one thing. More throttle. The breath of this engine is almost endless and the way it “clears” the entire rev range up to the red line is absolutely astonishing, as well as the smoothness of the quickshifter, both up and down. The energy of the 937 cc is immense and it is imperative to work well with the right hand in order to keep the front wheel on the asphalt – something that is greatly facilitated by all the electronics, including the anti-wheelie system, traction control, and many other aids. In addition, we find three different riding modes, Sport, Road, and Wet, and curiously, we chose to use the Sport mode more often, as it proved to be more linear at low revs, due to a better throttle response. This is electronic and requires some getting used to, as even in Road mode, it is quite sensitive to any movement, something that must be well controlled, especially when exiting a corner.
FEATHERWEIGHT
And if in the engine we have no doubts about the power being made available, we raise our eyebrows – in a good way – at the agility and ability to transition between curves of this Monster SP. To be clear, this bike doesn’t like to go slow. Whether it’s the engine or the rest of the package, this Ducati demands high speeds and a somewhat aggressive riding style – something that I consider to be against what I usually practice. But having said that, the faster we ride this Ducati, the better we feel and the better we feel the bike. Its 186 kg seems to decrease as we push the Monster to its limits and the aforementioned Ohlins suspension, both front and rear, transmits enormous confidence and excellent road feel.
Whether the road is in good condition or degraded, the suspension-frame combination is always homogeneous and stable, providing good sensations without causing sudden anxiety, even when we are pushing the limits of the Monster SP. The electronics also give us peace of mind with the way they act without being noticed and make us want to ride faster – and more importantly – because they allow us to ride faster in a safer way. The Brembo Stylema brakes, which have also been mentioned, are also fantastic in terms of safety, as their power and feel allow us to stop the Monster quickly and with the assistance of cornering ABS.
JUSTIFYING THE DIFFERENCE
The SP versions of Ducati are always motorcycles with high technical specifications and, generally, combine some elements of the technology used in the brand’s racing bikes. Although the Monster SP does not have technologies derived from the Superbike or Ducati’s competition bikes, it is equipped with many components that justify considering this version instead of the “base” Monster, especially considering that the price difference is less than €3,000. It is true that the heart is the same, but the riding experience is amplified in a completely different way in this SP version due to all the extras it includes. It is not the ideal bike for those looking for a daily companion for traffic and city riding, for several reasons, but it is an exceptional toy to have in the garage and have some (good) fun from time to time!
DUCATI MONSTER SP
ENGINE 2-cylinder L-twin, desmodromic distribution, liquid-cooled
DISPLACEMENT 937 cc
POWER 82 kW (111 hp) @ 9,250 rpm
TORQUE 93 Nm @ 6,500 rpm
GEARBOX 6 speeds
FRAME front frame in aluminum
TANK 14 liters
FRONT SUSPENSION Ohlins NIX 30 inverted telescopic fork, 43 mm, fully adjustable, 140 mm travel
REAR SUSPENSION Ohlins mono-shock, fully adjustable, 150 mm travel
FRONT BRAKE double semi-floating 320 mm discs, 4-piston Brembo Stylema calipers
REAR BRAKE 245 mm disc, 2-piston Brembo caliper
FRONT TIRE 120/70 ZR17
REAR TIRE 180/55 ZR17
WHEELBASE 1,4272 mm
SEAT HEIGHT 840 mm
WEIGHT 186 kg
MSRP (from) 15,595€
