In the February issue we tested the new Ducati Monster – in a comparison that you can access online – and Fernando Neto talked about the brand new SP, saying that it was truly “mind-blowing”. Well, he was right. This Italian has everything it takes 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. Even so, the recipe has always been the same. An engine with an aggressive and sporty character, but friendly enough to be used on a daily basis, combined with a frame and cycling system focused on performance – or at least those were Ducati’s intentions. In short, a recipe that has borne fruit in recent years with various models.
BETTER EQUIPMENT
The acronym SP immediately tells you that you’re going to find top-of-the-range equipment on this Monster, and that’s exactly what happens. This bike has clearly visible differences to the so-called “normal” version in several 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 there’s the fully adjustable, lighter Ohlins NIX30 fork with gold anodizing, giving the bike a beautiful look. At the front, it also has Brembo Stylema calipers to bite into the two 320 mm discs and lighter aluminum flanges. There’s also an Ohlins steering damper, a lighter lithium-ion battery, and moving on to the rear, we find a fully adjustable Ohlins damper and a Termignoni muffler that has been homologated, but due to Euro5, doesn’t make itself heard as expected. In terms of electronics, all the driving modes have been properly recalibrated and there’s no shortage of Launch Control for blistering starts!
THE BEST Suspensions, brakes, overall agility TO BE IMPROVED Engine vibrations, throttle feel
BUT WHAT DOES ALL THIS TRANSLATE INTO? INFINITE BREATH
While it’s true that there’s a lot of different equipment on this SP version to the Monster we’ve already tested, it’s also true that the heart is the same. With an increase of more than 100 cc over the previous generation, the new Ducati Monster’s engine is still an L-shaped twin-cylinder at 11º, but now with 937 cc and 111 hp at 9,250 rpm. The engine also has 93 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm, which translates into very interesting performance at medium and high revs. The truth is that this is where this block feels comfortable, with some weaknesses at low engine speeds. When traveling in the city and at lower speeds, this Testastretta shows a lot of vibrations and is very uncomfortable, even unpleasant, especially as first gear is sometimes too short and second gear requires constant use of the clutch to keep the Monster alive. But this is a Ducati we’re talking about, right? And when we talk about the brand from Borgo Panigale, we immediately think of performance. And that’s not lacking in this engine.
Once you get past the “stress” and anxiety of the twin-cylinder, i.e. 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 right up to the red line is absolutely astonishing, as is the smoothness of the quickshifter, whether upshifting or downshifting. The power of the 937 cc is immense and it’s imperative to work well with the right hand grip 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, there are three different driving modes: Sport, Road and Wet. Interestingly, we chose to use the Sport mode the most, as it proved to be more linear at low revs, due to better throttle response. The throttle is electronic and takes some getting used to, as even in Road mode it is very sensitive to any movement, something that must be well controlled, especially when exiting corners.
PLUMA WEIGHT
And if we have no doubts about the power being delivered by the engine, we are left with a frown – in a good way – at the agility and cornering ability of this Monster SP. To be clear, this bike doesn’t like to go slow. Whether it’s because of the engine or the rest of the assembly, this Ducati demands high speeds and even a slightly aggressive driving style – something that I think goes against what I usually do. But that said, the faster you go on this Ducati, the better you feel and the better the bike feels. Its 186 kg seem to shrink as you pull on the Monster and the Ohlins suspension already mentioned, whether front or rear, transmits enormous confidence and an excellent reading of the asphalt.
Whether the road surface is good or degraded, the suspension – frame combination is always homogeneous and stable, transmitting good sensations without causing us to feel anxious about a sudden scare, even when we’re pushing the limits of the Monster SP. The electronics also relax us by the way they work without being noticed and make us want to go faster – and more importantly – by the way they allow us to ride faster in a safer way. The Brembo Stylema, which we’ve already mentioned, are also fantastic when it comes to safety, as their power and feel allow you to stop the Monster in any situation very quickly and assisted by the cornering ABS.
JUSTIFYING THE DIFFERENCE
Ducati’s SP versions are always bikes with high technical specifications and, as a rule, combine some elements of the Italian brand’s racing bike technology. Although the Monster SP doesn’t have technologies from Ducati’s Superbike or racing bikes, it is equipped with many components that justify considering this version over the “base” Monster, especially considering that it’s a difference of less than €3,000. It’s true that the heart is the same, but the riding experience is amplified in a totally different way on this SP version by all the extras it includes. It’s not the ideal bike for those looking for a daily companion in traffic and the city, for various reasons, but it’s an exceptional toy to have in the garage and do a bit of (good) nonsense on from time to time!