Ducati Monster Performance Review: Specs, Price, & More

The Ducati Monster is a very famous naked bike in the motorcycle industry. Since its launch in 1993, it has gained a cult following because of its aggressive styling, sporty handling, and the unique Ducati L-Twin engine’s sound. It has grown and acquired new tech features, and changed to suit new demands over the course of more than 30 years. Still, it has never forgotten the central concept that made it something very special. The Ducati Monster is a naked, sporty motorcycle that is as much fun in town as it is on a winding road.

This performance review examines the Ducati Monster and how it performs in real-world scenarios. No doubt, specs and features tell a lot about a bike, but they are not everything. It is also about how this bike feels on the road, how it reacts to the rider’s inputs, and whether it is worth the price. Let’s find out.

The Ducati Monster was born in 1993 when the designer at Ducati, Miguel Galluzzi, came up with a very simple but bold idea: he removed the fairings of a sports bike chassis and revealed the mechanical beauty of the bike. His most famous line was the greatest expression of Monster philosophy, and it was something like this: “All you need is a saddle, tank, engine, and two wheels.”

The first-generation Monsters (including the M900, Ducati 620 Monster, and the Monster 1000 Ducati) rapidly gained a cultural icon status. Street riders adored the simple design due to the fact that the bike was lighter and more maneuverable than a full-faired superbike. The bare trellis frame evolved into a Ducati trademark.

The Ducati Monster was adopted by custom builders in Europe who viewed the Monster as a blank slate. It was popular in the U.S. with riders who desired Italian performance but did not want the aggressive ergonomics of a race bike.

The Ducati Monster line was later expanded to different engine capacities. The Monster line includes the Ducati Monster 696 with its beginner-friendly power output, as well as the performance-oriented Ducati Monster 1200. The Monster was not only a model in Ducati’s lineup, but became the heart of Ducati’s brand name.

The very first impression you get when you see the Ducati Monster is its stance. It is ready to pounce even at a standstill. The exposed engine parts, the muscular fuel tank, and the compact tail give a feeling of strength and purpose. The new aluminum frame, adapted from the superbikes of Ducati, makes the bike appear slim but not at the expense of the bold figure.

Ducati will have the base Monster, Monster+, and the Monster SP as variants. The Monster SP is the high-performance model in this line. They all have the same design DNA, but the SP has racing graphics, high-end suspension, and superior brakes that make it even more aggressive in its appearance.

The cospit on the Ducati Monster is modern and simple, as seen from the rider's seat. The switchgear is solid, and the 4.3-inch TFT screen is bright and easy to read. The riding position is upright, and the bars are low and rough to provide you with a slightly forward-leaning position that is sporty but not uncomfortable.

The 2024 Ducati Monster engine is a Testastretta 11 937 cc L-Twin engine. It has an official power rating of 111 horsepower and 93 Nm of torque, though that is not the whole story about this engine. Turn on the throttle, and you get the instant pull of strong mid-range that is characteristic of Ducati twins. The torque is early arriving and with you throughout a great part of the rev range.

In Sport mode, the throttle is crisp and the bike is quick to respond to whatever the rider does. The Touring Mode softens the response and is therefore suited to longer rides or wet roads. The Urban Mode reduces power and rolls off the throttle delivery in stop-and-go traffic.

The standard quick shifter is a lovely six-speed gearbox. The upshifts are sharp, and the downshifts have an ideal amount of blipping of the throttle, even without using any clutch. You can pull around town in a higher gear and have the torque do the work. On the highway or in the hills, you can flog through the gears in an all-out high-rev thrill.

The Ducati Monster motorbike is thin, nimble, and fast off the mark in everyday commuting. Parking is easy and can filter through traffic without hassle.

It is pure joy on twisty roads. It is lightweight, responsive, and has suspension, and powerful brakes also make it one of the most interesting rides in its category.

It is comfortable to tour on the highway at legal speeds, but you will feel more wind than with a faired bike. It can be made more touring-friendly by adding soft luggage or a small screen towards the front.

The acceleration of the Monster is one of the most pleasant aspects of its performance, as it is very quick off the line. It accelerates briskly, with confidence, out of a stop, and the front wheel is light when accelerating hard. The Wheelie Control that Ducati has ensures that it is all under control as long as you are not attempting to lift the front.

The top speed of the Ducati Monster 937 is around 150 mph. It arrives fast, but what is more important is how it feels in the process. On the road, you will be spending more time between 30 and 100 mph, and in that speed range, the Monster is keen and responsive. It does not even seem like it is straining to complete with the faster traffic, and overtaking becomes a breeze with a simple twist of the throttle.

Among many other strong points of the Monster, there is its chassis. The switch to an aluminum frame has resulted in less weight and greater stiffness, making the bike more maneuverable in sudden changes in direction. The steering is light, yet accurate, and you feel confident to lean into corners at high speeds.

The suspension is perfect on smooth roads, whether you are in a spirited ride or just comfortably in traffic. The standard fork and rear shock can absorb bumps easily without making the bike soft. The Ducati Monster SP and its Ohlins setup are the way forward if you want sharper feedback and more control over the damping.

The wide handlebars enable you to flick the bike into turns, and the upright geometry gives you a clear view of the road in front of you. The Ducati Monster is sturdy at its edges and will go through corners without any fuss.

A performance motorcycle must have a good set of brakes, and Ducati does not disappoint here. Towards the front, there are 320 mm dual discs with Brembo M4 32 calipers that provide very good stopping power with a progressive feel.

The cornering ABS enhances safety as you are able to apply brakes hard when you are leaning. The rear brake is very easy to modulate and assists in slow-speed control in the city. The Brembo Stylema calipers on the SP model push braking performance further, with more bite and feedback.

An honest performance review must take into account how a bike rides when you are not working it as hard as you can. The Ducati Monster is surprisingly good in everyday use. The clutch is easy, the gearbox is smooth, and the engine does not require high revs to provide usable power.

The Monster is light and manageable in traffic. The mirrors are placed in a good position, and the upright position ensures that you can see well. The Ducati Monster seat height is 32.3 inches, which is comfortable for many rides, and Ducati provides the short riders with a lower seat.

The fuel economy is about 40 mpg, so it doesn’t consume too much fuel. A 3.7-gallon fuel tank gives you a reasonable range on this naked bike.

Although the Ducati Monster is not a touring bike, it manages long journeys well. The bike features a solid seat, but a comfortable one. The ergonomics are well considered. At highway speeds, you will experience windblast, which can be reduced by an aftermarket windscreen to a certain extent.

If you intend to do any serious miles, it can be made more comfortable by the addition of the tail bag, tank bag, soft saddlebags, and windscreen. The suspension is well balanced such that you will not be beaten up by bad roads. The engine is smooth enough at cruising speeds to prevent fatigue.

The Ducati Monster specs demonstrated that it is not a simple naked bike. The electronics and tech features make riding safe and fun.

The Ducati Traction Control intervenes in an unobtrusive manner in the event of the rear wheel spinning. Wheelie Control is customizable and can be disabled if you want to have maximum freedom. ABS Cornering does what they say it will do by letting you brake in the middle of a turn without losing control.

The TFT display easily allows one to view all the details you require. Riding modes are easily switched, and menus are simple. Even the self-cancelling turn signals are a slight but welcome convenience.

The latest 2025 Ducati Monster price in the U.S. begins at $13,195. Meanwhile, the Ducati Monster Plus (+) starts at $13,595. On the other hand, the 2025 Ducati Monster SP costs $15,995. The Monster 30ᵗʰ Anniversario edition is priced at $18,595. The most expensive of the Ducati Monster models costs $25,000.

The Monster is more costly when compared to Japanese competitors, such as the Yamaha MT 09 and the Kawasaki Z900. However, you are getting top-quality build, Italian styling, and a riding experience that is difficult to beat.

In case a new Monster is not available, there are plenty of choices on the used market. The Ducati Monster 696 is an old model that is cheaper and still provides a good riding experience. The Ducati Monster of 2006 may cost as low as $3,500 - $5,000.

When buying used Ducati Monster models, make sure to look for a well-maintained model that has good servicing history. Ducati engines are good, provided they are properly maintained. However, failure to change belts or check valves may cost you a fortune.

Also, check for any signs of brutal use. Some of the Ducati Monster models are likely to be used roughly in the hands of rough riders.

This is one of the pleasures of owning a Monster because you can make it your own. Ducati has a huge custom Monster market and riders fit aftermarket exhausts, custom seats, different handlebars, and custom paint.

The Ducati accessories list is rich in original parts, including performance and luggage. The Monster is a good base to start with, whether you want to turn it into more of a touring bike or more of a race bike.

The Ducati Monster is quite a competitive bike in the naked bike segment. The Yamaha MT-09 is less expensive and more powerful than the Ducati, but not as refined and prestigious. The Kawasaki Z900, on the other hand, is fast and cheap, but it is not as premium as the Monster.

The Triumph Street Triple provides very sharp handling, but it is a very different bike with its inline-triple engine. The Monster offers style, performance, and heritage. In these regards, it is worth the price.

The Ducati Monster is a decent middleweight naked bike when it comes to a performance machine. It is an eye-catcher, a machine that feels nice to ride, and provides good handling and mid-range torque that is hard to find elsewhere.

The 937 cc engine of the Ducati Monster is not over the top, and the power lies in the usable range, making the bike feel powerful. The chassis is quite well-composed, and the brakes are reliable. It is fast enough to make riders feel excited. The Monster is nimble enough to corner and decent enough to ride daily.

The Ducati Monster is equally fun to ride to work as it is to ride on a Sunday blast through the hills, and that is a big part of its charm. The chassis is sharp and composed.

The Monster has its flaws, too. The bike has no wind protection, but this is not what it is meant for. Also, the bike is more expensive than its competitors. However, the sacrifices aren’t too great when compared to what you get in exchange.

The Ducati Monster is a machine that has been developed to fit modern bikes. Want a naked bike with Italian style, solid performance, and practical usability? The Monster is hard to beat. It is not merely about the specs on paper; it is the experience it gives you each time you ride it. To a lot of riders, the experience it gives is worth every dollar of the Ducati Monster's pricing.

It does not matter whether you settle on the base Ducati Monster, the Monster Plus, or the Ducati Monster SP; you are getting a bike that will pay you back every time you twist the throttle. It is a true rider bike, the one that makes the journey interesting.