Ducati goes back to its Monster roots, but with a motorcycle that’s new in both form and function.When Ducati designers started working on the new Monster 1200, they drew their inspiration from the basics behind that ground-breaking 1993 model: the concept of a “sport naked bike”.
The Monster 1200 is packed with new design and content, but with true Ducati naked flair. Available also as a higher-performance S version, the Monster 1200 has a sleeker tank, a fully redesigned sports-style tail, an all-new technologically advanced headlight and a first-rate electronics package derived from the one on the 1299 Panigale.
The Monster 1200 is Monster through and through. Shaping, silhouettes, fuel tank and headlight are faithful to the linesof the bike that came out in 1993. The iconic, unmistakeable steel tank has once again been fitted with an attachment clip, just like the first Monster.
The Monster 1200 features the latest version of the Testastretta 11° DS engine, ensuring not just outstanding power and torque but also full, smooth power delivery right off the bottom end. When combined with an always-smooth, easy-to-handle throttle response, the result is pure riding enjoyment. The twin-cylinder Ducati power unit on the Monster 1200 delivers150 hp at 9,250 rpm (15 hp more than the previous Monster 1200 and 5 hp more than the previous Monster 1200 S) and a maximum torque of 126.2 Nm at 7,750 rpm. Accurate Ride by Wire calibration gives the Monster 1200 extremely fluid performance, ensuring exciting, precision riding. Moreover, the new Monster 1200 meets strict EURO 4 standards.
The frame is a classic Ducati Trellis that employs the Testastretta as a stressed chassis element. Attached to the engine are the new, compact single-sided swingarm and the all-new die-cast aluminium rider pegs, separated from the passenger pegs.
A comprehensive electronics package with three different Riding Modes (Sport, Touring and Urban) includes the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) that feeds information to the Bosch Cornering ABS and Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) systems. Top-drawer electronics gives the Monster 1200 true Ducati sport naked performance,but in a way that makes it accessible to everyone, ensuring high levels of active safety at all times.
The exclusive Monster 1200 S sharpens that Monster sports performance to an even finer edge thanks to a 48 mm Öhlins fork and rear Öhlins monoshock, both fully adjustable. Awesome braking is provided by two 330 mm Brembo discs at the front working in concert with Brembo M50 monobloc calipers. Moreover, the Monster 1200 S featureswheels with three Y-spokes featuring exclusive “S” graphics and a front carbon mudguard while the front headlight is characterised by the DRL (Daytime Running Light) system and LED -not bulb type -indicators.
The Monster 1200 is a perfectly balanced motorcycle that, thanks to engine, brakes, chassis set-up and electronics, provides ultimate riding pleasure. Its superb handling, power and torque guarantee unparalleled, uncompromising fun.
Engine
The Monster 1200 is powered by the liquid-cooled 1198 cm3twin, 4-valves-per-cylinder Testastretta 11° DS. Euro 4-compliant, the engine is also a structural element of the chassis set-up, with attachment points on the Trellis frame. This engine deliversa huge 150 hp at 9,250 rpm. Thanks to the new throttle bodies and the dedicated exhaust, Ducati has produced an impressive torque curve that means even more riding enjoyment, generating a maximum torque of 126.2 Nm at 7.750 rpm
The 1198 Testastretta 11° DS gulps in airvia Mikuni Ride-by-Wire oval throttle bodies (equivalent diameter 56 mm) and features a twin-spark set-up: the double flame front ensures complete combustion within an ultra-short interval, giving -together with the secondary air system that optimises performance by reducing combustion cycle dispersion but without affecting emissions -smoother power delivery and an even more enjoyable, exciting ride.Keeping the engine cool is a curved radiator with two high-efficiency electric fans.The Monster clutch, instead, is of the oil bath slippertype with ultra-loweffort lever control.
Spring load is automatically increased by a progressive self-servo system. The outcome is much better fingertip “feel”, ensuring excellent comfort when frequent gear changesare inevitable(e.g. in city traffic) or on long rides. When the rear wheel exerts back-torque, the same mechanism reduces pressure on the clutch discs, activating the slipper function and so preventing rear end destabilisation during aggressive downshifting.
The exhaust ducts, with a cross-section of 50-52 mm, are part of a 2-1-2 system designed with identical lengths for both cylinders in order to maximise power and delivery efficiency. This system features a lambda probe for each cylinder to make fuellingboth autonomous and optimal.Ducati’s nonstop investment in quality and reliability means the Testastretta 11° DS engine on the Monster 1200 has lengthy maintenance intervals: valve timing adjustment is now needed just once every 30,000 km(18,000 miles).
Frame
On the Monster 1200 the engine acts as a load-bearing element, the Trellis frame being attached to the cylinder heads, a racing-derived concept first applied on a factory bike with the Panigale project. This configuration gives a highly compact, light frame, while large cross-section tubing gives the high torsional rigidity that is perfect for bringing out the motorcycle’s dynamic performance. The Monster 1200 also boasts an all-new, beefier swingarm anda compact 1,485 mm wheelbase.The rear seat-carrying subframe -also attached directly to the engine -has been redesigned to provide a compact structure that also supports the new passenger footpeg struts. These pegs are separated from the rider’s to ensure greater freedom of movement in sport-style riding. Both rider and passenger footpeg attachments are made of die-cast aluminium and mount aluminium pegs. To underline the Monster’s sport pedigree, the rider’s pegs also feature aluminium heel guards.
Suspension
The Monster 1200 features fully adjustable 43 mm Kayaba forks up front, while the Sachs shock absorber at the rear has spring pre-load and rebound damping adjustment. The Monster 1200 S, instead, mounts 48 mm fully adjustable Öhlins TiN coated forks and a fully adjustable Öhlins shock absorber. At the rear, the shock absorber works in concert with progressive linkage; it is attached directly on the vertical cylinder head at one end and on the die-cast aluminium single-sided swingarm at the other. The Monster 1200 employs a Sachs shock absorber, while the Monster 1200 S features a fully adjustable Öhlins model
Tyres and wheels
The Monster 1200 is equipped with light 10-spoke Panigale style alloy wheels, 3.5” x 17” at the front and 6.0” x 17” at the rear, while the Monster 1200 S offers up wheels with three Y-spokes that have undergone finer supplementary machining. Moreover, the wheels on the S version have exclusive “S” graphics to highlight their racing character.Both models mount Pirelli DIABLO ROSSO™ III dual-compound tyres, 120/70 at the front and 190/55 at the rear, that combine mileage-enhancing durability with constant grip, even in assertive cornering. These quality tyres implement 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
