Ducati announced its plans to launch five new models – the Multistrada 950, Monster 797, SuperSport, Scrambler Desert Sled and Scrambler Café Racer – in India this year. Now we see the launch of the entry-level variants of the Multistrada and the Monster, the Multistrada 950 and the Monster 797.

The new, entry-level, smaller-engined Ducati Multistrada 950 isn’t as sophisticated as its larger sibling, the 1200, but is an extremely capable machine in its own right. Importantly, the lack of some cutting-edge electronics, suspension and smaller motor have allowed Ducati to price it at Rs 12.6 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) – nearly Rs 3 lakh lower than the Multistrada 1200. This will help it compete directly with the extremely popular Triumph Tiger 800 series, and we’re sure that'll get adventure-touring enthusiasts very excited. It puts out 113hp of peak power and 96.2Nm of peak torque.

The more affordable launch today was the Monster 797, priced at Rs 7.77 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) which makes it a couple of lakhs cheaper than the Monster 821. It gives electronics like traction control and riding modes a miss, but ABS has been retained. This is the new, entry-level bike in the Monster range and is powered by the 803cc L-twin motor from the Scrambler range that's good for 75hp of peak power and 68.9Nm of torque. In performance, it falls in the crosshairs of Kawasaki’s naked, the Z650, but pricing puts it into the Triumph Street Triple’s range.