Ducati Monster 821 review, test ride

The new entry level Monster will soon be launched in India, but we’ve had the chance to sample it in Thailand first.

Published on Apr 28, 2015 02:30:00 PM

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But before we get going, it’s clear that the new design for the Monster is more muscular. As a whole, it carries on the family look neatly. A closer look reveals that many lines, like the hunch on the new larger 17.5-litre petrol tank, are similar to the 795. But there is a greater sense of width, especially when you look at the tail section. The standard seat looks generous too, for rider and pillion, and thankfully, those bulky under-seat exhausts are now gone, replaced by a 2-1-2 system that exits lower down on the right. Yes, there is no single-sided swingarm, but the 10-spoke alloy rims are wrapped with Pirelli’s Diablo Rosso II rubber, which Ducati claims has a carcass that improves bump absorption.

Sitting on the 810mm saddle, it’s clear the Monster isn't going to be trouble for shorter riders. However, the standard seat comes with a ‘low’ setting, which drops seat height to 785mm and that should make it an breeze even for five-footers. An optional low seat drops seat height to a super accessible 745mm. From the saddle, you do get a typically unhindered view ahead – just the large tank, a single piece handlebar and the instrument cluster. Ducati’s new-generation LCD display seems suitably understated, yet futuristic. Slim and purposeful, it looks like it’s come from a race bike. Thankfully, the ergonomics haven’t. Ducati has thankfully pulled the handlebar back for a more upright seating position. A quick glance around shows that the build, although good, has a few sharp edges to the plastics here and there. The pass flash switch looks a bit jagged and the shroud for the radiator looks a bit flimsy too. However, the aluminium stems for the rear-view mirrors are a nice highlight, and the brake lever is span-adjustable.