A redesigned Ducati Monster on the way for '08
It's rare that we cover motorcycles on Autoblog, but a new Ducati Monster is too big to pass up. Ducati has rattled off a string of successful new model launches as of late, including the SportClassic range, the 1098 and the Hypermotard. But its true bread-and-butter model remains the Monster. Introduced way back in 1993 with a 900cc 90° V-Twin engine, the Monster is what many think of when they hear the word Ducati. Being that the Monster practically invented the naked bike genre, Ducati doesn't want to mess too much with success when it introduces its totally redesigned Monster in 2008. Rumor has it that the Monster range will include only air-cooled engines with a separate naked bike line featuring versions of Ducati's water cooled engines, including the awesome 1098's Desmo twin.
Take a look at the spy photo here of the new Monster undergoing testing. Little detail can be seen in the super-grainy photo, but a few things that jump out are the high mounted exhaust and the currently in-thing-to-do on naked bikes: a chopped tailsection. We wonder if Ducati should be setting trends, not following them; but we'll wait for official pictures to make any final conclusions on the design. To be sure, though, Ducati has a tough act to follow based on the success and cult following that its current Monster range enjoys, and deservedly so. We're anxiously waiting for November's show in Milan to see the real thing!
[Source: Motorcycle News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SPG 6:18PM (9/27/2007)
It almost looks like it's made out of scaffholding.
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RWD fan 6:26PM (9/27/2007)
"It's rare that we cover motorcycles on Autoblog..."
Well then it's about time Weblogs inc started a motorcycle page isn't it!
"It almost looks like it's made out of scaffholding."
That's a trellis frame and it's a Ducati signature, nearly as much as the Desmo valvetrain.
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konchita 6:32PM (9/27/2007)
Weblogs Inc. does need a motorcycle page.
PS. Monsters are Instant Panties Remover.
John Cressy 6:32PM (9/27/2007)
I tend to like vintage Japanese. I have a few Bridgestone Motorcycles from the 1960's and a GSXRG 750 Suzuki I bought new in 1986. If I bought a Ducati it would definately be the Monster. This 695 version looks wonderful. Ducati's of old didn't have a good reputation but lots of mystique.
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steve 8:12PM (9/27/2007)
I went to the duc dealer to test ride a hypermoto and i really wanted to like it. Great motor, amazing brakes, no drivetrain snatch BUT you sit right on top of the front wheel and your but is locked in there. Just coudnt the hang of it. A ktm feels much more natural. I will have to take a trip back to the dealer when they put the 1098 in something upright. 1098 multistrada seems like it would rock.
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Jeremy Korzeniewski 9:14PM (9/27/2007)
Steve- I haven't gottan a chance to ride a Hypermoto yet. The Multi is a wonderful bike, if kinda funny lookin'. I happen to be a huge Katoom fan... grew up with their dirtbikes waaay before they were popular. Back then they were fast and very unreliable... now they are fast and... uh, nevermind : )
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Poe 9:47PM (9/27/2007)
I bought the Japanese version of the Monster... the Suzuki SV650... and I LOVE it.
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lab51 10:34PM (9/27/2007)
That's funny.
Rob 1:03AM (9/28/2007)
Agree, loved my SV (2003 650 blue, wanted copper like the S though), love my monster Dark more...
Wm J. Rountry 1:36PM (9/28/2007)
That's an Italian engineer worthy of great praise. They have managed to stay in the {U.S.} market for the better part of ten years now,[maybe a little longer]. Without scurrying off{Ducati}.
parts , maintenance, and Possible Mechanical durability.
The only thing it needs to do it build one for some one who has longer leg's![ must be for midgets?]..Those that Know euro-bikes, will say : buy motoguzzi, if it distance you need to cover!: and a long time in the saddle, or it it seat?. The Ducati, always had a very exceptional design, and did not explore the other venue's for the North American style Hy-Ways!,that is a real shame!
Oh ! WELL. there is Triumph, MotoGuzzi, H-D, and the ever venerable,Japanese.
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Farris 12:47AM (9/28/2007)
Dude. I'm not real big into motorcycles (yet, at least), and I realize that Ducati is one of the premiere marques, but Hypermotard?
Did no one think that sounded a bit off?
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davet 5:57PM (9/28/2007)
One thinks of a Supermotard bike on steroids? (OT: Pierre Terblanche should be strung up and shot for crimes against humanity.)
Alex 1:15AM (9/28/2007)
How about a picture of the actual bike??
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/199576/images/07-09-07_1615.jpg
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