2021–2022 · Naked Bike · Buyer's Guide
Light Frame, Real Ducati Soul
The Monster runs a 937 cc, 90° V-twin that makes 111 hp at 9,250 rpm and 69 lb-ft at 6,500 rpm, and the way it lays that torque down low is what defines the bike. This is Ducati's gateway naked, and it wears the part: light on its feet at 414 lb wet, quick to change direction, and dressed in the kind of clean, elegant lines that pull eyes at a stop. Ride-by-Wire power modes, a full rider-aid package with cornering ABS, traction, wheelie and launch control, plus Ducati Quick Shift up and down give it real premium hardware under the tank.
It rides like the most approachable Monster the badge has produced. The low-end pull means you don't have to chase revs to have fun, the chassis carves happily, and generous lean clearance lets you use the tires. Maintenance is straightforward and the aftermarket is deep, so it ages into whatever you want it to be. The honest caveat: the stock KYB suspension is tuned soft for the street and gives up its composure when you push hard, so a rider chasing sport pace will eventually want it firmed up.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 111 hp (82 kW) @ 9,250 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 69 lb-ft (93 Nm) @ 6,500 rpm |
| Displacement | 937 cc |
| Engine | 90° V-twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front tire | 120/70 ZR17 |
| Rear tire | 180/55 ZR17 |
| Wheelbase | 58.0 in (1474 mm) |
| Seat height | 32.3 in (820 mm) |
| Wet weight | 414 lb (188 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.7 gal (14 L) |
| Top speed | 149 mph (240 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 36 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Connectivity
Drivetrain
Lighting
Safety
Thumb the starter and the V-twin settles into that uneven, mechanical idle you feel through the pegs and tank before you hear it. Roll away and the bike shrinks around you: 414 lb hides well, the 32.3 in seat puts you in command, and steering effort is light enough that low-speed U-turns stop being a thing you dread. The engine pulses at you in the lower gears, then smooths out and gets urgent as the tach climbs. Two textures stand out on a real ride. First, heat: crawling through traffic, the exhaust cooks your left thigh and you notice it fast. Second, wind. There's no fairing, so once you're moving the air load builds against your chest and makes even legal speeds feel busy and alive, which is exactly the point of a bike like this.
Over the years I've kept a close ear on the chatter around this bike: threads that run for pages, paddock talk between sessions, owners comparing notes, and the messages riders send me straight to my inbox. Pull all of that together and a clear pattern settles out for the 937-era Monster. Riders keep landing on the same picture: a light, willing machine they trust in the corners, held back by a handful of everyday practicality gaps.
The one word that shows up more than any other is agile. Owners consistently call this the most nimble Monster they've thrown a leg over, quick to change direction, easy on slow U-turns, happy to flick from side to side in the tight stuff. The low weight is what they credit for it, and they say it pays off everywhere: acceleration, braking, and low-speed moves all feel easier than the class suggests. Right behind the handling comes the engine. Riders describe the low- and mid-range torque as strong and immediate, the kind of pull that lets you ride the wave without chasing revs, and more than a few reach for words like electrifying. The brakes draw steady praise too, strong and easy to meter, with the cornering ABS stepping in quietly rather than snatching. The rider aids get a nod as well, a genuinely complete set for the class, and owners report the engine platform holds up over real mileage without nasty surprises.
The loudest recurring gripe has nothing to do with pace. It's heat. Riders report the engine cooking their legs in slow traffic and stop-and-go, worst on the left side and across the inner thighs, and it comes up again and again. Comfort is the other running theme. The stock seat goes firm and uncomfortable after a couple of hours, there's no wind protection to speak of, and highway speeds start to wear on you the longer you hold them. Owners also flag what's missing: no cruise control, which frustrates people given the electronic throttle, and a small tank that keeps the range short enough that you plan fuel stops around it. Two more notes come up often. The stock exhaust is quieter than riders expect from a Ducati twin, and once the sound is muted the character feels muted with it. And when the talk turns to numbers, owners acknowledge the peak power sits below several rivals, a deficit they mainly feel up top.
Stock KYB suspension too soft / harsh for dynamic riding
The base model's KYB suspension is widely described as adequate for commuting but insufficient for spirited or sport riding. The fork can feel both too soft in compression (dive under braking) and harsh over sharp bumps — a common symptom of budget suspension without proper valving. The SP model with Öhlins was introduced in MY2023 specifically to address this shortcoming. Aftermarket solutions (fork spring upgrades, Andreani/Matris cartridge kits) are common.
Excessive engine and exhaust heat affecting rider comfort
The Monster 937 generates significant heat at the rider's legs during slow-speed riding and stop-and-go traffic. The left thigh is particularly affected due to proximity to the exhaust header. Both inner thighs receive heat from the radiator fan when it activates. Temperatures at the engine casing of ~101°C (215°F) have been measured in traffic. Ducati acknowledged the issue indirectly by offering an optional heat shield accessory. This is a design characteristic, not a progressive defect.
Rough, jerky throttle response at low engine speeds
At low RPM (city riding, 1st–2nd gear), the Monster 937 exhibits an abrupt, on-off throttle response — particularly when rolling off and re-applying throttle. This is a characteristic of Ducati's Testastretta 11° engine with Euro 5 mapping, not a malfunction. Riders coming from inline-four motorcycles often perceive this as a problem. The Touring and Urban ride modes mitigate it somewhat.
Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) intermittent or unreliable function
Some owners report intermittent quickshifter failures: missed shifts, false neutrals, rough downshifts (particularly in 5th/6th gear), or complete DQS deactivation without stored error codes. Causes vary: some traced to a defective DQS sensor (warranty replacement), others to incorrect shift lever adjustment (mechanical, not electronic). Not all reported cases were genuine hardware defects.
Fuel gauge displays incorrect readings / false empty warning
The fuel level sensor (integrated in the fuel pump assembly) can deliver erratic readings — jumping to empty despite a full tank, triggering the low-fuel warning incorrectly. Suspected cause: corrosion from ethanol-containing fuel. Warranty replacement of the pump assembly has been reported. This is a known issue across multiple Ducati models with the same fuel pump design, not exclusive to the Monster 937.
Where this Ducati Monster pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Monster is actually built for.
For your pace on the good canyon roads, the light handling and lean clearance deliver. Just know the stock suspension is the weak link, so budget for a fork and shock upgrade if you push hard.
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail / US 191 · Highway 1 / Big Sur
If your week is city miles and your Sundays are Skyline runs, this fits cleanly. It's light in traffic, genuinely good-looking at the coffee stop, and playful once the road bends.
Made for Bay Area Ridge Roads · San Francisco / Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard / Alice's Restaurant
For skill work on tight East Coast twisties, this is a friend. It's light, honest, and quick to turn, so you can focus on lines and technique instead of fighting the bike through the corners.
Made for Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Ducati Monster. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
