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2023–2025 · Naked Bike · Buyer's Guide
The Approachable Italian V-Twin
This generation of the Monster is Ducati's case for a naked bike that keeps the brand's emotion and lowers the barrier to entry. At its core is a 937 cc liquid-cooled 90° V-twin. It makes 111 hp at 9,250 rpm and 69 lb-ft at 6,500 rpm, and it sits in an aluminum twin-spar frame. Ready to ride, it weighs 414 lb (188 kg). The standard electronics are complete: cornering ABS, traction control, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC), launch control and Ducati Ride-by-Wire Power Modes. A TFT dash, a slipper clutch and an up-only quickshifter are standard too. The two-way Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) Up/Down is an option. Front suspension adjustment isn't standard on this trim, and Ducati offers the SP, with its Öhlins suspension, as the sportier version. Plenty of Ducati for the money!
The numbers make the purpose clear. The seat is 32.3 in (820 mm) and adjusts for height, the bike weighs 414 lb (188 kg) wet, and peak torque arrives at 6,500 rpm. All of that points to a bike built for real roads, not for bragging rights on a spec sheet. That means commuting through town during the week and linking back roads and mountain passes on the weekend. The rider it suits wants Ducati design, solid build quality and a V-twin built around midrange torque, without having to take on a specialist's machine. You get the presence. You skip the punishment. On paper, this is a Monster for riding often.
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-twinMotorcycles With V-Twin Engines → |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 |
| 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 | 140 mph (225 km/h) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Connectivity
Drivetrain
Lighting
Safety
The named systems that set this bike apart — and what each one does for you.
Rider aids
I've heard a lot of Monster talk over the years: conversations in the paddock, chats with owners at club nights, and a steady flow of emails and messages from riders who live with one. What they say about this generation is consistent. Owners love how compact and special it feels, and they keep coming back to the same few irritations: heat, the quickshifter and the base fork.
Size is what riders praise most often. Owners keep bringing up the short wheelbase and tight tail when they talk about slow-speed maneuvering and daily city use. Close behind is the sense that this is a more premium machine than its mass-market rivals, and owners count the badge as part of what they paid for. On the engine, riders describe the twin in terms of pulses and surges. Strong drive from around 4,000 rpm keeps a back road entertaining without big speed. The electronics get quieter approval: riders say the system stays out of the way in normal riding and helps when it's needed.
SP owners say the taller seat and steeper front geometry give the bike a supermoto-like stance, with accurate steering and plenty of feedback through the Öhlins fork. Several put it among the most entertaining bikes in its class. The same riders are frank about the cost. The SP runs roughly $2,900 more than the Plus, and rivals at similar money look sharper on paper. The steering and front-end feel are the only upgrades riders say they can clearly feel on the road.
The quickshifter and the heat come up most often. Owners report false neutrals and missed shifts at low rpm, and a few had sensors replaced under warranty. Most say it settles after the first 600 to 1,200 miles (1,000 to 2,000 km). In slow traffic the fan comes on early and pushes hot air at the right thigh. Ducati later offered a heat-comfort accessory that owners say helps noticeably. Base-bike riders who push hard tend to fit progressive springs or aftermarket internals, or they move up to the SP. Most see the soft setup as a design choice, not a fault. Long-distance owners also put cruise control at the top of their wish list.
Engine heat in stop-and-go traffic
Excessive engine heat radiates onto the rider's legs in slow-moving traffic, causing discomfort.
Bidirectional DQS occasionally fails to engage cleanly
The quickshifter can be inconsistent, sometimes failing to engage or producing jerky shifts, especially at low rpm.
Front brake judder/rotor glazing at low speed
Low-speed braking can induce pulsation or glazing of the front rotors, causing vibration through the lever.
Exhaust header surface corrosion within first year
The exhaust headers develop surface rust or corrosion, particularly in humid climates, despite low mileage.
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.
The best fit of the three: its city-friendly size and adjustable seat suit your weekday commute, and the design will hold its own at the Saturday meetup on Skyline.
Made for San Francisco Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard · Big Sur Coast Highway
A strong match: 111 hp, cornering ABS and wheelie control suit canyon days after LA traffic. Want a sharper chassis? Ducati sells the Öhlins-equipped SP as the sportier version.
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail Scenic Byway · Big Sur Coast Highway
A good fit if you care more about skill than speed: at 414 lb (188 kg) wet, with good lean clearance and easygoing handling on paper, it suits repeat runs on tight Appalachian twisties.
Made for Tail of the Dragon · Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2021–2022
Light Frame, Real Ducati Soul
Compare to the previous model →The Ducati Monster also comes in these variants, models and special editions. Each has its own page covering only what differs from the standard Monster — equipment, electronics, specs and used price.
Compare it with every bike that shares the same spec or equipment.
