Ducati · 2026
Monster
The naked bike that invented the category, now with an aluminium front frame.
Jun's rating
out of ten
In one line
Lighter and friendlier than any Monster before it. The trellis is gone, and the soul is not.
What is new for 2026
All-new for 2026 on the 890cc V2 platform: 111 CV, 91 Nm, 175 kg dry, an aluminium front frame, six-axis IMU electronics, and an 815 mm seat. The 937cc Monster ended with the 2025 model year.
- Engine
- Liquid-cooled 890cc Testastretta L-twin, Desmodromic, 8 valves
- Displacement
- 890 cc
- Power
- 111 hp
- Torque
- 91 Nm
- Wet weight
- 175 kg
- Seat height
- 815 mm
- Fuel
- 14 L
- Base MSRP
- $13,995
63.4 hp per 100 kg
US, subject to change
The review
Five parts, no spec-sheet copying.
“Weight is the enemy of everything good in a motorcycle, and Ducati just removed twenty kilos of it.
Mechanical Breakdown
The 2025 Monster moved to the Panigale V2's 890cc Testastretta L-twin with variable valve timing on the intake, making 111 hp with a torque plateau that mirrors the MT-09's. The front frame is aluminium, bolted to the cylinder heads, and the wet weight of 175 kg is the lowest in the class by a wide margin.
Suspension is a 43 mm fork and a monoshock, both non-adjustable on the base model, with the Monster+ adding cosmetic extras. Brembo M4.32 calipers on 320 mm discs, a six-axis IMU, and a quickshifter are standard.
Ride Character
The Monster is about ease. Its low weight and the L-twin's lazy pulse make it the friendliest big naked to ride slowly, and the VVT means it no longer stalls or bucks below 3,000 rpm like older Ducatis. Wound up, it is fast and loud and very Italian.
The chassis is quick to steer but the budget suspension limits it on rough roads compared with the Street Triple RS.
Maintenance Outlook
Desmodromic valve services are the famous Ducati tax, but the interval is now 30,000 km and oil changes are 15,000 km. Ducati's electrical reliability has improved enormously in the last decade. The exposed engine and lack of fairing help, and the belt-drive cams are now easier to inspect than ever.
Budget for the desmo service, and do not skip it.
Who It's For
The rider who wants a Ducati first and a naked bike second, or anyone who values low weight and style over suspension quality. A good choice for a confident intermediate rider stepping up.
Jun's Verdict
The Monster is the most stylish and lightest bike in the class, and its engine is now as friendly as it is fast. It loses to the Street Triple RS on suspension and to the MT-09 on value, but it wins on the things that make people fall in love with motorcycles.
Watch a review
Bennetts BikeSocial. An outside opinion, chosen because they ride the bike properly.
Gallery
Photography from Unsplash contributors. Some frames show a close relative of this exact model.
Cross-shop
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Prices are US base MSRP at time of writing ($13,995 for this bike) and change without notice. Specs are manufacturer claims unless stated.