2018 Ducati Monster 821 Breaks Cover

On the 25th anniversary of Ducati’s Monster range, the company has showcased the updated Monster 821. The new motorcycle is inspired from the Ducati Monster 900 which originally debuted at the 1992 Cologne Show. The updates on the new Monster 821 are more on the cosmetic front. For instance, the new motorcycle gets a redesigned fuel tank which is similar to that of the Monster 1200, while the tail section is sharper and petite, taking inspiration from the 1992 version. Other changes include a redesigned headlight with LED DRLs and different twin exhaust mufflers. The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 will be offered in a new shade of yellow, while the trellis frame has been finished in black. Apart from yellow, the new Monster will also be available in red and matte black.

The new motorcycle also gets TFT display instead of the LCD unit seen on the older bike and we must say it makes the bike feel more premium. Ducati also revealed that the 2018 Monster gets bi-directional quickshifter and Ducati Multimedia Systems as an optional extra. Powering the bike is the same 821cc motor as seen on the older bike. However, the new engine is now Euro 4 emission norm compliant and produces 110.5PS at 9250rpm and peak torque stands at 86Nm. In its quest to reduce emissions, the new mill is now marginally less powerful than the older motor that delivered 113.5PS and a peak torque of 89.4Nm.

Transmission duties are handled by a 6-speed gearbox. As part of the Ducati Safety Pack, it features eight levels of traction control and three ride modes - Urban, Touring and Sport - along with switchable ABS. The bike employs a trellis frame which is suspended on 43mm dia USD forks at the front and an adjustable monoshock unit at the rear. Braking is taken care of by twin 320mm semi-floating discs anchored by radially mounted Monobloc Brembo M4-32 callipers at the front and a 245mm single disc unit doing duty at the rear.

The new Ducati Monster 821 is expected to be launched in India by early 2018 at a price of around Rs 11 lakh (ex-showroom). Once launched, it will compete against the Triumph Street Triple RS , Aprilia Shiver 900, Yamaha MT-09 and the MV Agusta Brutale 800. Ducati also announced that it will unveil four new bikes at the 2017 EICMA motorcycle show.