Tuesday 23rd May 2017

Ducati Monster 797: PH2

A breath of fresh air returns to Ducati's Monster range

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It's funny how some purists become all set in their ways and as a result get their knickers in a twist when a machine receives a significant update in the name of progress. And in the motorcycle world, nothing causes more upset than adding water-cooling to a traditionally air-cooled machine. But in 2014 that is exactly what Ducati did to its Monster range as the introduction of the water-cooled Monster 821 saw the old-school SOHC two-valve air-cooled engine consigned to history. To be fair, those who grumbled did have a point. Since its introduction in 1993 there have always been air-cooled Monsters and Miguel Galluzzi designed the first M900 with the philosophy of stripped back and basic motorcycling at its heart. But you can't live in the past forever. Or can you?

This year Ducati has re-introduced air-cooling to the Monster range in the shape of the Monster 797. Why this move? Let's be honest, air-cooling is back in fashion and Ducati is currently making a mint out of punting its heritage models. Since their launch in 2015, Ducati has sold over 32,000 Scrambler models and they are doing a great job of selling the bike on the back of the associated cool lifestyle - beards, fires by the beach, skateboards and all that - you know the drill. So where does the Monster 797 fit in? In essence, it is there to be a slightly more modern and sportier option to those wanting air-cooling and cafe-cool styling in a middleweight.

The Monster's bones
If you look at the Monster 797 and think 'that looks familiar' you will be correct. Not only is the styling very much a take on the original 1993 machine (complete with humped tank, minimal tail, single headlight and even that classic tank clip) the 803cc air-cooled motor is also taken directly from the Scrambler models. However unlike the fairly basic Scramblers, the Monster comes armed with some sporty equipment such as beefy inverted forks (non-adjustable), twin Brembo radial brakes and 17-inch wheels. But, and this is key, Ducati has ensured that the Monster is still refreshingly basic and aside from the mandatory ABS, the Monster lacks any electronic annoyances such as traction control or power modes, although pleasingly it does have the lovely light APTC clutch, which also has a slipper function. Any of you familiar with the older M900 Monster models will know this is a very worthy addition... But there is a cost to all this sporty kit and at £7,895 (or £100 more if you want anything other than red) the Monster isn't exactly a cheap middleweight when you consider the likes of the Yamaha MT-07 and Kawasaki Z650 are closer to £6,000.

A Monster in name and feel
While I certainly appreciate an air-cooled engine, I'm not one who goes all misty-eyed over it and if a bike is better with water-cooling, that's fine by me. However the 821 isn't a great example of a Monster. Yes it's faster and the water-cooled engine has all the electronics you could wish for, but it is also flawed (the pillion pegs get in the way of the rider's feet) and is a bit too sterile to really tug at the heart strings while the variety of electronic options mean it's quite fussy to ride. And this makes the Monster 797's return to basics all the more pleasing.

When you get on the 797 all you need to do is turn the key and ride it - and I love this. It is good old-fashioned motorcycling and everything about it has been designed to help you engage with what makes two-wheels so much fun. The flat bars leave you pleasingly exposed to the elements while the clocks are tucked well below your field of vision, meaning all you see ahead is the open road. In the bends the Monster's light 193kg weight is easy to chuck around and it is considerably sportier and far more assured in the corners than its middleweight rivals. You could argue that it is set a bit too firm on its suspension, and it's certainly not as forgiving as the spongy MT-07, but for me Monsters have always been sporty nakeds and so I don't mind this fact. The limited steering lock is a pain, but again, it wouldn't be a true Monster if it didn't have its little annoyances... Add to this the air-cooled motor, which has a superb throttle connection and both sounds and feels brimming with character, and it all adds up to a very pleasing package. It may not be the fastest thing out there, and with just 75hp on tap it does run out of revs quite quickly if you are hammering it, but it makes 80 per cent of its maximum torque by 3,500rpm so is packed full of instant grunt if you are wanting to be lazy on the throttle.

All in the feel
The Monster 797 delivers a very visceral and engaging two-wheeled experience that I thoroughly enjoyed, but it does come at a price. The near £8,000 price tag is one hell of a sting for what is billed as a basic bike and is against budget middleweights that cost £2,000 less. There again, with Ducati offering a PCP plan that sees the Monster cost £89 a month (after a £1,622 deposit) this blow is softened somewhat. If you like the simple pleasures in life offered by an air-cooled motor that is devoid of electronic assists, the Monster 797 is a very stylish machine that delivers in terms of handling as well as spirit and character and is pleasingly lacking that trying too hard to be cool feel that the Scramblers have. It's just like the older air-cooled Monster models, fun and engaging to ride thanks to a surprisingly sporty side, and you can't ask for much more than that, although I'd love to have seen it given a bit of extra capacity to help justify its inflated price tag.

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2017 Ducati Monster 797
Engine: 803cc SOHC V-twin, air-cooled, 4v
Power (hp): 75@8,250rpm
Torque (lb ft): 50.8@5,750rpm
Top speed: 110mph (est)
Weight: 193kg (wet)
MPG: 50mpg (est)
Price: £7895 in red, £7995 in white or black

[BVB]

Very nice indeed. Easily worth 2000 more than it's Japanese equivalents.

[Loyly]

How do they manage to make this emissions compliant? I was under the impression that was what had killed off air cooled engines.

[Kawasicki]

Loyly said:

How do they manage to make this emissions compliant? I was under the impression that was what had killed off air cooled engines.

don't always believe what is common knowledge

[2ndclasscitizen]

Loyly said:

How do they manage to make this emissions compliant? I was under the impression that was what had killed off air cooled engines.

By dropping the power output. The new 797 is 75hp, the old 796 with an identical capacity was 87hp.

[Berz]

At risk of sounding like a noob, why is it called a 797 if it is 803cc? Why not round it to 800 like everyone else would?

[D200]

I have to admit the monsters still look great. Don’t know what it is about them but they just look much better than the Japanese stuff and the Triumph's. It is quite pricey though for all the power it has but as someone else said probably worth it for looks alone.

They change their model range so much it's hard to keep up – I would like one with a single sided swing arm and around 100hp but I think currently the only one with the single sided swing arm is the 14k 150bhp 1200 version

[SnipsSt]

"a PCP plan that sees the Monster cost £89 a month (after a £1,622 deposit) this blow is softened somewhat"

Limited to 5000 miles a year, and over 3 years that's £4826 to 'rent' a bike for 3 years (or pay the £4,000 balloon payment).

Actually, £1,600 a year for a fun weekend toy isn't terrible, I s'pose, so long as you know you'll need to start from scratch at the end of the 3 years.