2015 Ducatimonster 821
2015 DUCATIMONSTER 821
YEAR OF THE NAKED
A LIQUID-COOLED REPLACEMENT FOR BOLOGNA'S BIGGEST AIR-COOLED TWIN
Surely there is a touch of sad music playing in Italian cathedrals with news that Ducati’s air-cooled Monster 1100 EVO sees its last model year in 2014. But others may see it as a time to party because that Ducati has been replaced by the new liquid-cooled 821, a model that shares all the high-tech solutions of the top-of-the-line Monster 1200 but uses the smaller, stellar Hypermotard 11-degree Testastretta V-twin, which has an 88.0 x 67.5mm bore and stroke. The engine is said to produce 112 hp, an increase of 2 hp over the Hypermotard thanks to a more efficient exhaust.
The Testastretta is a jack-of all-trades powerplant, delivering solid power and a smooth, abun dant torque curve that peaks at a claimed 65.9 pound-feet. Above all, it's a significant step for ward over the old air-cooled sohc 1,100cc two-valver, especially in mechanical quietness. This varia tion of the Testastretta, which shares all external dimensional measurements with the mighty Testastretta 1,198 in the new Monster 1200, hangs in the same steel trellis frame as its larger displacement sibling.
There is one main difference: A standard rear swingarm replaces the single-sided unit of the Monsterl200. The claimed-396pound machine in Dark treatment (shown) has an MSRP of $10,995, while the shinier red or white models are S11495.
As a lower rung on the ladder into the Ducati life, the bike has an accessibility that's key, while the adjustable seat height and suite of safety-enhancing elec tronics broaden its appeal. In addition to eight-level traction control, the Monster 821 has ABS (working on four-piston radial mount front calipers) and a ride by-wire throttle, both with three modes selectable via Ducati's user-friendly push buttons.
As you'd expect, this newest Monster continues the model's minimalist style and less-is-more philosophy, all packaged in a very Italian way. Shed a tear for the 1100 (and 696 and 796) if you must, but these new bikes do promise more. -Bruno dePrato
