2015 Ducati Monster 821

2015 DUCATI MONSTER 821

CW FIRST RIDE

IGNITION

Filling in the blanks

Brian Catterson

It’s never been hard to figure out Ducati’s next move. Barring a brand-new family of machines— and even then the secret tends to get out—it’s usually a matter of discerning which engine/chassis combination is missing from the lineup. So given the new-for-2014 third-generation Monster 1200, a midsize version was due next.

And here it is: the Monster 821. The most surprising thing might be that its name references its actual displacement, whereas past designations have often been chosen for symmetry; for example, the 848 actually measured 849CC.

At its essence, this latest Monster is the 1200 fitted with the 821CC Testastretta 11-degree engine from the 2014 Hypermotard. But there’s more to it than that. For starters, there’s a more efficient exhaust system that boosts horsepower by 2 to a claimed 112. And the moo’s sexy single-sided swingarm was replaced by a double-sided setup in the interest of cost. That change entailed a different rear wheel, shod with a Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tire in a 180/60 size derived from World Supersport racing.

Ducati invited the world’s press to its hometown of Bologna, Italy, where we spent a day riding the Monster in the city and neighboring Apennine Mountains. Like the 1200, the 821 boasts three ride modes, each of which tailors settings for the ride-by-wire throttle, traction control, and antilock brakes. Living up to their billing, Urban mode (which reduces power to just 75 bhp) did in fact work very well in city traffic, while Touring was wonderful on wet mountain roads, and Sport better yet when those roads dried out. Those who remember when the Ducati 851 was a fire-breathing Superbike will have a hard time thinking of the 821 as an “entrylevel” machine, but between the variable ride modes and the low, adjustable seat, it actually fits the bill.

Perhaps the most pleasant surprise was the fact that the liquid-co oled, four-valve-percylinder, dohc engine proved every bit as flexible as the air-cooled, two-valve, sohc lump it replaces. It’s also much smoother and mechanically quieter, though how the raucous exhaust passes noise standards is anyone’s guess. Its rapid-fire staccato idle is reminiscent of a Top Fuel dragster, and it sounds even more glorious under deceleration.

Another pleasant surprise is the six-speed gearbox, which in conjunction with the cableactuated wet slipper clutch shifts better than any Ducati in recent memory.

Handling is no less praiseworthy, as the bike steers perfectly neutral and flicks from edge to edge with little effort. The Brembo monoblock four-piston radial front brakes are exemplary, with excellent feel and stopping power. The only fly in the ointment is the non-adjustable 43mm fork, which provides excellent feedback from the front tire but deflects over bumps. Chalk that up to cost as well.

We only have three real complaints. First, heat radiating

off the right-side exhaust headers bakes your thigh and calf at a standstill. Second, the passenger footpeg brackets force your heels out at an awkward angle if you try to ride on the balls of your feet. And third, the rubbercovered footpegs are slippery when wet.

Those nits aside, the Monster 821 is a winner. The Italian engineers have done a fine job of producing a modern midsize Monster that possesses all the qualities of its forebears while meeting tough Euro 3 emissions standards.

Ducati has made its move.

Now it’s your turn.

SPECS

2015 DUCATIMONSTER 821

PRICE: $10,995-$11,495

ENGINE: dohc V-twin

DISPLACEMENT: 821cc

SEAT HEIGHT: 30.9-31.9 in.

FUEL CAPACITY: 4.6 gal.

CLAIMED WET WEIGHT: 453 lb.

ITS RAPID-FIRE STACCATO IDLE IS REMINISCENT OFATOPFUEL DRAGSTER, AND IT SOUNDS EVEN MORE GLORIOUS UNDER DECELERATION.