Ducati pulled the wraps off their new Ducati Monster 1200 R, which they’re calling the most powerful naked they’ve ever made. More power, better components, and less weight? Yeah, thats sounds like the sorta thing we could be into.
The Ducati Monster 1200 R uses a motor based on the same 1200 cc Teststastretta 11 degree twin engine found in the Monster 1200 S, but Ducati claim it makes 10 percent more horsepower and 5 percent more torque. For those of you keeping track at home, that’s 160 hp and 97 foot-pounds of torque. Ducati achieved this through new pistons, throttle bodies, a new inlet manifold, a larger diameter exhaust, and higher compression ratio.
The 1200 R also gets new Ohlins suspension, bigger brakes, more ground clearance, a new steel frame, and an adjustable steering damper. Oh, and they have one more thing - they’ve done away those shitty passenger pegs that push your heels out. Yes, you were supposed to read that like an Apple announcement.
As with all of Ducati’s top level bikes as of late, the Monster 1200 R also gets the Ducati Safety Pack, which pairs an eight-level traction control system to their three-level ABS.
The 2016 Ducati Monster 1200 R was unveiled yesterday morning at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany. During the announcement, Ducati also provided a little more insight into their roadmap.
Here’s a report from MCN following the announcement:
Effectively this bike replaces the old and pretty universally unloved 1098 Streetfighter, which, except for a few markets around the world, was a sales disaster.
Ducati bosses were also at great pains to explain this was going to be the pinnacle of performance for the Monster range and any rumors of a naked Panigale had no foundation in truth and no such bike is being planned. Various Ducati department heads officially confirmed no such bike is being worked on currently.
I’m heading to Spain in a few weeks to ride the thing, so look for a detailed report at the end of the month where I’ll dive more into the specs, why/if they matter, and how the new Monster 1200 R rides. Until then, check out the full pictures and specs below.