Ducati light cloth from Monster SP

After putting quite a few variants of the very first Monster on the market, Ducati decided last year to go back to the essentials and immediately reduced the name to that essence: il Monstro, according to Ducati the most compact, essential and lightest form. possible.

The biggest culture shock for many was that Ducati ditched the trademark half-timbered tubular frame and applied a ‘Front Frame’ to the new Monster, a compact aluminum frame that is bolted directly to the block. Sacrilege according to some, but it worked. In terms of steering, the new Monster was not wrong at all.

The most remarkable thing, however, was the fact that Ducati had only released the new Monster in one version (strictly two because there is also a 70 kW version that can be reset to 35 kW for the A2 license, but that’s aside). and thus the model was not accompanied by a more expensive S, SP or R version. Not necessary, they said, because the new Monster is already complete.

That turns out to have been a nice diversion, since in the deepest secret a more expensive SP version was already being worked on, which has now been unveiled in the second episode of the Ducati World Premiere 2023. The SP is characterized by a series of high-quality components that should have made the motorcycle even lighter, precise and more fun in sporty riding, as well as more aggressive from an aesthetic point of view.

The Monster SP’s sporty character should be underlined by the 2022 Desmosedici GP livery of the Ducati Lenovo Team, the gold-anodised Öhlins NIX30 fork and the standard Termignoni-approved rear silencer.

Particularly high-quality details are the red seat, which is integrated with the rear in the side view, the Monster SP logo on the passenger seat upholstery and the Ducati logo on the fuel tank, larger and inspired by the Panigale V4 graphics.

The fully adjustable Öhlins suspension is, according to Ducati, 600 grams lighter than the front fork of the regular Monster and also has a sportier setup, which must have improved the dynamic riding qualities. On the street and on the track.

In addition to the front fork, the brakes have also been significantly upgraded, by applying Brembo Stylema front brake calipers with aluminum 320 mm brake discs, which also saves a lot of weight: 500 grams in this case. We also know from the brakes that this concerns unsprung weight and you will certainly feel that thanks to reduced energy.

In order to take a few extra grams off the total weight, Ducati has used a lithium-ion battery in the Monster SP, bringing the total weight saving to approximately 2 kg in running condition. Despite the fact that the SP also has a steering damper and a flyscreen added.

The Monster SP’s sporting potential is further enhanced by the steering damper, which improves stability under acceleration and cornering, and the presence of Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tires as original equipment. To make the most of the improved chassis, Ducati has recalibrated the riding modes and added a new Wet riding mode, designed to provide greater safety on wet surfaces.

As far as electronic helpers are concerned, you have no reason to complain with the Monster SP. Let’s sum it up: cornering ABS, Ducati Traction Control and Ducati Wheelie Control, all adjustable to different intervention levels. The sporty character of the new Monster SP is also underlined by the Launch Control which ensures lightning-fast starts.

With the Sport, Touring and Wet Riding Modes, the character of the Monster can be set to taste and need. Everything is easily managed via the steering wheel and the 4.3″ color TFT dashboard, with racing graphics to match the Panigale V4, with a large rev counter and a complete set of information on the left, including that of the gear engaged.

The Ducati Monster SP is expected at dealers in the Benelux from January 2023 and will be priced at €15,190 in Belgium and €17,990 in the Netherlands. The Monster SP is also available in a 35 kW version.