Ducati Racer Bikes

Ducati Monster 696

Concept

Monster Story

In 1992 Ducati unveiled a new prototype that was to become an icon. Ducati's creation awed the crowds and the world's media of that year's Cologne International Motorcycle show. The 900 Monster was a motorcycle that created a truly new niche - dramatically styled, minimalist in stature yet bristling with innovative engineering solutions.The Monster's radical styling has also provided the inspiration for an entire after-market sector specialising in hot-rod parts for this legendary machine. For this reason, rarely do you see two Monsters the same. This radical and refreshing design departure also influenced other manufacturers but, as the old adage states: imitation is the highest form of flattery…The Monster is characterised by a long and successful history, by its introduction during the years of numerous cylinders and uncountable colour options, but above all by a constant technological evolution that this year brings us to the birth of two new versions: the Monster 696 and the Monster 1100, representative of a new era of Monster.

Less is Monster

The 'less-is-more' philosophy behind all Monsters underlines Ducati's never-ending pursuit of genuinely compact, high performance motorcycles, but these new models have succeeded in being even more 'pared down' than their predecessors.Every single component has been redesigned and redeveloped so now more than ever, form follows function. With any details detracting from the Monster concept being eliminated, 'less-is-more' also means 'less-is-Monster'. Less weight plus more torque equals fun-filled riding.

Monster ART

The Monster has proven itself as the Ducati that most inspires and stimulates the art of personalisation. Designers, artists, actors, singers and, above all, bike fans from all over the world have been moved by the Monster to create their very own "two-wheeled work of art". Thanks to Monster ART, you can choose from 13 colours to transform your Monster into a personal statement. Make it your own ride.

Engine

Power & torque curves

The new engine produces an impressive 81hp (59.6kW) @ 8,000rpm and 55.7lb-ft (75.5Nm) of torque @ 6,250rpm.

APTC clutch

The APTC 'wet' clutch gives a 'slipper' type action that prevents destabilizing of the rear-end under aggressive down-shifting and also gives the extra benefit of a super-light feel at the lever, a great benefit in stop-start city traffic or during longer journeys. The 21-plate oil-bath clutch (11 friction and 10 steel) represents a power-enhancing weight reduction over the 'dry' system as well as having a quieter operation and requiring less maintenance.

Desmodromics

The incredible valve performances of our engines are only possible because of Ducati's unique Desmodromic system, where valve closure is activated mechanically. At high rpm it would be almost impossible for the valve to follow the steep closure profile of the cam lobe if it were relying upon a normal valve spring. With the Desmo system, the valve is closed mechanically with the same accuracy as it is opened, enabling steep cam profiles and radical cam timings. This system is used on every single Ducati power unit including our world-beating Superbike and Desmosedici MotoGP engines.

Lightweight crankcases

The new crankcases hug the gearbox internals much closer to create a smaller and more compact outer profile and achieve considerable weight savings over previous cases.

Exhaust system

Providing a deep and rich exhaust tone within current noise and emissions regulations is no mean feat, but the Monster 696 definitely provides the L-Twin sound famous of Ducati. Its bold, high-level twin mufflers also make a striking style statement.The exhaust system on the 696 has one Lambda probe dedicated to each cylinder, enabling precise fuelling for a smoother power delivery as well as complying with current emission regulations.

Power & torque curves

The Monster 696 produces 80hp (58,8kW) @ 9,000rpm and 50,6lb-ft (7,0kgm) of torque @ 7,750rpm .

Exhaust system

The 2-1-2 catalytic exhaust system uses an efficient pre-silencer configuration with twin lambda probes providing finer fuel mapping and Euro3 conformity. The system's lightweight and compact design is achieved by using 1mm thick tubing and terminates in Ducati's trademark twin under-seat, black exhaust mufflers, stylishly contrasted with great looking aluminium end caps.

796 Desmodue

The 796 engine is a completely brand new, lightweight Desmodue power unit designed to provide the torquey, smooth and enjoyable character famous of all Desmodromic L-Twins

Chassis

Marzocchi forks

Suspension duties up front are taken care of by very capable 43mm Marzocchi forks, which are gripped by completely redesigned top and bottom fork clamps. The fork bottoms, which also have radial mountings for the brake callipers, are redesigned with a far more compact profile.

Single-sided swingarm

The rear suspension of the Hypermotard uses Ducati's signature Hypermotard single-sided swingarm. The robust solution contributes considerable engineering style and, on this type of motorcycle, is a feature unique to Ducati.

Brembo brakes

Twin 305mm semi-floating discs gripped by radially mounted 4-piston Brembo callipers provide powerful and progressive front-end braking with that all-important rider-friendly 'feeling', while the rear is equipped with a 245mm disc and 2-piston calliper, also by Brembo.

Trellis frame

An improved frame layout eliminates almost all of the forged elements used on previous Hypermotards, replacing them with precision machined components. The lightened frame retains its torsional strength to become even more agile and easier to handle than before.Through decades of racing and development, Ducati has proven that innovative chassis engineering and evolutionary frame advancements win races. The tubular Trellis frame, used on every Ducati motorcycle, is a signature design element. This unique Ducati frame is light, rigid and beautiful thanks to its ingenious Trellis design and use of high quality ALS 450 tubing. Each tube is mitred and micro-fusion welded in a complex triangulated pattern and our incredibly strong L-Twin engine cases are functional 'stressed members' of the chassis.

Lightweight 5-spoke wheels

The new crankcases hug the gearbox internals much closer to create a smaller and more compact outer profile and achieve considerable weight savings over previous cases.

Seat height

At 825mm (32.5in), the seat height of the 796 is a sure-footed 20mm (0.8in) lower than the 1100.

Sachs rear suspension

The rear suspension is managed by a Sachs suspension unit featuring adjustable spring preload and return damping, allowing adjustments for riding style or load

796 Desmodue

The 796 engine is a completely brand new, lightweight Desmodue power unit designed to provide the torquey, smooth and enjoyable character famous of all Desmodromic L-Twins.

Equipment

Stopwatch

The digital display is programmed with a stopwatch function that, when enabled, can be triggered by using the high-beam flash button and each recorded time stored in a memory. After your journey or track session, the times or lap times can be recalled from the memory and scrolled through by using the instrumentation buttons on the left-hand switchgear.

Adjustable levers

User-friendly 4-point adjustable levers provide easy-to-reach control for all hand sizes.

Minimalist switchgear

The slim-line switch bodies house easy-to-use switches and buttons and feature a unique weapons-like 'trigger catch' that slides down to cover the starter button when the kill-switch is activated

DDA ready

The instrument display also doubles as a control panel for the activation of the Ducati Data Analyser (DDA) system, which is available as an accessory from Ducati Performance. The bike has been built 'system-ready' for the data acquisition kit, which consists of special DDA software and a memory key that slots into a plug under the seat. The same plug also doubles as the connection for a handy new battery charger available as an accessory from Ducati Performance.

Lighting

The headlamp uses a highly compact lighting shape which blends with the single piece nose fairing and front fender moulding, while the rear light employs a specially designed strip of LEDs enhanced by a high diffusion lens shaped into the sleek lines of the tailpiece. The same LEDs are intensified under braking. The front directional indicators also employ the latest in LED technology for illumination, and are ingeniously integrated into the handguards which support the foldable rear view mirrors. The high intensity LED rear light assembly is moulded into a unique tailpiece positioned high behind the seat.

Innovative mirrors

The challenge of maintaining a clean, racing look around the handlebar area, motivated the design of the folding mirror concept which is based on the handguards typically found on off-road bikes. Flipped out for high visibility street mode and easily folded in for a quick change to 'Hypermode', the mirror handguard assemblies also integrate the LED directional indicators for an even cleaner front-end.

Compact instruments

The orange back-lit display provides an extensive amount of data including speed, revs, time, oil temperature, battery voltage, A & B trips, fuel reserve trip and scheduled maintenance, while the warning lights illuminate for neutral, turn signals, high-beam, rev-limit, oil pressure and fuel reserve. In addition, it can list recorded lap times by using the high-beam flash button as a stopwatch.