Ducati Monster 821 driving report

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Ducati Monster 821 in the driving report

Water-cooled little monsters

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After the 1200s, the traditional Italian manufacturer is now bringing the Ducati 821 Monster as an entry into the water-cooled monster world, which is supposed to conquer hearts as a lively little sweeper.

The 1200s had already indicated in which direction the monster train is rolling: water cooling and motor as load-bearing element instead of cooling fins and tubular space frame. The modern sends its regards. Logically, the newest member of the Monster family also takes over, D.ucati Monster 821 of this model and will replace 696 and 796.

Ducati Monster 821 in the driving report

Water-cooled little monsters

Monster 821 already has 112 hp ready for entry into the Monster family. It uses the same engine that has already impressed in Hypermotard and Hyperstrada. Equipped with the injection system of the 1200 series, plain bearings instead of roller bearings for the crankshaft and a smooth APTC clutch, Ducati has spiced up the engine for its new task.

Narrower rear tire and 30 mm shorter wheelbase

The differences to the 1200 in the chassis are quickly listed: two-sided instead of single-sided swing arm, spring elements only adjustable at the rear in preload and rebound and a 5.5-inch rear rim that carries a 180/60 (1200: 190/55). The monsters on the little streets of the Apennines, over which the exit leads, quickly dispel fears that the somewhat simpler design would reduce driving fun. Wonderfully relaxed and uncomplicated, the Ducati Monster 821 throws the Futa Pass. With a loose hand, she can be guided through the series of bends, parrying the partially pitted road surface with great serenity.

Does not buck, does not annoy with capricious steering behavior, just looks well balanced. The rear tire, which is narrower than the 1200 and the wheelbase, which is 30 millimeters shorter due to the shorter twin-arm swing arm, should also have an invigorating effect in terms of handiness. Likewise the low weight, which Ducati specifies as 179.5 kilos dry. The tightly tuned, directly hinged shock absorber of the Ducati Monster 821 could go over rapidly successive edges more sensitively, on the other hand it ensures stability at the rear and still sufficient comfort without the spinal discs being demolished during the happy cornering.

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Accurate and easy through the curves

The Kayaba fork is softer and more sensitive, and all in all, the Ducati Monster 821 can be chased through the curves with precision and ease. Only those who like to let it crack on their home route now and then will want a little more compression damping at the front. Because when you boldly apply the brakes, the fork plunges quickly, and in an inclined position the pilot reaps a lot of pitching. But let’s keep the ball flat, after all, the Monster is not a racer, but a real source of fun on winding country lanes and at a brisk pace, absolutely open-minded.

Which brings us to the engine. Because it fits seamlessly into the picture. Without any significant load changes, it can be accelerated cleanly at the apex of the curve. Full electrification has not stopped at the little monsters either. It not only controls its throttle valve via the electronic throttle grip (ride-by-wire), but also has three driving modes that can be selected while driving using the indicator switch. These modes differ in the throttle response and the intervention of three-stage ABS and eight-stage traction control. In urban mode, the twin can only jump 75 horses. At best, this makes sense in the city, where the gentle response of the touring level is also pleasing. And even in Sport mode, in which the Ducati Monster 821 is tight on the gas, you can live in the city. With the bend of the upright cylinder, which heats up the right thigh of the driver properly without a cooling airstream, only to a limited extent.

Ducati

The Ducati Monster 821 offers the same ergonomics as the 1200s. That means relaxed sitting posture with a sporty note thanks to the slightly bent upper body.

In the wild, outside the city limits, the twin of the Ducati Monster 821 can develop its full dynamic in sport mode. The V2 gets down to business impulsively and directly, reacts with brisk propulsion to every plucking of the throttle valve and cleanly implements gas commands. From 2500 rpm the short stroke runs smoothly and grabs firmly, looks wiry and aggressive. Between 4000 and 6000 revolutions, it allows itself a little break.

But only to then storm the speed ladder with hurray and powerful shooting. The vibrations never take on an unpleasant level. Once again Ducati shows that you have mastered the handling of exhaust flaps and noise limit values ​​with virtuosity. The Ducati Monster 821 fires pithily out of the angled mufflers with short thrusts of throttle, hammers angrily in higher altitudes and delivers provocative crackling misfires when pushing.

Relaxed posture with a sporty note

When it comes to brakes, Ducati relies on the tried and tested Brembo radial calipers as a confidence-building measure, which are monitored by a Bosch ABS and can be used when necessary. There are only slight reductions in braking performance in terms of the pressure point of the cheap hand brake pump. Otherwise, the stoppers convince with a great effect. So the signs point to unadulterated driving pleasure. Because the Ducati Monster 821 has the same ergonomics as the 1200s. That means relaxed sitting posture with a sporty note due to the slightly bent upper body. The pilot is supported by a monster-typical flat handlebar, which is painted silver on aluminum, but is made of tubular steel.

The comfortably upholstered bench makes long walks bearable and, like the 1200, has a height adjustment. And if you can’t find the right seat height, the Ducati accessories catalog offers a higher and two lower alternatives to choose from. The consumption display indicates 5.4 liters at the end of the quickly completed test day. Compared to the Monster 796, the volume of the sheet steel tank increased by four to 17.5 liters. That should be enough for stages of 300 kilometers, which, thanks to the neat seating arrangement, can be done in one go. A successful debut for the Ducati Monster 821, which will also be available in a 48 hp version.

Driving modes

Ducati

Motor as a fully load-bearing element, the injection bridge sits in the airbox, which saves construction height in favor of the tank volume.

The three driving modes of the Ducati Monster 821 can be easily operated using the indicator switch while driving. In addition to the responsiveness of the engine, the difference is the intervention of the traction control and the lift-off detection of the rear wheel. In level 2, slight stoppies are possible. All modes can also be changed and saved individually.

  Ride-by-wire DTC SECTION
Sports Full power,
direct response 		 Level 2 Level 1, without lifting-
Detection on the rear wheel
Touring  Full power,
gentler response 		 Level 4 Level 2, medium lift-
Detection on the rear wheel
Urban 75 hp, very gentle
Speak to		 Level 6  Level 3, full take-off-
Detection on the rear wheel

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Technical data Ducati Monster 821

Ducati

Instead of TFT (Thin Film Transistor) the Ducati Monster 821 only has an LCD display, but that is clearly legible and complete except for the gear and fuel gauge.

Ducati Monster 821

drive
Two-cylinder V-engine, 4 valves / cylinder, 82.4 kW (112 PS) at 9250 / min *, 89 Nm at 7,750 / min *, 821 cm³, bore / stroke: 88.0 / 67.5 mm, Compression: 12.8: 1, ignition / injection system, 53 mm throttle valves, mechanically operated multi-disc oil bath anti-hopping clutch, six-speed gearbox, chain.

landing gear
Steel tubular space frame, load-bearing motor, steering head angle: 65.7 degrees, caster: 93 mm, wheelbase: 1480 mm, inner fork tube Ø: 43 mm, spring travel from / h .: 130/140 mm.

Wheels and brakes
Cast light alloy wheels, 3.50 x 17 / 5.50 x 17, front tires: 120/70 ZR 17, rear: 180/60 ZR 17, 320 mm double disc brakes with four-piston fixed calipers at the front, 245 mm single disc with Two-piston fixed caliper at the rear, ABS.

Weight
(dry) 179.5 kg *
Tank capacity: 17.5 liters

Base price
10,690 euros (plus ancillary costs) *
Monster Dark 10,490 euros

Conclusion

Ducati

The Ducati Monster 821 is said to be 10,690 euros.

Even if the Ducati Monster 821 lacks some of the technical finesse of its big sister 1200 S, the driver will hardly lack anything. Neither in performance nor in driving pleasure. With the 821, Ducati has put a sonorous and easy-to-drive mugger on its wheels and has given it everything it needs to have fun on the country road.

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