Ducati presents the new Monster Dark. A model created for riders looking for the most essential interpretation of the legendary naked bike from Borgo Panigale.
The legend summed up by the formula “Everything you need, nothing more”, the very concept on which the Monster was born and which immediately won over countless enthusiasts. Since then, the Monster has created a global community of fans, the Monsteristi, who continue to preserve its spirit and celebrate its history.
The Dark reprises the essential elements that made the Monster legendary. A true icon defined by the styling cues that have always distinguished it: the headlight framed by the “shoulders” of the bison-back fuel tank, the single seat for rider and passenger, and the short, lightweight tail section. Like every Monster, it is sporty and above all fun to ride, agile and easy to handle, rewarding both experienced riders and those entering the Ducati world for the first time.
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The timeless appeal of the Dark livery, introduced on the first-generation Monster, enhances the design of Ducati’s naked bike and gives it an even more essential and authentic presence. The single-material seat and total-black wheels are echoed by components left exposed, such as the Front Frame, exhaust end caps and intake snorkel.
Every Monsterista can choose the accessories that best enrich their Monster Dark experience according to their riding style and personality: from Ducati Quick Shift to Cruise Control, as well as the flyscreen and passenger seat cover. All accessories are browsable in the.“Configurator” section of the Ducati.com website, along with an ample range of technical apparel and sportswear: all the essentials needed to satisfy the needs of every fan, to ride safe and stylish.
With its essential character, benchmark lightness and A2 licence-compliant version, the Monster Dark represents the most natural way to enter the Monster family and the Ducati world.
A timeless icon
With its torque-rich V2 engine (111 hp at 9,000 rpm and 91.1 Nm at 7,250 rpm, with more than 80% of peak torque available from 4,000 to 10,000 rpm), ideal for road use, the Monster offers outstanding ease of riding without compromising on fun or performance. The Monster retains the DNA of the 1993 first generation: a high-performance V2 engine combined with a Superbike-derived frame, now an aluminium monocoque.
Lightness has always been one of the Monster’s key strengths. Every component has been designed to minimise weight, from the monocoque frame to the hybrid technopolymer/trellis rear subframe, resulting in a total weight reduction of 4 kg compared with the already light previous generation. The result is a bike weighting just 175 kg, compact and agile, able to easily dodge city traffic and, at the same time, allow full control in every scenario.
The Monster features a comfortable riding position designed to make the rider feel at ease at all times. The seat height of just 815 mm and the bike’s slim sides make it easy to place both feet on the ground, while the position of handlebar and footpegs enhances the control feeling during sport riding and, at the same time, defines a comfortable riding position when cruising.
The Monster electronics package is state of the art. Standard equipment includes Cornering ABS, Traction Control, Wheelie Control and Engine Brake Control, all adjustable for their level of intervention. All relevant riding information is displayed on the color 5” TFT display, ready for the Ducati Multimedia System and Turn-by-turn navigation, available as accessories.
Intuitive and fun, the Monster can shift its character at the touch of a button, thanks to four Riding Modes specifically tailored to simplify and enhance the riding experience in any situation. Those using the Monster for city commuting will find it quick and easy to get comfortable with this Ducati naked bike, thanks to the Urban Riding Mode. More sport-oriented riders will appreciate the engine’s punchy performance in Sport mode, designed specifically for dynamic riding. They can also rely on the safety provided by the electronic management systems, including Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC), Engine Brake Control (EBC) and Cornering ABS. Finally, the optional Ducati Power Launch system offers enthusiasts the thrill of a MotoGP-style launch.
IMLegend
To celebrate the Monster legend and the launch of the new Monster Dark, available at dealerships from November 2026, the IMLegend campaign brings together iconic Ducati riders from past and present and Monsteristi from around the world in an exclusive photographic project. A project that tells the story of how, over more than thirty years, Monster has become much more than a motorcycle: a symbol of individuality, belonging, and freedom of expression. Through the faces and stories of those who have ridden it, embraced it, and made it part of who they are, IMLegend celebrates the global community that has turned Monster into a legend in its own right within the Ducati universe.
Dark Version
- Ducati Dark livery
- Single-material seat
- Total black wheels
- Unpainted Front Frame, exhaust end caps and snorkel
- Static turn indicators
Main standard equipment
- V2 engine, 890 cc
- Maximum power: 111 hp at 9,000 rpm
- Maximum torque: 91.1 Nm at 7,250 rpm
- Kerb weight without fuel: 175 kg (-4 kg versus previous model)
- Monocoque frame
- Showa 43 mm upside-down fork
- Showa shock absorber with preload adjustment
- Braking system with Brembo M4.32 calipers and PR16/21 radial master cylinder
- Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres 120/70 and 180/55
- Latest-generation electronics package with 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (6D IMU): Cornering ABS, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC), Engine Brake Control (EBC).
- Petal joystick
- 5-inch full-TFT dashboard with 16:9 aspect ratio and 800 x 400 resolution
- Riding Modes (Sport, Road, Urban, Wet)
- Full-LED lighting system with DRL
- Ready for Ducati Multimedia System (DMS), Turn-by-turn Navigation, Cruise Control, Ducati Quick Shift and Ducati Power Launch
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(original post on modernclassicbikes.co.uk)
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About Ducati
Ducati is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1926 in Bologna, known for high-performance motorcycles with distinctive designs and powerful engines, particularly the 90° V-twin, which it brands as the “L-twin”. The company has a strong racing heritage, competing and winning in MotoGP and WorldSBK championships. Ducati was acquired by Audi in 2012 and is part of the Volkswagen Group.
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