Ducati 696 MONSTER 2009

They dared! Tackling the Monster myth was as simple as trying to redesign the 916. Pierre Terblanche had broken his teeth there … But it had to happen, and Ducati is giving it a go. After 15 years without taking a wrinkle, after a slew of versions (600, 620, 695, 750, 800, 900, 1000, S2R, S4, S4R, S4RS and special series), after so much praise and rants , the Monster passes the torch to a new generation.

Of course, she is expected around the corner. He will be blamed for this or that for a while. It is difficult to forgive some pencil strokes … and this is the lot of each motorcycle elevated to the rank of icon when the day of the remodeling comes (the 916, the R1, the CB 500, the VFR, the Stinger, etc. …). So, salute the audacity before criticizing excessively. And whether we are for or against this change, we must admit that this new Monster is not lacking in mouth.
Still low and stocky, it now looks like she is tucking her head into her shoulders. Its stylized headlight gives it a small MV-Agusta Brutale dimension while the side exhausts under the saddle make us think of the Triumph Street Triple. The orïBreakthroughs in the tank surprise, detonate, can disturb, but do not upset as much as the solutions adopted for the chassis.

Previously, the frame was an end-to-end tubular trellis. On the 696 Monster, it is still this type of structure that dominates, with larger diameter tubes, but, oh surprise, it ends with a molded aluminum part to create the rear loop. Actually a hybrid, like the frame of the Desmosedici GP7. Like any modern roadster, the 696 is in turn equipped with top sports braking: 320 mm discs bitten by radial 4-piston calipers. And in order not to do things halfway, the swingarm is also completely new, huge, looking ready to take a bunch of horses..

Because indeed, there are more nags in the twin of the 696. 9% more, or 80 horsepower. And at the same displacement, the torque jumped even more by 11%, reaching almost 7 mkg. And yet, the internal dimensions are the same – but we are in the presence of the evolution of the 695 cm3: the cylinder heads are now of the same type as those of the 1100 which equips the Multistrada and Hypermotard. Pistons and combustion chambers have evolved. Ducati has also improved the heat exchange by giving a new shape to the cooling fins. We also find the APTC clutch synonymous with easier handling.

Even while modernizing, the Monster remains a Monster, immediately identifiable, and which now embeds modern fashion technology. Ad’tchao the double needle counter – the instrument panel is a brand new handset with dual digital display windows. Class, high-tech, design but what about to take a peek at the engine speed (Although purists say that a Ducati behaves by ear) ?
The rear light swaps the bulb for LEDs, the front one becomes an oval multi-combination very nice to look at.

The transalpine manufacturer dares to evolve while preserving the Monster spirit. Radical change ? Certainly not. Surprising? Not just a little. Crispy ? Like always ;-). It’s gone again for 15 years ?