Ducati Monster SP revealed; track-focused Monster

Ducati has taken the wraps off the new Monster SP, its second launch in the 2023 digital World Premiere series, the online event bringing us a new model from the Bologna-based marque periodically. 

The Ducati Monster SP (SP stands for Sport Production), is a more track-focused version of their sporty middleweight naked, the Monster. The Monster SP version gets a whole host of mechanical changes to suit its track-focused character, including but not limited to, fully-adjustable Ohlins suspension, Brembo Stylema calipers and a homologated Termignoni slip-on exhaust. 

• MotoGP-inspired livery on the Monster SP

• Fully-adjustable Ohlins suspension, Brembo Stylema calipers

• Monster SP 2kg lighter than the standard Monster 

Ducati Monster SP: What’s changed over the standard Monster?

 

A whole lot, actually. Ducati has gone through the entire bike and managed to shave off 2kgs from its kerb weight, which means the Monster SP tips the scales at 186kg fully fueled up (188kg for the standard Monster). This has been achieved due to the implementation of superior, and lighter, componentry in the form of a lithium-ion battery, Brembo Stylema calipers, fully-adjustable Ohlins suspension front and rear, a steering damper and a homologated Termignoni slip-on exhaust. The Monster SP also comes shod with the Pirelli Diablo Rosso 4 tires, same as on the recently-launched Ducati Streetfighter V2.

That isn’t all though, Ducati took it one step further with changes to the geometry of the bike as well. For starters, the seat height has risen to 840mm (up from 820mm on the standard Monster), which can either be increased to 850mm or reduced to 810mm, depending on the accessory seat option chosen. Coming to the geometry changes, Ducati has shortened the wheelbase and endowed it with a sharper rake angle and reduced trail, in an effort to increase cornering clearance, which should pay dividends on the track. However, while Ducati does claim cornering clearance has increased, they haven’t mentioned by how much. 

The Ducati Monster SP also gets different riding modes compared to the standard Monster. Where the standard Monster is equipped with Sport, Touring and Urban modes, the Monster SP comes with Sport, Road and Wet riding modes. The rest of the electronics, however, are carried over unchanged from the standard Monster. 

To differentiate it visually from the standard bike, Ducati has adorned this higher-spec version of the Monster with a paint scheme borrowed from its MotoGP bikes, a red seat and red accents on the front fender and wheels. The Monster SP also comes standard with the bikini fairing, which is an optional extra on the standard Monster. 

Ducati Monster SP: What stays the same?

The 937cc liquid-cooled, V-Twin engine is in the same state of tune as the standard bike and as such it is good for 111hp at 9,250rpm and 93 Nm at 6,500rpm. Mated to this engine is a 6-speed gearbox, which is hydraulically-actuated and also benefits from a bidirectional quickshifter. The aluminium alloy front frame is carried over from the standard bike as well. The internal as well as final drive ratios in the gearbox are the same as well. While the brake calipers are more premium Brembo Stylema units compared to the 4.32 monoblocs on the standard Monster, the actual brake discs are the same in size at 320mm. As with the standard Monster, the SP version can also be equipped with heated grips and Ducati Multimedia System as an optional extra. 

Ducati Monster SP: Pricing and India launch

While the pricing hasn’t been revealed yet, expect this SP version to cost a fair bit more than the standard version, considering the vast amount of changes that have been made to it. As far as India is concerned, no official word on the launch has been made yet and considering it will command a significant premium over the standard Monster, expect very few Monster SP bikes to come to our shores, if at all. 

Would you pick the Monster SP over the standard Monster? Let us know in the comments section below.