2022 Ducati Monster - Not All Change Is Good 

I bought one last year. The Urban setting works well for in-town commutes. Touring works great for long distance, provided you don't open the throttle too much. Sport mode is obviously for the full range of power and speed. One of my favorite traits of this bike is the customization of each mode. You can down-torque it; turn on or off features; and otherwise use it as a training bike or an advanced bike based on the customization. Sports mode as well as in any other mode, when in high speeds, this bike eats up fuel fast. I travel nearly 200 miles on one tank however, while in Touring mode and lose about twenty miles or so in Sports mode when riding long distances. Is it the best for long distances? No. It does feel safer than the bikes I have ridden int eh past when it comes to maneuverability and escaping dangerous situations. I love my Monster and while I'm sure there are better bikes out there, when you bond with a bike, you stand by it. This is mine for life!

I see a lot sport bike RU-vidrs saying how much they love the new monsters and how much sporty it got. But I still like the old monster anyway. Great video.

Great video Scott. Refreshing to hear someone give their honest opinion for a change. 👍👍

It’s the most beautiful in the Middle weight segment!

I was very close to buying the Monster, but for a few thousand more I went with the SEXY Streetfighter V2. The appearance of the new Monster still looks very good.

Great review Scott, must say I think the new Monster looks amazing!

I just got my first Monster. It's a 2013 Monster 796 that I rode down from Northern AZ to Southern AZ. Having never ridden a Ducati and only Japanese bikes, the trip down from the Mountains was one of the most exhilarating experiences. Instinctively I started using the clutch to tame the bike and the bike will warn you to keep it revved even at 80mph lol. I thought I purchased a bike that needed work, but looking at reviews it's completely normal for a Monster. I would not change it, the Monster requires your complete attention at all times, sad this isn't the case with the newer Monsters.

Thank you for your honest opinion. Appreciate it. 👍

I just enjoy your reviews so very much! I enjoy the complete and efficient reviews that I truly feel I learn something new about each bike you review. A commanding review that rises to the top of all the Review Charts! Your hard work, knowledge and RU-vid Personality, is Superior in my view. When is a Monster Not a Monster!? A Monster Review! RideWithPeace.

I prefer the aesthetics of the exposed frame of prior generations. Great review of the latest version of this vibrating machine.

🎯 as usual. the first couple of mins take on new ducati with respect to older ducati is epic. great learning for newbies like me .

Great review and sum up Scott. Last time I was shopping around for bikes I really wanted a Monster. Especially liked the 821 Monster. Had 2 test rides on that, loved it. Then had a chance to ride the 1200 Monster, the stock one, not the S and boy that bike but a huge grin on my face, it was angry all the time. Both these previous gen Monsters were absurdly fun. Ended up buying a BMW R1200R in the end though as I needed more luggage space. Not regretting my decision by any means, but have to admit the Monster is a more fun bike. Then took out this current gen Monster for a test ride because why not. I heard all the opinions about it not being a proper monster and all and had to see it for myself. And indeed, the experience was very much how you described it. Plenty of power, very precise and scalpel like. Also more comfortable than the previous Monsters I think. Quick shifter I found pretty decent (coming from the beemer, it's no surprise). I also found the bike very light, small and agile compared to the previous gen Monsters I tried. Overall, a very decent bike. But yes, compared to the MT09 I tried, it's not much different other than the badge. And I'd say the 890 Duke and the Triumph Street Triple both have more character than this Ducati. Interestingly, it went from the most fun and flavourful bike of the bunch to the level of the most bland one, the MT09. That's not to say these are not excellent bikes, both the Duc and the MT are great middle weight nakeds, but they don't have that aspirational feel to them. Which is a shame especially for the Monster. In my eyes, it went from coveted forever bike for many, to the first bike well off people buy when they wanna get onto two wheels. And I get it, this latter is probably a better target market, but the tame Monster is a loss for the motorcycle community.

If you get a chance, a review on the 2022 kawasaki z900 would be great :)

Thanks for your video Scott, I always enjoy your content. So I'm a new rider and recently bought this machine. I needed to start with a 35kW bike (I'm based in Switzerland, and going for my full A licence now). I was also looking at the Tuono Factory and Triumph Trident. In the end I went with the Monster for a few reasons (aesthetics, higher power once restrictions are removed, Ducati badge, ergos for my own height & weight, and of course the emotional response it gave me!). As a new rider I wasn't comparing this to older versions of the Monster (which I also really like); I just experienced it for what it is today rather than what it was before. I have to say I am having an absolute blast on this bike (even on the lower 35kW version). It's huge fun on the open road, at higher speeds, and on twisties. Super responsive, tight and light. I don't feel like it could get away from me too much. I also agree that it's not really a city bike; fine in small towns etc. but I would not like to be using this in heavy traffic and low speeds. It runs hot too so if you live in a warmer climate in heavy traffic... yuck. And although it lacks the iconic trellis frame of yesteryear, this bike still turns heads believe me! I went for Aviator Grey with red rims & Termignoni exhaust (street, not track) - it's badass. I love this bike and am sure many other riders like me will too. Ride safe guys!

Appreciate your honest review!

Once again a Brilliant Review.👌

NEXT YEAR 1000cc Engines will be Middleweight Great video. I loved it.

finally someone who argues for the nostalgic :) good one Scott! btw I love my supersport and to me that’s the monster with fairing I have ever hoped for. let’s hope ducati doesn’t take that away ha!

I just bought this bike, and at the beginning I was really close to return it, after the second ride, it made me change my mind, and I will keep it, I love the bike, all thanks to a video with the full termignoni exhaust the bike wakes up like a monster really.

great review - i like this bike a lot, i did consider it when i got my streefighter v4 - you cant go wrong with monster

Appreciate your honesty Scott. I too love the 1100 motor. I ride a Multistrada 1100 and it's a joy.

A nice review that helps beginners like me.

Very interesting and novel take on the new Monster, Scott. I appreciated that you reviewed the DNA of the Monster and not just the look of the new frame as opposed to the trellis frame, as in most reviews. I wonder if Ducati missed the opportunity to turn the Monster into a neo-retro design, rather than into a naked bike. The trellis frame was not only a visual cue but also created a feel and a vibe to the bike. Why not update the trellis frame to maintain that feel/vibe and create competition for Speed Twin, Z900Rs, XSR900, etc rather than make it into a watered down Streetfighter?

Great analysis.

I've been trying to compare this bike with the 1100 Evo as my next purchase and was going to leave a question asking which you preferred. I don't need to ask that question! Great video, thanks...

Good video as always! Would you consider any of the ducati scramblers more "monster-like" and if so why?

Same engine in my Multi V2S, just had my first service and still amazed it’s a 937cc engine with ‘only’ 115hp, feels a lot quicker. A lot of fun despite moving ‘down’ from a 1250GS. The engine does prefer the mid range above 4000 but that’s not a problem, to be honest I love it and there’s more than enough punch for the road, in fact on a country ‘B’ road there isn’t much better.

Great review Scott, What a shame that the Monster lost the look and the dna of a real Monster (2011 Evo)

Your honesty gets 2 thumbs up! Boom-Boom!

Good review.

Right with you👏

What a crucial review you nailed it once again 👏 if i had to choose a middleweight bike i'd go for a triple no doubt.....

Good honest review Scott. Thanks. I'm riding a 2020 Street Triple R (thanks for the recommendation). Fine in traffic, you can cruise at 50 kph in 5th and just quick shift down if traffic appears. 12-15kph in 1st idling at 1000 rpm. I like the idea of a Ducati but maybe the Monster won't be the bike for round town? Maybe not worth trading??

Best Monster ever !

Good Morning Scott, I’ve just checked at Becker-Tiemann’s... they still have the anniversary model you spoke of. Suggest go and buy it and keep it.Think you deserve a keeper too You’ve cost me a bit of money over the years... ( For which I’m glad 😃 ) I’ve mentioned the K1600 B in the past but last year a GSA 1250 joined my collection too ( rally hp colours). Your review of the monster is accurate. Last year I looked at the new model and felt they’d made a mistake by omitting the Trellis frame, so opted for a pre owned 2016 model 1200R ( the air cooled evo’s weren’t available at the time on the pre owned market where we live. It’s a fantastic bike. I’m not interested In lap times... the aesthetics and rider feel are what matters. Motorcycles are generally an emotive purchase and I think Ducati may have made a mistake. Perhaps they’ll relaunch the trellis frame one day... and call it “ Monster Classic “ Just watched Miguel Galluzzi’s video again on why he called it Monster in the first place ( great vid) Hope Ducati watch your channel too. Anyways keep on keeping on. Thank you for your continued efforts in making RU-vid videos. Kind regards Tibor

It had to be said, and someone finally did!

Great job Scott.. Thanks.. It is for sure no longer monster..but it is Ducati… NTP….. Ride safe…

Love the scenery of Germany Beautiful bike I like the ergonomically and riding triangle. All manufactures seem to be aiming at performance now instead of character -must be because the younger generation is buying these bikes

I had a 2012 monster 1100 Evo. I loved it but had to get rid of it. I was thinking about this one in the sp. figure the bump in hp makes up for the less torque but this bike is a lot lighter so should be a better ride. Thanks for the honest review.

If you weren't driving on the right side of the road I could have sworn you were in England. That place looks exactly like where I live.

Nice review. I really like this latest version of the Monster as a fun & charasmstic road bike but the lack of adjustable suspension for this class & price is an error imo. However I'm very interested in the imminent Monster SP which will address this & potentially make it class leading but also too expensive I suspect.

This bike is the most fun to ride on the street. Bar none!

First Monster 900 was also based on the 851 Superbike frame, afaik.

The iconic design is gone. I can't tell the difference between this and the mt07, fz07.

Hello. great review as always. I would like to inquire about a test of the new Suzuki GSX-s 1000, it will be soon? Greetings from Poland. (ODRA river R.I.P :-(

For a few grand more, get the streetfighter v2, the monster has lost its identity.

Can you test ride/review The yamaha MT03 from 2006-2012 with the 660cc single cylinder. I have the same bike & would like to get your take on it.

I think the looks have lost the “wow” factor. It kinda looks a little mundane now.

Tuono 660 factory 🚀

So I ask, between this and the Moto Guzzi 85TT, and or the Moto Guzzi Stone where does the Monster fit?

That Ducati "shake" isn't only on this one. 797 acts the same way. Happier the harder you push it. Same with the 821 I Noticed as well. I can't speak of the 1200 though. Have yet to ride it.

The Monster was in an weird position of competition with either the retros or the sport nakeds. Ducati could have taken it to either extreme, it seems they went all in on competing with the 900cc naked segment. The scramblers fill the retro segment, but as you mentioned, it is strange that they have the streetfighter v2 in the 900cc mix as well.

Vanilla is very accurate IMO

Scott- don't forget Ducati's own Hypermotard 950 as part of the middleweight naked group, as it uses the same engine as the new Monster. In fact, I think it might fit in better than the SF V2 in your comparison chart (I have one, and it's much more versatile than the company would have you believe!)

Hi Scooth, I m totally agree with you, its not a Monster anymore and sales will let know ducati about it. Congratulations as always ! Mike

aww sad to hear this :( I was always a big fan of the 'emozione' that the Ducati Monster brought, sounds like that is missing in this model.

Hi Scott can review Kawasaki z900rs

you have to fill it every 100miles?

Not sure I heard a clear verdict. Would you pick this over a Z900RS? I know, not an apples to apples, but I’m deciding between those two bikes. Looking to get the fun that is most fun and sparks emotions, but cannot test either

Great bike but now just an MT09 with an L-twin now

I really feel like the Scrambler range is more like the og Monster, the new Monsters are more like Ducati's take on an mt07/09.

Did 2021-22 mt-09 do it….have a smooth quick shifter at different rpm’s?

Few days ago, ducati declared that in mid September there will be a new ducati monster SP

I hate these single pipe thing coming out of engine and fail to understand why they removed previous double pipe version. It’s loosing some kind of shape or symmetry at the bottom but perhaps it’s only me. Same they did it to Scramblers too.

Too bad. All the real Ducati characteristics disappear bit by bit. Trellis, Desmo, clutch, sound, powerdelivery, etc. They become Audicati's now. If this Monster came out of the blue we would probably rate it higher, but everybody who remembers the sound and looks of a 916... aaaah this nostalgia!

Great review - totally agree. I wanna love it but it’s just not that exciting …

Ride the bike in sport mode after the break in period. This bike is very, very fast!

I think the motorcycle world needs to learn the difference between weight divisions? If 1000 is heavyweight,then 500 would be middleweight,750 would be light-heavyweight and anything between that and 1000 would be cruiserweight.

Is 937cc really middleweight though?

nothing about the new monsters makes me want to switch from my '16 monster 1200R. the streetfighter v4s on the other hand...

Ha ha .. not bad ! The trellis frames need to come back as do the curved exhaust designs . That was a work of art , it was a ducati . Not this . Everything can’t be about power and electronics .

I had a 696 - worst road bike I ever owned. A pleasure to hear an honest opinion on the new “Moonster”. Non-adj suspension at £12k OMG

Everything that made a Ducati Monster a Ducati Monster is gone. No more trellis frame, no more dry clutch. This Monster looks like any other bike in this category but it just more expensive. Absolutely no character.

Vary bike

you either go to different hair dresser or your hair dresser has got more experience now -- quality of haircut has improved too 😃

This or a tuono 660 factory?

The new Ducati looks like a Japanese bike. I would pay more for the character of the Italian flare. I paid more for my Superduke 1290 for the cool factor.

My 21 V4s dont like to be under 4g either.

What is a monster supposed to be ?

Ktm duke II vs new duke 890? You could say the same critic 🤷‍♂️

No trellis No monster

trellis for ever!

I think somethings off with the looks off that engine. It just looks a bit awkward.

👍👍🇨🇦

I'll keep my 1200S...

I had a 2016 797 I had a 821 2018 nothing turns like a Ducati but it’s too expensive to ride daily parts are way too expensive

Looks like my plan to keep my 2005 Monster is going to be the better choice, good. I haven't ever considered getting rid of it since I first started riding it a number of years ago. But I will be adding a sibling, perhaps a Multistrada 1260S. We'll see what next year brings.

For the money I’d rather have an MT09-SP instead of the Italian variant. Either that, or the Austrian super scalpel 890 Duke R

i like more my 695 than this anonimous bike

Sounds like a lawn mower at low RPMs.....

First they ruined the street fighter with no exposed frame. Now they did the same to the monster. Shoulda kept my 848.

Waffle

I have this model it goes and handles very well, lots of high speed fun, however on a 16c winters day driving through traffic the engine temp gets up to 96c the heat off the engine when the tiny little thermo fan kicks in is stifling when just sitting stationary. normal temp when riding sits on 75-80c In summer we have 35-40c for weeks on end I am fairly sure that the engine will have a melt down in that kind of ambient temperature. So I will be selling my Monster before that happens.

You gave the supersport a glowing review and this a negative review. They share the same engine and alot of other components. 🤔

I got very close to buying a new Monster but for the money I bought a year old R1250R which just gave more for my value

The famous monster is turnt into an average naked, bad choice Ducati

You mean, "not bad" Volkswagen

as a monster 821 owner, i am a bit disappointed by the engine: it has the same issue as my bikes engine, its quite rough below 4k rpm. i would have thought that being considerably bigger (126cc more) but with the same power it would have at least been smoother. i'm sure the suspension is better, but i wouldn't say it's worth getting the new monster over the 821 considering the price difference.

It looks like a Chinese effort to replicate "Monster"....

I think I'd go for the MT 09. Even though its got a terrible dash. The Yamaha has a more reliable and more fun motor. And better looking