As I’ve mentioned in previous write-ups, I am a sportsbike rider first and foremost. So, what better way to test if the Monster can scratch that itch than by taking it on track?
I get up at the crack of dawn and head to Bedford Autodrome for a general MSV trackday. On arrival it’s damp and foggy, but the forecast is for dry weather later, and I hope it’ll be dry by mid‑morning.
But it isn’t, and the first session is damp, so I take it steady and keep the Monster in Road mode while getting some heat into the tyres. I’m surprised by how well the bike and its Bridgestone Battlax S23 rubber handle the conditions.
By session two it’s raining, so again I head out tentatively. My confidence in the bike and the tyres is building now – by lap three I’m passing several other riders without popping the bike into Wet mode.
The Monster’s lovely 890cc V-twin engine provides plenty of low-down grunt to pull out of the corners and drive down the long straight. The quickshifter performs flawlessly, popping up and down the gears with no fuss while I work out the ideal gear for each corner. But the Ducati is friendly, turning easily in higher and lower gears – it doesn’t feel like the Monster is waiting to catch me out.
The riding position is on the sporty side for a naked, with footpegs set back, and slightly lower straight bars allowing me to move my weight around and lean the bike using all of the rear tyre. I even touch a footpeg down at one point.
On the straights you really notice the absence of a screen. There’s nothing to tuck behind, and you are subjected to all of that wind pressure at higher speeds.
After lunch the sun makes an appearance, so I can get a dry session in. I switch to sport mode, and the Monster comes alive. The throttle response is sharper, and I brake harder and later thanks to the combination of the engine braking and strong Brembo brakes. It all feels more aggressive, yet also more fluid and natural, too.
Four sessions burn through a tank of fuel, so lucky I’d filled it near the track before arriving. The dash tells me I hit 140mph on the straight, too.
All in all, the Monster provides novice track riders a superb day out, giving plenty of thrills while also looking after you.
When you turn on the bike, the dash is slow to start. Not really a problem when you are just starting off for the day, but when turning the bike on and off frequently – like at a trackday – it does get tedious waiting for it to complete its start-up cycle. I timed it – it takes around nine seconds from key turn to full dash display.
Charlotte joined the MCN team as a Product Writer in February 2024. Growing up in a family of bikers, it was almost certain she would eventually ride herself, and she passed her test in July 2021. Though her early fascination with motorbikes was strong, her passion for horses initially took precedence, consuming much of her time and finances.Eventually, Charlotte transitioned from horseback riding to motorcycling, purchasing a Suzuki SV650s. Her collection grew to include a Honda CBR600RR, but an accident caused by faulty traffic lights led to the bike being written off and Charlotte sustaining some injuries. Undeterred, she returned to riding as soon as she recovered, continuing with her SV650s. Recently, she added an Aprilia RS660 to her garage, proudly continuing her journey as a dedicated biker.
Little legs but with big plans, to get on track and off-road