Ducati have revealed the Monster Dark, an all-black version of their V2-powered naked that revives a livery dating back to the very first Monster of 1993.
Mechanically it’s unchanged from the standard Monster , but the Dark strips things back visually with a single-fabric seat, black wheels and exposed structural elements including the front frame, exhaust end caps and air intake snorkel.
Ducati say it is ‘the purest, most essential version of the Monster’, aimed at widening the bike’s appeal – hence why the bike has a £10,995 launch price compared with the standard Monster’s £12,395.
Power comes from Ducati’s 890cc V2 with variable intake valve timing, producing a claimed 109bhp at 9000rpm and 67lb.ft at 7250rpm, with more than 80% of peak torque available between 4000 and 10,000rpm. A 47bhp A2-restricted version is also offered.
Beneath the new lack of bling, the chassis uses the same aluminium monocoque frame bolted to the engine, with a rear subframe design that Ducati say cut 4kg from the previous generation.
Ducati claim a weight of 175kg for the Dark. Seat height is 815mm, and suspension is by Showa with non-adjustable 43mm forks, and brakes are Brembo.
Electronics include cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control and engine brake control, all adjustable, with four riding modes including a softer Urban setting for commuting.
A 5in TFT dash is pre-wired for the Ducati Multimedia System and turn-by-turn navigation. Ducati Quick Shift, cruise control, launch control, a pillion seat cover and a screen are all optional extras rather than standard fit.
When MCN tested the current Monster earlier this year we gave it four stars – praising the V2’s broad spread of torque and its agile handling, while noting that Ducati’s options list adds up quickly.
Anyone looking at a Monster as an entry-level to Ducati ownership will surely be tempted by this new model. It looks cooler than the standard bike and keeps all the gadgets and gizmos but costs almost £1500 less. The all-black treatment arguably suits the Monster’s minimalist brief better than anything else.
Ben Clarke began riding (legally) at 21-years-old when he passed his direct access one month before shipping his Yamaha XT660 R to Miami and embarking on a 13,500-mile tour of the USA and Central America. He's worked at MCN for the last six years, riding everything from super nakeds and superbikes to small-capacity electrics and scooters across several continents. In more recent years, he's worked closely with the bike kit team to bring you all the latest news and reviews about the bike-related products we all use every day.
Lover of V-twins and big singles, partial to a tour