Ducati Monster 797 2017 — Specifications

Three years of absence, and Bologna resets the counters. When Ducati shelved the 796 at the end of 2014, many cried heresy. The Monster, this motorcycle that invented the modern naked in the 90s, found itself without an entry-level model, squeezed between an 821 for those with deep pockets and a 1200 for those who want to play with fear. The Ducati Monster 797 closes this blank chapter, and it does so with a significant argument: the return of the air-cooled twin.

This 803 cm3 Desmodue was brought back into the spotlight with the Scrambler before being grafted onto this 2017 Monster. It's an engine with character, one that vibrates, growls, and reminds you that a motorcycle doesn't have to be aseptic to be enjoyable. Certainly, Euro 4 standards have trimmed the figures: 75 horsepower at 8250 rpm against 87 for the 796 at its peak, and a torque of 68.9 Nm available at 5750 rpm. On paper, the setback is real. In practice, this peak torque is reached much earlier in the rev range changes the nature of the motorcycle, making it more supple and easier to exploit on a daily basis. And for A2 license holders, the Ducati Monster 797 A2 ticks all the boxes: derestricting should not pose any technical problems, and dealers already offer the process as standard.

The chassis is a condensed version of what Ducati knows how to do when it stops chasing absolute performance. Steel trellis frame, 43 mm Kayaba inverted fork, Sachs adjustable shock absorber in preload and rebound, triangular aluminum swingarm inherited from the 696 generation. The wheelbase of 1480 mm and the 193 kg when fully fueled make it a lively motorcycle, reactive in chainings, noticeably lighter than the 821 that complements it in the range. The braking system doesn't joke: two 320 mm discs bitten by four-piston radial Brembo monoblock calipers, with ABS as standard. For a motorcycle at €8,990, it's equipment that isn't found everywhere. The Yamaha MT-07, a direct competitor and absolute reference in the segment, certainly offers a more modern and more powerful twin-cylinder, but the Monster responds with an identity that the Japanese cannot imitate.

What is captivating about the Ducati Monster 797 2017 is this consistency between the look and the sensations. The silhouette remains faithful to the codes of the family, with a clearly visible 16.5-liter tank, a clean rear end, and a round LED taillight. Available in red, in white with red frame Ducati Monster 797, or in matte black Ducati Monster 797 according to your desires, it embraces its heritage without overdoing it. The understated equipment, LCD dashboard and USB port under the seat, does not betray the positioning: here, we are not selling technology, we are selling riding pleasure.

Who is this motorcycle really aimed at? Beginners who want to treat themselves to an Italian badge without breaking the bank, returning motorcyclists after a few years of hiatus, those looking for a Ducati Monster 797 used in a few years to access the brand at a reduced price. It is not perfect: the non-adjustable fork limits the possibilities for those who would like to push the motorcycle on the track, and 75 horsepower will not shake a rider accustomed to mid-displacement roadsters. But in a tight corner, on a winding road, with this V-twin pulsing under the frame, it reminds you why the Monster has existed for more than twenty years. It is not a record-breaking machine, it is a machine of sensations.