Ducati Monster 796 Rossi MotoGP Replica

Ducati has launched a pair of GP Replica Monster Art schemes dedicated to their factory riders, Nicky “The Kentucky Kid” Hayden and Valentino “The Doctor” Rossi that will be available to Monster owners.

The paintschemes are part of the Monster Art series which now has the “GP Replica” to add to the range. Previous models in the Art series have added around £540 to the price of the standard bike.

The kit consists of of tank panels, micro-bikini fairing, single-seat cover and front mudguard with the riders’ respective logos and racing numbers and will fit any Monster range.

First introduced in 2009, the innovative Monster Art project offered an additional range of colours to the standard factory options with a collection called “Colour Therapy”, while in 2010 the introduction of the “Logomania” collection celebrated 50 years of historic Ducati logo styles.

The Monster family introduces the 796, an exciting addition to the line-up that combines the user-friendliness of the 696 with the sports character of the 1100. Delivering 87hp (64kW), a dry weight of just 167kg (368lb) and optional ABS, the stylish new Monster 796 returns the magic of mid-range to the Monster family.

With the brand new Desmodue 796 engine at the heart of the machine, a single-sided swingarm and revised ergonomics, the Monster 796 perfectly balances lifestyle performance with everyday functionality to enhance the original Monster spirit.

Launched as an early entry model year 2011, the Monster 796 opens a new road to the world of Ducati Monster and becomes the ‘urban icon' of hand-built Italian naked motorcycles.

Monster 796 Specs
Ducati have continued to listen to its passionate Monster owners and used their valuable feedback in the design of the new Monster 796. The riding position has been revised by reducing the 1100's seat height by a full 10mm (0.4in) to 800mm (31.5in) and the combination of redesigning the seat shape and raising the handlebars by 20mm (0.8in) has improved posture and increased comfort. Combined with a dry weight of just 167kg (368lb), thanks to its new lightweight engine, and the option of being equipped with ABS, the new naked inspires confidence to make life simpler in the city.

Suspension up front is handled by user-friendly 43mm Showa forks, while the sporty Ducati single-sided rear swingarm is controlled by a single rear Sachs unit, with adjustable spring preload and return damping for passenger load optimization.

In pure Monster style, the entire chassis set-up is unified into a sturdy, great handling package by a bright red Trellis frame. Lightweight and with incredible torsional stiffness, the large diameter tube construction flows into the cast aluminium rear sub-frame which matches the matte black rear swingarm and footrest hangers.

Twin 320mm semi-floating discs are gripped by radically mounted 4-piston Brembo calipers to provide powerful and progressive front-end braking with rider-friendly ‘feeling', while the rear is equipped with a 245mm disc and 2-piston caliper, also by Brembo. The Monster 796 offers the added option of ABS to further underline the model's focus on ease of use and everyday security.

The 17" wheels are in the five ‘Y-shape' spoked style and produced in lightweight aluminum to keep the unsprung weight low and handling, braking and acceleration performances high. To differentiate the 796, the wheels sport a stylish pin stripe for 60° of the circumference of the rim which creates a full circle of red when in motion. They roll on the same 180/55 rear and 120/70 Pirelli Diablo Rosso tires enjoyed on the 1100.

Desmodue Engine
The brand new 796 Desmodue power unit uses fully redesigned crankcases to save an incredible 1.2kg (2.64lb) over the 696 castings, and are responsible for the major part of the impressive 1.9kg (4.2lb) total saving over the 696 power unit. The clutch and alternator outer casings of the new engine are finished in carbon grey.

The crankshaft is designed with a lightweight 848-type flywheel and uses a 66mm stroke instead of the 696's 57.2mm, helping to maximize power to an impressive 87hp (64kW) @ 8250rpm and torque to 58lb-ft (78Nm) @ 6250rpm while maintaining the smooth and enjoyable character, famous of all Desmodromic L-Twins. An oil cooler is fitted to protect power delivery by maintaining optimum efficiency.

The 803cc swept volume is compressed to a ratio of 11:1 - compared to the 696's 10.7:1 - then injected and ignited by Siemens controlled electronics. The 2-1-2 catalytic exhaust system uses twin lambda probes and regulating valve to provide finer fuel mapping and Euro 3 conformity. The system's lightweight and compact design is achieved by using 1mm thick tubing and terminates in the Monster's signature twin lateral mufflers, stylishly updated with the latest style of heat guards.

An APTC ‘wet' clutch gives a ‘slipper' type action that prevents destabilizing of the rear-end under aggressive down-shifting and also gives the extra benefit of a super-light feel at the lever, a great benefit in stop-start city traffic. The oil-bath clutch represents a power-enhancing weight reduction over the ‘dry' system as well as having a quieter operation and requiring less maintenance.

The new easy-to-own Monster 796 offers competitive service intervals of 12,000 kilometers (7,500 miles).

Controls
The Monster 796 has enhanced comfort and control with 20mm higher bar-risers gripping sturdy tapered section aluminum handlebars.

Integral type Brembo master cylinders are used for both the clutch and brake systems and maintain a clean handlebar arrangement for the rider. They are fitted with user-friendly 4-point adjustable levers that provide easy-to-reach control for all hand sizes and the APTC clutch offers a super-light lever action ideal for use in the city.

Looking clean and minimalist in true Monster style, the bright white illuminated display provides all essential data by default, and far more by scrolling with the left-hand switchgear. Data includes speed, revs, time, scheduled maintenance, oil temperature and battery voltage, while warning lights illuminate for oil pressure, fuel reserve, turn indicators, high beam and neutral selection. In addition, the instruments present a reserve fuel trip, immobilizer status and automatic light-off function after 60 seconds with the key on as well as a memory to store lap times recorded by using the high-beam flash button as a stopwatch.

The display also doubles as a control panel for the activation of the Ducati Data Analyzer (DDA) system, which is available as an accessory from Ducati Performance. The Monster 796 has been built ‘system-ready' for the data acquisition kit, which consists of a special DDA software and memory key that slots into a USB style plug under the seat. The same plug also doubles as the connection for a handy new ‘battery maintainer' available as an accessory from Ducati Performance.

New Monster, New Features
While the Monster 796 is fitted with the micro-bikini fairing and single seat cover as standard, it also features a new seat designed with a comfort-enhancing shape, further accentuated with stylish red stitching. Furthermore, the rear sub-frame has been constructed ready to accept new accessory grab-handles designed to provide a confidence-inspiring grip for the passenger, while blending into the natural line of the rear-end.

2011 Monster 796 in 13 Colors
The new Monster 796 comes in traditional Ducati red, new arctic white silk or diamond black silk with all three colors against a red Trellis frame and black wheels, which feature a new red flash around 60° of the rim side, creating a red stripe at speed. Monster Art extends the 3 standard colors to 13 with the new collection, ‘Logomania'.

Further aesthetic enhancements come from the footrest hangers finished in matte black to match the rear sub-frame and single-sided swingarm, new Ducati logo on the front mudguard and the Tricolore displayed proudly on the single-seat cover and fuel tank.

The 2011 Ducati Monster 796 will be slotted into the lineup between the 696 and 1100 models, both of which will still be produced. The new Monster is powered by an air-cooled Desmodue 796 engine, which first debuted in the Hypermotard 796 in late 2009.

According to Ducati, the Monster 796 produces 87 hp at 8,250 rpm and has 58 ft-lb. of torque at 6,250 rpm, compared to the Hypermotard 796’s 81 hp at 8,000 rpm and 55.7 ft-lb. at 6,250 rpm.Like its larger sibling, the M1100, the Monster 796 has a single-sided swingarm

The new Monster 796 will be available in Ducati Red, arctic white silk or diamond black silk, each with the classic red trellis frame. Ducati is also offering a series of customized graphics called “Logomania”, the second part of the Project Monster Art collection.

The Monster Art kits offer a number of options based on classic bikes from Ducati’s past. Also available for the Monster 1100 and Monster 696, the kits include tank covers, a mudguard, a micro-bikini fairing and seat cover.
 
MCN Ride Review
“The twisting mountain roads on the outskirts of Bologna prove to be a very practical test for the Monster 796; the third example of the present Monster range. There hasn’t been a Monster to fill the gap between the 696 and the 1100 since the demise of the Monster 750 several years ago. Ducati claim the Monster 796 is as easy to ride as the 696 but with greater performance and this is exactly how the 796 feels to ride.
“The bike has a strong spread of torque and makes the gears feel taller than they are. It pulls cleanly through the midrange and acceleration is strong – easily enough to make you smile as you barrel through – and between – the twists. This engine is perfectly suited to the stiff chassis of the traditional trellis frame and obligatory single sided swing arm. All in all, it’s a bike made to make you smile – and does so with ease. I like it.