Made-For-India Monster

Italian superbike manufacturer Ducati has been busy giving final touches to its Asia-specific 795cc Monster, which is all set to ride into the Indian horizon very soon. Ammar Alvi reports.

With the success of the inaugural Formula One Grand Prix under its belt, India is now preparing to bring MotoGP to these parts. In few years time, expect to see the mega biking challenge on the Buddh International Race Circuit. Keeping up with this need for speed, Italian superbike manufacturer Ducati will soon unveil in India its Asia-specific 795cc Monster.

What is even better is that the pricing, which is expected to be a mouthwatering `5-6 lakh. If that’s true, then Monster will surely rule the middleweight bike market. Its rivals, like the Kawasaki Ninja 650R and the Hyosung GT650, will face a serious threat, even though it’s easier said than done.

The Monster has been one of Ducati’s most popular naked bikes, a cult classic since its launch as the M900 in the early 90’s. The design is simple with minimalistic cladding and a lot of style and character. Since then, it has ruled the roads all over the world. Now, with the 795, a perfect combination of the Monster 696 and the Monster 796, expect more fireworks.

Simple yet stylish is what defines the Monster 795. Powered by a 803cc Desmodromic L-Twin 2-valve per cylinder air-cooled motor, it pumps out a whooping 87 PS of power at 8,250 rpm and 78 Nm of torque at 6,250rpm. What does this translate to? The power is transmitted to the rear wheel with the help of a six-speed gearbox, and with only 167 kg weight, the 795 is easy to handle and should be quick on Indian roads.

Ducati has been working hard to make it more accessible in markets like India, and that’s the reason it’s launching the Asian version here. The bike was recently unveiled by none other than Moto GP champion Valentino Rossi in Malaysia, and is expected to be built at Ducati’s Thailand facility. With this decision, many other south Asian countries will benefit, and the Ducati brand will become more accessible. Let’s wait and watch and keep tuned for more on the Monster.