CLASS OF ITS OWN: DUCATI MONSTER SP

It's hard to overstate just how important the Monster has been and still is to Ducati, and the Monster SP is set to heighten that legacy.

- JOHNNY MAC

The Monster’s been around for 30 years in one form or another and was part of the Ducati range during the 851 era, then the 916 era, and then 999, 1098 and the twin-cylinder Panigale all came and went... all the while, the Monster just kept getting made up from bits from other bikes in the range and maintaining popularity until 2021, when it broke away from its original formula. Ducati has shifted more than 350,000 Monsters over the years, so be in no doubt that the Monster has made a bigger contribution to the #1 plate on Bagnaia’s MotoGP bike this year than the more relatable Panigale.

Ducati says that the 2021 Monster is the fourth generation one, but I’m not so sure. It is true that there have been literally dozens and dozens of variants over the years, but they’ve all followed the same basic principle of using a frame from one bike and an engine from another and ancillaries from another. A manufacturer might well point to a particular nuance that they believe defines a change of generation, but for me, the change that came in 2021 represents the first significant shift in the Monster’s philosophy by getting its very own bespoke frame.

The Monster became its own bike in 2021, and what an upgrade it was. As well as going on a massive diet itself, the entire Monster range also got slimmed down to just the one bike, simply known as Monster. No more 659s, 797s, 821s or 1200s to think about, just whether you like your Monster with or without a pillion seat cover and fly screen.