The 2023 Ducati Monster SP Will Be Here in January

Has it really been 30 years since the OG Ducati Monster? Why, yes. Yes it has. Ducati is celebrating the birth of Miguel Galluzzi’s naked baby by introducing a special, SP version for ’23, with: Öhlins suspension, Brembo Stylema front calipers, Termignoni approved silencer, Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tires, steering damper, and a lithium-ion battery. Buon compleanno, bambino Monstro!

Ducati Press Release:

Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 15 September 2022 – In the second episode of the Ducati World Première web series 2023, Ducati presented the new Monster SP: a version designed to enhance the fun, thanks to a perfect package of technical equipment for those who love sporty riding.

The Monster SP is powered by the 937 cc Desmodromic Testastretta 11° twin-cylinder engine, lightened, refined, enhanced and naturally exploited as a stressed element of the chassis. Euro 5 approved, this engine has a maximum power output of 111 hp (81.6 kW) at 9,250 rpm and a maximum torque of 9.5 kgm (93 Nm) at 6,500 rpm. All this with a full and friendly delivery curve at all engine speeds, with particular attention to the medium-low range, the most used on the road.

Despite its outstanding performance, the Testastretta 937 is an extremely reliable and undemanding engine from a maintenance point of view. Oil change servicing has expiry dates of 15,000 km (9300 miles), while the valve clearance must be checked and adjusted if necessary every 30,000 (18,600 miles).

The use of the Ride by Wire system allows the adoption of the different Riding Modes, updated and recalibrated specifically for the SP version, to offer the possibility to change the character of the engine according to tastes or needs. The slipper clutch that equips the Monster SP works in an oil bath and is extremely light to operate and modular, but at the same time more performing in power transmission. In fact, the system works in a bidirectional way by “pushing” the discs against each other in acceleration and relieving the pressure of the springs when opposite torque is applied, thus avoiding rear wheel lock-up in the most sudden braking. The gearbox is equipped with the standard bidirectional Ducati Quick Shift, to better support the rider in sporty riding and at the same time reduce fatigue when touring or in the city.

The sporty nature of the Monster SP can be seen immediately thanks to the livery that incorporates the 2022 colors of the Ducati Lenovo Team’s Desmosedici GP, the golden anodizing of the Öhlins NIX30 fork and the presence of a Termignoni approved silencer as standard. Particularly high-quality details are the red saddle, which is integrated with the tail in the side view, the Monster SP logo on the passenger seat cover and the Ducati logo on the fuel tank, larger and inspired by the Panigale V4 graphics.

The SP livery gives the Monster a more attractive and aggressive image, with graphics inspired by the factory team’s Desmosedici MotoGP bikes. Characterized by a play on the three shades of red of the different tags – Ducati Red, Racing Red, Amaranth Red – in contrast with the glossy black, the graphics underline the dynamism of the Monster SP. The saddle in red fabric recalls racing imag es, and helps to give lightness to the tail, creating visual continuity with the side panels in the same colour. The Italian flag is included on the latter, together with the specific Monster SP logo. Even on the tank, the Ducati lettering is characterized by higher dimensions, with clear reference to the Panigale V4 graphics.

The braking system improves in performance, increasing in power and modulation thanks to the adoption of Brembo Stylema radial calipers that act on 320mm diameter discs featuring new aluminum flanges. At the rear the 245 mm single disc unit remains. The modifications allow the Monster SP to express greater braking power but also to improve agility thanks to the reduction of unsprung masses: the Stylema calipers allow a weight saving of 0.4 kg (0.9 lb), the aluminum flanges another 0.5 kg (1.1 lb).

The Sport, Touring and Wet Riding Modes allow the rider to shape the Monster’s character according to tastes and needs. Everything is easily managed through the handlebar controls and the 4.3” color TFT dashboard, featuring racing graphics that echo those of the Panigale V4, with a large rev counter and a complete set of information on the left, including that of the gear engaged.

The Ducati Monster SP will arrive in dealerships starting from January 2023, also in a depowered version for riding with an A2 license*.