With the arrival of an all-new, ‘fifth technology’ Monster for 2026, it’s well timed to recollect the historical past of the bike which, initially unveiled in 1993, went on to turn out to be the Italian agency’s most profitable mannequin ever.
Many assume it was the 1994 916 that revived Ducati’s fortunes within the Nineteen Nineties. As a substitute, though the 916 did seize extra headlines, dominated world superbikes and have become Ducati’s ‘poster bike’, it was, first, the 1991 750 and 900 Supersports, then, much more efficiently, the 1993 Monster 900, which returned the Italian model to prosperity, paving the way in which for a complete new period.
The Monster 900’s aggressive roadster model began the entire ‘tremendous bare’ class. At an accessible £7500 it was an important gross sales hit, and that reputation, spun off into 600, 750 variations and extra, spawned a best-selling household which was Ducati’s lifeblood for many years to return.
From 1993 to 2000, the Monster accounted for a whopping 42 per cent of Ducati gross sales. Throughout sure intervals, Monsters represented 70 per cent of Ducati’s complete manufacturing. And up to now, nicely over 350,000 Monsters of all kinds have been bought. No strain on the brand new, lighter, extra reasonably priced 2026 model then…
Ducati Monster SP
The story of the creation of the 1993 unique has typically been retold however is price a quick recap right here. It was the pet challenge of then junior Cagiva (who then owned Ducati) designer Miguel Galluzzi (who’s now head of design for the Piaggio Group)
An Argentinean who grew up in LA, he graduated in design in 1986, labored for Opel then Honda, joined Cagiva/Ducati within the late ‘80s and was impressed by the ‘canyon racers’, stripped down, ‘bare’ bikes he’d seen on his schooldays.
“This stayed in my thoughts,” he recalled later. “That you just didn’t really want a lot – simply handlebars, gasoline tank and a seat.”
Later, impressed by {a magazine} ‘stripped down’ photograph of Ducati’s then 851 superbike, he did a sketch of what he had in thoughts.
“Then, in the summertime of 1991, when most had been on vacation, I had nothing to do, went to see my boss, confirmed him the sketch, and he stated ‘Go to Ducati, get some elements and do no matter you need…’ So I went to Ducati, acquired some items and, with one other man, began engaged on what grew to become the Monster.”
The consequence, comprising a 900SS engine, 888 superbike body and 750SS entrance finish, was so in contrast to something then out there that even Ducati initially did not see its potential. Six months later, nevertheless, Galluzzi satisfied Cagiva boss Claudio Castiglioni to take his prototype to a giant assembly, the French Ducati importer rose out of his chair and stated ‘Claudio, I would like 1200 of these…’, the bike then obtained a rapturous welcome on the 1992 Cologne Present and the remaining, as they are saying, is historical past…
The primary 1993 Ducati 900 Monster was a direct gross sales hit simply when the ailing Italian firm wanted it most. That triggered the launch, 12 months later, of the smaller, much more reasonably priced £5000 M600, making it an even bigger hit nonetheless. Additional spin-offs, together with Darkish and 750 variations, had been then launched, and the Monster legend was nicely and actually established…
Through the years because the Monster has gone from energy to energy via a collection of continuous updates and mannequin enlargement. Gasoline injected, enlarged and efficiency variations got here within the early 2000s; a ‘second technology’ Monster got here in 2008 whereas, most controversially, liquid-cooled engines and an aluminium body, characterised the latest fourth technology ‘937’ launched in 2021.
This newest 2026 model, on the energy of much more lightness, the sensible new 890 V-twin engine and Ducati’s Monster monitor file, guarantees larger issues nonetheless. Under, we monitor intimately ever important Monster mannequin between 1993 and 2026.
And the title? Galluzzi revealed all in an interview just a few years in the past:
“In a way it was created by my two sons. At the moment in Italy there have been these humorous little rubber youngsters toys you could possibly acquire and on daily basis once I got here residence from work my youngsters would say ‘Did you purchase me the monsters?’. Typically I did and generally I’d neglect…
“Across the identical time, we had been engaged on the bike and someday my boss known as me and stated ‘Hear, you’re spending an excessive amount of cash, we have to make it official. What we could name it?’ Often, prototypes had numbers, however the one factor I might consider was the toy, so I stated: ‘Why don’t we name it Monster?’ It began being known as Monster from that second on.”
And now, the Ducati Monster is one in all motorcycling’s biggest names of all…
The Ducati Monster: All of the variations and specs
The 1993 Monster 900
1993 M900 Monster
The origin of the species. By combining the 888’s metal trellis chassis with an air-cooled 904cc sohc engine from the 900SS, Ducati provides its Monster agile dealing with and a great deal of gutsy drive in addition to café racer styling. The £7500 price ticket is its solely challenge, a FireBlade price £400 much less.
Engine: 904cc, air-cooled desmo V-twin, 4v, SOHC
Energy: 67bhp @ 7000rpm
Torque: 60ftlb @ 6000rpm
Weight: 185kg
1994 M600 Monster
1994 M600 Monster
The primary small capability Monster. Taking its styling cues immediately from the M900, the M600 used a smaller 584cc air-cooled 600SS motor in a decrease specification chassis with a single entrance disc. It proved a large hit all throughout Europe, thanks in a big half to its funds £5000 price ticket. An much more funds ‘Darkish’ model adopted in 1997.
Engine: 584cc, air-cooled desmo V-twin, 4v, SOHC
Energy: 51bhp @ 8,250rpm
Torque: 38ftlb @ 6,000rpm
Weight: 175kg
1996 M750 Monster
1996 M750 Monster
Eager to construct on the success of the M900 and M600, Ducati use the 750 Sport’s air-cooled engine as a midway home between the funds M600 and premium M900. The M750 price £6800 however did not catch on, and was discontinued a yr later and was briefly rebranded because the M750 Darkish in 1999.
Engine: 748cc, air-cooled desmo V-twin, 4v, SOHC
Energy: 62bhp @ 7500rpm
Torque: 45ftlb @ 6850rpm
Weight: 178kg
1998 M900 S Monster
1998 M900 S Monster
Having seen the advantage of creating greater specification fashions with its 748 and 916, Ducati strive the identical trick with the Monster. Avoiding the standard Öhlins route, Ducati as an alternative improve the M900’s Showa suspension to make its forks absolutely adjustable and the shock a bit higher whereas including carbon aspect panels, mudguards and a small fly display screen to present a sportier look.
Engine: 904cc, air-cooled desmo V-twin, 4v, SOHC
Energy: 67bhp @ 7000rpm
Torque: 60ftlb @ 6000rpm
Weight: 183kg
2000 M900ie Monster
2000 M900ie Monster
The primary Monster to achieve fuel-injection, the ie additionally obtained a refresh with the S mannequin’s uprated forks and a digital sprint changing the outdated unit. The motor can be refreshed to supply extra energy and torque.
Engine: 904cc, air-cooled desmo V-twin, 4v, SOHC
Energy: 78bhp @ 8250rpm
Torque: 62ftlb @ 6750rpm
Weight: 188kg
2001 Monster S4
2001 Monster S4
Ducati takes the then controversial step of introducing water-cooling within the form of a retuned 916 motor. The S4 is the sportiest Monster up to now however the jumble of cooling hoses detracts from the bike’s historically clear look. A restricted version ‘Foggy Rep’ model follows in 2002.
Engine: 916cc, liquid-cooled desmo V-twin, 8v, DOHC
Energy: 101bhp @ 8750rpm
Torque: 68ftlb @ 700rpm
Weight: 193kg
2002 Monster 620ie
2002 Monster 620ie
The infant Monster good points not solely fuel-injection however a capability hike to 618cc. The primary ‘S’ mannequin small capability Monster can be launched, and the M750 good points fuel-injection.
Engine: 618cc, air-cooled desmo V-twin, 4v, SOHC
Energy: 57bhp @ 9500rpm
Torque: 39ftlb @ 6750rpm
Weight: 177kg
2003 Monster S4R
2003 Monster S4R
With the likes of the Aprilia Tuono now on sale, Ducati ups the facility of its water-cooled Monster through the use of a retuned 996 engine. To separate the water-cooled bikes from the air-cooled ones, a single sided swingarm and stacked pipes are additionally added.
Engine: 996cc, liquid-cooled desmo V-twin, 8v, DOHC
Energy: 113bhp @ 8750rpm
Torque: 72ftlb @ 7000rpm
Weight: 193kg
2003 M1000 Monster
2003 M1000 Monster
M900ie grows in stature to turn out to be the M1000 because of a bigger capability 992cc motor and is joined by the upper specification M1000S and in addition an M800 with an 802cc air-cooled motor.
Engine: 992cc, air-cooled desmo V-twin, 4v, SOHC
Energy: 84bhp @ 8000rpm
Torque: 62ftlb @ 6000rpm
Weight: 189kg
2005 Monster S2R 800/1000
2005 Monster S2R 800/1000
Brief lived S2R 800 and subsequent S2R 1000 give the air-cooled two-valve Monster vary a bit of fashion by including the stacked pipes and single sided swingarm from the liquid-cooled fashions.
Engine: 803cc, air-cooled desmo V-twin, 4v, SOHC
Energy: 77bhp @ 8250rpm
Torque: 54ftlb @ 6500rpm
Weight: 179kg
2006 Monster M695
2006 Monster M695
Because the M900 has grown to 1000cc, Ducati additionally provides the smaller capability Monster a bigger capability 695cc engine. The remainder of the bike stays just about unchanged.
Engine: 695cc, air-cooled desmo V-twin, 4v, SOHC
Energy: 73bhp @ 8500rpm
Torque: 45ftlb @ 6750rpm
Weight: 168kg
2007 Monster S4RS
2007 Monster S4RS
Most bonkers and aggressive Monster up to now arrives within the form of the RS with Öhlins suspension, light-weight wheels and the 998 Testastretta motor from Ducati’s superbike.
Engine: 998cc, liquid-cooled desmo V-twin, 8v, DOHC
Energy: 129bhp @ 9500rpm
Torque: 77ftlb @ 10,600rpm
Weight: 177kg
2008 Monster 1100/1100S/696
2008 Monster 1100/1100S/696
15 years after the unique, an all-new household of second-generation Monsters arrives. sees all-new chassis, styling, underseat pipes, LCD sprint, radial brakes, in addition to closely revised motors and chassis.
Engine (1100): 1078cc, air-cooled desmo V-twin, 4v, SOHC
Energy: 100bhp @ 7500rpm
Torque: 76ftlb @ 6000rpm
Weight: 188kg
2011 Monster 1100 Evo
2011 Monster 1100 Evo
Having averted them for thus lengthy, the Evo mannequin now provides traction management in addition to ABS to the high quality Monster’s specification. The normal dry clutch can be binned, changed by an oil-cooled unit.
Engine: 1078cc, air-cooled desmo V-twin, 4v, SOHC
Energy: 100bhp @ 7500rpm
Torque: 76ftlb @ 6000rpm
Weight: 188kg
2014 Monster 1200/S
2014 Monster 1200/S
Water-cooling takes over. ‘Third technology’ Monster loses air-cooled engine in favour of liquid-cooled Testastretta 11-degree motor however retains a part-trellis body and good points a brand new sporty angle, to not point out the very newest know-how akin to ride-by-wire and a full electronics bundle.
Engine: 1198cc, liquid-cooled desmo V-twin, 8v, DOHC
Energy: 135bhp @ 8750rpm
Torque: 87ftlb @ 7250rpm
Weight: 182kg
2015 Monster 821
2015 Monster 821
The Monster 821 takes over from the M696 because the smallest capability Monster, killing off the final of the two-valve air-cooled bikes. Just like the M1200 fashions, it’s a brand new technology and options all the newest tech.
Engine: 821cc, liquid-cooled desmo V-twin, 8v, DOHC
Energy: 112bhp @ 9,250rpm
Torque: 65.8ftlb @ 7,250rpm
Weight: 179kg
2016 Monster M1200R
2016 Monster M1200R
Essentially the most highly effective Monster up to now, with a full-bore Testastretta engine that makes over twice the facility of the unique air-cooled M900 and in addition options Ohlins, Marchesinis and extra. To many, it’s nonetheless the final word Monster.
Engine: 1198cc, liquid-cooled desmo V-twin, 8v, DOHC
Energy: 158bhp @ 9250rpm
Torque: 97ftlb @ 7750rpm
Weight: 207kg
2017 Monster 797
2017 Monster 797
After the insanity of the 1200R, sanity returns within the type of a brand new entry-level model, which additionally sees reintroduction of air-cooling – but it surely’s short-lived.
Engine: 803cc, air-cooled desmo V-twin, 8v, DOHC
Energy: 73bhp @ 8250rpm
Torque: 50.8ftlb @ 6250rpm
Weight: 175kg
2021 Monster 937
2021 Monster 937
The primary Monster with out the beforehand signature trellis body, the ‘fourth technology’ Monster combines the brand new light-weight Panigale V4 aluminium body with the compact, liquid-cooled 937cc motor from the SuperSport. There’s additionally an upspecced ‘Plus’ model.
Engine: 937cc, liquid-cooled desmo V-twin, 8v, DOHC
Energy: 111bhp @ 9250rpm
Torque: 69ftlb @ 7750rpm
Weight: 166kg
2026 Monster 890
2026 Monster 890
All new, ‘fifth technology’ a lot lighter Monster is predicated round a brand new V-twin engine which debuted within the 2025 V2 Streetfighter and Panigale, plus an all-new chassis with slimmer and decrease ergonomics, refreshed styling, electronics and extra..
Engine: 890cc, liquid-cooled desmo V-twin, 8v, DOHC
Energy: 111bhp @ 9000rpm
Torque: 67.2ftlb @ 7250rpm
Weight: 164kg
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