2018 Ducati Monster 821 Revealed

Dennis Chung
by Dennis Chung

Model refresh draws inspiration from Monster 1200

Ducati announced an update to the Monster 821, making it look more like the Monster 1200, including the larger model’s TFT screen. The model refresh comes on the 25th anniversary of the Ducati Monster family, and will be the first of five new or updated motorcycles Ducati will showcase in a couple of weeks at EICMA.

The Ducati Monster 821 receives a new tail design that looks similar to the Monster 1200. The 821 also gets the larger Monster’s round headlight with a halogen bulb with LED “horseshoe” side lights, as well as the 1200’s fuel tank, which unfortunately also reduces fuel capacity from 4.6 gallons to 4.36 gallons. The tank does add an attachment clip, a nod to the original M900.

The exhaust also looks similar to the unit on the Monster 1200. The engine remains unchanged, but the new silencer does reduce the 821’s performance numbers, reducing the claimed peak power from 110.5 hp to 107.3 hp at 9250 rpm, while claimed torque output is reduced from 65.9 lb-ft. to 63.4 lb-ft. It’s an odd choice, considering the 2017 Monster 821 was already Euro 4 compliant, and the changes actually increase emissions slightly while reducing fuel economy by 1.7 mpg to 43.5 mpg.

The Monster 821 will again offer three power modes, an eight-level traction control system, and a three-level Bosch ABS system.

Ducati replaced the old model’s LCD display with a full color TFT display with fuel gauge and gear indicator. Bluetooth connectivity is available with an optional add-on. Other changes include separate rider and passenger foot peg mounts, while a quick shifter is now available as an optional accessory.

The 2018 Monster 821’s chassis is fairly similar to last year’s model. Suspension remains the same 43mm upside-down fork and adjustable rear shock with progressive linkage. The braking system is also the same, with radially-mounted Brembo M4-32 monoblock four-piston calipers and twin 320mm rotors up front and 245mm rotor and two-piston caliper at the rear.

The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 will be offered for $11,995 with three color options: red with matching trellis frame, black with a black frame, or yellow with a black frame.

Dennis Chung
Dennis Chung

Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.

More by Dennis Chung

Comments
Join the conversation
13 of 69 comments
  • Patriot159 Patriot159 on Oct 18, 2017

    Surely Ducati holds the record for the most different engine cc model designations. Round numbers are so boring...

  • Navroze Contractor Navroze Contractor on Oct 19, 2017

    I ride a Ducati Monster 795 since 2013. I enjoy every minute on it and have done near 30,000KM on it. But one thing baffles me and those who hear it idle. WHY IS THE DUCATI MOTOR SO NOISY!!!!!!!! Pls, someone enlighten me?

    • See 10 previous
    • Born to Ride Born to Ride on Oct 23, 2017

      I already answered you and posted a link to the Wikipedia page on it. Scroll up.

Next