Ducati Monsters are the firm’s biggest-selling models. So it’s no surprise that we’re getting an early-release
2011 model, with the introduction of the Monster 796.
This new Monster uses an
803 cc V-twin borrowed from the Hypermotard 796, claiming 87 hp and 56 lb-ft of
torque.
It gets a new
seat and taller handlebar, and chassis features from its Monster 1100 bigger
brother including a single-sided swingarm, four-piston, radial-mount front
calipers, five-spoke wheels, as well as a slipper clutch.
The Monster 796
is slated to arrive in June with a retail price of $11,495.
Monster Art
Ducati, however,
isn’t done with new Monster bits, and with the release of the new 796, it also
announced a new line of "Monster Art" body kits.
These second
skins allow you to change the look of your Monster 696, 796, 1100 and 1100S in
about 10 minutes. Ten colour schemes are available and the kit includes tank covers, front fender, micro-bikini fairing and a seat
cover.
If you buy a new Monster
1100 or 1100S before June 30,
you get a Monster Art kit of your colour choice for free; they’re normally sold for
$689 for solid colours and $705 for historic colour schemes.
To see the colour
schemes, as well as what they look like on a bike, go to ducatiusa.com.
The one thing that kept me from buying a Monster was the strange low handlebar and so I wonder how much higher the 796 bar is? The dealer told me adding an aftermarket bar was tough due to the tank configuration.