17/02/2016
Ducati Monster 1000 (2006)
Whenever we think of buying a bike that is unique and stands out in the crowd, the only thing that comes to the mind is owing a Ducati. And if you are really passionate about speed and styling it’s the Ducati Monster 1000 that steals the show. In 1993 Ducati introduced the Monster and its one of most hot selling bikes in the world.
With the growing craze of naked sports, Ducati offers the maddening performance of superbike and practicality of a street bike in Monster. The 2006 Ducati Monster 1000 has the “L” twin four stroke air cooled dual Spark engine that achieves new levels of efficiency and reliability. The 992 cc engine produces 84 HP at 8000 RPM and 84 Nm of torque at 6000 RPM. Though the engine does not make the humming sound like the inline 4 cylinder motorcycles but the typical sound of the Ducati engine coupled with the music of the dry clutch really puts that big smile on the face. On road the engine delivers strong, torquey power. If you are a big wheelie fan then this is the bike. Just grab the handle bars tight and enjoy the roll on wheelie will be your companion. The dry clutch requires fair amount of effort to disengage. Shifting is typical Ducati, requiring more lever effort than any Japanese sports bike. Thinking about the low side of the engine, the only thing that comes to the mind is that it takes at least 3-4 kms for the oil temperature to begin to register on the digital readout. Until then it will flash “Low”.
Talking about the design, the bike carries a retro old school café racer looks with a huge 18 litre fuel tank. The chassis is a conventional tubular steel frame. Ride height adjustment at the rear provides the comfort to the rider to adjust the steering according to their riding style and the road conditions. Riding position is comfortable with a slight forward lean. The instruments on the bikes like the speedometer and the analog is old school. However, the trip meter in the speedo and the digital oil temperature readout is digital. The bike is equipped with the anti-theft system that warns off with a blinking LED warning. Although the bike has an old round headlight but with the twin exhaust cylinders and a stylish windscreen, it just adds that modern touch to the bike. Every line and curve in the bike is worth admiring and you can sit for hours just looking at the gorgeous design created by one of the best motorcycle designers of all time Miguel Galluzzi.
The handling of the bike is exceptional with the aluminium swing arm reducing the weight and the adjustable suspension complying on rough and bouncy roads providing the riding pleasure to the rider. The bike comes with 320 mm dual disk brakes and standard Brembo calipers in the front and single 245 mm disk at the rear allowing the rider to bring the bike to stand still from 100 km/h with less than 5 seconds. The bike feels light and can easily work around during heavy traffic. As a precaution, you need to learn the bike well before taking it out for a spin as the engine is so torquey that the front gets up very quickly.
With much said, Ducati Monster 1000 is a complete package of style and performance providing you the pleasure of both street and sports bike. For some the looks can be dull but don’t take the bike easy as between your legs you have a maddening engine that can really make you go crazy.
