Motorbike journalists across the UK have been impressed by Ducati's latest naked V-twin offering – the Monster 821.
This charismatic looking bike has been praised for its refinement and agility – as well as its sensible price tag.
But while reviewers have been impressed by the new Ducati, it is essentially an updated version of the 1200 - therefore did not require a huge amount of work. Nevertheless, it's a seriously fun machine in its own right.
Fitted with a liquid-cooled desmo V-twin 821cc engine, the Monster can trace its roots back to the 1993 M900.
Less powerful than its predecessor, the 821 has dispensed with the oil cooler found in the 1200 and lacks some of the previous version’s visual details such as the belly pan.
The rider sits upright in the same position as the 1200, on a comfortable seat that can be adjusted with ease – so even those with shorter legs can keep their feet on the ground.
In terms of practicality, the new Monster does well too. 150 miles should be easy to cover with the machine's 17.5 litre tank.
The 821 gets plenty of ticks in city settings as well, for which Urban mode helps the bike perform well in traffic. Outside town, Touring and Sport modes reveal a bike that is very flexible indeed.
The 821 has also received a thumbs-up for its cruising ability – best at around 80mph. A top speed of 140mph is available, but this bike is a lot of fun at almost any speed.
Cost: £8,995.
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