2018 Ducati Monster 821 Launched In India At Rs 9.51 lakh

Has Ducati done enough to bring the Monster 821 into 2018?

Ducati has launched the 2018 Monster 821 in India today with a price tag of Rs 9.51 lakh (ex-showroom). The middleweight sits perfectly in between the Ducati Monster 797 and Monster 1200 in Ducati’s lineup. The Monster 821 will be offered in 3 colours: black, red and Ducati’s iconic yellow. Aside from the subtle design changes and electronic updates, not much has changed compared to its predecessor.

The Monster 821 draws its design inspiration from the flagship Monster, the Monster 1200, which is already on sale in India. The only key visual difference between them is the USD forks finished in silver, instead of the golden ones seen on the Monster 1200.

The signature Ducati yellow paint job makes a comeback with the new Monster 821, which not only looks cool but also accentuates its sharp muscular styling. Its beautifully sculpted fuel tank holds 1 litre less fuel than the outgoing version. The tail section is slimmer and neater than before. The footrest assembly has been redesigned and is now bolted on to the frame, instead of the single cast unit seen on the earlier model. The biggest difference, though, are the full-colour TFT display, the all-LED headlamp with DRLs and the redesigned dual-barrel exhaust borrowed from its elder sibling, the Monster 1200.

The Monster 821’s electronics’ features Ducati Safety Pack, a three-level Bosch ABS, an eight-level traction control system and three different riding modes: Urban, Touring and Sport. Each riding mode has a different coloured display.

The Ducati Monster 821 draws power from a BSIV-compliant 821cc, 90-degree, L-Twin Testastretta engine mated to a 6-speed gearbox. When compared to its predecessor, the 2018 version has a power deficit of 2PS, which brings the total power output down to 110.09 PS. Peak torque of 86 Nm is produced at 7750rpm.

43mm USD front forks and an adjustable monoshock carried forward from the outgoing model, handle suspension duties. Same goes for the brakes: the Monster 821 is equipped with Brembo 320mm dual discs at the front and a single 245mm disc at the rear, with ABS available as standard.

Launched at a price of Rs 9.51 lakh (ex-showroom), the Monster 821 competes against the likes of the Triumph Street Triple S (Rs 9.19 lakh), Kawasaki Z900 (Rs 7.68 lakh), Yamaha MT-09 (Rs 9.56 lakh) and the newly introduced Suzuki GSX-S750 (Rs 7.45 lakh, all ex-showroom Delhi). Ducati dealerships across the country have already started accepting bookings at a token amount of Rs one lakh. Stay tuned to find out how the 2018 version of the Ducati Monster 821 performs, in our first ride review.