Ducati’s Monster is perhaps the archetypal European street-type motorcycle design. Since it appeared in 1992, it’s been the Italian firm’s most popular bike, and the success of the Monster has provided the firm with the financial muscle to develop its more exotic sports machines.
A Monster has always been the entry to the world of Ducati, from the Monster 600 of 1994, the baby Monster developed into a 620, then a 695, and finally the 696 announced for the 2008 model year. The general layout has been pretty similar through the years – a small-capacity air-cooled version of the firm’s venerable 90° V-twin engine, in a simple steel-tube trellis frame with budget suspension and simple styling. The very first Monster 600 was a little primitive, with marginal brakes, an asthmatic engine and uninspiring performance in general. But with the 620 and 695, Ducati brought the smallest Monster’s performance up closer to the competition. Indeed, the 695 offered bags of fun for even experienced riders – the engine had genuine punch to its delivery, the brakes were strong, and the narrow, light chassis was a treat both in and out of town.
The 696 Monster was the first of a new breed of Monsters, with a new combination aluminium/steel frame, all-new styling and an aluminium swingarm. Hailed as the future of Monsters, it’s set to herald a whole new range of naked roadsters over the next few years.
|
