Ducati Monster 797 Review
Bike Tested: Ducati Monster 797; Road Test No. 932
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 10.16 lakhs
At best, the Monster 797 can be termed as a stepping stone to the bona fide Ducati portfolio
Indisputably, the Scrambler and Monster line-up is as important to Ducati as food is to survival. The Italian marque crossed 1000 unit sales milestone in India back in 2016 and these two products, being entry-level Ducatis in a price-sensitive Indian market, have contributed significantly towards that. Ducati introduced the Monster 795 in 2011 to cater to Asian markets such as India. Coming to the topic, what do you replace it with when the time comes? Ideally, a product which improves on most aspects without losing out on the basic DNA. But Ducati, replacing it with the Monster 797 which is less on power as well as torque, thinks otherwise. We find out whether the experience is worth the asking price or not. Read on!
Motor Quest: Ducati Monster 797 is a replacement to the erstwhile Monster 795. In essence, the latter was an Asia-specific approach from the Italian brand created by plonking the 796’s motor on the 696’s frame. In India, the 795 became Ducati’s most affordable product till the Scrambler took over in 2015. The year 2017 marked the Monster 797’s arrival in India. However, the Monster 821 had to go in the wake of BS-4 norms at around the same time. Thus, the 797 gives company to the fire-breathing Monster 1200 duo in India.
The two-into-one exhaust pipe exhibits character without being too loud
Designed by Miguel Galluzzi, Ducati Monster line completes two and a half decades of production this year
Styling – Ducati terms the 797’s design as “compact” and “sporty”. Well, there couldn’t have been a better choice of words to sum up its attributes. As this one is a naked motorcycle, there is minimal bodywork and the onus rests on mechanical bits to spice up the appeal. At the first glance, the 797 looks magnificent with the stance of a typical Monster, top notch paintwork and commendable fit & finish levels. Together, the muscular tank, oval headlight and sculpted tail section exude originality while those painted 10-spoke alloys and exposed trellis frame help emphasize the energetic character. Subtle details such as the Italian tricolor and fuel tank lock are to be appreciated but the absence of LED blinkers on a million rupee motorcycle is shocking, to say the least!
A gear position indicator would have been a welcome addition to this unit
Instrument Cluster and Switchgear – The instrument cluster on the Monster 797 is an all-digital unit which is quite basic in nature. An array of tell-tale lights are crowned above the LCD unit, which itself is home to a digital speedometer, odometer, tachometer, clock and a couple of trip meters. Apart from that, you can view the engine oil temperature and average time and speed for a journey as well. Like other Monsters, this one misses out on one crucial thing and that is the fuel gauge! The rider can toggle between menus via buttons on the left side of the handlebar. The starter button is integrated with the engine kill switch which helps free up some space on the right side of the handlebar, which Ducati has utilised for a hazard light switch. As expected in this segment, switches are of good quality and are effortless to operate.
Compact dimensions make this Ducati very convenient to ride in city
Ergonomics – The Ducati Monster range has been known for its aggressive demeanour. Going by that, one would expect dedicated ergonomics from this one. However, the ergonomic balance of this Ducati is spot-on! Positioning of the saddle, handlebar and footpegs allow the rider to sit in a committed position to exercise more control over the bike. On the brighter side of things, the handlebar is sufficiently wide and grips are positioned such that the posture doesn’t become too harsh on the wrists. The single-piece seat has decent amount of cushioning that makes it comfortable for the rider but the same cannot be said for the pillion as the latter part of the seat tapers upward and becomes narrow. Form over function, definitely! The same philosophy holds true for the rear-view mirrors which don’t offer much of a view either.
Performance – Doing duty astride the Monster 797 is an 803cc, air-cooled, Desmodue twin-cylinder engine that puts out 72.4 BHP of power and 67 Nm of torque. It comes mated to a 6-speed gearbox with a wet multi-plate clutch that makes clutch lever operation a lot more slicker and lighter. As we said earlier, power and torque figures are down, by 13.6 BHP and 11 Nm respectively, as compared to the 795. Expectedly, outright performance isn’t as fierce as you’d expect from a Monster. However, the bike fares well in city riding as there is more than enough power on tap to have fun under triple-digit speeds. That said, the 797 lunges past the 100 km/hr mark in 4.5 seconds and will go on to a top speed of around 210 km/hr if you push it. However, the lack of punch becomes evident as one nears 180 km/hr with the mediocre front end feel further worsening that effect.
No fancy electronics on offer; have fun the way you please!
Unlike other Monsters, this one is very novice-friendly and can be tamed with ease
There are some vibrations felt on the handlebars, tank and footpegs before the rev-limiter kicks in at 8500 RPM. However, the L-Twin motor is surprisingly smooth lower down accompanied by a throaty exhaust note as you twist the throttle. On full throttle, the revs build up freely translating into a linear power delivery. You won’t have any complaints with the gearbox either as it throws no tantrums even upon aggressive shifting. As such, the Monster 797 isn’t prone to heating but when it does, engine heat is thrown straight at the rider’s feet that makes it difficult to ride in stop-go traffic! Returning close to 19 kms to a litre of fuel, this Ducati can cover 300 kms in one go which is good enough for those weekend getaways.
Monitored by Bosch 9.1 MP ABS, the 797’s superb Brembo brakes inspire a lot of confidence
The Monster 797 is way more practical than its name would have you believe!
Riding Dynamics – Suspended via 43 mm Kayaba USD forks up front and Sachs offset monoshock at the rear, the 797 offers a splendid ride quality which makes it well-suited to Indian roads. Minor bumps, undulations and irregularities are absorbed with utmost ease and poise. However, this plushness takes a slight toll on handling as this motorcycle isn’t as surefooted around corners as you’d expect. Similarly, the front end doesn’t weigh up sufficiently at high speeds which calls for a hair-raising experience on the straights. Tipping the scales at 193 kgs, the 797 feels very nimble and agile. Don’t let its incredible flickability fool you though, as this machine isn’t a corner carver and the tyres of choice aren’t the best for this job either. Braking is performed by twin 320 mm discs up front and single 245 mm disc at the rear. The brakes offer amazing stopping power along with a strong initial bite while the adjustable lever has a nice progressive feel.
Once you get the hang of it, the Monster 797 will fail to excite you!
Verdict – In spite of ranking high in terms of styling, desirability and ride quality, the Monster 797 loses out on the performance and handling aspects. No doubt, the tamer power delivery and forgiving dynamics make it a great recipe for someone new to the world of superbikes. However, the essence of a Ducati Monster seems to be missing from this one. Long story short, you don’t get what you pay for! There are other products in the market which offer way more kit and thrill for a similar price. If you are hell bent on getting a Ducati, we advice you to take the Scrambler route or save up for the Monster 1200. There’s not much in this one that the Scrambler range won’t fulfill save for the Monster tag. Sadly, the void left by the Monster 821 in Ducati’s Indian portfolio is yet to be filled.
Even with the visor that our bike came equipped with, windblast does create difficulties at high speeds
What’s Cool
* Compact design with top-notch quality all around
* Sorted ergonomics are a great match to the absorbent ride quality
* Stupendous braking ability
* Refined engine coupled with positive gearshifts
What’s Not So Cool
* Engine lacks outright punch, has subdued power delivery
* Grossly overpriced for the kit on offer
* Loose front end hampers confidence and stability
* Could become irrelevant with the relaunch of Monster 821 in India
Although the exact figure isn’t disclosed, ground clearance is more than enough to tackle broken roads and speed breakers
Ducati Monster 797 Specifications
* Engine: 803cc, Air-Cooled, L-Twin, 4 Valve
* Power: 72.4 BHP @ 8250 RPM
* Torque: 67 Nm @ 5750 RPM
* Transmission: 6-speed Manual
* 0-100 km/hr: 4.5 seconds
* Top Speed: 210 km/hr
* Fuel Consumption: 18.8 km/litre
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Frame: Trellis
* Suspension: 43 mm USD Forks (Front), Offset Monoshock (Rear)
* Tyres: 120/70/17 (Front), 180/55/17 (Rear), Pirelli Diablo Rosso II
* Brakes: 320 mm Dual Disc (Front), 245 mm Disc (Rear), ABS
Ducati Monster 797 Dimensions
* Length x Width x Height: 2099 x 830 x 1080 mm (Est.)
* Wheelbase: 1435 mm
* Seat Height: 805 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 16.5-litres
* Kerb Weight: 193 kgs
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