Be seduced
The new 2017 Monster 1200 R by Ducati – sleek tailpiece lines grab the eyes with their sporting looks. 160 hp delivered smoothly by the R power unit charm the ears with their racing accent. A track-ready chassis and perfect riding ergonomics change attraction to seduction at every effortless change in direction. 180 kg of total control enhanced by the sophisticated elegance of special R componentry.
Monster 1200 R Design
All the elements that created the Monster legend are evident at a glance: a powerful “Monster-fly-line”, round headlight flanked by the forks, solid and sculptural metal fuel tank, and the authentic “less is more” style concept that gives the perception of being in front of an engine, a chassis, a tank, a saddle; and nothing more.
The Designer wanted to communicate the top performance of the Monster 1200 R with a sport, compact and light design to create the image of an individualistic model, almost single-seat
The rider and passenger seats group (still using a single-seat solution) is visually short and narrow delivering an elegant sportiness. The tail and the passenger seat cover show a razor volume characterized by strong and marked surfaces. The side view of the seat is compact, and thin.
The rear frame is completely new, with a light structure design. The passenger foot pegs support, are separated and directly fixed to the sub-frame.
The high-mounted license-plate holder made in aluminum enhances the view of the huge rear tire 200/55 that, as a result of the rised chassis set-up, is distant from the tail by increasing the feeling of lightness of the rear view.
The forged wheels reproduce the same tri-W design as of those of Panigale S / R.
Attention for Details
The new Monster 1200 R visibly communicates sophistication and premiumness. A metal plate with model designation enriches the view of the passenger seat after removing the seat-cover while on the radiator cover in brushed steel is obtained by sandblasting the original «R» graphic. The seat is upholstered with two different materials stitched together with a red stitching bordering the rider’s zone.
Color Range
The Monster 1200 R is available in Ducati Red and in the new Thrilling Black, both colour versions are enriched with a sporty longitudinal “R” graphics that marks front mudguard, mini-fairing, tank and passenger seat cover.
“R” Engine
The Monster 1200 family is powered by the second generation of Testastretta 11° DS engine, smoother and with dual spark plugs and a secondary air system. Dual Spark (DS) ignition uses two plugs per cylinder to ensure complete combustion in a very short time. A secondary air system similar to that of the 1299 Panigale has been introduced to optimise operation and reduce cyclic combustion variability without affecting emissions. A controlled flow of fresh air is supplied to the exhaust duct to enable complete oxidisation of hot unburnt gases, to effectively reduce hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide levels.
The Testastretta 11° DS engine that equips the Monster 1200 family is unique to those bikes, as its structure is engineered to be a structural element of the frame. The “R” engine version is tuned for power and torque and to be Euro 4 complaint. Engineers increase air-intake, burn and exhaust efficiences.
The engine breathes further better thanks to new elliptical throttle bodies and air ducts Ø 56 mm equivalent, larger than the Ø 53 mm standard circular system. The cylinder heads are new too with increased air inlet ducts to perfectly match the different in shape and dimension air ducts. A lower cylinder-crankcase gasket rises the compression ratio to 13,0:1 respect the 12,5:1 of the standard 1200 cc engine. The exhaust system is completely new with larger Ø 58 mm exhaust pipes and a new Euro 4 complaint silencer.
The Euro 4 preparation is completed with engine noise reductions as a dedicated clutch cover and new pistons with graphite surfacing.
Power and Torque
The “R” engine version delivers a wide spread of power and torque with a peak of 160 hp @ 9.250 rpm and 13,4 kgm @ 7.750 rpm of torque for great performance and fun. At low, medium engine revs the “R” has a strong responsiveness with the 75% of maximum torque already available at 3500 rpms.
Exhaust System
The “R” engine version is coupled via Æ 58 mm pipes to an impressive side-mounted 2-1-2 staggered shotgun exhaust that makes no secret of the performance of which the new Monster 1200 R is capable. The bigger in dimension silencer to be Euro 4 compliant has a sport and “mechanical” design, consistent with the “nerve” forms of the tail.
The engine management system dedicates a lambda probe to each header, providing precise fuelingwhile an electronically controlled mid-section valve optimises exhaust pressure throughout the rev-range.
Ride-by-Wire
The Ride-by-Wire (RbW) system is an electronic interface between the Monster’s twistgrip and engine, which configures an ideal power response depending on the riding mode selected.
The twistgrip does not have a throttle cable connected directly to the throttle body butterflies, but instead delivers a signal to a control unit, which in turn operates an electronically controlled butterfly.
The RbW system uses three different mappings to regulate power delivery:
- 160hp with a sports-type delivery
- 160hp with a progressive delivery suitable for touring
- 100hp with a progressive delivery for city use
Slipper Clutch
The transmission features an oil bath clutch with “slipper” function and super-light feel at the lever. Its design uses a progressive self-servo mechanism that presses the plates together when under drive from the engine, enabling the reduction of the clutch spring rates. This results in a much lighter clutch effort at the handlebar, ideal in stop-start traffic or during long journeys.
When the drive force is reversed (over-run), the same mechanism reduces the pressure on the clutch plates, enabling them to provide a race-like “slipper” action, which reduces the destabilizing effect of the rear-end under aggressive down-shifting and provides a much smoother feeling when closing the throttle or down-shifting under normal riding conditions.
Service Intervals
Careful engineering and top-quality materials achieved amazing results. Scheduled valve clearance adjustment is every 30,000 km, and the oil change interval is every 15,000 km or 12 months, providing greater ease and lower cost of ownership. This was made possible also by the improved combustion efficiency and lower operating temperatures of the new Testastretta 11° DS engine.
“R” Chassis
The Monster 1200 features a racing derived frame structure that uses the engine as a stressed element. This structure is composed by a compact Ducati trellis directly fixed to the cylinder heads and by the engine itself; the shock-absorber and the rear sub-frame are also connected to the engine.
The Monster 1200 R features a dedicated rear frame, with a lighter structure design; the upper tube is in continuity with the profile of the tank while the lower escapes and hides as soon as possible under the volume of the seat. The passenger foot pegs support, are no longer integrated in one piece with the rider ones, but separate and directly fixed to the sub-frame. The “R” chassis set-up is rised by 15 mm to achieve a lean angle of 50° that make the bike ready for race track.
Ergonomics
The new Monster 1200 R size ensures ample accomodations even for a rider 185 cm tall.
The rider seat position is quite comfortable, providing great bike control and allowing to run several track laps without fatigue; the riding position is upright thanks to a high handlebar fixed close to the rider, the seat height is fixed at 830 mm.
Sport riding style benefits of separated passenger foot pegs that increase space for boots when riding on toes or hanging off. Foot pegs are machined with grippy design.
Öhlins cross-mounted steering damper
The Monster 1200 R comes standard with a cross-mounted Öhlins steering damper to further enhance the stability of the bike and to reduce the risk of headshake when riding aggressive. Moreover it adds a plus to the sporty look of the cockpit.
Forged wheels and high-performance tires
The racing attitude of the Monster 1200 is emphasized by forged wheels. Created from forged then machined alloy, both front and rear wheels with the same tri-W design as of those of Panigale S/R are lighter than standard wheels and create a lower moment of inertia improving acceleration and braking as well as quicker steering.
The 3.5×17 front wheel and 6×17 rear wheel are fitted, respectively, with 120/70 ZR and 200/55 ZR Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tyres. The Supercorsa SP are the most performance Pirelli tires designed for road purposes. These tires have a really sporty tread design which is like a slick tire.
Öhlins high-spec suspension
The racing inspired chassis geometry is matched with Ø 48 mm Öhlins usd forks, fully adjustable in spring preload and precisely adjustable in compression and rebound damping. At the rear the “R” uses an Öhlins mono-shock with integrated piggy-back, fully adjustable in spring preload with full adjustment and highly engineered control of compression and rebound damping. The Öhlins mono-shock is fixed on one side to the vertical cylinder head, mounted on the opposite side to a strong Ducati single-sided swing-arm.
This exemplary suspension maintains tyre contact and ensures feeling and finesse even under extreme riding conditions.
200/55 rear tire size
The huge rear size offers an increased area of contact for greater adherence which easily aids in putting down the 160Hp for earlier acceleration coming out of bends. The “XL” rear tire size helped the Designer to increase the sensation of power and lightness of the rear view.
Superbike-spec Brembo brake system
The Monster 1200 R is equipped by a Superbike-spec brake system. It is equipped with the same brakes found on the 1299 Panigale, which deliver stunning performance; a racing oriented PR 16 brake pump manages top-level Ø 330 mm discs, which are gripped by the state of the art Brembo M50 Monobloc radial callipers that use MotoGp derived technology to be powerful yet compact and lightweight. A single Ø 245 mm disc in the rear is gripped by a two piston calliper, also by Brembo.
Single-sided swingarm
The Monster 1200 R features a strong die-cast aluminium single-sided swingarm that ensures high rigidity, low weight, and excellent stability, providing also a technical and professional look.
Sculptured fuel tank
The Monster’s 17.5 L – 4.6 gallon (US) fuel tank represents an integral part of the bike’s overall styling. The distinctive fuel tank in pure “Monster-style” helps create the unmistakable “powerful Monster silhouette”, while its metal construction and well-sculpted knee panels add a solid feel to the Monster.
Lightweight components
Riding Mode
The new Monster incorporates the very latest innovative Ducati technologies, including the famous Ducati branded Riding Modes. The three Riding Modes (URBAN, TOURING, SPORT) are enabled by combining class-leading technologies such as: Ride-by-Wire (RbW), Ducati Traction Control (DTC), multi-calibration 9MP ABS and the graphics on the instrument panel. The rider can change the character of the bike by selecting from the left-hand switchgear – even while riding – among three different pre-set configurations (Riding Modes) that best adapt to the riding style or riding conditions. The Riding Modes make it possible to instantly modify the power delivered by the engine (RbW), the activation levels of DTC and ABS, and the graphics on the instrument panel.
The Riding Modes are factory pre-set in each of the three parameters, but can be individually customised and saved to suit the rider. A “default”option is available to easily return all settings to factory pre-sets.
Ducati Safety Pack (DSP)
n developing the new Monster, attention has been paid not only to achieve top level performance but also to ensure both rider and passengers a high level of safety in all driving conditions. This second goal has been achieved by equipping all the Monster 1200 versions with the Ducati Safety Pack (DSP), which comes standard along with the 9MP ABS system and the 8-level Ducati Traction Control (DTC).
Lighting system
The front view of Monster 1200 R is dominated by a round headlight flanked by the forks, underlining the authentic and powerful Monster-line. The headlight itself is a modern unit with support in magnesium that uses a bulb light for high-low beam functions, and LED technology for the two position lights placed at the sides The fully integrated tail light is fully LED. The front and rear side indicators are with bulbs. In EU markets, the Monster 1200 R also features LED turn lights. Both versions are equipped with a license plate LED light.
Full-TFT instrument panel
The new Monster 1200 R is equipped with a state of the art full-TFT instrument panel. The display’s configuration is variable and automatically adapts to variations in environmental light, also changing according to the selected Riding Mode or fully selectable by the rider. There are three configurations, different in background style, information displayed, and display layout: CORE view is preset for the URBAN riding mode: only the most essential riding information is displayed; FULL view, preset for the TOURING riding mode, provides the same layout as CORE with more information displayed; and finally TRACK view is preset for the SPORT riding mode, having crucial information more immediately visible such as an rpm bar graph with a the same sporty layout as that of the 1299 Panigale.
Monster 1200 R features a gear indicator in dash.
ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) 9MP
The ABS system is the 9MP multi-calibration ABS, meaning the rider has the possibility to switch from one configuration to another by selecting the appropriate Riding Mode. 9MP ABS prevents front and rear wheels from locking, and has refined rear wheel lift-up prevention to offer the shortest stopping distance and high stability by using the information of a sensor measuring pressure at the front wheel caliper. ABS can be deactivated if the rider wishes. ABS-Off can be loaded as a configuration of a riding mode and is maintained after switching the key off.
Ducati Traction Control (DTC)
Ducati branded DTC offers a choice of eight profiles, or ‘sensitivity levels’, each one programmed with a wheel-spin tolerance matched to progressive levels of riding skill, graded from one to eight. Pre-selected levels of intervention are related to appropriate Riding Modes. When DTC is activated, its ECU analyses data sent from front and rear wheel speed sensors to detect the amount of wheel-spin and to evaluate the type of intervention necessary. This intervention is executed in a very smooth way through electronic retardation of the ignition to reduce the engine’s torque, until the full grip of the rear wheel has been re-established. DTC can also be deactivated if the rider wishes.
DTC levels are factory pre-set in each of the three Riding Modes, but can be individually customised and saved to suit the rider. A “default”option is available to easily return all settings to factory pre-sets.
Engine
Transmission
Chassis
Dimensions and weight
