As I hop from one saddle to another there is something else that aches more than my you know what. So I?ve stopped sitting for long and try to keep it short and simple, like a straight espresso shot. And then I get this call. ?Would you like to ride a Ducati Monster,? said the voice at the other of the line. ?When,? I shot back like a .50 calibre Barrett.
The next time I felt like shooting something was when one morning I found myself scampering into a Ducati showroom in Gurgaon. There were quite a few of them beauties hanging around: a delectable white Hypermotard leaned beguilingly at the first corner; in the centre, a red 848 pleaded to be hugged; two Monster 696s were having a face off near the reception; and from the farthest wall, a wistful Sportclassic GT1000 loudly shouted hi. I sighed and then smiled. Near the motion sensing glass doors, a spanking new Monster 1100 waited patiently for its rider.
Most of the Japanese super bikes that I have been on till now have been exemplary. No complaints there. But I have been waiting for a Ducati for some time now. Someone had told me that the Bologna Boys infuse some soul into their motorcycles. How could I live without tasting it?
The 1100 sports the same V-Twin 1078cc engine used in the Hypermotard and Multistrada with a little tweaking of the crankcases. And it manages to push out a modest 95 bhp at the back wheel. Surprised? Don?t be. The catch is in the weight of this bike which is around 170 kg, almost as light as our 350cc Royal Enfield motorcycles. You can shed more if you opt for the carbon fibre body parts.
The riding stance of the Monster is another joy. It felt comfortable as well as sporty. I still remember my backbreaking Delhi-Jaipur-Delhi ride on the Suzuki Hayabusa. What?s more, the Monster is meant to be enjoyed more on the streets than on the racetrack. The crushing torque at low revs coupled with the light handling makes it a bike for everyday use. In one word ? practical.
One of the striking features of the Monster is its styling. The naked design is uncluttered and offers a clean visceral charm that only a Ducati can evoke. The audacious look is pumped up by black or red frame rails and the two luscious aluminum high mount exhaust cans that jut out a tad too provocatively from the rear.
On the go, the Monster is easy getting used to and in my opinion, even an inexperienced big-bike rider can zip through traffic quite safely after a few hours. The throttle response has grunt but is not overtly scary like in other litre-sized bikes.
The gear box felt a little heavy but during my whole ride I didn?t miss a cog. The only worry I had was the instrument cluster which is not very readable during high-speed sorties. The lack of a gearshift indicator isn?t very flattering either.
And, oh, the best part: The Monster is best enjoyed at 80 kph. It doesn?t sound like a wheezing cyborg out to get you. The soul of the bike is in its throbbing power delivery that raises a rumbling ruckus when you push it hard. It feels alive. There is a slight vibration which is pleasing to your body as well as your mind. While cruising at that speed on a country road, sitting almost upright, I could look around me at the landscape and breathe. Sometimes, it?s important to slow down. The Monster helps you to do that without feeling ashamed.
?Price: ex-showroom Delhi: Rs 14, 09,182