2012 DUCATI MONSTER 1100EVO
The Monster 1100EVO further enhances the Monster familys defining concepts of functionality, style and sport with a full evolution of the flagship model. Taking its name from the Desmodue Evoluzione engine, which now delivers a milestone 100hp, the 1100EVO proudly rolls out with a new exhaust system, comfortenhanced ergonomics, Marzocchi front suspension and refined tail-end in addition to the new Ducati Safety Pack (DSP) of ABS brake system and new 4-level Ducati Traction Control (DTC). The Monster 1100EVO also breaks new ground by being the first ever Monster equipped with DTC. Ducatis application of the EVO treatment now runs deep throughout the Ducati range and its introduction to the ever-improving Monster family was inevitable. It completes a stylish family of lifestyle motorcycles with high attention to user-friendly and safety-conscious detail, while ensuring the Monsters cult status as a design icon of hand-built, naked motorcycles remains as authentic as ever.
MONSTER 1100EVO The ultimate Monster
The brand new Monster 1100EVO takes everything great about the new generation Monster family and adds an evolution of upgrades that take the Monster concept to the next level. The Desmodue Evoluzione engine is Ducatis first 2-valve motor to hit the 100hp mark and its super-smooth power delivery is sure to delight riders the world over. Add to that a fully redesigned, power-enhancing exhaust system with low level cannon-style, vertically stacked silencers that leave the tail-end looking sharp and minimalistic and the introduction of DSP, consisting of a new user-friendly, 4-level DTC that supports the ABS system in enhanced rider control, and its plain to see that this really is an evolution model. But it doesnt end there.

Quality by design

Part of Ducatis approach to Quality improvement was to blend owner feed-back into the design process of new models, and the Monster 1100EVO is an iconic example. Ergonomics have been totally revised with the a reshaped seat and 20mm higher bar-risers for the rider and a rear sub-frame ready to accept the confidence-inspiring Ducati Performance grab-rail kit for the passenger, whose comfort is further enhanced with a low-slung, rerouted exhaust system. Add to these enhancements rubber-mounted rear indicators and a more compact number plate holder with LED lighting, and it is clear that Ducati have listened to every last detail. The less-is-more philosophy behind all Monsters underlines Ducatis continuous pursuit of genuinely compact, high performance motorcycles and with the EVOs dry weight at 169kg (373lb) it represents the lightest, most compact bike in its category. The Monster 1100EVO is the result of constant evolution in design and technology. The powerful and breathtaking top-of-the-range model boasts attractive ergonomics and presents pure style and charisma, while preserving the essence of the original naked bike concept. The EVO design perfectly balances sports performance, stunning looks and safety-conscious riding pleasure and its seductive lines are the product of a Ducati philosophy where form and function combine to create the quintessential naked bike.

Ducati Safety Pack (DSP)

The Monster 1100EVO is the first model to introduce the new Ducati Safety Pack (DSP), configured to enhance rider control on Ducatis lifestyle models. DSP consists of the ultra-dependable Brembo-Bosch ABS braking system and brand new user-friendly 4-level Ducati Traction Control (DTC). Both systems are now supplied as original equipment and complement each other to provide a major contribution to safer motorcycling. Accessible from the left-hand switchgear and displayed on the digital instrumentation, the DTC system offers a choice of four levels, each one programmed with an increasing level of interaction graded from one to four. While level four administers a confidence-building, high level of interaction from the system by activating upon the slightest amount of wheel-spin, level one offers a lesser amount of intervention for more competent, sport-oriented riders. When the level is selected and DTC activated, the level is displayed on the instrumentation. Front and rear wheel sensors then compare speed differential to sense when rear traction is being broken (wheel-spin) and DTC decides the best combination of two different types of instant electronic adjustment, calculated with data supplied from multiple sources. The first 'soft' stage of system interaction is executed by high speed software that makes instant electronic adjustment to the ignition timing, administering varying amounts of ignition retardation to reduce the engine's torque. If the DTC software detects that the first 'soft' stage of system interaction is inadequate to control the wheelspin, it continues to administer ignition retardation and, in addition, instructs the engine ECU to initiate a pattern of constantly increasing injection cuts until, if necessary, full injection cut. During all stages of interaction, the two warning lights normally used to signify the over-rev limiter illuminate to indicate that DTC is being applied. As soon as the system recognises the gradual return of equal wheel speeds, it incrementally re-establishes normal power delivery. This seamless interaction is key to the super-smooth operation of the system and represents a considerable increase in performance safety during mid-corner acceleration.

Monster ABS

The Brembo-Bosch ABS developed by Ducati is one of the most sophisticated versions available for motorcycles and combines with top quality brake system components to deliver outstanding performance and confident control. Designed to reduce the risk of wheel-lock under heavy braking or when braking in low grip conditions, the system reads wheel speed data from phonic wheel sensors to detect potential wheel lock. If the wheel speed differential falls below a specific safety limit, the control unit immediately reduces the brake system pressure to the appropriate calliper to avoid wheel lock. The pressure reduction on each individual braking circuit is activated by electronically controlled valves, which then close as the wheel speed differential moves away from a locking scenario.
The Desmodue 1100 Evoluzione
The lightweight, L-Twin stands at the pinnacle of more than three decades of Desmo air-cooled development and its torquey power delivery has excited riders worldwide. Its latest evolution combined with the Monsters airbox capacity and new exhaust configuration marks a milestone for Ducatis 2-valve engine as the first to reach 100hp. The 1100cc Desmodue Evoluzione power unit continues to use a bore and stroke of 98 x 71.5mm, but its long list of refinements have boosted its power to 100hp (73.5kW) at 7500rpm with 76lb-ft (10.5kgm) of torque at 6000rpm giving it smooth power delivery from city-like low rpm to exhilarating open road performance at redline. The 1100's crankcases are vacuum cast using the same Vacural technology employed for the Superbike engines, a process that achieves significant weight saving and ensures consistent wall thickness and increased strength. But the crankcases are only one part of the evolution. In addition to the new magnesium alternator cover, the 1100 now has a lighter crankshaft assembly, using an 848-style Superbike flywheel and the search for further weight reduction even went as far as using lightweight rare-earth magnets for the generator assembly. Power gains have come not only from the new lightweight crankshaft assembly, but also from an evolution of the top-end of the Desmodue power unit. The cylinder head, which now has improved lubrication and cooling performance, also has a redesigned inlet port shape for optimum flow and a modified combustion chamber shape for improved burn efficiency. This improved efficiency is the result of increasing the compression ratio from 10.7 to 11.3:1 and the change to a single spark per cylinder ignition now managed by high-speed Siemens electronics. Ensuring a sufficient feed and maximum volumetric efficiency to the higher compression set-up is a 5% increase in inlet valve lift and 4% for the exhaust, safely enabled by Ducati's unique Desmodromic system, where valve closure is activated mechanically. At high rpm it would be almost impossible for the valves to follow the steep closure profiles of the cam lobes if they were relying upon normal valve springs. With the Desmo system, the valves are closed mechanically with the same accuracy as they are opened, enabling steep cam profiles and radical cam timings. This system is used on every single Ducati power unit including the race-winning Superbike and Desmosedici MotoGP engines. The Monster 1100EVO uses a new style of slipper-clutch specially designed for the wet clutches of larger capacity engines. It features an oil bath system 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 lever at the handlebar, ideal in traffic or 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. An additional cush-drive damper mechanism also smoothes the repeated transition from drive to over-run during stopstart traffic. The clutch and alternator covers are finished in a sophisticated looking carbon grey.

EVO exhaust

The new exhaust system design follows a completely revised 2-1-2 routing to ensure the EVOs powerenhancing and efficient power delivery and dedicates a lambda probe to each header to ensure precise fueling. While the stylish cannon-style, vertically stacked silencers carry catalytic converters to provide Euro 3 conformity, an electronically controlled mid-section valve optimises exhaust pressures throughout the revrange. The revised positioning of the aluminium silencers leaves the rear-end of the Monster looking sharp and minimalistic and ensures uncompromised passenger comfort.

Monster quality

With more experience in twin-cylinder high performance engines than any other manufacturer, the air-cooled L-Twin remains central to Ducati's philosophy of motorcycling. This experience, plus constant investment in quality by design, advanced materials and engineering techniques has enabled a distance between service intervals of 7,500 miles (12,000km) making Ducati ownership even more enjoyable.

1100 chassis

Exceptional handling, combined with 75.9lb-ft (10.5kgm) of torque from the Desmo engine, results in a pure, adrenalin-filled ride and at just 169kg (373lb), the Monster 1100EVO is the lightest bike in its class. An immensely strong but light tubular steel Trellis frame with aluminium rear sub-frame is the visual and structural backbone of all Monsters. Delivering unparalleled rigidity with minimal mass, the frame design is pure Ducati in its ingenuity and simplicity and enables a very useful 64 degrees of lock-to-lock steering travel. The Trellis frame, developed in conjunction with Ducati Corse uses the same tube diameter and thickness as the 1198 SP. The brand new lightweight aluminium sub-frame maintains visual continuity with the singlesided swingarm and aluminium footrest hangers, which are now rider and passenger separated. The passenger footpeg hangers are redesigned to attach directly to the rear-frame, which also accepts the passenger-friendly grab-rail kit available from Ducati Performance. The new footpegs and grab-rail kit provide increased passenger riding comfort and further enhance the EVOs stylish lines. New 43mm fully adjustable Marzocchi forks and Sachs rising-rate rear suspension unit, with adjustable spring pre-load and return damping, offer sufficient personalisation to suit all riding styles and provide the perfect feel. The steeply angled rear unit compresses in a movement non-linear to the rear swingarm radius, which achieves progressive characteristics, enables easy access to the spring pre-load and rebound damping adjuster, and eliminates the weight of any rocker-arm mechanism. The beautifully shaped single-sided swingarm gives the Monster 1100EVO a pure sports look while ensuring higher rigidity, reduced weight and enhanced road holding. The swingarm is made in chill-cast aluminium, achieving optimum mechanical characteristics while reducing final weight for improved handling. Brand new, stylish and lightweight aluminium alloy 10-spoke wheels reduce unsprung weight and improve agility and are fitted with a 120/70ZR tyre at the front and a 180/55ZR at the rear, both Pirelli Diablo Rosso. The result is lightweight, precise steering that is extremely responsive at all speeds while giving the vehicle exceptional stability. The sports character of the bike is further accentuated by aluminium tapered handlebars. The power of the Monster 1100EVO can rely upon a best-in-category braking system that provides excellent, precise and controllable braking performance. The impressive Brembo system features radial pumps with adjustable levers feeding four-piston radial callipers which grip twin 320mm discs. The rear brake uses a 2piston calliper operating on a 245mm disc. As an integral component of the new Ducati Safety Pack, ABS comes as standard equipment on the Monster 1100EVO.

Monster instrumentation

Looking clean and minimalist in true Monster style, the brightly illuminated display provides all essential data by default, and even more by scrolling with the left-hand switchgear. Data includes speed, revs, time, scheduled maintenance, oil temperature, ABS status, DTC status and battery voltage, while warning lights illuminate for oil pressure, fuel reserve, turn indicators, high beam and neutral selection. In addition, the instruments present a reserve fuel trip, immobiliser status and automatic light-off function after 60 seconds with the key on as well as a memory to store lap times recorded by using the high-beam flash button as a stopwatch. The display also doubles as a control panel for the 4-level Ducati Traction Control system included in the Ducati Safety Package (DSP), in addition to the Ducati Data Analyser (DDA) system, which is available as an accessory from Ducati Performance. All Monsters are built system-ready for the data acquisition kit, which consists of a special DDA software and memory key that slots into USB style plug under the seat. The same plug also doubles as the connection for a handy battery maintainer available as an accessory from Ducati Performance.

EVO colours

The Monster 1100EVO is available in two colour schemes of red - with a racing-style white stripe along the centre of the front mudguard, tank and single-seat cover - and red Trellis frame or black with both stripe and frame in racing-grey. Both Monster colours use sporty looking black wheels with short red pin-strip and can be further personalised from a choice of additional liveries available within the innovative Monster Art program.

2009 Ducati Monster 1100 The philosophy of Ducati is when they were designing the Ducati Monster 1100 motorcycle was less is more. Well I can tell you Ducati accomplished what they have set out to do. Thanks to Moto Forza in Escondido I had the thrill of riding the Monster all over San Diego County racking up around 500 miles of back country, freeway and city roads. I know a few of you folks know me and also know Im 64 years young, thats right young and that is why I had so much fun riding the Ducati. Now I have ridden a lot of sport bikes and really wasnt all that comfortable, but the Monster was a different story, maybe it was the fact it only weighed in at 370 pounds dry, correct 370 pounds carrying a 1100 cc engine that produces 95 horsepower at 7500 rpm. What really makes the Monster stand out is the torque, 75.9 foot pounds of raw torque, you snap the throttle while in six gear doing around 70 miles per hour, and you had better hang on! Because this horse whats to run! The Ducati is fuel injected by the way of Siemens electronic fuel injection with a 45 mm throttle body, dual aluminum exhaust pipes run through the chassis and out the rear next to the tail section of the bike. Being a Harley rider noise is everything, not so on the Monster, sure it makes noise, but very docile, in fact it was a sound I could really get used to, and did (I feel like taking her out for just one more spin, but I better finish this review first!) When starting a Ducati Monster you must be aware it is very cold blooded, not a bad thing, you just need to turn on the key, flick the ignition knob to on and push the button and she will come alive, wait a minute or two and your off and riding. Oh, did I mention that Ducati is smarter than your average motorcycle? Like Harley Davidson? What Im driving at is once I started the Monster and dropped it into first gear the engine died, OK still cold, started it again and again it died. I looked at the very informative instrumentation pod (which is full of good information) and it showed that it was almost warm, I started it again, dropped it into first gear and guess what? It died! For you seasoned sport bike riders stop chuckling I know you have already figured it out, I had left the kick stand down and when you try and start a sport bike with the kick stand down it will automatically die, safety first! Back to the bike, this was the S model with adjustable Ohlin rear suspension, Brembo brakes for that stop on a dime and give nice cents change feel. This bike was very well balanced and one thing I need to mention, yes it is wicked fast, but when coming to an off or on ramp you need to slow down a little and all you really need to do is de-accelerate, no brakes just twist the throttle back and the compression really pulls the Monster down, grab a lower gear and knee drag yourself through the turns (OK I never dragged my knee, but I did think about it). I know what youre thinking, this is an Italian bike and must be very expensive to operate, which is farthest from the truth. Service every 7500 miles, a fewer parts and a two year unlimited mile warranty.
I loved this bike and if youre a first time rider male or female and you like the sport bike. Check out Ducatis line of bikes at www.moto-forza.com or call 760746-6001 and tell them Dave sent you! As far as price, Moto Forza will be happy to tell you the number, but look at all the accessories first then ask for the price!