The name pretty much says it all as far as this Ducati->ke622 super bike is concerned. The Monster->ke1905 696 is a true beast of the open road, complete with a 'less-is-more' philosophy that underlines Ducati's never-ending pursuit of a genuinely compact, high performance motorcycle.

Every single component of the Monster 696 has been redesigned and redeveloped to adhere to the tried-and-tested adage of form following function. The Monster's radical styling has also provided the inspiration for an entire after-market sector specializing in hot-rod parts for this legendary machine. For this reason, rarely do you see two Monsters the same.

In terms of performance, the Monster 696 is no slouch. It comes packed with a 696cc L-Twin cylinder, 2 valve per cylinder Desmodromic, air cooled engine that produces inane levels of power and torque numbers. To complement the unbridled rage of the Monster 696, Ducati put in an APTC ‘wet’ clutch that gives a ‘slipper’ type action, preventing destabilizing of the rear-end under aggressive down-shifting and also gives the extra benefit of a super-light feel at the lever, a great benefit in stop-start city traffic or during longer journeys. Meanwhile, the 21-plate oil-bath clutch (11 friction and 10 steel) represents a power-enhancing weight reduction over the ‘dry’ system as well as having a quieter operation and requiring less maintenance.

The new crankcases hug the gearbox internals much closer to create a smaller and more compact outer profile and achieve considerable weight savings over previous cases.

Find out more about the Ducati Monster 696 after the jump.

Engine

The APTC ‘wet’ clutch gives a ‘slipper’ type action that prevents destabilizing of the rear-end under aggressive down-shifting and also gives the extra benefit of a super-light feel at the lever, a great benefit in stop-start city traffic or during longer journeys. The 21-plate oil-bath clutch (11 friction and 10 steel) represents a power-enhancing weight reduction over the ‘dry’ system as well as having a quieter operation and requiring less maintenance.

The new crankcases hug the gearbox internals much closer to create a smaller and more compact outer profile and achieve considerable weight savings over previous cases.

Chassis

The GP-style swingarm is chill-cast using aluminium in its most noble form. Gravity cast and heat treated, the component achieves the best mechanical characteristics as well as reduced final weight for improved handling.

Every carefully selected component of the Monster 696 has a net benefit to the overall light weight of the machine. The dry weight of 161kgs (355lb) has dramatic effects on not just manoeuvrability and ease of use, but also by contributing directly to increased performance, braking and acceleration.

At the rear, a Sachs monoshock unit with progressive linkage provide a wide spectrum of both spring and damping settings.

Brakes

The latest in Brembo braking hardware delivers exceptional braking power front and rear to improve rider safety. At the front, 320mm floating discs are gripped by four-piston, radially mounted callipers, while a 245mm floating rear disc works in combination with a twin-piston calliper. This powerful braking set-up offers unrivalled feel and feedback making the 696 safer across a broader spectrum of riding abilities.

Equipment

An LED rear light unit satisfies the minimalist, weight-saving design ethos found throughout the Monster 696. The specially designed strip of LED are enhanced by a special diffuser lens to deliver outstanding light clarity and incredible longevity.

For the Monster 1100EVO, even the license plate light uses LED technology.

The instrument display also doubles as a control panel for the activation of the Ducati Data Analyser (DDA) system, which is available as an accessory from Ducati Performance. The bike has been built ‘system-ready’ for the data acquisition kit, which consists of special DDA software and a memory key that slots into a plug under the seat. The same plug also doubles as the connection for a handy new battery charger available as an accessory from Ducati Performance.

Specifications

Quotes

Atlcmotorcycles----"When you choose to ride the Monster, you are not just choosing a bike, but an entire lifestyle. A desire to experience the exhilaration of naked power from an iconic motorcycle."

Bikez----"The ´less-is-more´ philosophy behind all Monsters underlines Ducati´s never-ending pursuit of genuinely compact, high performance motorcycles, but these new models have succeeded in being even more ´pared down´ than their predecessors."