New Ducati Monster spied testing

This is the world’s first spy shot of the all-new 2008 Ducati Monster, caught in secret tests on an Italian race circuit.

The Ducati Monster is set to get its first major redesign since it’s introduction in 1993 for the 2008 model year, but until now Ducati has kept the motorcycle’s crucial redesign under wraps.

The new motorcycle is set to continue with just the air-cooled engine range (695, 800 and 1100) to make way for a new Ducati 1098-based naked motorcycle running separately to the Monster.

The new Ducati Monster is an evolution of the old machine’s style rather than a complete overhaul – the Monster’s main selling point is it’s style, and Ducati can’t afford to change too much. A new chassis is to be used.

The finished motorcycle is due to be launched in at the Milan Show in November in three engine capacities – a flagship 1100DS model, plus a mid-capacity (around 800cc) and a small capacity (likely to use a variant of the current 695 engine).

See this week’s MCN, out Wednesday 26 September, 2007 for more details.