Pleasant, very pleasant. The Ducati Monster 1000 is perfect for demolishing A-roads with its loping pace, but press on and you’ll quickly find the pegs grinding on dry tarmac, with the cans not far behind. The Ducati Monster 1000's Brembo brakes are tried and trusted, combining well with the chassis to leave you with a feeling of real confidence.
The Ducati Monster 1000's mambo comes courtesy of the factory’s punchy 1000cc Dual Spark motor. It’s versatile and reliable, though it will require expensive cam belt changes every two years or 12,000 miles. The Ducati Monster 1000's motor is not exactly stressed with a mild 80bhp, but it suffices.
The Ducati Monster 1000 isn’t a motorcycle to ride through winter. Traditional Ducati electrical woes had been largely sorted before this model was launched, though if you plan to lay your motorcycle up for the winter a trickle charger’s advisable or the Ducati Monster 1000 can flatten it's battery quickly.
Compared to the pricier, Ducati 996/998-powered Ducati Monster S4R the Ducati Monster 1000 feels a bit underwhelming. And against the (2003-2007) Kawasaki Z1000 it’s both dearer and slower. But the name on the tank is worth it for the snobbery value alone – and with some fruitier, preferably carbon, cans on the back you’ll soon feel better about choosing the Ducati Monster 1000. Find a Ducati Monster 1000 for sale.
Insurance group: 14 of 17 – compare motorcycle insurance quotes now.
The Ducati Monster 1000 is equipped with span-adjustable levers and an ignition-based immobiliser as standard and there was a raft of official tuning and luggage kit to be had from the factory, so watch out for bikes fitted with some extras.