
DUCATI MONSTER 797 (2017 - 2021) Review

Highlights
- Air-cooled engine
- Manageable middleweight power
- Fun handling
At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
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Annual servicing cost: | £270 |
Power: | 74 bhp |
Seat height: | Medium (31.7 in / 805 mm) |
Weight: | Medium (426 lbs / 193 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesThe Ducati Monster 797 is that most rare of modern bikes – a turn-key fun machine. It is simple, fun, handles well thanks to its light weight and is pleasingly devoid of modern electrical assists. Just get on and enjoy without the need to read the instruction manual!
- Latest news: Ducati Monster 797 dropped from range
- Related: Best naked motorbikes
This is a stripped-back, aircooled naked that delivers simple pleasures. Uncomplicated, uncluttered and above all, great fun to ride. It’s what the Monster was always meant to be. Bravo.
The Ducati Monster 797+ is the very same bike, but with an added fly screen and pillion seat cover. It was £355 more when bought new.
Thanks to its relatively approachable 74bhp, the 797 is also A2 licence-friendly and makes for an excellent first big bike.
Sadly, the Monster 797 was dropped from the Ducati range as Euro5 regulations took effect in 2021.
Watch Ducati Monster 797 video review on MCN
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineTipping the scales at just 193kg wet, the Monster 797 is pleasingly light and agile.
When you’re carving through the bends on the new 797 all you see before you is the road ahead. There are no distractions, and the LCD dash is set nicely below your eye level so that it is easy to read when required, but not obstructive to your view. This is a bike that’s all about enjoying the sensation of beingon two wheels – and thanks to the wide, flat, bars you feel exposed and open to the elements, which is exactly the feeling you want from a bike like this. Yes, I could moan about the lack of weather protection, but if you want a screen to hide behind, buy a tourer.
Handling has always been an integral part of the Monster’s heritage and the 797 doesn’t let the side down. The suspension is quite firm, and down a twisty (and it has to be said smooth) road the 797 displayed stacks of agility.
This is a bike that can really be enjoyed in the bends by both newer and more experienced riders alike. As you would expect, those Brembo brakes bite hard, adding to the 797’s sporty feel, but I think they could do with a bit more feel. Those braided lines deliver a dead sensation that I’m not sure suits a bike aimed at retro riders or those wanting a good-looking town bike. And, unlike Monsters of old, the 797 really does work in city streets.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe addition of Ducati’s APTC clutch (which first appeared on a Monster) means your left hand doesn’t get a workout at every gear change, and although the ’box is quite clunky, it’s fitting part of the bike’s overall retro appeal.
And the air-cooled motor is the icing on this Monster’s cake. Some riders go all misty-eyed over an air-cooled Desmodue engine, personally I’m more practical. Yes, it certainly looks far more aesthetically pleasing than the water-cooled 821, but for me it is the way it responds that I like so much. The throttle connection is superb, the deep rumble from low revs is just what I want a Ducati to sound like, and it’s got more than enough get-up-and-go to be fun. The revs run out at around 8500rpm, and with just 74bhp on tap it’s not that fierce, but V-twins are about their low-to-midrange drive, and the Monster has more than enough of that. In fact, 80% of its maximum torque is delivered by the time 3500rpm is visible on the dash.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueThe air-cooled engine is very reliable and has pleasingly long service intervals of 7500 miles, which helps keep running costs down, but the cam belts still need changing every 15,000 miles. The quality of finish appears high and Ducati tend not to skimp when it comes to small items such as fasteners.
We've got five Ducati Monster 797 owners' reviews on MCN, with an overall score of 4 out of 5 stars. Readers comment on the lack of kit and difficulties keeping the bike serviced and maintained due to the requirement for special tools. They also suggest you find one with the Termignoni exhaust to improve the way the bike sounds.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentThe Monster is at the higher end of the middleweight market, but that is to be expected from a model made in Bologna. The pleasing thing about the 797 is the fact it comes with quality items such as inverted forks and Brembo brakes, helping justify its price. The fact it costs £100 more to get it in anything other than red is, however, a bit disappointing.
The Monster 797's rivals include the Yamaha MT-07, the Suzuki SV650 and the Kawasaki Z650.
Equipment
You don’t get traction control or power modes on the Monster 797, but ABS is standard and so are Brembo monoblock radial brake calipers and a USB port under the seat. Ducati’s Multimedia System can be retro fitted but the inverted forks are non-adjustable and the shock only has spring preload and rebound damping adjustment.
A Ducati Monster 797+ adds a pillion seat cover and fly screen, which are useful additions if you're thinking about going touring.
Specs |
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Engine size | 803cc |
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Engine type | Four-stroke, air-cooled desmo V-twin |
Frame type | Tubular steel trellis |
Fuel capacity | 16.5 litres |
Seat height | 805mm |
Bike weight | 193kg |
Front suspension | 43mm inverted forks, non-adjustable |
Rear suspension | Monoshock, adjustable spring preload and rebound |
Front brake | 2x320mm disc four-piston radial monoblock caliper, ABS |
Rear brake | 245mm disc, one-piston caliper. ABS |
Front tyre size | 120/70X17 |
Rear tyre size | 180/55x17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
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Average fuel consumption | 53 mpg |
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Annual road tax | £96 |
Annual service cost | £270 |
New price | - |
Used price | £5,800 - £8,300 |
Insurance group |
- How much to insure? |
Warranty term | - |
Top speed & performance |
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Max power | 74 bhp |
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Max torque | 50.8 ft-lb |
Top speed | 120 mph |
1/4 mile acceleration | - |
Tank range | 180 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
2017 - Ducati Monster 797 launched alongside 797+ version with a few extra features for touring. Also available as A2-friendly model.
Other versions
None.
Owners' reviews for the DUCATI MONSTER 797 (2017 - 2021)
5 owners have reviewed their DUCATI MONSTER 797 (2017 - 2021) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your DUCATI MONSTER 797 (2017 - 2021)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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Overall rating: | |
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Ride quality & brakes: | |
Engine: | |
Reliability & build quality: | |
Value vs rivals: | |
Equipment: | |
Annual servicing cost: | £270 |
Year: 2017
Annual servicing cost: £200
Great bike, crunchy 1st gear, and elusive neutral.
Great commuter bike. Very nimble. Desmo service can be DIY is you find the Scrambler instructions from www.ducatitoolrental.com. I've owned dozens of motorcycles, and my biggest complaint of the 797 is that the gear box is crunchy and unrefined.
You will need some specialized tools. Crankshaft turner and some belt tools. Not that complex to maintain at home. No need to take it to a dealer other than for computer stuff.
The clock doesn't work on mine. Don't care enough to take it back to the dealer. Puig windscreen, Shad and Givi luggage, and Barkbuster handguards make it a year round commuter. Even taking it on a 3,000 mile roadtrip From Oklahoma and all over Colorado wasn't unbearable.
Buying experience: I found my 797 as a new 2017 model in 2019. It was $7,200.
Year: 2017
Annual servicing cost: £300
Really happy with it, uncomplicated and great fun.
Strong and powerful.
It's not the most powerful bike, but it got enough so you can play and do anything with it.
Really good materials, you really notice a premium feel when you seat on it.
Not much here, only the essentials. Lacks a gear and gas indicator. (I think 2019+ version has it)
Buying experience: Very well received and welcomed.
Year: 2017
Why have anything else? Not perfect - but ticks my boxes. Fitted gruntier exhaust, Puig flyscreen, Acerbis hand guards, mirror extensions. Maybe some Shad panniers next? Keep wishing that Honda made the gearbox though...
Suspension decent - but firm. Seat is not great after couple of hours. Front brake powerful but you need to haul on it. Back brake pathetic.
Good mid range, weak at the top and bottom. Feels great.
So far, all good
Chain adjustment instructions: 'refer to dealer'. Come on....
Would benefit from fuel gauge, gear indicator
Buying experience: Ex demo from main dealer, fair price
Year: 2017
Great first 'big boy bike' but oozing with the Italian spirit and style.
Amazing brakes, sharp and punchy.
Only complaint is the lacking in the toy department.
Buying experience: Straight from Woods in Abergele, brilliant guys there.
Year: 2017
Annual servicing cost: £300
no gear indicator and no fuel gauge keep this from being five of five stars
brakes are very good, ride quality is better than I expected. Very easy to ride and adaptable to a number of riding scenarios.
I like an air cooled big twin that produces power and torque low in the rev range and this one produces. Exhaust is too muted, swapped the OEM exhaust for a Termignoni that provides great sound and power too.
I bought it new so I expect it to be clean - but seems very well made, quality parts, well assembled and finished.
anticipated value adjustment cost is the real downside here
Get the Termignoni exhaust if you can - it's not cheap, but really makes the bike sound great and provides a bit of power in the included remap.
Buying experience: My dealer was great to work with.