DUCATI MONSTER 797 (2017 - 2021) Review

Overall rating

The 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!

• 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.

• Related: 2021 Ducati Monster review

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

Tipping the scales at just 193kg wet, the Ducati 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

The 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 Ducati Monster 797 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

The 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.

Our Ducati Monster 797 owners' reviews show nothing too concerning regarding reliability. One buyer says his gearbox is a little crunchy, but that seems an isolated issue. It's worth noting, however, that you'll need some specialised tools if you're going to do the lion's share of the servicing and maintenance yourself.

Value vs rivals

The 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.

Group test: Ducati 797 vs Yamaha MT-07 vs Kawasaki Z650 vs Suzuki GSX-S750

First published in MCN 10 May 2017 by Adam Child

During 2017 tester Adam Child set the ever-popular Yamaha MT-07 against the Ducati Monster 797 and Japanese rivals Kawasai's Z650 and the Suzuki GSX-S750, to find out which made the most sense as a value buy.

If money wasn’t an issue then we might be tempted by the Ducati Monster 797 as it’s the most desirable and has the sweetest handling. And although the motor lacks a little gusto it’s more than sufficient for road riding.

But if it were my money on the table, it would be the Yamaha MT-07 every time – at £6099 it’s an all-round bargain and, pound-for-pound, one of the greats of motorcycling.

At only £69 a month on PCP, the Kawasaki is pretty tempting, even cheaper than the Yamaha at £89, and if you intend to spend more time in the city than out  of it, the Kawasaki could be ideal.

The Suzuki exceeded our expectations. It’s comfortable, quick and stylish – as well as being our first choice for big miles and outright power – but there’s no way it can touch the Yamaha for its all-round versatility.

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.