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slob · 27-11-2020, 05:07 PM

I've just done a pre-launch Monster video conference with the factory.
Once again the presentation was led by Ducati Product Manager: Stefano Tarabusi.

He acknowledged that it's always a difficult decision to modify a key product that's been around for very nearly three decades, we've just passed the 28th anniversary of the original M900 unveiling at IFMA Köln 1992 and the Monster is fast approaching number 325,000 on the production line. So the Monsteristi community is still growing and indeed, like any community, must grow. They are not trying to build some sort of retro special here, they are moving to Monster concept forward.

They went back to the question: What is a Monster?
The answer is Essential (stripped back), Light, Compact & Sporty. Hence a Superbike derived chassis with a road-focused engine. At the start of the '90s that meant an 851/888 derived chassis with a 900SS motor, today it means Pani'V4 derived chassis with Testastretta motor.

Ducati always choose the best solution for the concept and they felt that the 821/1200 was starting to get too large and heavy for what defines a Monster.

The 821 front frame weighs in at 7.9kg, still lighter than an un-named 'main competitor' at 8.9kg. They played with a 'small tube' trellis which improved weight down to 5.5kg but they assured us this was not aesthetically pleasing. The end result is a gravity cast aluminium frame weighing in at 3.0kg!
Similarly the 821 rear subframe weighs in at 5.1kg, losing out slightly to 'main competitor' at 4.4kg. The optimised cast subframe (think 696/796/1100) comes in at 3.5-4.2kg. a 'small tube' version was still 4.3kg. So the Mk4 Monster will use a GFRP (Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer) subframe which weighs 3.2kg.
The overall weight of the bike will be reduced by 20kg!
Besides weight loss and compactness, the other advantage of the new frame is the decoupling of directional stiffness, which their test riders report makes for a significantly better ride. Ask a V4 Panigale owner if they still long for a trellis frame...
The new model will also have a little more ground clearance, which will please more 'spirited' riders.

We asked about the spy shots, comparisons to various Yamahas and Galluzzi's original design and Stefano said 'Remember all the photoshop mock-ups so far are not from Ducati and are based on low quality spy-shots of disguised bikes. Remember the original Panigale spy-shots from a decade ago?' He thinks the production bike came out OK.
What we get next week will in some way pay homage to the Galluzzi orignal, and that we won't be disappointed.

We can expect some display bikes to start doing the rounds early next year, with test rides available from dealers around April/May.

In the meantime stay tuned for next Wednesday evening, December 2nd. – 7pm CET (that's 6:00pm GMT)

27-11-2020, 05:07 PM	#1
slob . Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: East London Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 9,713	New Monster I've just done a pre-launch Monster video conference with the factory. Once again the presentation was led by Ducati Product Manager: Stefano Tarabusi. He acknowledged that it's always a difficult decision to modify a key product that's been around for very nearly three decades, we've just passed the 28th anniversary of the original M900 unveiling at IFMA Köln 1992 and the Monster is fast approaching number 325,000 on the production line. So the Monsteristi community is still growing and indeed, like any community, must grow. They are not trying to build some sort of retro special here, they are moving to Monster concept forward. They went back to the question: What is a Monster? The answer is Essential (stripped back), Light, Compact & Sporty. Hence a Superbike derived chassis with a road-focused engine. At the start of the '90s that meant an 851/888 derived chassis with a 900SS motor, today it means Pani'V4 derived chassis with Testastretta motor. Ducati always choose the best solution for the concept and they felt that the 821/1200 was starting to get too large and heavy for what defines a Monster. The 821 front frame weighs in at 7.9kg, still lighter than an un-named 'main competitor' at 8.9kg. They played with a 'small tube' trellis which improved weight down to 5.5kg but they assured us this was not aesthetically pleasing. The end result is a gravity cast aluminium frame weighing in at 3.0kg! Similarly the 821 rear subframe weighs in at 5.1kg, losing out slightly to 'main competitor' at 4.4kg. The optimised cast subframe (think 696/796/1100) comes in at 3.5-4.2kg. a 'small tube' version was still 4.3kg. So the Mk4 Monster will use a GFRP (Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer) subframe which weighs 3.2kg. The overall weight of the bike will be reduced by 20kg! Besides weight loss and compactness, the other advantage of the new frame is the decoupling of directional stiffness, which their test riders report makes for a significantly better ride. Ask a V4 Panigale owner if they still long for a trellis frame... The new model will also have a little more ground clearance, which will please more 'spirited' riders. We asked about the spy shots, comparisons to various Yamahas and Galluzzi's original design and Stefano said 'Remember all the photoshop mock-ups so far are not from Ducati and are based on low quality spy-shots of disguised bikes. Remember the original Panigale spy-shots from a decade ago?' He thinks the production bike came out OK. What we get next week will in some way pay homage to the Galluzzi orignal, and that we won't be disappointed. We can expect some display bikes to start doing the rounds early next year, with test rides available from dealers around April/May. In the meantime stay tuned for next Wednesday evening, December 2nd. – 7pm CET (that's 6:00pm GMT) Last edited by slob; 27-11-2020 at 05:43 PM..