Ducati Monster 1200 & Monster 1200 S Debut At EICMA

The 2014 Ducati Monster is available in standard guise as well as a more powerful ‘S' variant for hardcore riders. (Note: The Monster 1200 S in the images can be easily recognized by the black exhaust outlets)

The 2014 Monster, for the first time, is powered by a new version of the V-twin, 1198cc Testastretta 11 engine and its liquid cooled. The revised engine also increases service intervals to 28,968 km/h.

The engine in the standard Monster is rated at 135 bhp @ 8,750 rpm and 117.95 Nm of torque @ 7,250 rpm. The same engine generates 145 bhp @ 8,750 rpm and 124.73 Nm of torque @ 7,250 rpm in the Monster 1200 S.

Apart from a more powerful engine the ‘S' also replaces the standard Monster's Kayaba forks and Sachs rear shock with fully-adjustable Ohlins units.

Once again, the wheels from the Panigale 1199 are seen on the standard Monster. Meanwhile, the wheels ‘S' gets a new Y-spoke design.

The other significant change in the new Monster is in how the bike is held together. Once again, like the Panigale 1199 ‘frameless' has been introduced in the Monster.

The Monster's structure can be broken into a front sub-frame, a rear sub-frame and the engine. The engine now acts as a stressed member.

Both the front and rear sub-frames have been bolted on to the engine cylinder heads. The same goes for the swingarm, which is now directly connected to the engine. The front sub-frame is only connected to the bike via the front forks.

One feels there is a lot of stress on the engine, affecting the bike's performance. On the contrary, Ducati says the Panigale 1199 style structure "has effectively doubled [the Monster's] torsional stiffness".

The new Monster also measures 2.3 inches longer, which besides aiding in improving stability will also mean more space for a rear passenger. And speaking of rear passengers, the grab rails have been redesigned as well.

The handlebars of the new Monsters are 1.5 inches higher and closer to the rider which Ducati says, will provide better control and increase comfort.

Further aiding rider comfort are the adjustable seats, which, via a simple block & pin mechanism, can be raised between 29.3 inches and 31.8 inches.

Electronic rider aids are aplenty namely traction control, ABS different riding modes. And once again, the Panigale style full colour TFT display makes its debut in the Monster.

Last but not the least, the new Monsters come with resculpted tank design, which is both more muscular and aggressive without compromising on the classic tank design. Touring enthusiasts will also appreciate the fact that the tank now holds over 17 liter of fuel.

2014 Ducati Monster 1200 is available in red, with a red frame. The Monster 1200 S gets red with a red frame and white with a bronze frame colour schemes.

Ducati Monster 1200 is priced at $13,495 in the U.S, while the Ducati Monster 1200 S has a price of $15,995. The new Ducati Monster should be made available in India next year.