Mini Monster's tame enough for town - Ducati Monster News

DUCATI kicked off the Monster family back in 1993 with the 900cc model and such was its success that new versions have been released ever since.

They come with everything from the basic 600cc engines up to the mighty S4R with Ducati's legendary 996cc Superbike motor. Unfortunately that is not the machine on test this week, but the top selling 620ie is.

It may be the smallest in the family, but it has a role to fill and with a price tag of just under £5,000 and group ten insurance, it gives the cost conscious buyer the opportunity to get on to the Ducati ladder.

The spec is basic. You get unadjustable suspension but an extra disc on the front is optional. The 618cc, fuel injected engine produces around 60bhp which is enough to give a top speed of 110mph but at those kind of speeds the rider is hanging on like a sail in the wind.

If you want top-drawer performance then this is not the bike for you. However, if ease of use and light, nimble, urban handling is your bag then the baby Monster fits the bill.

The slightly upswept bars and low seat height are just what is required for town work and there is enough of that famous Ducati V-twin torque to keep things interesting.

That 620 engine is better than some of the larger capacity versions in stop-start conditions, with none of the transmission backlash that I remember the early 900 models suffering from. It may be down to the fuel injection or simply the smaller pistons, but it is smooth with a hint of character.

Out in the suburbs and on A-roads the Monster can still deliver but that engine has to be revved to get performance out of it. Don't get me wrong - it's not a slug and 75-80 miles per hour cruising is possible, but you have to remember that this bike was built as an entry level version.

That is part of its success. Women love the design and it's a machine they can feel at home on, while men look at the Ducati badge and relate with it. Why have a boring commuter machine when for a little extra you can own a piece of Italian exotica?

Ducati has been very clever with the Monster series. It started out as a parts-bin naked model - with engine and chasis components pinched from the 900 SS - and has grown into a four model range in it's own right.

Each year there have been subtle changes and improvements that don't detract from the basic formula of 1993. I can see why it's been popular as an entry level bike as well as an enthusiasts' machine.

The list of options is vast, with carbon fibre goodies and race exhausts bringing more revenue to the factory and, after 11 years on the showroom floor, it still looks fresh.

FACT FILE

Ducati Monster 620 IE

Price: £4,995

Insurance: 10

Max Speed: 115mph

Economy: 55mpg