Original monster origins

[ScottRNelson]

If I recall correctly, the engine chosen was not meant to be the original engine, he was going to use the engine from the superbike, but due to the high demand for that engine, he had to take the smaller engine.

I don't believe that.  Just like with the Hypermotard, one of the most important parts of the original looks of the Monster was the lack of radiator and hoses.  Now that the water cooled bikes have been split off into the Street Fighter line, the Monsters have returned to their more pure air cooled roots.

Regardless of how fast or powerful the S4 variants have been, I've never felt that they truly belonged in the Monster line because of the radiators and associated plumbing.

[Travman]

Take a good look at a SuperSport frame.  Not nearly as nice looking as the SuperBike frame.

And since all Ducati engines fit the same way in the frame, minus the occasional cross brace, the SuperBike frame was the obvious choice.

I agree the Monster/851/888 frame looks better than the SuperSport frame, just wondering if there was any other advantages.

If I recall correctly, the engine chosen was not meant to be the original engine, he was going to use the engine from the superbike, but due to the high demand for that engine, he had to take the smaller engine.

but, I also remember reading, when he first built the bike, it was not for production, it was for his own personal use, it was only after seeing the bike (A manager/A CEO, someone like that) that he was asked to develop the concept and make it into a production bike, it almost became a Cagiva Monster, but Ducati's board wanted it more, so they got it.

I never heard that story before.  It makes for a good story if it is true.

[The Don]

I don't believe that.  Just like with the Hypermotard, one of the most important parts of the original looks of the Monster was the lack of radiator and hoses.  Now that the water cooled bikes have been split off into the Street Fighter line, the Monsters have returned to their more pure air cooled roots.

Regardless of how fast or powerful the S4 variants have been, I've never felt that they truly belonged in the Monster line because of the radiators and associated plumbing.

+1

[CairnsDuc]

I thought it was a bit odd as well, I will try to find the article, it was written when the 696 or the 1100 came out (They interviewed the original designer about the Monster) it was in a little sidebar piece, I would imagine that if it were true, Ducati would not like to think there most famous model was by accident, or a parts bin special.

[ducpainter]

I thought it was a bit odd as well, I will try to find the article, it was written when the 696 or the 1100 came out (They interviewed the original designer about the Monster) it was in a little sidebar piece, I would imagine that if it were true, Ducati would not like to think there most famous model was by accident, or a parts bin special.

the truth very often hurts.

[weemonster]

Ducati in the mid 90's was in a very dire financial situation.
The reason they used existing parts is because they had nio money to develop new parts.
The 916 development almot bnkripted them.


Naked SS? isnt that a sport classic?

[Travman]

Naked SS? isnt that a sport classic?

Their frames do have some similarities, but if you put the bikes side by side you can see the differences between the SS and the Sport Classic frames.  Definitely not the same frame. 

[ducsport]

Their frames do have some similarities, but if you put the bikes side by side you can see the differences between the SS and the Sport Classic frames.  Definitely not the same frame. 

The ss frame sort of sits above the engine, with bars dropping down to the engine mounts, much like the old bevel frames from the 70's and the Pantah from the 80's. Hence the Sport Classics copy this arrangement. The Monster and 851/888 frames sit more "around" the engine, positioning the tank and seat closer to the ground. Both look good IMHO, but for different reasons. my 2c 

[monsta]

If somebody in the Bay Area wants to ride their 93-95 Monster to Pleasanton, I would be happy to take the fairings off of my 888 and photograph the various parts of the two bikes together to document the similarities.

I'd really like to see that. I heard that some of the bracing around the head stem was removed from the from to make room for the airbox. I really want to put them back in and I'd like to compare.

Scott, maybe the next time you have your fairings off you could take some pics in that area for me??  Pleeease... 

[weemonster]

there a very thin gauge tube missing on the monster to accomodate the airbox thats the most obvious difference i didn't pay much attention after that.

if you got to www.ukmonster.co.uk and search rebuild  i memory serves kato got his frame braced during his rebuild.

[erkishhorde]

The monster is an original bike. But naked bikes had been around before. I have a friend with an old Honda Hawk that always says that the monster is a copy of the hawk. 

[weemonster]

i think the point of the monster being new is that ever since they invented fairings. Sportbikes had fairings. you still got naked bikes but they were not by any means sporty.

The Monster is a naked sports bike. all the manufacturers have them now but until the Monster there were none.

 
an no a hardley able son sporters isnt a fecking sports bike

[kopfjäger]

i think the point of the monster being new is that ever since they invented fairings. Sportbikes had fairings. you still got naked bikes but they were not by any means sporty.

The Monster is a naked sports bike. all the manufacturers have them now but until the Monster there were none.

 
an no a hardley able son sporters isnt a fecking sports bike

I don't see the Monster as a Sportbike.

[uclabiker06]

I find it hard to believe that the Scrambler did not inspire the creation of the Monster in terms of design at leat....

http://motorcyclepictureoftheday.blogspot.com/2009/03/ducati-scrambler-rendering-wow-what.html

[weemonster]

The scramber was not by any means unique to ducati.  The british manufacturers had their versions too.