Mid-sized Monster 796 Coming to USA

[Popeye the Sailor]

aren't SSS heavier and not as stiff / ridgid?

It's an inferior design.

[GLantern]

It's an inferior design.

But for people who aren't racing the ease of swapping a wheel on and off as well as the cool factor can not be overlooked!  If i'm not mistaken adjusting the chain is easier as well.

[slowkitty]

Exactly. My cock is big enough and I don't need to strap a 150hp rocket to the end of it. How about Ducati makes a truly entry level bike? There are Rebels and Ninja 250cc. Why not a m400? Light, easily lowered, and priced as an entry level bike. Would this really ruin the cache Ducati has for being the maker of $30k super bikes that go 11ty billion mph? The little monsters are the best selling bikes for Ducati after all. Why not pursue that end of the market more? Or would this actually cheapen the brand the same way those horrible C class cars cheapened Mercedes? I'm torn.

sac

/still hopes they go smaller instead of bigger

Ducati do make Monster 400s for the market in countries where there is a capacity-limited licensing scheme e.g. Japan and Singapore.  Ridden a 400 before, basically it's great as a beginner bike but as experience builds the urge to go faster and have more torque will lead to a decision to a bigger machine.  The 400s do not come with a dry clutch version, and the last few models in 2006 (I think) was fuel injected.  The 400s do not have an oil-cooler and has one front disc for braking.

Personally I think that 400 cc is a tad under-powered, it takes a while to move off from a stop line.  The 620 is a great balance, I think.

Cheers

[kopfjäger]

But for people who aren't racing the ease of swapping a wheel on and off as well as the cool factor can not be overlooked!  If i'm not mistaken adjusting the chain is easier as well.

Yeah, In racing those DSS are a real problem.    That's front, rear, fuel and rider. In case you missed it.


Vesrah Suzuki pit stop Barber 2009

[ducatiz]

Why not a m400? Light, easily lowered, and priced as an entry level bike. Would this really ruin the cache Ducati has for being the maker of $30k super bikes that go 11ty billion mph? The little monsters are the best selling bikes for Ducati after all. Why not pursue that end of the market more? Or would this actually cheapen the brand the same way those horrible C class cars cheapened Mercedes? I'm torn.

The M400s sold in Japan were just dumbed-down 620s.  The ONLY differences in the bikes were the piston/cylinders and crank, and a single rotor up front with a smaller brake master and a smaller rear wheel.

Despite the deletion of one front rotor and caliper, it was the same weight as the 620 with about 2/3rds the hp.

Based on that, I would call it a piece of shit.  It was underpowered, overweight and over sized.

Now, if you tell me that they are making a ground-up design with smaller (lighter) components and purpose built for a 400cc class bike, then I am interested.   Just throwing thinner pistons into the same weight frame/engine/swingarm just to get 400 cc isn't worth it.  You could just put a rev limiter on a 620 and be done with it.

My Euro-import 600SS came with a smaller swingarm, a smaller 2:1 header and single exhaust, and used the smaller engine case from the Pantah and early Monsters (clutch slave on the right side).  The single rotor, 4" rear wheel, and thinner forks combined to make a very light bike (they were about 360 lbs wet from the factory).  My bike was upgraded by the previous owner with a bunch of crazy features to lighten it further.

So, if they can make an M400 that runs about 350-370 lbs from the factory and has ~40-45hp I say go for it.  Anything much heavier or lower hp and it's a dog.

Anyone remember the ill-fated Cagiva Mito500 design shown at the IMS and how everyone creamed themselves thinking of a single coming like that?  Oh well.

[GregP]

The Monster I always longed for would have been an S version (S4, S4R, etc.) with the 748R/749R motor.  I don't know why but I always thought the hopped up R version of the revier mid-sized engine would have been fun.

I had a 620 Monster and the SS1000. I was really sad to see the SS line up discontinued.  A proper sportbike with the traditional air cooled Ducati lump was just a gas to ride.

[junior varsity]

Now, if you tell me that they are making a ground-up design with smaller (lighter) components and purpose built for a 400cc class bike, then I am interested.   Just throwing thinner pistons into the same weight frame/engine/swingarm just to get 400 cc isn't worth it.  You could just put a rev limiter on a 620 and be done with it.

you and i both know that a ground-up design doesn't birth a cheap motorcycle. If they aren't take off components from the other bikes, there's little money savings because of tooling, etc. I will note that the new vacu-cast moldings for engine cases and such is making the new gen of bikes much lighter. The wet weight of the 1198 is a good 30lbs lighter wet than a GSXR-1000, and uses larger, superior rotors. (I believe its 300 to 330 still).

[orangelion03]

By the time my wife caves and lets me buy one, the 796 will be out!  I just like it for the height, as being a 6' 215lbs guy, I was worried the 696 was going to be a little cramped...

Might I suggest just looking for a good used S2R 1000?  It will be cheaper and have a better grade of suspension and brakes.  I'm 6', 220, and have no problem fitting on my S2R8.

[Triple J]

aren't SSS heavier and not as stiff / ridgid?

Not exactly. The new Ducati SSS are supposedly lighter and more rigid than the last generation DSS (i.e. 999/749). Although, they probably could make a new DSS stiffer and lighter.

IMO for the street it doesn't matter anyway. The benefit of easy wheel removal and the ease of chain maintenance are key. I'd be hard pressed to buy another DSS bike after owning both DSS and SSS.

...and regarding the racing pit stop...who cares...I don't have a pit crew that follows me on rides, of hangs out in my garage.

[DucatiTorrey]

Not exactly. The new Ducati SSS are supposedly lighter and more rigid than the last generation
DSS (i.e. 999/749). Although, they probably could make a new DSS stiffer and lighter.

Like the 696?

IMO for the street it doesn't matter anyway. The benefit of easy wheel removal and the ease of chain maintenance are key. I'd be hard pressed to buy another DSS bike after owning both DSS and SSS.

agreed

[SacDuc]

The M400s sold in Japan were just dumbed-down 620s.  The ONLY differences in the bikes were the piston/cylinders and crank, and a single rotor up front with a smaller brake master and a smaller rear wheel.

Despite the deletion of one front rotor and caliper, it was the same weight as the 620 with about 2/3rds the hp.

Based on that, I would call it a piece of shit.  It was underpowered, overweight and over sized.

Ah. I was unaware. That does indeed suck. A lighter 400 would be pregnant dogin' but as you said, a complete retool for a new platform would weigh a light bike down with too big a price tag. Bummer. 

sac

[bulldogs2k]

Call me a newb but all of my bikes have been dss, when removing the wheel on a sss, does the sprocket come off with the wheel?  Always wondered how the removal process would go since the rear stand is connected on the sprocket/chain side.  I must know....

[JEFF_H]

Call me a newb but all of my bikes have been dss, when removing the wheel on a sss, does the sprocket come off with the wheel?  Always wondered how the removal process would go since the rear stand is connected on the sprocket/chain side.  I must know....

sprocket stays on the swingarm on the left side

[bulldogs2k]

So in order to take off the sprocket, one must have to configure the stand to hold the other side of the wheel? 

[ducatiz]

So in order to take off the sprocket, one must have to configure the stand to hold the other side of the wheel? 

just use a SSS stand.  it supports the bike thru the axle.  no problem.