What is the difference between the Standard Monster, and the EVO?

[Charlie98]

Totally stupid question...  What is the difference between the standard Monster, and the EVO?  I'm seeing different footpegs, and a different exhaust.  Is that it?  ...or is there other hidden magic in there?

[greenmonster]

Lighter engine internals and special camshafts,
surely more will follow.

[stopintime]

Much lighter and tuned engine on the EVO. Maybe not a smart thing, but fun. Claimed 100 bhp vs 90(95) on the standard and S.

Different suspension. I don't know how different or if one is better.

Electronic aids? Wheel weights? I don't know.

[koko64]

A member once posted pics of the 1100 and 1100 Evo motors with the outer cases removed. The Evo had drilled timing and primary gears like race prep work. I have read that it has a lighter crank and it appears from the pic to have a lighter flywheel. It certainly feels like it.

The Evo has higher compression (up to 11:1-11.5:1), hotter cams, modified combustion chambers with one spark plug, modified ports, lighter alternator, different large bore (for a desmodue) exhaust, semi slipper wet clutch, ABS and traction control. The bar risers are a little higher and that makes you sit "in" it more. You are less stretched out and it feels more compact so a taller rider may not like it.

The rear shock is a budget Sachs and forks are Marzocchi 43mm reportedly with big piston set up. There were batches of hard chroming that was too thin effecting some forks (just had mine done). In the hands of an expert suspension tech they are a good baseline and I like them. Clearly Marzocchi can make premium stuff when they are paid enough . The wheels are a little lighter and more refined looking but you may not notice at a glance. Some rear wheels were recalled for cracks.

The motor is fierce with potential when you give it the fuel it craves. I've run Powercommander devices and intake mods to make it even angrier, but this time around have minor tuning and gearing changes to smooth it out (I'm getting old). I hear some have cracked the code for direct ECU tuning.

Most bikes come with the Termi exhaust as part of the Ducati Performance power up kit, K&N air filter, slightly more open nostrils and DP ECU, but they still need some fuel to smooth out the closed loop tuning. SC in Italy make a mid pipe that deletes the cast flap valve section and servo motor, cables etc. Smart Moto make a naughty box for the servo motor loom connector (they make lots of naughty stuff). Track use only..

The passenger pegs are seperate from the rider pegs. When removed and a nice exhaust bracket fitted, it looks great. Many will also come with the DP tail tidy kit and that combination really makes the bike look compact like a little hot rod. People ask me if the bike is 500-600cc, until they hear it. The engine note is serious and sounds like it means business. The Termi exhausts are obnoxiously loud without the supplied insert fitted and i dont know anyone who is running them fully open. Kamna supply a performance insert that takes the edge off while maintaining hp. They were designed for race tracks near residential areas with a track DB limit. They are machined billet and work well.

The ABS brakes are harder to bleed but work well although a customers traditional 1100 brakes feel better at the lever. I leave the ABS switched on but have set for the minimum traction control so it still spins a little before catching. Any  more TC than Level 1 kills power so it's very basic  and accidently works as an unrefined power mode system.
Turn the TC off for dyno tuning.

Under current rules Ducati can't make an air cooled desmodue more powerful than the Evo and it ceased after 2013. My worked 900 Monster made more power than the discontinued Scrambler 1100, so the Evo is the most powerful desmodue and the last of the desmodue big bore Monsters.

I feel privileged to own one.