2016 Ducati Monster R – Is it worthy of the “R” badge?

Firstly, what is the point of this bike? Why make a naked bike with superbike bits? Is it just for the owner to brag about over breakfast, or do these additions for the “R” label really add to the bike's abilities and rider enjoyment? To find this out I took the Monster R for a quick spin into the winelands and included some of my backyard mountain passes.

To start off, the Monster R has a stonking 1200cc L-Twin motor making a claimed 160hp (10% more than the S) and a host of the usual rider aids. The motor is silky smooth with strong bottom and mid-range that makes you want to short shift so you can roll on the throttle! This motor suits itself to the road manners of the bike as it allows the rider to “cruise” in a higher gear and just whack the throttle when more speed is needed. The fueling on the R is greatly improved over other Ducatis I have ridden in the past, and the finer on and off throttle control enhances the enjoyment of the bike.

The brakes on the Monster R are from the Panigale and I know how great they are on that bike. The 330mm disks and Brembo M50 calipers work wonders to get this bike to stop. The brakes are sharp, precise and confidence inspiring. The rider feel through the lever is great and linear. They work very well on the road and through mountain passes.

The suspension is a noticeable addition to the R in comparison to the normal Monster. The Ohlins suspension is firm, but somehow works well with the comfort of the bike. The suspension is taller (15mm) to increase ground clearance, and the bike felt very nimble and changed direction easily.  The chassis and suspension work well together and allow for the bike to track nicely through a corner while riding above the recommended speed limit. The bike's steering damper also helps the bike avoid any niggles when the front wheel becomes light or hits some rough tar.

The looks department is something you will either like or hate. This is not the end of the world though. Ducati have styled the Monster to look like a modern day yet classic naked bike, like one your dad would ride. The R version does not really stand out from the other Monster versions, which might be a negative, but others will like the discreteness of the colours and brushed aluminium. The idea that you will know what it is because you know what it is does, seems to be a plus for the Monster R.

The negatives I had for the bike was that the colour display struggled in bright sunlight, and I could not see anything at times. The other issue highlighted online is the competition, the KTM Super Duke R. The KTM is more powerful and slightly cheaper. I had the chance to ride the big KTM once, and have avoided it since. I disliked the chassis, and felt like the bike was constantly trying to kill me. My personal feeling is the Monster R is well worth the extra money, and I rate it as a superior bike to live with on a daily basis and Sunday blasts.

So back to my initial question, what is the point of this bike? It’s a well styled, practical, and brisk road bike. Probably one of the best out there at the moment, with a strong motor and stable chassis. South Africans have a love affair for sports bikes, which to be honest have become far too quick for the road! This is a beautifully made and designed bike that will keep up with most through the passes and put a great smile on your face on the road or occasional track day. Think of it as a less demanding Panigale for the discerning gentleman.

Once again, thanks to Anston from Ducati Cape Town for the chance to take this brute out for a spin!