(Right) Miguel Galluzzi's
original 1992 headlight
remains, just reimagined
for a new generation.
(Below) Preload
adjustment only on the
shock is a bit bargain
basement for a bike
costing the best part of
$14K. (Bottom right) Its
skinny design hides the
fact that the seat is quite
comfortable over long
distances.
P72
RIDE REVIEW I 2026 DUCATI MONSTER +
inches. I'm 5-foot-7 and could
easily get both feet firmly planted
on the road on both sides of the
standard seat.
The first section of our test
ride was on the busy and slip-
pery streets of Malaga. Monsters
are as popular in town as in the
country for good reason, and the
new bike excels in the cutthroat
chaos of rush hour traffic. It's
keen, clean and so easy-going
you understand why Ducati feels
there's no need for an entry-level
Monster these days.
there's plenty of steering lock for
intricate maneuvers. Seat height
is 32 inches, which is just under
a quarter of an inch (5mm) lower
than the previous Monster.
According to Ducati, the inner
leg curve has been reduced by
seven-tenths of an inch, while
the official accessories catalog
offers an even lower seat—by
another seven-tenths of an
inch—and a suspension lowering
kit that removes another three-
quarters of an inch, giving a theo-
retical seat height of just 30.5
wheelie control in Sport mode.
The extensive raft of rider aids
features cornering ABS, Ducati
Traction Control, Ducati Wheelie
Control, engine-brake control and
that Ducati quickshifter, which
can be deactivated. All your set-
tings remain saved, which is a
welcome bonus.
In a bid to appeal to both expe-
rienced riders and newer, shorter
folk, Ducati has made the Mon-
ster + as easy to ride as possible.
At just 385.8 pounds, it feels es-
pecially light at a standstill, while
