Almost Italian monopoly, the twins and more than 800 cm3 are rare among the great roadsters of production. Ducati back yet on the niche to great effect, with a Monster 796 declined on the basis of its 1100 of the same name. The opportunity to discover the "new" motor cycle parts for less impressive, and enjoy a good mix of power and sensation. It remains to get to live his motorcycle to get the best, and to pay $ 12436.77 () (1 September 2010) ... The Price of Passion, Ducati knows, and we also ... Proof.
Good mix
The Ducati Monster 796 seemed the ideal link to the Ducati range, the real missing link allowing the Italian company to establish itself as one of the most prolific builders of this "crisis." The Monster 796 has the pleasure of coming to conquer hearts and to widen the choice of European riders stayed on their hunger for roadsters of 800 cm3. Now familiar with the displacement of around 800 cm3 (Kawasaki Z750, Yamaha FZ8, BMW F800 R), often powerful and clamped to France, here is the Monster 796 is an alternative to the less interesting, less powerful than average, but with of an aura and charisma foolproof.Better yet, the Monster 796 delivers the record straight: power is nothing if passion does not operate and if we do not take their hands full, full head (like memories wind !) ... The opportunity for Ducati brand itself as a must with thrill, fun and it must be admitted to the frustrations of driving a motorcycle character. Because that's once again the red mark just to earn points in the minds of enthusiasts two wheels 796 that combines optimized performance, engine power and ideal "normal" of 87 horses, all at a level of equipment and relatively homogeneous high-end. Not to mention that there is a first and a roadster Ducati, the test model is equipped with ABS! Add an output gear box 14 (as against 15 standard) set automatically by France on the Ducati 796 of its fleet press, and you're riding a motorcycle one of the most enjoyable of recent times. What do you think the twin is not dead, it still vibrates!
The Ducati 1100 in cheaper and more usable?
Aesthetically, the large and medium are similar, with only a small (696) displays a conventional swingarm. One thing is certain, whether recent or older, a Ducati is a Ducati, and the position of conduct always special. However, this new version of Monster is much nicer, Ducati has abandoned, at least softened, the ergonomics of its motorcycles "orthopedic". Let me explain. Until recently, a Ducati Monster forcing every driver to take her to adapt to the driving position possible and typed more adapt at handling both the motorcycle handlebars that beautiful wide and flat, the footrest ... Top top, but frankly not practical ... It is often found folded in 4 with arms spread open and he saw nothing coming, ready to take full head (cervical requested) and arms (stretched, pushed aside, forced ...). Ah, that's for sure, it is recognizable on a Ducati. And that, it has not changed! For cons, the driving position of the 796 Monster is much more enjoyable. Low seat, raised handlebars, the bust is less tilted to the front, even if the foot controls are still remote and handlebar width acceptable. There are now mirrors that go beyond (beware) Sport, but largely liveable, the 796. And more livable than the clutch is soft (thank you APTC - the torque control system to decelerate the lever that dies down) and then placed on our test version of an ABS. Let's face it, when I descended from my Hornet to ride on the Monster, I feel a little packed, compacifié, not necessarily at ease. While the Hornet is natural, the Monster demands a little adjustment period, especially in terms of handling. Rigid, rigorous, it leads to the body and asked the driver a physical even if it shows slight. A little bit of leg on the tank, a good rest on the handlebars and everything falls into place, even amid the cars ... In short, she is left alone, but requires the user manual: Ducati welcome!!
Roadster sporty and muscular!
Recovery device, in the rumbling of both discrete and exhausts, we pay attention to retro when switching between pickups and minivans ... All is well ... The output gear box 14 is effective, the bike takes its turns and there is an immediate step in revving at around 4,000 rpm and up to 4,500 rpm, after which everything is increasing in a linearity relative to a resurgence of feelings around 7000 rpm. Here is the finale, in a change of tone is soaring up to 8,500 rpm, up regulation (soft incidentally) 500 revolutions of the engine above. In this character! While flexibility is relative in town (in any case, a Ducati, it vibrates, it heats up and shakes it), and it plays the gearbox (pretty sweet too) as soon as we should driving under 60 km / h (third release) ... But here, the charm is there and it operates smoothly. One begins to appreciate the gas taps that are whirring and jump the bike, and dream of bigger spaces where she could romp. It's decided, we can not restrict the Monster 796 to the city, like any Ducati, and it calls for more incentive to play, especially for half turns at low speed, a fun exercise for all education. Good news: the turning radius is better than the past. Bad news, it is not yet ready to allow you to pass the test of slow driving license! So, are fun to play and balance gas to turn around ... twice in a standard route. We can not have it either, and a Ducati, it's made to roll through to get through.
Devourer of roads
Branch Valley of Chevreuse. There, big curves and small chains to the coating could not be more irregular reveal the true strength of the Monster: trust it conveys. Precise, comfortable, it absorbs the bumps, holes gum, and goes at will. But they say her to lose precision on the roads crumpled, not a driver of 65 kg positioned on the bike anyway. The fork is an excellent compromise between comfort and sportiness, while the rear monoshock cash constraints without flinching as solo duo ... A shot of the basin and is tilted, we look forward to spreading a little elbows and dives ... Formidable, simply. So much so that the knee was quick to come to lick the road, just for fun, because it is possible (see recommended), simply.The ground clearance is excellent, and now nothing seems to scare the bike or its rider. Well, do not look too much engine braking, even in falling two or three reports, the downshift is mild, one effect of the APTC, unless this is a backdoor found by Ducati for us to bring faster cornering and enjoy the game imperial cycle. So, we must obviously play the straight lever and pedal! The precise and powerful braking surprised if the assistance of ABS is quick to back it is still possible to take off the rear wheel of a ground braking, evidence that the ABS does not intervene at random incentive to conduct released (nothing more annoying than dangerous ABS see who takes the hand brake on a curve entry ...). Anyway, the Ducati ABS is disengaged ... Significant, right?
Difficult to stop riding with this bike. The original tires, Pirelli Diablo Rosso offer a good level of comfort, but take a little time to warm up ... It would be a shame to take a break before the next passage to the pump (every 200 to 250 km, 13.5 liters of tank on version requires ABS)!
Finally, needless to say that one is a roadster and the protection cap lighthouse is not for you to drive to 200 freeway allowing you to smoke a cigar .... No, but admit that it easily supports the 130 km / hm and more on circuit if one is a little bit used to drive a motorcycle without protection. The airflow is controlled nicely (no turbulence or excessive pressure), and better still, neck pain does not due to the strong position of the head (thank you new ergonomics). We do not pretend that this is the ideal machine for a Paris Lyon by A6, but comfort is quite acceptable, especially since the rash spares the saddle, even if it "sticks" the driver against the tank (men enjoy ...).
