Ducati Monster

The Monster (informally called Il Mostro in Italian) is a motorcycle designed by Miguel Angel Galluzzi and produced by Ducati Motor Holding in Bologna, Italy since 1993. It is of the naked bike style, which is characterized by a sport bike with a fully exposed engine and frame. In 2005, Monster sales accounted for over half of Ducati's worldwide sales. Ducati motorcycles are best-known for their L-twin Desmodromic valve engines (also known as a 90° V-Twin) and tubular steel trellis chassis, both features designed by the late Fabio Taglioni (1920–2001).

Ducati introduced three Monster models in its first generation: M600, M750 and M900 (the numbers denote engine sizes). The first, the M900, was shipped in 1993; the M600 shipped in 1994, and finally the M750 arrived in 1996. In 1999, to close out existing stock of Monster parts, Ducati released several limited edition Monsters many with different levels of accessories, the most notable was the Monster City, that came in a unique blue color, leather briefcase style saddlebags and higher handlebars.

From 1994 a smaller displacement model, the M400 which produced 31 kW (42 hp) at 10500 rpm), was built for specific markets where the tax or license system is particularly harsh on larger capacity or more powerful motorcycles. The M400 was mainly intended for Italy, Japan and Singapore but was also exported to countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. The M400 was based on the M600 with the same basic engine components, but a shorter stroke crankshaft and smaller diameter pistons.

The bike remained relatively unchanged until 2000, when Ducati added fuel injection to the M900 model. Perhaps more importantly, in 2001 Ducati also introduced the S4, which added the liquid-cooled 4-valve Superbike engine to the stable. Other technical changes that year included semi-floating front disc brakes with Brembo four-piston calipers, lighter Brembo wheels as well as 43 mm Showa inverted forks. 2002 saw the introduction of the limited, 300 edition, high-spec, S4 Fogarty.