Official: Ducati Monster SP joins 2023 range

Back in August we revealed that Ducati was adding a Monster SP to its 2023 range and now that’s been confirmed with the official announcement of the model – which slots into a gap in Ducati’s range between the existing Monster and the sportier Streetfighter V2.

The ‘SP’ formula has already been tried and tested elsewhere in Ducati’s range, with the Streetfighter V4 SP and the Panigale V4 SP2 in the current line-up as well as many earlier models. It essentially involves boosting a bike’s handling prowess by adding improved suspension and reducing its weight but leaving the engine alone. That’s precisely the formula Ducati has followed with the Monster SP. The engine remains the same 111hp, 937cc Testastretta 11° that’s used in the existing Monster and Monster+, but the chassis is revised to make better use of that power.

The most obvious mechanical change is the addition of Öhlins suspension at both ends. At the front, a pair of NIX30 43mm forks replace the standard bike’s similarly-sized KYB units, while an Öhlins monoshock sits in the place of the Sachs unit used on the base model and the Monster+. The fully adjustable suspension parts don’t just add refinement, they’re also lighter, with the forks cutting 0.6kg from bike’s mass. They also increase the ground clearance to allow a greater lean angle in corners. The seat height rises by 20mm in the process, to 840mm – although it can be increased to 850mm or reduced to 810mm by selecting optional high or low seat mods from the options catalogue.

While the engine power and torque figures are unaltered – 111hp at 9250rpm and 69lb-ft at 6500rpm respectively – the Monster SP does get a street-legal Termignoni silencer as standard, further helping towards a total of 2kg that’s sliced from the bike’s overall weight. It comes in at 186kg ready-to-ride, compared to 188kg for the Monster and Monster+.

Further weight reduction comes from the use of a lithium-ion battery, Brembo Stylema brake calipers and aluminium flanges for the 320mm discs. The bike might not have the lightweight forged alloy wheels that SP models higher in Ducati’s range enjoy, but by reducing the weight of the front brake disc assembly, at least some rotating mass has been removed to boost handling, while a steering damper is added as standard.

That handling is further aided by standard-fit Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres, and Ducati has also revised the riding mode settings for the Monster SP to make the most of the extra grip provided by the improved suspension and rubber. Speaking of electronics, the Monster SP gets standard cornering ABS – like the rest of Ducati’s range – as well as traction control and wheelie control to go with those multiple riding modes.

Visually, the Monster SP stands out thanks to its black-and-red paintwork – inspired by the works MotoGP bikes – and a red rider’s seat. The pillion seat cover gets a Monster SP logo and there are new graphics on the fuel tank.

Given the exotic suspension and brakes, there’s unsurprisingly a substantial premium on the Monster SP’s price over the base version. While a base Monster can be had for £10,895 and the cosmetically improved Monster + for £11,195, the Monster SP comes in at £13,995. At that price, it neatly fills a gap in Ducati’s naked bike range between the Monster+ and the least expensive model in the Streetfighter range, the £15,195, 153hp Streetfighter V2. A version of the Monster SP will also be offered with 47hp to comply with A2 licence rules, and the bikes are due to reach dealers in January 2023.