2017 Ducati Monster 797 Fast Facts, Photos & Video
Following a two-year hiatus, the air-cooled, Desmodue 803cc L-twin returns to the iconic Ducati Monster platform that debuted back in 1993.
Meet the Ducati Monster 797, a revamped edition of the Monster 796 that was offered through 2014 before it was replaced by the water-cooled 821 for 2015. This entry-level Monster further solidifies Ducati’s marketing efforts to appeal to a wider demographic–especially those who want to enter the world of Bologna-based Ducati motorcycles under the $10,000 mark.
Following are the Ultimate Motorcycling Fast Facts of the youngest in Ducati’s four-bike Monster lineup, which also includes the returning water-cooled 821, the redesigned 1200 & 1200 S, and the 1200 R.
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2. Unlike the other Monsters, the 797’s frame isn’t just a structural element. It returns to the single-piece Trellis origin from head to tail, and, to keep costs down and heritage alive, the M797 arrives with the triangular double-sided swingarm first introduced on the 2008 Monster 696.
3. Keeping costs low, the Monster 797 arrives with a 43mm Kayaba fork with 5.1 inches of travel, and a Sachs shock absorber. The Sachs unit provides 5.9 inches of travel, and features adjustable spring preload and rebound damping.
4. In the performance spirit of Ducati, Braking duties are handled by Brembo with Bosch ABS. Up front, the M797 has dual 320mm discs squeezed by Brembo M4.32 four-piston calipers. Out back, a single 245mm disc is squeezed by a single-piston caliper.
5. The Monster 797 arrives with LED side lights incorporated into the headlight, LED rear brake light, and LCD instrumentation. The gauge offers speed, rpm, total-distance, two trip meters, engine temperature, a clock, average speed and trip time—but no gear indicator.
6. With an MSRP of just over $9,000, the Monster 797 is the third-cheapest priced Ducati in the 2017 lineup. The M797 is available in Red for $9,295, and white for $9,395. The only other cheaper models are the Scrambler Icon at $8,895, and the Scrambler Sixty2 at $7,995. Unfortunately, Ducati didn’t release its Dark Stealth color for the M797. * UPDATE: Ducati says the M797 will now be offered in Dark Stealth (picture added in photo gallery below).
With the Ducati Monster 797, Ducati once again appeals to a different market—one where either budgets are tight, or experience is minimal. Where the M821 is the mid-level Monster at a price point of around $11,700, the M797 brings the entry-level family member back, filling the void that was once fulfilled by the Monster 696 and 796.
2017 Ducati Monster M797 Photo Gallery
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Nice entry level Monster.
I rode 696 of my gf, it’s a very nice bike, especially once above 4000rpm in the twisties, light, agile, good power right off the bottom, enough power for a naked actually.
Yeah – the entry-level Monsters have always provided some serious fun. I bought my wife a 620 to learn on back in the day, and ended up riding little il mostro more than she did. Simple fun. We’re looking forward to riding the new 797; she’s a looker, too.
Same happened to me, bought 696 for the lady, but I ended up having the most fun on it, despite being 185cm and 105kg geared up. :-) 696 is a hilarious bike and friendly, at least on the twisties, where it belongs really.
Congrats on your wife being a looker, that’s always a positive! :-)
Ha! Thanks Sergio. Yeah, the smaller Monsters have always impressed, and provided endless fun. The former 796 has always appealed to me for its useful value; around town, in the canyons or even a short tour, the 796 offers just what was needed. Having a low-cost, low-maintenance air-cooled twin is pure happiness.