Ducati Monster V2: What’s New

The Ducati Monster has never needed a full fairing to make an impression. Its compact stance, exposed engine and sharp performance have always been enough. Now, Ducati has given it a major update for 2026. The new Ducati Monster V2 has been launched in India at Rs 13.99 lakh, bringing a new 890cc V2 engine, a lighter chassis and updated electronics. Despite the changes, the price is only Rs 15,000 higher than the outgoing model.

The new Monster V2 had already been revealed before its India launch, giving us a good look at what has changed. The muscular fuel tank, redesigned headlight and sharper styling give it a fresh look, while the narrower and lower seat should make it easier to manage. It still looks like a Monster, but there is plenty that’s new underneath.

And that’s what makes this update interesting.

Ducati hasn’t simply focused on more power. The new Monster is lighter, gets a new chassis and packs more technology, while the 890cc V2 brings a different character to the bike. On paper, it may look like an evolution. On the road, it could feel like a very different Monster.

890cc V2 Engine

The biggest change sits beneath the fuel tank. The new Ducati Monster V2 swaps the outgoing 937cc Testastretta V2 for Ducati’s newer 890cc V2 engine. On paper, the smaller displacement might raise a few questions, but the numbers tell a more interesting story.

The new engine produces 111hp at 9,000rpm and 91.1Nm of peak torque at 7,250rpm. The peak power figure remains almost unchanged despite the reduction in capacity, while the torque figure is slightly lower than before.

But Ducati is not relying on peak figures alone this time.

The 890cc V2 gets Intake Variable Timing (IVT), which is designed to make the engine’s power delivery more consistent across the rev range. Ducati says 80 percent of the engine’s maximum torque is available between 4,000rpm and 9,000rpm.

That wider spread should be more noticeable when you are actually riding the bike. The Monster V2 should not need to be pushed towards the top of the rev range every time you want a strong response. There should be plenty of usable torque lower down, whether you are filtering through traffic, rolling on the throttle out of a corner or simply picking up speed on an open road.

The new engine is also not an isolated development. The same 890cc V2 platform is used across Ducati’s newer models, including the Multistrada V2, Panigale V2 and Streetfighter V2.

So while the Monster V2 has technically downsized, Ducati has clearly focused on making the new engine more usable rather than simply chasing bigger numbers. And for a road-focused naked bike, that could matter more than an extra few cubic centimetres ever would.

Weight Reduction

Ducati has also worked hard on the Monster V2’s weight.
The new motorcycle weighs 175kg without fuel, making it 4kg lighter than the previous Monster.

Four kilograms may not sound like a huge number on paper. But on a naked motorcycle, even a small reduction in weight can make a noticeable difference.

A lighter bike should respond more quickly to steering inputs. It should also feel easier to handle at lower speeds and through tighter corners.

And Ducati has not achieved this weight saving simply by removing equipment.

The new Monster V2 also gets a completely new chassis, making the weight reduction part of a much wider update to the motorcycle.

Chassis Hardware

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The new chassis is paired with a 43mm Showa USD fork at the front.
At the rear, there is a Showa monoshock with preload adjustment.

Ducati has aimed for a balance between sporty handling and everyday usability, rather than turning the Monster into an uncompromising track-focused machine.

The braking hardware is equally serious.

The front gets twin 320mm discs with Brembo M4.32 four-piston callipers, while a 245mm disc is used at the rear. The motorcycle also gets cornering ABS.

For tyres, Ducati has opted for Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV rubber. The setup includes a 120/70 front and 180/55 rear.

So, while the Monster remains a road-focused naked motorcycle, the hardware underneath is clearly designed to handle enthusiastic riding.

Revised Design

This is where the new Monster starts to look noticeably different.

Ducati has given the motorcycle a more muscular fuel tank, bringing its shape closer to the traditional Monster design and giving the bike a stronger road presence.

The headlight has also been redesigned. The new circular DRL gives the front end a distinctive look while keeping the overall design clean and minimal.

There is still very little bodywork around the motorcycle. The mechanical components remain exposed, with the engine taking centre stage.

And that is exactly what a Monster should look like.

The fuel tank capacity remains unchanged at 14 litres.

Monster Vs Monster+

Ducati is offering the new Monster in two versions.

There is the standard Monster V2 and the Monster+ V2. Mechanically, both motorcycles are identical, with the main differences limited to styling and equipment.

The Monster+ gets a headlight cowl and a passenger seat cover.

Both versions are available in Ducati Red, Iceberg White and Sport Livery colours.

The standard Monster V2 starts at Rs 13.99 lakh in Ducati Red, while the Iceberg White and Sport Livery versions are priced at Rs 14.23 lakh.

The Monster+ starts at Rs 14.34 lakh for the Ducati Red version, while the other colour options cost Rs 14.45 lakh.

All prices are ex-showroom, India.

India Pricing

The starting price is one of the more interesting parts of the launch.

The Ducati Monster V2 starts at Rs 13.99 lakh, which is only Rs 15,000 more than the outgoing model.

Considering the new engine, chassis, lower weight and updated electronics, the relatively small price increase is worth noting.

However, the Monster V2 enters a competitive segment.

The Triumph Street Triple 765 RS, for example, starts at Rs 12.92 lakh and produces 130hp. The Ducati counters with its V2 engine, strong torque delivery and a distinctly different riding character.

So, the Monster V2 is not necessarily trying to win the specification battle.

It is offering something different.

Final Verdict

The new Ducati Monster V2 may have lost some engine capacity, but it has gained in almost every other area that matters. The new 890cc V2, lighter chassis, sharper hardware and updated electronics make this a much more complete motorcycle than the numbers alone suggest.

And then there is the price. At Rs 13.99 lakh, Ducati has kept the increase surprisingly small despite the extensive changes. That makes the new Monster V2 even more tempting for anyone looking for a premium naked bike with character.

Because the Monster was never about having the biggest engine or the highest number on a spec sheet. It was always about how it made you feel when you twisted the throttle and turned into a corner.

The new V2 looks ready to keep that tradition alive.