Ducati has launched a new variant of the Monster 797 called the Monster 797 Plus at an affordable price of about Rs 8.03 lakh. This new variant of the 797 was launched during the 25th-anniversary celebrations of Ducati Monster globally. The Monster series has been one of the most essential model ranges for Ducati all over the world. The Monster 797 Plus is a variant of the 797 with a few additions like a flyscreen and a colour-coordinated passenger seat cowl, both of which correctly match the tank and the front mudguard. Earlier these two items could be purchased as accessories to be fitted on the regular Monster 797with an additional price of about Rs 30000. Apart from these two things, no other major changes have been made.
The Monster 797 Plus has a bit more compact and sporty look as compared to the earlier version of 797. The front-end of the bike has a small fairing that matches the fender and the tank. The oval headlight, the trellis frame, chunky fuel tank, and the bulging exhaust pipes- everything matches the signature Monster 797 styling. The headlight provides a concentrated focus rather than a widespread one. The switchgear quality on the handlebar feels rich. The white and red paint quality is on par with the earlier version. The fit finish and the build quality meet the expectations from Ducati Monster series.
The flyscreen provided with 797 Plus offers the riders much better protection from the wind, letting you spend longer time period on the saddle and riding longer distances without much interference.
The engine of 797 Plus is the same as that of the Monster 797 with an air-cooled, 803cc motor making 75 PS and 68.9 Nm. The power delivery of the bike feels smooth, accessible and friendly. The motor has plenty of roll-on torque. Ducati has not introduced the traction control settings and riding modes for both Monster 797 and 797 Plus in comparison to its arch-rival Triumph Street Triple S. The clutch has Adler Power Torque Plate Clutch that stops the rear wheel from locking during downshifting and also helps in reducing the pull effort of the clutch. The bike has the same 6-speed manual gearbox.
The handlebar is flat and wide, requiring the rider to lean forward without any stress on the shoulders and wrists. Footpegs are rear set. The lower body tends to sit in an aggressive position in comparison to the upper body. The ergonomics are quite comfortable for short stints. The seat cushion is quite comfortable.
This bike, much like the standard version, offers much better fuel efficiency because of the low power figures.
The Ducati Monster 797 Plus has major competition from the Triumph Street Triple S, basic variant of the Kawasaki Z900, and Suzuki GSX-S750.
The best thing about the Ducati Monster 797 Plus is that it comes at the same price as its standard version, which is about Rs 8.03 lakh. If you are looking for a beginner-friendly, naked, sporty bike, then this is a very good option.
