Ducati Monster 30th Anniversary model coming
The Monster, Ducati’s iconic naked bike, turns 30 in 2023 and Ducati are marking the thirtieth birthday with the release of a limited-edition version with a unique finish, reduced weight and several special features.
Since the Monster made its debut in 1993, Ducati have sold more than 350,000 examples worldwide. The release of the Monster ‘30° Aniversario’ is described by Ducati as a tribute to the motorcycle that “revolutionised the world of two wheels”.
Only 500 individually numbered units of the Monster 30° Aniversario will be released worldwide, with Australian and New Zealand allocation expected to account for only a small proportion of that total.
‘Made in Italy’ livery
Identifying the special edition is a Tricolour 30th Anniversary livery, said to be inspired by past Monster special editions, but with a more obvious link to the colours of the Italian flag. Accenting the red/white/green paint are gold rims and gold-finished Öhlins NIX30 forks, which are an upgrade over the standard Monster front suspension.
A 30-year logo is embroidered into the saddle, a bespoke animation features on the 4.3-inch colour TFT screen on start-up and there’s an engraved plate on the top fork yoke that carries the model name and individual build number.
Each Monster 30° Aniversario also comes with a model-specific cover and a Certificate of Authenticity from Ducati.
Added Extras
At 184kg wet (164kg dry), the 30th Anniversary Monster is lighter than the standard Monster and Monster + by 4kg. This is due to the adoption of a series of special components. Along with the Öhlins front end that’s 0.6kg lighter, more weight is shed via the addition of Brembo Stylema calipers, which are 0.4kg lighter, and aluminium flanges for the front discs that are 0.5kg lighter.
The biggest weight saving comes from all-new forged alloy wheels, which are 1.86kg lighter and, like the lighter braking components, help reduce inertia for better handling and improved stopping power.
Other kit that sets the Monster 30° Aniversario apart includes a lithium battery, Öhlins rear shock and Öhlins steering damper, a Termignoni slip-on muffler, carbon fibre mudguards, bespoke pillion seat cover, instrument flyscreen and Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres.
The rider assistance package adds Launch Control to the existing Cornering ABS, Ducati Traction Control and Ducati Wheelie Control. Launch Control is three-level adjustable, with other assistance tech adjustable up to eight levels. Riding modes of Sport, Road and Wet carry over from the regular Monster, but have been recalibrated to suit the 30° Aniversario’s lighter chassis, with a new Wet mode introduced. These modes, along with the rider assistance tech, are adjustable using the switchgear and TFT screen.
Standard Power
Powering the Monster 30° Aniversario is the same Testastretta 937cc engine in the Monster, Monster + and Monster SP. Maximums of 82kW at 9250rpm and 93Nm at 6500rpm from this v-twin are unchanged. The transmission carries over, too, being a six-speed with DQS up/down quickshifter and chain final drive.
The Monster frame remains aluminium, with a fibreglass subframe and aluminium swingarm. Those lighter new wheels are still of 17-inch size front and rear, shod with 120/70 ZR17 front and 180/55 ZR17 rear tyres.
LED lighting features all round, a USB socket is standard and fuel capacity is 14 litres. Seat height is 840mm, but a lower 810mm seat is available from the Ducati accessory range, as are items like heated grips and the Ducati Multimedia System.
2024 Arrival
The Ducati Monster 30° Aniversario limited-edition is expected to reach Australia and New Zealand in approximately April, 2024, with provisional ride away pricing of AU$29,100 and NZ$29,586. As mentioned, how many units of the 500 are coming to both Australia and NZ has not been confirmed, but the total will certainly be small.
For more details and to pre-order, see your Ducati dealer.
