Ducati Monster Dark returns at $19,525 ride away.
The new Ducati Monster Dark has been revealed, combining an all-black finish with the latest 890cc V2 engine, a claimed 175kg weight without fuel and a comprehensive electronics package, priced at $19,525 ride away.
The Dark offers a stripped-back interpretation of Ducati’s naked bike, retaining the new-generation Monster’s core hardware while leaving features such as a quickshifter and cruise control on the options list.
The Dark treatment includes black wheels, a single-material seat and unpainted finishes on the front frame, exhaust end caps and intake snorkel. Conventional, non-sequential indicators are also part of the specification.
Underneath, the Monster Dark uses Ducati’s 890cc V2 engine with IVT variable inlet valve timing. Claimed output is 111hp at 9000rpm and 91.1Nm at 7250rpm, with more than 80 per cent of peak torque available between 4000rpm and 10,000rpm.
That broad torque spread is central to Ducati’s pitch for the bike: accessible performance for commuting and everyday road riding, with enough punch for a spirited weekend run.
The engine sits in an aluminium monocoque frame, paired with a hybrid technopolymer and steel-trellis rear subframe. Ducati quotes a kerb weight without fuel of 175kg, down 4kg on the previous-generation model.
Seat height is 815mm, with a narrow profile intended to make reaching the ground easier. The handlebar and footpeg positions aim to balance everyday comfort with control during more enthusiastic riding.
Suspension comprises a 43mm Showa upside-down fork and a Showa rear shock with preload adjustment. Brembo M4.32 front calipers and a radial master cylinder handle braking duties, while Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres are fitted in 120/70 front and 180/55 rear sizes.
Despite the simpler presentation, the Dark retains a six-axis inertial measurement unit supporting cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control and engine brake control. Intervention levels are adjustable, with four riding modes — Sport, Road, Urban and Wet — allowing riders to tailor the bike’s response.
A five-inch colour TFT display provides the riding information, with full-LED lighting and a daytime running light also standard.
Ducati Quick Shift, cruise control and Ducati Power Launch are available as accessories. The display is also ready for the optional Ducati Multimedia System and turn-by-turn navigation, while a flyscreen and passenger seat cover offer further personalisation.
The Dark name reaches back to the first-generation Monster, and the latest version follows the same basic idea: a simpler finish wrapped around the model’s essential performance and handling package.
