Ducati Multistrada 950 & Monster 797 launched in India

The Ducati Multistrada 950 and Monster 797 are now the entry-level variants to the brand's adventure-sports and roadster range, respectively. Say hello to the Ducati Multistrada 950 and Monster 797 as they have just gone on sale in India.

The Ducati Multistrada 950 and Monster 797 are now the entry-level variants to the brand's adventure-sports and roadster range, respectively.

Say hello to the Ducati Multistrada 950 and Monster 797 as they have just gone on sale in India. As the name suggests, both the motorcycles are the entry-level versions of the Multistrada and Monster range in Ducati’s India line-up. What that means is that they are more affordable as well as less intimidating than bigger siblings in their respective range. The Multistrada 950 is priced at Rs 12.60 lakh, whereas the Monster 797 carries a price tag of Rs 7.77 lakh (prices are ex-showroom, Delhi). The Monster 797's price is expected to shoot up once the GST comes into effect from July 1, 2017. The price of the Multistrada 950, however, won't be affected.

At the 2016 EICMA, Ducati unveiled the Multistrada 950, which is essentially a smaller capacity version of its hugely popular Multistrada 1200 adventure-sports range. The end result of that saw Ducati plonk a 937cc liquid-cooled Testastretta L-twin engine developing 113bhp and 96Nm of peak torque in the Multistrada 950. The engine comes mated to a six-speed gearbox. The Ducati Multistrada 950 has four riding modes, namely - Touring, Sport, Urban and Enduro – while it also gets Ducati Safety Pack featuring Bosch 9.1 MP ABS with 3-level adjustment and 8-level Ducati Traction Control. Although the Multistrada 950 is a smaller version, it’s only 5 kilogrammes lighter than the 1200.

2017 Ducati Monster 797 side m Sharing the launch stage with the Multistrada was the Monster 797 – the new entry ticket to Ducati’s roadster range. Aesthetically, the Monster 797 looks remarkably similar to the 821. However, there are a few design elements that distinguish it from the bigger brother – like, the 797 has a differently designed exhaust, seat cowl and swingarm. The 797 doesn’t get the 821cc engine of its sibling, either – instead, it gets the same 75bhp/68Nm rated 803cc L-twin from the Scrambler. This engine comes paired with a six-speed transmission. Feature wise, you only get a slipper clutch and ABS - there’s no traction control system or any other electronic riding aid.