autoX Awards 2023: Ducati Monster SP Performance, Quality and Value for Money Ranked

autoX Awards 2023: Ducati has a knack for doing it. What, you ask? Well, when they launch a motorcycle, they make us believe that it’s the best they could do with a platform, and then a year later, they somehow better it in ways you can’t even imagine. A case in point is the new Monster SP.

When we rode the fourth-gen Monster last year, we were completely astounded by the significant advancements it brought in comparison to its predecessor. It felt perfect on the road and was nimble and agile enough for occasional track days. But, this year, Ducati decided to give it the SP treatment, and, boy, has this made a difference!

For the uninitiated, the Monster SP is a completely different animal compared to the regular version. Apart from its engine and frame, everything else is virtually new. The standard bikes’ non-adjustable KYB suspension has been junked in favour of fully adjustable Ohlins at both ends. The rake is sharper (23 degrees vs 24 degrees), and the wheelbase is slightly smaller by around 2mm. Consequently, the riding posture is now more aggressive. Among other crucial updates, there’s a steering damper, stickier Pirelli Diablo Ross IV rubber instead of IIIs, Brembo Stylema callipers as against M4.32s, and a recalibrated electronics package. The SP is two kilograms lighter, too. And, lastly, to help you differentiate it from the lesser version, it gets a special MotoGP-inspired black-and-red livery, along with a couple of more fancy bits and bobs on its bodywork. Club all these elements together, and what you end up with is a Monster of a naked middleweight!

Also Read: 2023 Ducati Monster SP Launched in India; Features, Price & Specs Explained

‘The Ducati Monster SP is a complete package. It’s a great toy for all occasions. You can do track days, ride it daily, or even go on short tours. The electronics are amazing, and the brakes are awesome. The Ohlins offer a more polished riding experience overall, too,’ said Simran summing up his experience with the SP. And we couldn’t agree more.

The SP version delivers on its promise of making the Monster more performance-oriented, without compromising the practicality or comfort. In fact, it’s even more comfortable in every aspect. But when you’re feeling a bit mischievous, you’ll find in the Monster an eager companion, especially because of that 937cc V-Twin motor and those 109 horses that pull you like a force of nature. It’s an addictive recipe – one that’s so damn hard to resist.

But just like everything else in life, not everything is perfect here. The fly in the ointment here is that it’s a no-bargain deal, meaning you have to pay a couple of lakhs more over the regular model to get the SP experience. That said, if you have the means, and the moolah, there is no reason to resist it – at least, we can’t think of any. And that’s precisely what makes the Monster SP one of the ‘Best of 2023’. It’s an irresistible indulgence.

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