Ducati celebrates the Monster’s 25th anniversary with an updated Monster 821 that’s available in classic Ducati Yellow. (Photos by Milagro)
As it has been for nearly a century, Ducati?s factory is located in Borgo Panigale, an industrial area on the outskirts of Bologna, Italy. Through the front gate, past the Ducati-only motorcycle parking area and up a flight of stairs is Museo Ducati, the company?s official museum. With white walls and artful lighting, the modest space preserves and tells the story of Ducati?s history, from its origins in the 1920s as a family business making radio components to building the 48cc, single-cylinder Cucciolo (?Puppy? in Italian) motorized bicycle after World War II to its modern-day, state-of-the-art MotoGP racebikes. The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 gets a stylish refresh, a new full-color TFT display and a few other changes.
Ducati has built its reputation by designing elegant, sophisticated motorcycles that win races and steal hearts. One of its most endearing and enduring models is the Monster, first shown at the Cologne show in 1992 and produced continuously since 1993. Embracing simplicity, designer Miguel Galluzzi said, ?All you need is: a saddle, tank, engine, two wheels and handlebars.? Officially called the M900, the nickname ?Monster? stuck, perhaps because it was a bit like Frankenstein, stitching together the steel trellis frame from the 851 Superbike, the air-cooled, 904cc L-twin from the Supersport Desmodue, a ?bison-b...