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2018 Ducati Monster 1200 S Overview
For 2018, Ducati offers the Monster 1200 S as a naked bike motorcycle with 1198.40 cc on tap. The 2018 Ducati Monster 1200 S is built around a V2, four-stroke engine running Desmodromic valve control valve actuation, a compression ratio of 12.5:1. Internally, bore and stroke are 106 x 67.9 mm. Out on the road, the Monster 1200 S delivers 124 Nm @ 7750 Revolutions of torque. In everyday use, the 2018 Monster 1200 S tips the scales at 211 kg, carries a 16.50-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 785 mm and spans a 1,511 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 10 kg heavier than the average naked bike in our database. Every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes, is covered in the full 2018 Ducati Monster 1200 S spec sheet below.
2018 Ducati Monster 1200 S compared with other bikes in the Naked bike category
Measured against other bikes in the Naked bike category in our database (up to 1666 models, one entry per model), the 2018 Ducati Monster 1200 S comes out as follows.
- With 124 Nm, the Monster 1200 S has the joint 51st highest torque of 1318 bikes in the Naked bike category, 83% above the category average of 67.7 Nm.
- Engine displacement of 1198 cc is larger than that of 1568 of the other 1665 bikes in the Naked bike category.
- Only 386 of the other 1310 bikes in the Naked bike category have a lower seat height than the 785 mm of the Monster 1200 S.
- Narrowing the field to the 528 models within five model years of it, the torque of 124 Nm is higher than that of 496 of the other 527.
Versus the 2017 model
Compared with the 2017 model, peak torque eased from 126.2 Nm to 124 Nm (-2.2 Nm) and wet weight dropped from 213 kg to 211 kg (-2 kg). Displacement and seat height are unchanged.
2018 Monster 1200 S - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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🔧
Fuel injection: No choke, no jetting, no altitude compensation to think about - fuel injection just works across a wider range of conditions than carburetion.
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🛑
Strong front braking: The double disc front brake bites hard and stays consistent - a solid foundation whether it's stock or upgraded with braided lines.
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🛡️
ABS fitted: With ABS on board, hard braking on a damp or gravelly surface is far less likely to end in a locked wheel.
Considerations
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⚙️
Chain final drive upkeep: A chain drivetrain is the most common setup in its class, but it's also the one that demands the most regular hands-on maintenance.
Wear Points & Servicing Notes
Fuelling & injector care
Fuelling on the Monster 1200 S comes from fuel injection. Cold starts and throttle response stay consistent across altitude and temperature, the main practical edge over a carbureted equivalent.
Brake disc and pad wear
Double disc with ABS, floating discs, four-piston calipers and Radially mounted up front provides the primary stopping power; inspect disc thickness and pad wear at each tyre change to catch scoring before it becomes a rotor replacement.
Suspension condition on used examples
Suspension duties are handled by Ohlins fully adjustable usd fork up front and Progressive linkage with Ohlins monoshock, preload and rebound adjustable, Aluminium single-sided swingarm at the rear. Weeping fork seals aren't a dealbreaker on a used bike, but they're a fair basis for negotiating price.
Final drive maintenance
Chain final drive on the Monster 1200 S means routine lubing and tension checks are part of ownership - skip them and sprocket wear accelerates noticeably.
Frame & chassis check
The Tubular steel Trellis frame attached to the cylinders head chassis holds up well with normal use; on a used bike it's still worth checking the head-stock and swingarm pivot area for impact damage or corrosion.
Monster 1200 S - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
A pre-purchase check on the 2018 Ducati Monster 1200 S with its 1198.40 cc naked bike should cover the same ground every time: service history, drivetrain condition, and any oil seepage around the casings. This model runs chain final drive, so check chain slack and sprocket tooth profile specifically - a worn sprocket is a cheaper fix now than after it's chewed up the next chain. Now 8 years old, this naked bike is as likely to show age-related wear (perished rubber, seized fasteners, degraded seals) as mileage-related wear. Start it from cold if you can - a well-kept Monster 1200 S settles to a smooth idle within seconds.
Oil and filter changes
Oil changes are the cheapest insurance you can buy for the Monster 1200 S's 1198.40 cc v2, four-stroke - keep to the manufacturer's interval rather than stretching it. With a 12.5:1 compression ratio, running the octane grade specified in the manual matters more than on a lower-compression engine. Use the viscosity grade the manual specifies, not whatever's on sale.
Fuel system care
Injector systems like the Monster 1200 S's hold up well with basic care - decent fuel, an occasional cleaner additive, and draining old fuel before any layup longer than three months.
2018 Ducati Monster 1200 S - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2018 Ducati Monster 1200 S have?
The 2018 Ducati Monster 1200 S uses a V2, four-stroke engine with 1198.40 cc of displacement.
How much does the 2018 Ducati Monster 1200 S weigh?
The 2018 Ducati Monster 1200 S weighs 211 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much torque does the 2018 Ducati Monster 1200 S produce?
The 2018 Ducati Monster 1200 S produces 124 Nm @ 7750 Revolutions of torque.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2018 Ducati Monster 1200 S?
The 2018 Ducati Monster 1200 S has a 16.50-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 275-330 km between stops.
Is the 2018 Ducati Monster 1200 S suitable for shorter riders?
The 2018 Ducati Monster 1200 S has a seat height of 785 mm. This is a moderate seat height that suits a wide range of rider heights.
What brakes does the 2018 Ducati Monster 1200 S have?
The 2018 Ducati Monster 1200 S uses double disc with ABS, floating discs, four-piston calipers and Radially mounted at the front and single disc with ABS, floating disc and two-piston calipers at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2018 Ducati Monster 1200 S use?
The 2018 Ducati Monster 1200 S runs 120/70-ZR17 front and 190/55-ZR17 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
Ducati Monster 1200 S Spec Evolution
The Ducati Monster 1200 S was produced across 7 model years (2014-2020). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.
| Specification |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
| Wet Weight |
209.0 kg / 460.8 lbs |
209.0 kg / 460.8 lbs |
209.0 kg / 460.8 lbs |
213.0 kg / 469.6 lbs |
211.0 kg / 465.2 lbs |
211.0 kg / 465.2 lbs |
213.0 kg / 469.6 lbs |
| Dry Weight |
182 kg / 401.2 lbs |
182 kg / 401.2 lbs |
182 kg / 401.2 lbs |
187 kg / 412.3 lbs |
185 kg / 407.9 lbs |
185 kg / 407.9 lbs |
185 kg / 407.9 lbs |
| Engine Detail |
L-twin |
L-twin |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Testastretta 11° L-Twin |
| Seat Height |
785 mm / 30.9 in. |
785 mm / 30.9 in. |
785 mm / 30.9 in. |
785 mm / 30.9 in. |
785 mm / 30.9 in. |
785 mm / 30.9 in. |
795 mm / 31.3 in. |
| Fuel Capacity |
13.50 litres / 3.57 gallons |
17.50 litres / 4.62 gallons |
17.50 litres / 4.62 gallons |
17.50 litres / 4.62 gallons |
16.50 litres / 4.36 gallons |
16.50 litres / 4.36 US gallons |
16.50 litres / 4.36 US gallons |
| Displacement (cc) |
1198.40 cc |
1198.40 cc |
1198.40 cc |
1198.40 cc |
1198.40 cc |
1198.0 cc |
1198.0 cc |
| Displacement (ci) |
73.13 cubic inches |
73.13 cubic inches |
73.13 cubic inches |
73.13 cubic inches |
73.13 cubic inches |
73.10 cubic inches |
73.10 cubic inches |
| Wheelbase |
1,511 mm / 59.5 in. |
1,511 mm / 59.5 in. |
1,511 mm / 59.5 in. |
1,511 mm / 59.5 in. |
1,511 mm / 59.5 in. |
1485 mm / 58.5 in. |
1485 mm / 58.5 in. |
Key Specifications
Torque
124.00 Nm (12.6 kgf-m or 91.5 ft.lbs) @ 7750 Revolutions
Weight
211.0 kg / 465.2 lbs
Fuel Capacity
16.50 litres / 4.36 gallons
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Full 2018 Ducati Monster 1200 S Specifications
Colours
Red, black
Warranty
2 years unlimited mileage
Seat Heigth -Alternate (in.)
31.9 inches
Seat Heigth -Alternate (mm)
810 mm
Seat Height
785 mm / 30.9 in.
Wheelbase
1,511 mm / 59.5 in.
Height
1,040 mm / 40.9 in.
Length
2,200 mm / 86.6 in.
Width
830 mm / 32.7 in.
Dry Weight
185 kg / 407.9 lbs
Fuel Capacity
16.50 litres / 4.36 gallons
Wet Weight
211.0 kg / 465.2 lbs
CO2
120.6 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission)
Displacement (cc)
1198.40 cc
Displacement (ci)
73.13 cubic inches
Engine Type
V2, four-stroke
Fuel Control
Desmodromic valve control
Bore x Stroke (in,)
4.2 x 2.7 inches
Bore x Stroke (mm)
106.0 x 67.9 mm
Fuel System
Injection. 53mm throttle bodies with full Ride by Wire
Compression Ratio
12.5:1
Emissions
Euro 4
Exhaust
Lightweight 2-1-2 system with catalytic converter and two lambda probes. Twin aluminium mufflers
Fuel Consumption
5.20 litres/100 km (19.2 km/l or 45.23 mpg)
Starter
Electric
Valve System
4
Clutch
Light action, wet, multiplate clutch with hydraulic control. Self-servo action on drive, slipper action on over-run.
Final Drive
Chain
Gearbox
6-speed
Frame Type
Tubular steel Trellis frame attached to the cylinders head
Suspension - Front
Ohlins fully adjustable usd fork
Suspension - Rear
Progressive linkage with Ohlins monoshock, preload and rebound adjustable, Aluminium single-sided swingarm
Rake
23.3°
Seat
Dual seat
Trail
93 mm / 3.7 in.
Wheel Travel - Front
130 mm / 5.1 in.
Wheel Travel - Rear
149 mm / 5.9 in.
Instrumentation
Colour TFT display
Brakes - Front Diameter (in.)
12.6 inches
Brakes - Front Diameter (mm)
320 mm
Brakes - Rear Diameter (in.)
9.6 inches
Brakes - Rear Diameter (mm)
245 mm
Brakes - Front
Double disc. ABS. Floating discs. Four-piston calipers. Radially mounted.
Brakes - Rear
Single disc. ABS. Floating disc. Two-piston calipers.
Rims
Y-shaped 3-spoke in light alloy
Tyres - Front
120/70-ZR17
Tyres - Rear
190/55-ZR17
Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced
technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis.
Spot an error? Let us know.
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