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2018 Ducati Monster 821 Overview
For 2018, Ducati offers the Monster 821 as a naked bike motorcycle with 821 cc on tap. The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 is built around a Four stroke, Testastretta 11° L-Twin, 4 Desmodromically actuated valves per cylinder engine, a compression ratio of 12.8:1. Out on the road, the Monster 821 delivers 80 kW @ 9250 rpm of peak power and 86 Nm @ 7750 rpm of torque. In everyday use, the 2018 Monster 821 tips the scales at 206 kg, carries a 16.5-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 785 mm - 810 mm and spans a 1480 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 5 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 821 spec sheet below.
2018 Ducati Monster 821 compared with other bikes in the Naked bike category
Measured against other bikes in the Naked bike category in our database (up to 1318 models, one entry per model), the 2018 Ducati Monster 821 comes out as follows.
- With 388 W/kg, the Monster 821 has the joint 88th highest power-to-weight ratio of 581 bikes in the Naked bike category, 46% above the category average of 265 W/kg.
- Power output of 80 kW is higher than that of 911 of the other 1124 bikes in the Naked bike category.
- Only 418 of the other 1317 bikes in the Naked bike category have a higher torque than the 86 Nm of the Monster 821.
- Narrowing the field to the 233 models within five model years of it, the power-to-weight ratio of 388 W/kg is higher than that of 179 of the other 232.
Versus the 2015 model
Compared with the 2015 model, peak power eased from 82.4 kW to 80 kW (-2.4 kW) and peak torque fell from 89.4 Nm to 86 Nm (-3.4 Nm). Wet weight, displacement and seat height are unchanged.
2018 Monster 821 - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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⚡
Strong power output: Peak output on the Monster 821 is 80 kW @ 9250 rpm and 86 Nm @ 7750 rpm of torque - strong numbers for what it is.
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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 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
Cooling system servicing
With Liquid cooled, thermal management is largely automatic, but the coolant has a service life of its own - replace it on the manufacturer's interval to protect the water passages and thermostat.
Fuelling & injector care
Fuelling on the Monster 821 comes from fuel injectionsystem. Cold starts and throttle response stay consistent across altitude and temperature, the main practical edge over a carbureted equivalent.
Brake disc and pad wear
2 x 320 mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Monobloc Brembo M4-32 callipers, 4-pistons, axial pump with ABS as standard equipment 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 Kayaba 43mm upside-down fork up front and Progressive linkage with adjustable monoshock. Aluminum double-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 821 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 821 - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
A pre-purchase check on the 2018 Ducati Monster 821 with its 821 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 821 settles to a smooth idle within seconds.
Oil and filter changes
Oil changes are the cheapest insurance you can buy for the Monster 821's 821 cc four stroke, testastretta 11° l-twin, 4 desmodromically actuated valves per cylinder - keep to the manufacturer's interval rather than stretching it. With a 12.8:1 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 821'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 821 - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2018 Ducati Monster 821 have?
The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 uses a Four stroke, Testastretta 11° L-Twin, 4 Desmodromically actuated valves per cylinder engine with 821 cc of displacement. It is liquid cooled.
How much does the 2018 Ducati Monster 821 weigh?
The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 weighs 206 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much power does the 2018 Ducati Monster 821 make?
The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 produces 80 kW @ 9250 rpm of power and 86 Nm @ 7750 rpm of torque. These are peak figures.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2018 Ducati Monster 821?
The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 has a 16.5-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 275-330 km between stops.
Is the 2018 Ducati Monster 821 suitable for shorter riders?
The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 has a seat height of 785 mm - 810 mm. This is a moderate seat height that suits a wide range of rider heights.
What brakes does the 2018 Ducati Monster 821 have?
The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 uses 2 x 320 mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Monobloc Brembo M4-32 callipers, 4-pistons, axial pump with ABS as standard equipment at the front and single 245 mm disc, 2-piston floating calliper with ABS as standard equipment at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2018 Ducati Monster 821 use?
The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 runs 120/70 ZR 17 Pirelli Diablo Rosso III front and 180/55 ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Rosso III rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
What gearbox does the 2018 Ducati Monster 821 have?
The 2018 Ducati Monster 821 is fitted with a 6 Speed transmission.
Ducati Monster 821 Spec Evolution
The Ducati Monster 821 was produced across 2 model years (2015-2018). 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 |
2015 |
2018 |
| Max Power |
82.4 kW / 112 hp @ 9250 rpm |
80 kW / 109 hp @ 9250 rpm |
| Wet Weight |
205.5kg / 453 lbs |
206 kg / 454 lbs |
| Dry Weight |
179.5kg / 395.7 lbs |
180.5 kg / 398 lbs |
| Engine Detail |
Four stroke, Testastretta 11° L-Twin, 4 Desmodromically actuated valves per cylinder, |
Four stroke, Testastretta 11° L-Twin, 4 Desmodromically actuated valves per cylinder |
| Fuel Capacity |
17.5 Litres / 4.6 US gal / 3.8 Imp gal |
16.5 Litres / 4.36 US gal |
| Brakes - Front |
2 x 320 mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Monobloc Brembo M4-32 callipers, 4-pistons, axial pump with ABS as standard |
2 x 320 mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Monobloc Brembo M4-32 callipers, 4-pistons, axial pump with ABS as standard equipment |
| Brakes - Rear |
Single 245mm disc, 2-piston floating calliper with ABS as standard equipment |
Single 245 mm disc, 2-piston floating calliper with ABS as standard equipment |
| Clutch |
APTC multi-disc wet clutch with control cable |
Slipper and self-servo wet multiplate clutch with mechanical control |
Key Specifications
Engine
Four stroke, Testastretta 11° L-Twin, 4 Desmodromically actuated valves per cylinder
Power
80 kW / 109 hp @ 9250 rpm
Torque
86 Nm / 9.1 kgf-m / 63 lb-ft @ 7750 rpm
Fuel Capacity
16.5 Litres / 4.36 US gal
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Full 2018 Ducati Monster 821 Specifications
Year
2017 - 18
Make Model
Ducati Monster 821
Seat Height
785 mm - 810 mm / 30.9 in - 31.9 in
Wheelbase
1480 mm / 58.3 in
Dry Weight
180.5 kg / 398 lbs
Fuel Capacity
16.5 Litres / 4.36 US gal
Wet Weight
206 kg / 454 lbs
Displacement
821 cc / 50.1 cu-in
Engine Detail
Four stroke, Testastretta 11° L-Twin, 4 Desmodromically actuated valves per cylinder
Bore x Stroke
88 x 67.5 mm
Compression Ratio
12.8:1
Cooling System
Liquid cooled
Exhaust
Stainless steel muffler and aluminium and cap; lightweight 2-1 system with catalytic converter with 2 lambda probes
Fuel Induction
Electronic fuel injection system, 53mm throttle bodies with full Ride by Wire
Ignition
Marelli electronic
Starter
Electric
Clutch
Slipper and self-servo wet multiplate clutch with mechanical control
Final Drive
Chain, Front sprocket 15; Rear sprocket 46
Gear Ratios
1st 37/15 2nd 30/17 3rd 28/20 4th 26/22 5th 24/23 6th 23/24
Primary Drive
Straight cut gears, ratio 1.85:1
Transmission / Drive
6 Speed
Frame Type
Tubular steel Trellis frame attached to the cylinders head
Suspension - Front
Kayaba 43mm upside-down fork
Suspension - Rear
Progressive linkage with adjustable monoshock. Aluminum double-sided swingarm
Rake
24.3°
Trail
93.2mm / 3.7in
Wheel Travel - Front
130 mm / 5.1 in
Wheel Travel - Rear
140 mm / 5.5 in
Brakes - Front
2 x 320 mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Monobloc Brembo M4-32 callipers, 4-pistons, axial pump with ABS as standard equipment
Brakes - Rear
Single 245 mm disc, 2-piston floating calliper with ABS as standard equipment
Tyres - Front
120/70 ZR 17 Pirelli Diablo Rosso III
Tyres - Rear
180/55 ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Rosso III
Wheels - Front
10-spoke in light alloy, 3.50" x 17"
Wheels - Rear
10-spoke in light alloy, 5.50" x 17"
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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