Ducati has unveiled an entry-level Monster 797 and two Monster 1200s at EICMA MilanDucati might be known as a red-blooded maker of scary superbikes and powerful nakeds, but even aspirational brands need entry-level bikes. That's where the Monster 797 steps in. Designed to fill the hole left by the (now discontinued) Monster 796, it's a cheaper and more approachable take on the Monster formula. Unlike the pair of new Monster 1200s that launched alongside it in Milan.The 797 might technically be an entry point to Ducati sports bikes, but it still packs quite a punch. Power comes from an air-cooled Desmodue twin, making the same 75 hp (56 kW) of power and 68 Nm (50 lb.ft) of torque as the Scrambler. Although that's not overly powerful, real work has gone into making it accessible, 90 percent of peak power is available between 4,000 and 8,500 rpm. Although the engine comes from a Scrambler, the 797 is still a Monster through and through. With a one-piece trellis frame, prominent round headlamp and chunky tank it certainly looks the part, although the single exhaust is simpler than the ones found on higher-end models.

Suspension is a fully-adjustable 43 mm front fork, coupled with a preload and damping adjustable rear shock, while the bike's brakes are almost identical to the ones found on the Monster 821. Pricing will kick off at US$9,295 when the bike lands in showrooms in April 2017. vintage military motorcycle with sidecar for saleTake a closer look at the 797 in the launch video below:If the Monster 797 is a gateway to the world of Ducati, the Monster 1200 sits near the top of the tree. motorcycle gear niagara falls ontarioPowered by Testastretta DS engine with new exhaust plumbing and throttle bodies, there's now 150 hp (112 kW) of power and 126 Nm (93 lb.ft) of torque on tap, and Ducati says the motor's torque curve should make it easier to tap into all that performance from low revs. motorcycle shops in livermore

Although both the Monster 1200 and 1200S share the same engine, they've been given very different suspension setups. The standard bike sits on a Sachs rear shock and Kayaba fork, while the more expensive S benefits from adjustable Ohlins units front and rear.motorcycle parts littleton coBoth bikes come with the full Ducati Safety Package, which includes traction control and cornering anti-lock brakes, and wheelie control also makes an appearance. The 1200 and 1200S will sit below the Monster 1200R when they arrive in showrooms. Expect to pay US$14,695 for the 1200 and $16,995 for the Monster S. Check out the Monster 1200 in the video below:Source: Ducati (1, 2)It's probably safe to say that up until recently, naked bikes (or "standard" bikes, if you prefer; we'll define a naked bike as one with an upright-ish riding position with no fairings or windscreen) were the red-headed stepchild of the motorcycle industry.

Sportbikes, cruisers, ADV bikes, these made up the bulk of production types and sales. It's easy to see why. People love their bells and whistles, which in the motorcycle world come in the form of heated handgrips, saddlebags, electronically adjustable windscreens, and maybe some flashy fairings. We tend to like bikes that come with a whole lot of stuff. Naked bikes, on the other hand...they're basically an engine on two wheels. But therein lies the beauty - and fun - of a naked bike. With several manufacturers putting out noteworthy nakeds (we like the BMW R NineT, Yamaha's FZ-07 and FZ-09, have high hopes for Honda's CB300F and eagerly await the American debut of KTM's 390 Duke), it's time to sing the praises of the most basic of streetbikes. Here's 5 reasons you should think about getting one. The economics alone should make you consider owning a naked, but purchase prices can be appealing, especially to new riders - that aforementioned CB300F will retail for just under $4000, the Yamaha FZ-07 lists at $6990, and you can pick up a Ducati Monster 696 for just over $9,000.

(Of course, if you feel like dropping money on a naked, the BMW R Nine T will set you back about $14,900.) And less stuff on the bike means fewer things to fix or replace. (Looking at you, fairings.) This is generally not a concept that most people associate with motorcycles. Sporty and fast bikes? But there's a lot to say for a naked bike being a legitimately viable means of transportation. First, they're small - and most of us don't live in mansions. They fit nicely in a small garage and for those without garages are easy to park on the street. Second, fuel economy: motorcycles in general save you money at the pump, and nakeds in particular are gas-sippers. Third, if you're an urban or even suburban rider, nakeds are fantastic in traffic. A naked's size makes it easier to maneuver down a busy street, and the upright seating position gives the rider a great view of what's happening in front of him or her. These speak for themselves, and we'll combine the two since they go hand in hand.

There's a lot to say about why naked bikes are such a hoot to ride - they're lightweight and quick, with a low rake to make it easier to fling them through corners. But it's probably easier to show you rather than tell you. Which would you rather take down a twisty canyon - one of these? I've been a surfer for many years. There's very little in the way of safety equipment, but the one thing that we surfers do have to make our rides a bit safer for us and fellow surfers - a leash, one end attached to the board, the other wrapped around an ankle, there to keep the board from flying towards the beach or the rocks if and when we wipe out. The first time I surfed without one, I was a bit jittery. Not wearing a leash has no effect whatsoever on the actual act of surfing - you paddle, pop up on, and turn the board the exact same way as you would if wearing one. But it FELT different; for starters, if I made a mistake, I'd be swimming a few hundred yards to the shore to recover my ride. But more than that, it felt like surfing without a leash was surfing in its purest form.