Ducati Monster 797 Test Ride | The Return of the air cooled Monster!

Ducati has gone back to basics with the 2017 Monster 797. It's easy to ride, and doesn't have anything it doesn't need. I went on a road test to see how it would suit a rider with a year or two under their belt, looking for a step up...
Thanks to Sydney City Motorcycles Lane Cove for supplying the bike!
www.sydneycitymotorcycles.com.au/
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Social Media!
Instagram: / weneedasaga
Facebook: / weneedasaga
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The gear and camera equipment i'm using:
Action Camera: goo.gl/hbyJ63
SLR Camera: goo.gl/Edw4PP
Bluetooth Headset: goo.gl/czW2VO
Bluetooth Audio Pack: goo.gl/DWyR59
Helmet: goo.gl/p7wN6L
Jacket: goo.gl/iv9Scl
Boots: goo.gl/2Uxjzq
Pants: goo.gl/T4i6hC
Gloves: goo.gl/Tmr2ye

[@-Tejdog-]

I have one over a year by now and I love it. Its such a simple fun bike.

[@philbradley4278]

Really helpful just ordered a 2019 797 and can’t wait to get it delivered cheers👍🏻😊

[@sprechendemulltonne5051]

Hi! For me the best review so far! Very well done, thank you! ✌

[@WeNeedASaga]

thank you sir - glad you liked it!

[@egg250]

I miss my 695,, this should be a blast to ride. Great review

[@jackwednesday]

This guy is quickly becoming my favourite motorcycle vlogger on KZbin

[@WeNeedASaga]

jackwednesday wow thanks so much! Comments like these are super motivating. Thanks for the support :)

[@stormbytes]

Really good ride along commentary. Very informative. Thank you!

[@WeNeedASaga]

thanks man, appreciate it :)

[@rexdavid669]

Simply well explained review....comprehensive & unbiased. Tnx.... A great help in my buying decision.

[@baronbristow8764]

Solid review. Lots of interesting content

[@WeNeedASaga]

thanks for the kind words mate

[@MrRickyCinto]

Great review sir..Amazing Ducati..Hope to review one here in Philippines one day..

[@Mike_B_724]

Great review. Thanks.

[@WeNeedASaga]

mbradishable no problem :)

[@jroberthadden]

Nice job.

[@kenwong5290]

Thanks for the review. Best yet. Not overly technical and first review to actually pan on the dash and show what info you get. The ducati brochure doesnt event show it. Cheers again

[@WeNeedASaga]

no problem Ken - glad to hear it was helpful

[@kaveiros75]

Nicely made and presented video, but I would have liked a bit more information on riding the bike and how well (or not) it handles.

[@LordPBA]

Honestly? I have bought an used (but like new) Monster 696+ dark for half the price of this new 797. And the old 696 for me has better design and sound. I am lucky that I live in Italy, but for me, the best Monster is the 696 (except for the comfort, the 696 is hard to drive more than 1 hour, but, hey, I don't think you buy a Monster for comfort, right?)

[@East_Performance]

Do you have to use counter-steering all the time?

[@riazmajid024]

Hi i am riaz from doha qatar , please i wanna know is there is engine heating issue with this machine , since its air cooled engine , soon this version is launching in india , i am seriously considering yo buy this machine - kindest regards riaz from doha qatar

[@grumpy_pi7993]

Nice review ! You said it doesn’t have a gear indicator, does it have fuel gage or just a fuel warning light that comes on ?

[@TheRiddimselecta]

It does not have a fuel gauge. When fuel runs low, gas light comes on. I get about 120 miles per fill, so when I get there I know its time to get gas

[@TBolt1]

Pretty nice review. I do wish you rolled the throttle wide open and described how it felt - sluggish (but safe) based on what you’ve reported otherwise. Someone else reported that the 797 had some clunky gear shifts, but I couldn’t tell if it qualified as a BAD experience. It seems like new riders would have a hard time with tricky gear shifts. And, holy shit, you guys have 7-11’s in Australia?!? I thought that was just a USA thing. That’s the other thing I like about your video - I get to see a new town. Thank you.

[@WeNeedASaga]

hey - sorry I missed you comment. wide open throttle is a nice amount of power - plenty for traffic and suburban, and still an ok amount out on the winding roads. The gearbox did feel a bit tight on the bike I tested but it was also brand new so hard to say if that would stay around after a few thousand kilometres... yeah we have 7/11's - they're everywhere in Sydney! ;)

[@bc67]

Thanks for the info. I just told someone today after I sat on one of these that it felt like I was sitting "in" it too, as opposed to some other bikes where it feels like you're sitting on it. That has to lead to a more comfortable, confident feel. How do you feel this bike would do two-up?

[@WeNeedASaga]

thanks - glad you found it useful. Like most naked bikes, I don't think this bike would be great two-up. Maybe if your pillion is 5'5" or so, but if they're any taller they won't be comfortable for very long.

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

Which do you like better: this or the Scrambler? Is this physically bigger? The Scrambler looked such a toy when I saw one in the dealers in Chiang Mai. I don't like rider modes, either. Excellent, understated review.

[@WeNeedASaga]

I prefer the Monster a little bit - it feels a bit more "substantial". Similar to what you said, the Scrambler feels a bit small for me. I do like how Scramblers have a low seat and tall, wide handlebars. They make great city bikes but i'd rather ride the Monster through twisty corners...

[@SMU_3L]

I chose the new Street Triple S A2 (660cc) over this for my A2 licence in the UK. Hard choice, but I love my Street Triple

[@WeNeedASaga]

Samuel Wicks excellent choice mate - I have a big soft spot for Street Triples. Enjoy.

[@maxmavrick7]

Very nice video man. Could y help me decide between 797 vs z900. I like the Ducati brand and monster is a icon. At same time I like the inline 4 cylinder sound and smoothness specially with after market exhaust. So the icon vs noise. what y suggest.

[@WeNeedASaga]

I can't really decide that for you mate - you need to try them both and see what you think! that being said, if it were my choice i'd take the Z900. the Z900 is at a much high level of performance than the Monster 797.

[@maxmavrick7]

WeNeedASaga thxs man. 👍🏻

[@hazey888r]

Thanks for the review. Sydney sider here too. I saw your street triple 660 review. What would be your pick for LAMS bike. The new Monster 659 or Street triple 660?. How special it makes you feel and sound are important to me. Cheers!

[@WeNeedASaga]

personally, I think the Street Triple 660 is the superior bike, but I've also heard some Monsters with an aftermarket exhaust and the sound is incredible! If you want to look and sound good, the Ducati is great. If you want to learn to ride hard, the Street Triple is the more rewarding bike in my opinion.

[@travelfoodfun9384]

Can u vlog the new moster please!!!cheers

[@AjarnSpencer]

i’m 58 and I’ve been driving since age 10 and I still don’t have a license but I live in Thailand and it’s just a fine every time if they catch you with no helmet no license and no papers. And we don’t have a speed limit. If you do have a license and you get caught too many times and you can be punished but if you don’t have a license then it’s just a fine. So I never got a license because, it’s safer

[@yahtadi5152]

Hey i like this guy

[@alpap1980]

Monster 797 or Z650?

[@simplefact4u]

Between this and 821 which one you personally prefer ?

[@WeNeedASaga]

The 821 is a more powerful, more sophisticated bike. The 797 is more "entry level". If you want performance, the 821 is the way to go. If you just want the looks and sound, you can probably save a few $ and get a 797

[@azakareal]

LAMS Monster is BACK! - Put a deposit for one

[@WeNeedASaga]

azakareal yeah I saw that! Great news.

[@aliensystem1528]

How does the 796 compare with this?

[@WeNeedASaga]

I've not ridden a 796 but I'm guessing they're pretty similar - they have a lot in common. The 797 has a nicer dash and probably feels a bit more modern but I reckon a 796 would be pretty similar. Sorry I can't be more help!

[@andrewtaylor9799]

You not only pay more the Ducati name, but also for much higher-end brakes and suspension, by an amount similar to what it would cost to do the upgrades on the Japanese bikes.

[@elmoomle4565]

Agree. Monsters are superb, real world, ROAD bikes: lots of torque, outstanding brakes, very good suspension, excellent handling. Yes, they are rather expensive...but you're worth it!!

[@c.g.c2067]

I like the fact that Ducati does not save money on the brakes as other brands would do to give a bit more fancy nonsense electronics

[@jfc8681]

*between the Yamaha XSR900 and this ducati mosnter which would you buy mate* ?

[@WeNeedASaga]

J FC if it were my money I'd buy the XSR900 - faster, more dynamic... the XSR900 has 40hp more than this bike. That's a lot!

[@germandelariva3754]

What’s the top speed? And everybody is driving on the wrong side of the road.

[@HO-lu3kp]

will you recommend it for a beginner?

[@WeNeedASaga]

hmm, it's nice and light and has a low seat which is good for learners, but the engine is pretty torquey and might surprise a new rider. I would say it's better to start a little smaller if possible, but you would probably be ok if you were careful.

[@HO-lu3kp]

thx!

[@richgoulborn]

Any news on your new bike yet?

[@WeNeedASaga]

Riding Pom ah yes, I need to make a video about it. It's on my instagram if you want to look - video about why I chose it coming soon!

[@richgoulborn]

WeNeedASaga just checked it out. Very nice. One of these is on my test ride list when I get my full licence.

[@WeNeedASaga]

would definitely recommend you do - they're a riot!

[@alanmurphy9263]

Gr8

[@deltaecho8968]

Should i upgrade from a duke 390 to it?

[@WeNeedASaga]

Dev Agnani yes! I think you will enjoy it a lot. I also did a 4 way comparison video you might find useful - comparing 4 naked bikes which are a step up from the 390 Duke

[@deltaecho8968]

Cant seem to find it a bit help? And Thank You love from India!

[@WeNeedASaga]

This is the video I was referring to :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnPFc2h7ZqhpiNU

[@markmiranpt]

Shame you don't do bike reviews anymore

[@raudelhernandez4320]

The one thing that bothers me (specially as a new rider) is that this bike does NOT have a gear indicator! That's a huge turn off for me :(

[@WeNeedASaga]

I agree - it's a simple little thing to add and it helps new riders a lot

[@elmoomle4565]

@@WeNeedASaga Disagree. Gear indicator is a 'crutch'....not necessary if one learns to ride properly. One needs to be familiar with downshifting when slowing down, and eyes need to be on the road and not on the 'gear indicator'. Getting a feel for the sound/tone of engine along with the response of the throttle will immediately tell the rider if they are in the correct gear and change accordingly...and this comes with practical experience. The gear indicator light slows this process. BTW, I enjoyed this vid!!

[@daniilrusanau5849]

Nice test but the video is very shaky.

[@WeNeedASaga]

Daniil Rusanau thanks for mentioning the shake mate. I'm looking at the GoPro settings to try and work out some solutions...

[@jamesavery6671]

Here in the usa you can get a super duke as a first bike......not that you should but........

[@984francis]

I think the Ducati promotion is wrong. It's an entry level bike for Ducati, NOT a beginners bike. That's insane. And it's my current ride and a damn good bike. I've had far more powerful and generally excellent bikes and this is NOT a step down. It's a pleasure to ride. Not an urban bike, it's all about backroads.

[@scandimc]

the 821 monster is MUCH better, the price difference is not big either.

[@WeNeedASaga]

It depends who you are and what kind of experience you have... yeah the 821 is faster and better equipped but the 797 might suit someone smaller or with less confidence.

[@Winnipeg450f]

I'm 40 years old with lots of experience ... Is this bike enough bike for me in city and od trip for rip out of city?