2026 Ducati Monster 890 V2 – Full Specs, Price, and What’s New 

Ducatis new Monster 890 v2

DATE: 24/10/2025

Ducati have unveiled the next evolution of their iconic Monster for 2026 — and it’s undergone a serious transformation. The Bologna firm’s legendary naked roadster has now swapped its long-serving 937 cc Testastretta 11° twin for the brand-new 890 cc V2 platform, the same engine already powering Ducati’s mid-size Panigale, Streetfighter, and Multistrada models.

This shift away from the larger Testastretta unit was expected, as Ducati continues updating its range to meet strict Euro 5+ emissions standards. The Monster was never going to be dropped — having first launched in 1993, it played a key role in keeping Ducati afloat during tough times and has been a cornerstone of the brand ever since.

With this latest announcement, the only bikes still using the 937 cc engine are now the Desert X and Hypermotard 950 — both expected to follow suit around the time of EICMA 2025 in Milan this November. 

Power, performance, and weight

The new Monster’s 890 cc twin produces a claimed 109.4 bhp at 9,000 rpm and 67.2 lb-ft of torque at 7,250 rpm, all wrapped up in a bike weighing 175 kg (dry) — around 4 kg lighter than the outgoing model.

On paper, peak power is only fractionally lower than the current 937 cc version (110 bhp at 9,250 rpm), but torque delivery has been reshaped. While the old engine hit harder at lower revs, Ducati claims that 80% of the new motor’s torque is available between 4,000 and 10,000 rpm, making it far more flexible in real-world riding.

The soundtrack comes courtesy of a twin-exit exhaust on the right-hand side, with a Termignoni upgrade available for those who want a bit more bark.

Chassis and handling

Underneath, the 890 V2 engine plays a stressed-member role within Ducati’s trademark front-frame design, just like its V2-powered siblings. The motor itself is 5.9 kg lighter than the old Testastretta and benefits from extended valve-clearance intervals of 28,000 miles — great news for owners.

The double-sided swingarm makes a return but has been re-engineered using a hollow design inspired by the Panigale V4. Suspension comes from Showa, featuring 43 mm non-adjustable forks up front and a preload-adjustable monoshock at the rear.

Seat height is 815 mm as standard, with optional seats and lowering kits bringing it down to 775 mm for shorter riders.

This base specification also hints that Ducati could release a more premium “S” or “SP” variant later — as the standard and Plus versions currently differ only by a small front cowl and pillion seat cover.

That said, the new Streetfighter V2 now shares the same engine platform, so Ducati will need to tread carefully to avoid overlap between models.

Brakes, tyres, and electronics

Braking duties are handled by Brembo, with twin 320 mm discs and M4.32 radial calipers up front. The Monster rolls on 17-inch wheels — 120/70 front and 180/55 rear — wrapped in Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres for confident, sporty road riding.

Rider ergonomics have been tweaked too, with bars positioned slightly higher and further forward for a more natural feel, while the new tank side panels feature a grippy texture to help stability during hard braking.

As expected, the bike is packed with modern tech:

• 5-inch colour TFT with light-sensitive display and turn-by-turn navigation.

• Six-axis IMU enabling traction control, wheelie control, cornering ABS, and engine-braking control.

• Four riding modes – Sport, Road, Urban, and Wet.

• Optional cruise control, up/down quickshifter, and heated grips.
  
  

Traditionalists will be glad to know the Monster sticks with a manual key ignition instead of a proximity fob.

Price and availability

The 2026 Ducati Monster will be offered in Ducati Red or Iceberg White, arriving in European dealerships from February 2026, priced from £11,995. An A2-licence-compliant version will also be available — perfect for newer riders who want to step into the brand without compromise.

Final thoughts

The new Monster 890 V2 continues Ducati’s mission to modernise its twin-cylinder range while keeping the essential Monster spirit alive — lightweight, punchy, and unapologetically fun.

It’s a leaner, smarter, and more refined version of the iconic naked bike that helped define Ducati’s roadster DNA — and while purists might miss the grunt of the 937, this new engine promises a livelier, more accessible ride that still packs that unmistakable Ducati soul.