

The primary difference that distinguishes the mid-level Monster is its use of a 4-valve, 803cc V-Twin, identical to the unit employed in the Hypermotard 796 street bike. Compared to the other Monsters this engine is in a higher state of tune, employing an 11.1:1 compression ratio (versus the Monster 696/1100’s 10.7:1 ratio) courtesy of pistons with a different crown shape. Fuel is received from a 3.8-gallon fuel tank through 45mm throttle bodies, each equipped with a single fuel-injector. Exhaust is piped through a 2-1-2 stainless-steel configuration that terminates with twin shorty-style under-tail mufflers. Each header pipe is fitted with an oxygen sensor which ensures optimum engine running conditions.

The engine is cradled in a lipstick-red steel trellis frame. It attaches to a reworked subframe which is compatible with passenger grab handles that are available as a Ducati accessory ($129). The 796 also gets the same well-crafted single-sided aluminum swingarm as used on the more expensive 1100 model.
Suspension is comprised of a Showa inverted fork and an Sachs hydraulic shock that is mounted directly between the frame and swingarm without a linkage. Although the fork doesn’t offer any damping adjustment, the shock provides spring preload and rebound tuning abilities.
The 796 rolls on a pair of beautiful black 5-spoke cast-aluminum wheels featuring a small red pin stripe around the edge to draw attention to them when in motion. Attached to the front wheel is a pair of 320mm brake discs clamped by a radial-mount four-piston Brembo calipers. Rear brake consists of a solo 245mm disc pinched by a twin-piston caliper. Both brake systems are powered hydraulically through stainless-steel lines. Anti-lock brakes are also available as an option on the new machine however pricing is TBD. Lastly, the wheels are shod with Pirelli Diablo Rosso tires in sizes 120/70-17 front and 180/55-17 rear. Hop into the seat and the first thing you’ll notice is how similar it feels to the smaller 696 model. The bike feels short and skinny, which makes it easy to manhandle on the road. The seat height measures 31.5 in. above the ground which is 0.4 in. lower than the 1100, and 1.2 in. taller than the 696. Grabbing a hold of the aluminum handlebar isn’t as much of a stretch compared to other Monsters courtesy of the bar risers that elevate the bar position by nearly an inch.

Thumb the starter button and the new Ducati fires to life with deep, thumping exhaust note. Surprisingly, the 796 doesn’t get the same sleek slimline switch gear as used on some of the Italian manufacturer’s other new street bikes, including the Streetfighter. Instrumentation is comprised of a small, yet functional, white-backlit LCD display that is both easy to read and quickly operated via the switchgear on the left handlebar.Clutch lever pull is light and offers 4-way lever position adjustment to accommodate different sized hands. The clutch also delivers an ample level of feel for riders who might not have a lot of experience launching a motorcycle. The lower first gear ratio only adds to its user-friendly demeanor when pulling away from a stop. Switching between the remaining five gears was smooth and trouble-free, though we wish the gearbox felt tighter.
Twist the throttle and this Monster delivers a much more robust spread of power compared to the smaller 696. Sure, it won’t win any drag races against a modern liquid-cooled sportbike, yet it will still surprise you with just how much torque it cranks out at low-to-mid rpm. The engine has plenty of juice to loft the front wheel in first gear and is capable of bursts of speed whenever it’s revved out to redline. While the engine delivers a bit of vibration, it never becomes annoying, even at freeway speeds.
In terms of handling the 796 feels every bit as nimble as its smaller sibling. Direction changes can be accomplished with a light touch of the handlebar. The center of gravity also feels low which aids in steering and railing around corners. Though suspension spring rates are calibrated for lighter riders, when pushed this Monster still delivers enough grin-inducing performance for even an experienced, sport-oriented pilot. The bike we rode came equipped with the optional ABS system. By default the system is always on, but you can disable it easily by navigating through the menu system on the instrument display. Braking power and feel is adequate and we appreciated the added confidence provided by the ABS. But we were more impressed by the fact that you can quickly turn it off with a few clicks of a button if you‘re feeling mischievous. We also appreciated that the position of the brake lever could be moved based on rider preference.
If you’re a motorcyclist who covers a lot of ground in the city then the $9995 Monster 796 is a bike you need to consider. It’s an easy machine to ride, looks awesome, and is compact enough to slice through any urban gridlock. Its peppy air-cooled engine not only delivers punchy acceleration but a level of charisma that is sadly missing from many other street bikes in this same price point segment.

Labels: NEW DUCATI MONSTER 796
Moving this to the top for a bit since so many folks had questions about it.
Update 3: Found the build thread! An alert reader over on ADV rider found the build thread on this bike. A lot of folks have been asking for more info so here you go!
http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=12857.0
From the comments (Thanks SakeRacer). More info Here: http://www.pipeburn.com/home/2010/9/9/1973-yamaha-rd250-street-tracker.html
Sorry to Pipeburn. I didn't realize it originated on their site. TONS of great stuff over there so check them out often.
My observant commentors make some good points about the classification of this bike. Tracker of Bobber? I see a lot of elements of both styles here and to be honest I'm not crazy about pigeon holing bikes all that much so lets call it a tracker-bobber. Whatever you call it it's still freaking cool!
That's got backroad fun written all over it.
Labels: 2-stroke, bobber, streettracker, Yamaha
Buck Pinkerton sends in this really cool old Indian! I would love to own something like this. Damm near one of a kind! Thanks!
Hi,
This is a friend's Indian Chout. It was built by her father before she was born, ostensibly a 1929 Scout frame holding a 1940 Bonneville Chief engine that he just happened to find in a crate at the southwest airbase where he was stationed. The forks look to be latter day chief. Some time in the 1980s the bike passed through the hands of a "restorer" who added the H-D front fender and odd looking instrument pod. At least he painted it right and stayed out of the engine. The bike is back in the family now, and from stories I've been told it was one fast machine.
Ride safe,
Buck Pilkenton
Danilo writes in:
Love your site. Thought you'd get a kick out of my Parilla 250 project. Purchased it in Minneapolis last month, hadn't run in years. Cleaned up the points, new battery and swapped out the VHB Dellorto for the original SS1 with remote bowl that came in the parts box, gave it a couple of kicks and... Nothing. Took it out in the alley and it bump-started on the third try.
Put 50 miles on it this weekend, including a stop at Acetoberfest in Chicago. Still bumping it, but as soon as I get new points and condenser that'll be a thing of the past. When winter hits the frame goes out for checking/bracing, and then I'm going to give it the cosmetic treatment.
That's a heck of a find! Perfect starting point! Thank for the Pics!
What beautiful engine!
Labels: Moto Parilla, Reader Submittal, work in progress
Update! From our old friend Stuman! AKA Mike 'Stu' Stuhler. Check out his blog at http://stusshots.blogspot.com/
http://pwheelie.blogspot.com/2010_09_01_archive.html#6072330486351866165
This is one of Ron Woods' projects. Matt Weidman tried to make the mile at Arizona back on 5/1 with this but missed the field. He's supposed to run it again on Saturday 10/9 and try to get it in the National again after Ron got the bugs worked out of it.
Very sweet looking machine! With the rules being 'opened up' in AMA Flat Track this year it has made for some very interesting combinations, as 12 different manufacturers and their respective models are available to race in the Grand National Expert Twins Class. Earlier this year not only did a Ducati 1098 win--at Arizona with Joe Kopp--but Bill Werner, Jay Springsteen and Bryan Smith took a Kawasaki 650 Ninja-based parallel twin to the win here at Indy and at Springfield. Jeremy Higgins put a KTM in the main at Minnesota a couple of weeks ago, and Triumph put together a nice package based on the 865 Bonneville and has made four mains this year.
Very cool stuff, and as always Steve, you have kept things on the cutting edge here man! Keep up the great work!
Awesome! Thanks for that!
I think I posted something on this bike a long while back but I'm not positive. Really excellent build. Your eyes are not playing tricks. The front shock mount is in fact on the rear of the cylinder. Bold stuff.
Labels: BMW, flattracker, Mike Stuhler, racebike
Phil Writes in:
Hi,
My name is Phil G. and i live in Portland Or. I would like to share some pics of my 71 cb750. This has been my project for the last 2 1/2 years. I would like to sit here and tell you that i did it all myself but i have to give credit were credit is due. While the over all concept and design of the bike was all me there are a few very important elements to it that would not have been possible without help from some very talented friends of mine so i have to say thanks to Sam Hill for welding the custom oil tank and the 5" stretch into the fuel tank, and to Sean Smith for laying down the beautiful black paint, Paul Burdette for the stage 3 port job and general engine building help, Ginger Mccabe of New Church Customs for the seat pad, and to Deon Staffelbach for the awesome photography,other than that i pretty much did everything myself.
here is a list of mods and custom parts
engine bored out to 850
stage three ported head
super flow valves
webcam 63a grind
cyclex super rods
balanced and lightened crank and rotor
under cut tranny
all new bearings and chains inside
cr 29 carbs
custom aluminum oil tank
stock fuel tank stretched 5" with knee dents
custom rear sets (modeled after dunstall rear sets from the 70's)
custom s.s. muffler
Anyway, thanks for looking
Phil
My pleasure Phil. Thanks for sharing!
Labels: cafe racer, Honda, Reader Submittal
When I watch this it just makes me feel like such a lazy hack. I'm complaining about finding time to put in to my modest project and guys like this just build revolutionary, Daytona winning machines.... I'm such a freaking slackass.
Jack Michaud Writes in:
Hi,
My dad turned me on to your blog. Nice stuff! Here's a pic of my 1989 Honda Hawk 650GT. Why Honda gifts this market segment to Suzuki I'll never know!
I couldn't agree more. This bike was years ahead of the SV and they gave just up on it too soon. Damm shame.
Labels: Honda, Reader Submittal
Labels: BMW
Paul Robinson sends in a pic of his interesting build.
Hmmm... There's a lo of potential here. I never thought of these bikes as tracker material. There's a million of them out there too at affordable prices. Just saying..
Labels: Honda, Reader Submittal, streettracker
I continue to be amazed at how this casual little hobby of mine has grown.
More than ever I want to thank all of you for stopping by and more importantly for all your help in making this place grow. I haven't checked the numbers but I'm pretty sure that my single biggest source of material is now coming from reader submittals! So in a very real sense, this site is as much (or more) yours than mine. And for those of you that have asked I'm still having a ball. Sure there are days I get distracted with work and family and such but I'm a long way from burnt out. So please keep sending them in and Thanks!.
Labels: just words
Some brothers surprise their dad with a special Christmas present. They sneak his basket case 69 Norton out of his basement and get it fully restored for a Christmas present all without him knowing it. A WIN all around!
This may be the nicest CM400T on the planet. Damm that is cool.
I've said it here many many times. You do NOT need big money or big engines to build fantastic bikes. And here we have another excellent example of that. This beauty was built by Mario Trigo Salorino wo writes in:
Hello, my name is Mario and I write from Spain. I'm a fan of your blog for a long time. Always show the style of bikes that I like. It is a daily appointment required.
I want to show a personal project I recently completed. It is a Honda CM400T, base uncommon, has been done by me and some friends. I do not define his style, bobber, track, brat ... is a modest project but I'm very happy with the result. Major changes are, handlebars, handlebar switch, repositioning of the electrical components and battery box, exhaust, rear set, clocks, modified original seat and paint job. Appear on your blog would be a reward for my work. I hope you like.
A greeting and continued with this great blog. Muchas gracias.
PS. Sorry for my English.
Your English is fine Mario It's an excellent build. I am labeling at a Street Tracker but you're right it has elements of other styles in it as well. ! Thank you very much for sending in these great picture!
Labels: budget build, Honda, Reader Submittal, streettracker
...but holy crap it's mesmerizing. The second half of this video is just hair raising.
Would have been so much better WITHOUT the music but still WAY cool. BMW SS1000 I think...
Labels: 2-stroke, build pics, Suzuki