Road test of Ducati900 MONSTER ie 2000 Roadster of all times

about a decade ago, Ducati, which many thought was doomed to extinction, gave birth to a machine with the simplest of philosophies: 2 wheels, 1 engine, and 1 frame to bind it all together. With the stroke of a magic pencil, the little offspring became one of the brand's greatest successes, and had little brothers... Today, after telling me her story, the 900 MONSTRO, all in red, invites me to understand her. It's true that the dress is genially simplistic... and hasn't aged a day since its birth. Sitting on a firm saddle in a slightly rogue roadster position, I shudder as the engine roars to life; the 2 carbon Termignoni pots unleash the twin's voice. It growls, wants to be mean, and only awaits the rider's rage. For the first few km, the machine isn't uncomfortable, but it lets me know that it immediately wants to behave bestially - it excites me, seeks me out, doesn't want caresses but a severe embrace and madness in its hands. Now that the engine is warm, I have no choice: I open the throttle... the delight is immediate: the wild beast pounces and the copious torque rips my arms off, especially given the lack of support on the handlebars imposed by the roadster position. The needles quickly become frantic, but the old desmo doesn't like to go to the top of the rev counter. His kingdom is the mid-range, where he gorges himself on torque (and there's plenty of it). The road becomes winding; I smile, the machine even more so. I squeeze it, transmitting my desire, but I don't have to force it... I'm one with it. The bends follow each other and the pleasure is stronger. But the ecstasy is short-lived - maybe it was badly adjusted, but the fork is guiding at high speed. Shuddering but worrying. I reluctantly slow down a little. A pity, because like all Ducatis, this one is riveted to the ground and seems to be guided by an invisible rail. And above all that noise, which makes you want more, and more... and more. I won't say much about the brakes, as I didn't concentrate on them. On the way down, I just wanted to do it again, but more intensely. Thank goodness for the S4...but that's another story.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos