Ducati Monster 797 Review and Used Buyer’s Guide

One of my first and most enduring motorcycle loves was the Ducati Monster. Mine was a carburettor-fed Monster 900 from the first generation, a bike I had wanted for two decades. It grabbed me as soon as the seller started it. I regretted selling it almost immediately.

I later rented a Monster 797 to find out whether Ducati’s smallest modern air-cooled Monster could recapture that experience. It has the same basic attractions: a compact L-twin, a steel trellis frame, little bodywork and an engine that feels more interesting than its modest numbers suggest.

The Monster 797 is now a used-bike proposition. Ducati sold it for the 2017–2020 model years, alongside the cosmetically enhanced 797+. It was discontinued as Ducati replaced its Monster range with newer liquid-cooled models. That changes the question from “should you buy one new?” to “is a well-kept one worth buying now?”

What is the Ducati Monster 797?

The Monster 797 is the simplest member of Ducati’s 2017-era Monster family. It combines the 803 cc air/oil-cooled Desmodue engine used in the Scrambler 800 range with recognisable Monster parts: a trellis frame, a muscular tank, an exposed engine and twin front brake discs.

That combination matters. The contemporary Monster 821 and 1200 were faster, more sophisticated and liquid-cooled. The 797 deliberately went the other way. There are no riding modes, traction control or colour displays. You get Bosch ABS, an LCD instrument panel and little else between your right hand and the rear tyre.

It also remained relatively approachable. The seat is 805 mm (31.7 in) high, the riding position is upright, and the controls are light once moving. At 193 kg (426 lb) wet, it is not exceptionally light for its power, but the mass sits low enough that the bike rarely feels intimidating.

The 797+ did not bring engine or chassis changes. It added a small flyscreen and a passenger-seat cover, so condition and service history matter more than the badge when comparing used examples.

The 803 cc Desmodue engine

The engine is the centre of the 797’s appeal. It is an 803 cc, two-valve-per-cylinder L-twin with desmodromic valve actuation. Ducati rated it at 55 kW (75 CV / 74 hp) at 8,250 rpm and 69 Nm (51 lb-ft) at 5,750 rpm.

Those figures are modest beside today’s middleweight nakeds, but the delivery suits the bike. It pulls with character from the middle of the rev range, responds cleanly once warm and makes ordinary road speeds entertaining. The exhaust note and mechanical pulse do more for the experience than a specification-sheet comparison suggests.

There are trade-offs. The engine can feel lumpy if you ask for too much from very low revs, and its service schedule is shorter than that of many Japanese twins. That is a Ducati maintenance requirement for this generation of Desmodue engine, not an unavoidable consequence of air cooling.

Ducati’s schedule calls for engine oil and filter service and valve-clearance checks every 12,000 km (7,500 mi), with oil also changed annually. Timing-belt condition and tension are checked at service, and the belts are replaced every 24,000 km (15,000 mi) or five years. On a low-mileage used bike, time can therefore matter more than the odometer.

For the detailed task list and intervals, see the Ducati Monster 797 maintenance schedule, compiled from the owner’s manual.

Ducati Monster 797 specifications

Specification	Ducati Monster 797
Engine	803 cc air/oil-cooled Desmodue L-twin; two valves per cylinder
Power	55 kW (75 CV / 74 hp) at 8,250 rpm
Torque	69 Nm (51 lb-ft) at 5,750 rpm
Transmission	Six-speed; chain final drive
Clutch	Wet multiplate APTC assist-and-slipper clutch, cable operated
Front suspension	43 mm Kayaba inverted fork, non-adjustable
Rear suspension	Sachs monoshock, preload and rebound adjustable
Front brakes	Twin 320 mm discs; Brembo M4.32 radial four-piston calipers; Bosch ABS
Rear brake	245 mm disc; single-piston caliper; Bosch ABS
Seat height	805 mm (31.7 in)
Fuel capacity	16.5 L (4.4 US gal)
Wet weight	193 kg (426 lb)

The specification that stands out is the front brake hardware. Twin 320 mm discs and Brembo M4.32 radial monobloc calipers give the 797 strong, progressive braking. The non-adjustable fork is less ambitious, but it is well matched to road riding at the bike’s pace.

Riding the Ducati Monster 797

The 797 feels friendly within a few metres. The clutch is cable operated but light, helped by Ducati’s APTC assist-and-slipper design. The gearbox is positive, the bars give good leverage and the engine has enough response to make city gaps and back-road exits easy without demanding superbike concentration.

In town, the upright position and slim waist work well. The turning circle is more cooperative than that of my old Monster 900, though the mirrors and exposed bars still deserve attention in tight spaces. Heat is noticeable in slow traffic, as it is on most exposed Ducati twins, but the 797 is generally an easy urban motorcycle.

On a winding road, it rewards a smooth rhythm. The engine is strongest through the middle rather than at the redline, and the chassis communicates clearly. It will carry useful corner speed, then let the Brembos scrub it off with little drama. Riders chasing acceleration will find the performance ceiling quickly; riders who enjoy using an engine without doubling the speed limit may find that part of the charm.

Motorway riding is possible, but the naked riding position becomes tiring. At around 120 km/h (75 mph), wind pressure is the main limitation, not the engine. The 797+ flyscreen takes a little pressure off the chest but does not turn it into a touring bike.

The LCD dash is plain and readable, although there is no conventional fuel gauge. A low-fuel warning light is your prompt to refill. The lack of traction control and riding modes also deserves emphasis: ABS is standard, but this is otherwise a mechanically direct motorcycle.

Buying a used Ducati Monster 797

A good 797 can be an appealing way into air-cooled Ducati ownership. A neglected one can make the low purchase price irrelevant. I would prioritise documentary evidence over accessories or very low mileage.

• Check the dates and distances of oil, valve-clearance and timing-belt work. Belts can age out even when the bike has covered few kilometres.
• Start the motorcycle from cold. Confirm that it starts promptly, idles cleanly once settled and shows no persistent warning lights.
• Inspect the bar ends, levers, engine covers, foot controls and steering stops for evidence of a drop. Check that the fork and shock are dry.
• Test the ABS and dashboard during a ride. Make sure the clutch action is smooth and the gearbox selects every ratio cleanly.
• Inspect tyres, chain, sprockets, brake fluid and pads. Deferred consumables can quickly add to the true purchase cost.
• Look closely at modified exhausts, fuelling changes and cut wiring. Confirm local noise and emissions compliance, and ask for the original parts if they exist.
• Do not pay a mechanical premium for a 797+. Its flyscreen and passenger-seat cover are cosmetic additions.

An independent pre-purchase inspection is sensible if the maintenance record is incomplete. The 797 is comparatively simple by modern Ducati standards, but it is still an ageing motorcycle with scheduled valve and belt work.

Alternatives to the Ducati Monster 797

Alternative 1: An older air-cooled Monster

The Monster 800, 796 and S2R 800 offer a related air-cooled Ducati experience with more overtly classic styling. They are older, so condition varies widely and parts or maintenance history may require more patience. Buy the individual bike, not the model-year mythology.

Alternative 2: A Ducati Scrambler 800

A Scrambler Icon, Nightshift or Full Throttle is the closest continuing Ducati relative. It uses a later version of the same 803 cc Desmodue idea in a more relaxed chassis, and newer examples are easier to find with current dealer support. The Monster has the sharper road-biased stance and stronger twin-disc front brake arrangement.

Alternative 3: A later Ducati Monster

The 2021–2025 Monster 937 is the direct replacement in Ducati’s range, but not a like-for-like successor. Its liquid-cooled Testastretta engine is much stronger, the electronics are far more comprehensive, and the traditional steel trellis frame is gone. The current Monster V2 moves the platform on again with an 890 cc engine and substantially longer valve-check intervals. Both are faster and easier to live with if modern performance matters more than air-cooled character.

Alternative 4: Another middleweight naked bike

A Suzuki SV650, Yamaha XSR700 or Kawasaki Z650RS offers a broadly similar amount of usable road performance. The Suzuki has an especially appealing V-twin character, while the Yamaha and Kawasaki generally ask less of their owners at service time. None duplicates the Ducati’s mix of Desmodue pulse, trellis frame and Brembo hardware.

Verdict

The Ducati Monster 797 works best when judged as a simple road bike rather than an entry in a horsepower contest. Its 803 cc twin, compact riding position and excellent front brakes make normal riding engaging. The absence of traction control, a fuel gauge and generous wind protection is part of the ownership decision, not a hidden surprise.

It suits a rider who wants the last air-cooled Monster, values mechanical character and is willing to keep up with 12,000 km (7,500 mi) valve checks and time-based belt replacement. It is a weaker choice for long motorway trips, maximum performance or minimal servicing.

If the history is complete and the condition is honest, the 797 remains a charming used Ducati. I would buy the best-maintained example available, regardless of whether it carries the 797 or 797+ badge.