The Ducati Monster SP is the latest generation of the Italian motorcycle maker's naked bike, and specifically the SP version with Ohlins dampers and other upgrades.
Rolling down the boulevard on my way to the coast, the Monster is well-mannered and stable. The clutch lever has an appropriate amount of effort and with a stomp of the left foot, the transmission clunks into first gear. Clutch engagement is easy, with a wide friction zone to ease the bike forward smoothly. The new Monsters come with Ducati's Quick Shift system that eliminates the need to pull the clutch in with each shift after the initial first gear engagement.
Once on Pacific Coast Highway, I'm struck by how leisurely the Monster can be. The more relaxed riding position allows me to soak in more of the scenery as the thick, cool and briny air pushes gently against my torso. Past the beach, I even get a whiff of suntan lotion through the helmet. On the lazy curves, the bike can be leaned in with just a slight shift of the shoulders, and tying several sequences of bends together results in a graceful dance of rider and machine.
It's easy to trail the front brakes all the way down to an apex with only slight pressure from two fingers. The riding position allows you to adopt more of a racing tuck, keeping your center of gravity low as you point your knee and chin into the turn, but as nimble as the bike is, it seems like overkill to ride it like Francesco Bagnaia. Instead, I opted to just shift one butt cheek off the seat and tipped the bike in with my shoulders.
There's also a"save-your-butt" feature in Cornering ABS. If you're heading into a turn too hot, this system allows you to get on the brakes mid-turn without the catastrophic results you'd normally experience. It uses accelerometers to determine your lean angle and the computer applies the right amount of braking to keep you on your intended path. Thankfully, I never had to test this out.
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