Next-Gen Ducati Monster Spied Being Tested

Spy shots of the 2026 Ducati Monster have surfaced online, barely a few days after reports confirmed that Ducati wants to plonk the new V2 engine on the Monster and DesertX. The test mule spotted carried a visually different engine, which indicates that the Testastretta engine might have been replaced. So, if the Monster gets the new V2 engine, expect it to produce 120 bhp and 93.3 Nm.

Ducati debuted the new V2 engine last year and it holds the recognition for being the lightest twin-cylinder motor to come out of the house of Borgo-Panigale. It weighs just 54.5 kg, which is 5.8 kg lighter than the outgoing Testastretta Evoluzione L-twin engine. This should help make the upcoming Monster V2 lighter, and thereby quicker and more responsive than the current iteration. Moreover, it will also mark the first time that the Monster won’t come with Ducati’s famous Desmodromic valve timing which was known for its long intervals for valve clearance service.

Other key changes that could be spotted on the upcoming Ducati Monster V2 test mule include, a larger radiator, and a bulkier catalytic converter. Even the main frame and subframe seems to have been tweaked to accommodate the new engine. Lastly, the headlight and alloy wheel design looked new too – all the changes were made without foregoing the bike’s iconic muscular stance. 

While it is too early to gauge an exact launch timeline, we reckon it might debut at the 2025 EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, Italy later this year. Either way, with the new V2 engine, the Ducati Monster is expected to become sportier and spirited than the current iteration.

(Source)