Ducati marked the 20th anniversary of its air-cooled naked Monster line at the Intermot show in Cologne, Germany, the exact site where the M900 was first unveiled back in 1992. For 2013, Ducati is offering an anniversary edition version with bronze-colored highlights reminiscent of the original M900.

Available for the Monster 696, 796 and 1100 EVO, the 20th Anniversary Edition adds a steel trellis bronze frame, gold brake components, champagne front forks, gray swignarm, engine outer casings and lower triple clamp and chrome headlamp support. Other features include ’90s-styled mirrors and seat fabric and retro font on the tanks and seat covers. The Monster lineup is otherwise unchanged from 2012, except for new color options. Continue Reading »

Ducati is issuing a recall on several 2012 models because of a problem with the rear brake. The models included are the 848 EVO, the Streetfighter 848, the Hypermotard 796, the ABS-equipped versions of the Multistrada 1200, and the Monsters 796 and 1100 EVO.

According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the friction material on the rear brake pads may detach from the backing plate, resulting in a drop in rear braking efficiency and increased stopping distance.

The problem affects a particular batch of rear brake pads from supplier Federale-Mogul. Internal testing by both Ducati and Brembo determined the problem is with the adhesive used to attach the friction material to the backing plate of the affected brake pads. The problem Continue Reading »

Ducati is issuing a recall on its entire 2012 Monster and Hypermotard lineups due to internal cracking of fuel lines.

According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Ducati‘s quality control department discovered micro-cracking on the four-layer extruded fuel lines. The cracks occured on the inner surface of the line that comes in contact with fuel. As a result, fuel may seep from the connection between the fuel lines and fuel pump flange on the affected units.

Continue Reading »