Ducati Monster 796 Review

Used Buyer Review

The Monster 796 sits in that sweet spot Ducati rarely nails — genuinely accessible but still properly Italian. The 803cc air-cooled L-twin makes around 87hp, which sounds modest until you're threading traffic at 4,000rpm and that torque hits. It's a motorcycle that rewards smooth riders and punishes clumsy ones, which honestly makes you better. Desmodromic valves sound terrifying but the service intervals are every 15,000km — don't let sellers spook you with that. Budget £500-800 for a valve check if it hasn't been done. Used examples need careful inspection around the trellis frame welds and exhaust headers for rust. Italian electrics are the real gamble — check every switch, the dash, and battery terminals carefully. The Showa suspension is decent but tired examples will feel wallowy; budget for a shock rebuild. Brembo brakes remain a highlight even a decade later.