BUILT exclusively for the Australian market, the LAMS-approved Ducati Monster 659 is a high-quality machine offering spirited performance with that unique Italian style you won't get from other learner bikes.

All Ducati Monsters offer many of the things learners crave – an upright riding position, low seat height, excellent torque and a confidence-inspiring ride and with the 659 Ducati really has built a gem.

696 heritage
The 659 is heavily based on the 696 Monster, but the larger capacity bike's engine displacement - it really is 696cc - means it is 36 cubic centimetres too many to be approved for LAMS, regardless of power output.
So Ducati Australia requested from Italy a sleeved-down version - a 3mm smaller bore brings capacity down to 659cc - and reduced power output.Reducing capacity by 37cc wouldn't have reduced power output much, so a throttle limiter was also installed, restricting engine output to 38kw, 30 per cent less than the highly spirited 696.
In a very smart move though, Ducati hasn't heavily restricted the bottom-end of the bike, so this machine leaps away from traffic lights very much like a 696. Experienced riders might miss the extra power when riding hard, when fully loaded or when traveling with a pillion passenger, but for the target audience of learners, the 659 will be a delight.

It really is only in the upper gears and high in the rev range where you really notice the difference between the 659 and the 696.
The engine is one of the many air-cooled two valve Ducati Desmo motors produced over the years and it's currently the smallest of the family. The concept of the motor dates back to the 1980s and the Pantah motors which were the first Ducatis with belt-driven camshafts.

While the concept might be 30 years old, since those early days Ducati's reliability has been improved out of sight. Service intervals have been extended to 12,000km, modern electronics (including fuel injection) added, horsepower outputs increased enormously all while keeping that essential Ducati L-twin throb and character. Interestingly the 659 features Ducati's APTC clutch, which gives a slipper type action. If you get sloppy or aggressive during downshifts the clutch will absorb the force rather than locking the back wheel as the gearbox and rear wheel try to match speeds. Usually found on sportsbikes where they offer more control when charging into low-gear corners, having an APTC clutch on the 659 will add a little extra margin of error for learners.

Chassis & equipment
The 659 - and 696 - appear to be simple and, dare I say it, basic, motorcycles. In many ways this is true, but there's plenty of high-tech effectively hidden away, like the APTC clutch, fuel injection and ABS brakes.
The air-cooled Ducati L-twin powerplant hangs from Ducati's trellis steel frame and stands out in bright red. The aluminium rear subframe and swingarm don't stand out in the same way, but are very important factors in keeping the weight down and handling impressive.
The swingarm is controlled by a single Sachs rear shock on a progressive linkage. It's adjustable for preload and damping, another feature of the Monster 659 you don't always find on learner approved motorcycles. The front forks are fat upside down units which look like they've come off a race bike.
Our test bike was one of the first in the country and wasn't fitted with the standard small screen and rear seat cowl, but you can see those items in the Ducati press shots.The styling of the machine emphasises the latest Monster style, which is classy and modern - they are simply great looking naked bikes.

Ergonomically the 659 is great, with footpegs and levers falling easily to hand and the seat is quite low, so getting you feet on the ground won't be a huge challenge.
Ducati is a leader in motorcycle electronics, and that shows even in its entry-level Monster, with comprehensive digital instrumentation including a scheduled maintenance warning, oil temperature, trip odometer, lap times, fuel reserve and numerous warning lights. Interestingly, you can set the instruments to simply display engine speed (revs) and road speed, or the more comprehensive information.

I really applaud Ducati fitting as standard equipment its Anti-lock Braking System. Braking is one of the scariest things for learners to come to grips with, and it doesn't help that there are morons out there who tell learners their rear brake is more effective than the front, or that hitting the front brake too hard will flip them over the handlebars. Once any rider gets used to the idea that grabbing a handful of brake in an emergency won't result in a locked front tyre and a slide down the road, they will be less likely to hit an idiot who pulls out in from of them.The front brakes comprise a pair of big disc brakes and Brembo calipers at the front and a single rear disc.

Options and accessories
The Ducati Data Analyser is available as an accessory - with it you can download ride details to your computer and check out your lap times, speed, gear position and even throttle position. Anti-Lock Braking is a wonderful feature for most motorcyclists, and I'd highly recommend it to any learner. Also available for the Monster is an array of accessories from Ducati to really make the bike your own, from carbon-fibre parts to screens to custom painted parts, you can make the bike more versatile, louder, better looking and lighter with the help of your Ducati dealer and some extra dollars.

Pricing
The Ducati 659 Monster is certainly priced at the upper end of the LAMS market - $13,990+ORC - but I would expect that, it's got the quality - ride, finish, styling - and backing (two year unlimited kilometre warranty) I expect from a major manufacturer. Ducati has grown over the years to become one of the biggest manufacturers of large capacity bikes in the world, and this is reflected in this bike. Any learner buying a 659 is likely to be happy with the machine at least until they can get their full licence, when it might be trade in time - maybe even on a bigger Monster. While I'm sure some modifications could be made to get more power from the littlest monster, I'm also sure keeping it learner legal would help it retain excellent secondhand value, for there will always be younger riders coming through who will think a 659 would be the Duck's Guts, so you might find you're better off trading up.

RIDING GEAR: OGK helmet, M2R jacket, Matador Equipment gloves and eyewear, Hornee jeans, Thomas Cook boots.