The 1198 Testastretta 11° DS breathes through the Ride-by-Wire Mikuni throttle body with oval cross-section with a diameter of 56 mm with two spark plugs for each head: the double flame front ensure combustion is completed extremely quickly which, together with the secondary air system optimising operation and reducing cyclical dispersion of the combustion without any impact on pollutant emissions, translates into a more regular distribution providing a more pleasurable and exciting riding sensation. Great attention was paid to improving engine response in terms of modulating the engine response times to the actions on the accelerator.

Thanks to the new throttle body and the dedicated exhaust, the second generation Testastretta 11° DS engine generates a power which can be compared with that of a 3/4 cylinder engine and is able to reach even greater performance levels. This engine in fact ensures a distribution of 147 hp at 9,250 rpm and an impressive torque curve which increases riding pleasure even more, generating a maximum torque of 124 Nm at 7,750 rpm.

The Testastretta 11° DS engine is coupled to an impressive side-mounted 2-1-2 staggered shotgun exhaust that makes no secret of the performance of which the new Monster 1200 is capable. The engine management system dedicates a lambda probe to each header, providing precise fueling, while the sports cannon-style, vertically stacked silencers carry catalytic converters to provide Euro 4 conformity. An electronically controlled mid-section valve optimises exhaust pressure throughout the rev-range.

The Ride-by-Wire (RbW) system is an electronic interface between the Monster\'s twistgrip and engine, which manages an ideal power response depending on the riding mode selected. The twistgrip does not have a throttle cable connected directly to the throttle body butterflies, but instead delivers a signal to a control unit, which in turn operates an electronically controlled butterfly. The RbW system uses three different mappings to regulate power delivery: 145hp with a sports-type delivery 145hp with a progressive delivery suitable for touring 100hp with a progressive delivery for city use

The Monster 1200 S has a fully adjustable 48 mm diameter Öhlins fork front suspension. At the rear end, the shock absorber exploits a progressive mechanism secured directly on the vertical cylinder on one side and, on the other, on the single arm fork obtained by aluminium fusion. The Monster 1200 S uses a fully adjustable Öhlins shock absorber as the main shock absorbing element at the rear.

The Monster 1200 S is equipped at the front with two M50 Brembo radially mounted monobloc callipers and discs which are 330 mm in diameter. A single 245 mm diameter disc at the rear on which a single Brembo calliper acts, equipped with pads with sintered friction material to increase efficiency. This component ensures the most highly performing brake system in the sector, a trait which has always been characteristic of all Ducati bikes.

The Monster 1200, in both the standard version and the S version, is equipped with the Ducati Safety Pack (DSP) which, thanks to the Bosch Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) integrates the Bosch 9.1 MP Cornering ABS, the Ducati Traction Control (DTC) and the Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) which contribute to highlighting the dynamic performance, optimising control and offering high levels of safety. Ducati\'s DTC gives the rider a choice of eight profiles or \"\"sensitivity levels\"\", each programmed with a different wheelspin tolerance value, matched to progressive levels of riding skill, and graded from one to eight. A preset level at which DTC intervenes is assigned to each Riding Mode. When DTC is on, the control unit analyses the data sent from the front and rear wheel speed sensors, detects the amount of wheelspin, and works out what type of intervention is necessary. This intervention is carried out very smoothly by electronically slowing down the engine injection to reduce torque, until rear grip is completely restored. DTC can also be disabled by the rider. The DTC profiles are factory pre-set for each of the three Riding Modes, but can be customised individually and saved in order to best meet the needs of the rider.
The Monster 1200 is equipped with the Brembo braking system with Bosch 9.1 MP Cornering ABS device. This exploits the presence of the Bosch IMU inertial platform (Inertial Measurement Unit) to optimally adjust the braking power of the front and rear wheel even in critical conditions with the bike is leaning. By interacting with the Riding Mode, the system is able to offer solutions which are suitable for any situation, condition or riding style. The system acts with three different intervention levels. Level 1 offers maximum performance for a sporting ride, it does not involve activation of the rear wheel lift-up detection mechanism and allows rear skidding during braking actions by only applying ABS to the front. Level 2 ensures balance between the front and rear without rear wheel lift-up detection but with the Cornering function both activated and calibrated for a sporting ride. Level 3 ensures balance between the front and rear with rear wheel lift-up detection and with the Cornering function both activated and calibrated for maximum safety.
The Monster 1200 is equipped with DWC (Ducati Wheelie Control) which can be adjusted on 8 levels. The system analyses bike set-up (wheelie) and subsequently manages the torque and power to ensure maximum acceleration in safety, without impairing the set-up. Like the DTC, it can be adjusted on 8 levels and is integrated with the Riding Mode.

The headlight is another element which has always been characteristic of the Monster. It has been completely redesigned for this bike and is now equipped with a double parabola and, on the Monster 1200 S, also DRL (Day Time Running Light). Adopting this new headlight has allowed a different dashboard mount to be implemented, which is now fixed to the handlebar riser. This gives the bike a visually lighter front part also thanks to the repositioning of the turn indicators, LED indicators for the S version, which are now mounted below the steering head and no longer to the headlight.

The Monster 1200 dashboard has a last generation TFT colour display. The display has three configurations, known as Core, Full and Track, each designed to display information suitable for the different riding situations. Each configuration has an indicator showing the gear which is engaged and the level of fuel.

The Monster 1200 S is equipped as standard with Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down, an electronic system originating from racing bikes which allows the rider to shift to a higher gear without using the clutch or closing the throttle and without using the clutch but just with the throttle closed when shifting down. The system acts in a specific manner when shifting up or down, integrating the action on the advance ignition and injection, in upshifting, with the opening controlled by the throttle valve (automatic \"\"\"\"blipping\"\"\"\" when the gear pedal is pressed in downshifting. This system not only makes the sporting ride more enjoyable but it is also extremely helpful in city traffic and on winding roads where frequent gear shifts are required. The DQS is available as an accessory on the Monster 1200 while it comes as standard on the S version.