2027 Ducati Monster Dark Brings All-Black Styling to the Most Affordable Monster
The 2027 Monster Dark pairs a stripped-back black finish with Ducati’s 111-hp V2 and a $12,995 starting price.
Ducati’s 2027 Monster Dark makes its case through restraint: an all-black finish, the familiar Monster V2 platform and the lowest starting price in the current Monster range. The update is chiefly visual, but the combination gives buyers a distinct version of Ducati’s long-running naked bike without changing the engine and chassis formula.
DucatiThe Monster has held its place in Ducati’s lineup since its 1992 debut, making it the brand’s longest-running nameplate. Ducati’s range has since spread across distance-ready adventure bikes, supersports, retro-inspired models and lightweight motocross machines. The Monster remains the more direct expression of the naked-bike idea: a muscular engine and compact form, with the mechanical details left visible.
A familiar black treatment
The Dark name reaches back to the 1998 Monster M600 Dark, whose defining choice was simple: black throughout. Ducati has revisited that theme in different forms over the years. For 2027, the Monster Dark pares back the red accents used on previous Stealth versions and gives the current V2-powered Monster a more uniform appearance.
The changes include a single-material seat, all-black wheels, exposed components at the front frame, and dark-finished exhaust end caps and intake snorkel. Those details let the Monster’s shape carry more of the visual weight. The yellow rear spring remains a small point of contrast, while the matte black bodywork and matching wheels keep the overall look subdued.
That’s the appeal of this version: the darker finish changes the bike’s character without requiring a different mechanical proposition. Riders choosing among Monster variants can weigh the finish and equipment against their budget, rather than expecting the Dark to deliver a separate engine or chassis setup.
V2 performance, unchanged
The Dark retains the 890cc V2 engine from the previous year’s update. Ducati rates it at 111 horsepower and 67 lb-ft of torque, with an IVT-equipped setup. The reported figures make clear that this is still a performance-focused road bike, even as the styling takes a pared-back direction.
The supporting structure pairs a monocoque with a hybrid trellis subframe. Brembo supplies the braking components, while suspension comes from Showa. Those named components are part of the existing Monster package; the source details no Dark-specific suspension or braking revisions.
At a listed curb weight of 386 pounds, the Monster Dark is relatively light for a motorcycle in this performance class. Ducati also gives it a neutral riding position and a 32-inch seat height. Those measurements may help riders judge fit and handling before choosing a bike, though seat height alone can’t tell the whole story: leg length, inseam, footwear and the bike’s shape all affect how planted a rider feels at a stop.
The electronics package includes Cornering ABS, Traction Control, Wheelie Control and Engine Brake Control. Rider aids can support control as conditions change, but they don’t replace sound judgment, suitable training or attention to road and weather conditions. The source does not specify their adjustment range or how they behave in each riding mode, so prospective owners should check those details before purchase.
Where it sits in the range
Ducati lists a starting MSRP of $12,995 for the Monster Dark. That puts it below the standard Monster at $13,325, the Monster+ at $13,995 and the Monster SP at $16,595. The $330 gap to the standard model makes the Dark the least expensive entry in the listed range, while the difference grows to $3,600 compared with the SP.
Those prices show where the Dark fits: it adds a specific finish and trim details to the Monster platform at the range’s lowest starting price. Buyers comparing the models should confirm the final price and equipment with a dealer, since the figures here are starting MSRPs and don’t include any additional costs.
DucatiDucati Monster Dark
For riders drawn to the Monster’s compact, exposed-mechanics character, the Dark offers a clean visual option and a clear price point. Its strongest distinction is the blacked-out presentation; the familiar engine, chassis and rider aids keep the choice anchored in the same road-focused Monster experience.
If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more
Related Ducati coverage: Ducati releases, distance-ready ADVs and MX lightweights.
