Ducati Monster Seine
The Ducati and Ayrton Senna: two real icons for motor lovers. On the one hand, the iconic Borgo Panigale team, which has always made its fans dream thanks to historic achievements and fabulous riders. On the other hand, the Brazilian champion, who has become a legend for his palmares but also for how he left this world, taking on an almost divine aura even more. What would happen if these two entities somehow came together? The Bologna-based company took care of it, presenting the Ducati Monster Senna: a special collector's Monster that honors the career of the Brazilian champion.
The special series Monster Senna is intended to be a celebration of the unbreakable relationship that has been established between the Ducati and the three-time Formula 1 world champion. A mutual passion between two legends of motorsport, which does not wither: the Borgo Panigale motorcycle manufacturer, in fact, still cultivates it today through the relationship with Ayrton's family and with Senna Brands. This collaboration led to the definition of the bike's special livery, designed by the Ducati Style Center.
The choice of the Monster as the model to create this limited edition dedicated to the great rider originally from São Paulo is also linked to Ayrton's history: he was in fact one of the very first owners of the Monster 900, a bike used for his city trips in Monte Carlo and on which he presented himself at the gala evening for the presentation of the 1993 Monaco Grand Prix. In Monster , Senna liked that simple concept of wanting to put riding fun at the center of the experience on two wheels: a sports engine, perfect for road use, chassis derived from the Superbike, wide handlebars and no fairing.
The Senna Monster pays homage to the talent of the three-time world champion with a special livery inspired by the color of the helmet that the rider has worn in the race throughout his career, with parts in yellow, green and blue: clear tributes to the flag of Brazil.
The story between the Seine and the Ducati
The paths of Ducati and Ayrton Senna crossed for the first time in 1990, when Claudio Castiglioni, then owner of Ducati and a passionate fan of Senna and his innate talent, gave the three-time world champion an 851 SP. In the following years, Senna and Ducati realized that they had several values in common. When the World Champion saw the new Ducati 916 live, he was absolutely fascinated, starting the idea of a collaboration on a special project capable of uniting two brands: Ducati and Senna.
Thus was born the Ducati 916 Senna, a bike for which the Brazilian rider personally chose the livery, opting for contrasting graphics between anthracite gray, matte black and red, which in the following years became iconic. The special series, limited to only 300 units, was announced by Ducati in March 1994.
The tragic accident in which Ayrton Senna lost his life occurred a few months before the start of production of the Ducati 916 Senna and stopped all operations related to Ayrton. The subsequent confrontation between Ducati and Senna's family convinced the parties to proceed with the project in Ayrton's memory, with the presentation taking place at the 1994 Motor Show. The first series, whose 300 units were sold out in a very short time, was then followed by two others in 1997 and 1998 with colors chosen by Ayrton's brother, Leonardo Senna.
The collaboration with Senna Brands resumed in 2014 with the 1199 Panigale, on the basis of which a limited series of 161 units was created – as many as the number of Grands Prix held by Ayrton – reserved for the Brazilian market. All Ducati Senna are highly sought after by collectors from all over the world.
Motorcycle components
The Monster Senna is equipped with components that, in addition to highlighting its aesthetics, also improve the dynamic qualities of the bike. In addition, they allow you to reach a curb weight without fuel of 175 kg, or 4 kg less than the standard model, already a reference in the category for lightness.
The Monster, a modern reinterpretation of the original recipe, is a light, easy, manageable and fast bike. It is powered by the Testastretta 11° engine: it is a liquid-cooled 4-valve twin-cylinder with 111 horsepower desmodromic distribution, reliable and fun thanks to a full delivery curve at all revs. It is equipped with an extremely rational and effective chassis inspired by the Superbike Ducati, fully adjustable and sporty Öhlins suspension, forged rims, braking system with Brembo Stylema front calipers and aluminum flanges for the brake discs and segment-leading electronics.
In terms of aesthetics, the Monster Senna, in addition to the special color, is embellished by the yellow/green/blue tags on the black rims, and by the yellow details on the brake calipers and on the Termignoni approved silencers, in carbon fiber. Other distinctive elements of this model are the special saddle, the matching engine guard tip and the dedicated dashboard animation, visible at every key on.
Finally, each bike is made unique by a plate on the steering plate with the name of the model and the number of the model, as well as by the delivery of the certificate of authenticity and the dedicated motorcycle cover.
