Introduced for the 2017 model year, this entry in Ducati’s Monster family brought the classic naked-bike formula back to a more accessible part of the range after the larger Monster 821 and 1200 models had taken the spotlight. It was unveiled at EICMA 2016 as a straightforward, air-cooled, two-valve interpretation of the Monster idea: compact, minimalist, and aimed at riders who wanted the trademark Ducati character without the complexity or size of the bigger versions.
The model was offered alongside a Plus variant in some markets and remained part of Ducati’s lineup through the 2021 model year. In Ducati’s own family history, it sat within the modern “small Monster” role that had previously been filled by bikes such as the 600, 696, and 796, making it an important bridge between the original Monster concept and the later, more advanced generation.
By the end of 2020, Ducati had unveiled an all-new Monster for the 2021 model year, and the earlier 797 was phased out as that replacement reached dealerships in 2021. As a result, this nameplate is best remembered as one of the last traditional, air-cooled Monsters before the family moved to a new generation and a very different technical direction.