Ayrton Senna. A global motorsport icon and still a household name 30 years after his tragic passing. To own a little piece of Senna is on many people’s lists. Merchandise, books, posters, paintings… but what I’d do to get my hands on a motorcycle.
Ducati has come to the table with a 2024 limited edition Ayrton Senna Monster. This partnership isn’t just a marketing gimmick; it’s a tribute rooted in history and mutual admiration.
This manufacturer always knows how to pull on the heartstrings, evoke emotion and create aspiration.
It’s not the first time Ducati has partnered with Team Senna. In 1990, Ayrton and Ducati’s then-owner Claudio Castiglioni, a fervent fan in the Senna appreciation club, connected. Claudio managed to get Ayrton aboard an 851 SP and Ayrton joined the Ducati appreciation club. After seeing the new 916 in the flesh, Senna was spellbound. This sparked a collaboration, and the 916 Senna was born.
Three hundred units were announced in 1994, featuring the now iconic anthracite grey, matte black, and red livery. But soon after this announcement, Senna tragically lost his life, and all plans were abandoned.
Further discussion between Ducati and Senna’s family turned that around, and as a tribute to the legendary Brazilian, the bike was launched at the 1994 Bologna Motor Show. Following this, a 1997 and a 1998 model were released, designed by Ayrton’s brother Leonardo Senna. In 2014, the 1199cc Panigale was secured exclusively for the Brazilian market, with only 161 released, the same number as the Grand Prix he completed. So, as you see, they go way back, making this next release, 10 years since the last, something any Senna collector will be ready to drop some serious cash on.
My burning questions were: how many? Why a Monster? How much? Is it souped up? And, perhaps most important of all, will we ever see one in Australia?
Let’s start with how limited this edition is: 341 units. That might answer my question of whether we’ll see one in Australia. Unlikely. These odd numbers usually sound like they have been seemingly plucked from the ether but there is always a story behind them: ‘3’ is the number of Formula 1 World Championships he won, and 41 is the number of Grand Prix races Ayrton displayed his driving mastery to secure the top step of the podium. Oh, to watch another of those masterclasses in the modern-day era of F1… I wonder what he’d say about 2024’s F1 climate: the money, porpoising, Drive to Survive… But I digress.
Senna was regularly seen cruising the streets of Monaco and Brazil’s São Paulo on Ducatis, but why the Monster to remember such an icon 30 years after his death? Claudio Domenicali, Ducati CEO, explained, “Senna was one of the very first owners of the Monster 900 and perfectly represented the values of this bike: style, boldness, and fun.” This was one of his daily rides around the streets of Monte Carlo, perhaps to collect his morning bread or attend grand events such as the 1993 Monaco F1 gala evening. I do hope he did a burnout on his way out. He was wearing a helmet, which I did enjoy; safety was his schtick, after all.
Bianca Senna, Senna Brands CEO, expanded, “The Monster is a perfect motorcycle to recall Ayrton’s lifestyle, focused on high performance but with the ability to enjoy moments of leisure. Fans around the world who admire Ayrton will find this partnership a genuine tribute to his legacy.”
Bringing expected Brazilian flair to Ducati’s iconic Italian flair, the Monster’s livery has been inspired by Ayrton’s F1 helmet, with the colours yellow, green and blue, the Brazilian flag. Besides the livery and seat, the main differences from the standard 111hp Testastretta 11° engine include a reduction in weight by about 4kg, featuring a number of Öhlins upgrades, Brembo front brakes, and carbon fibre elements. I do wonder how many Monster Senna owners will actually take it out for a fang and put the upgrades to the test. Each motorbike is made unique by a plaque on the triple clamp with the model name and number of the bike, a dedicated motorcycle cover, and of course a certificate of authenticity.
It was appropriately launched in the paddock of the Enzo and Dino Ferrari racetrack at Imola just prior to the Emilia-Romagna Formula 1 Grand Prix, with Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali, Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali, and of course Senna Brands CEO Bianca Senna, whose buy-in they most certainly need. I bet she’s had some cool access over the years.
The MotoGP Ducati crew also were in attendance – world champion Francesco Bagnaia, teammate Enea Bastianini and general manager Gigi Dall’Igna.
The ride away price in Australia is $42,500 (about double a standard Monster). Not as out of reach of some of Ducati’s other collaborations such as Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini at $92,000 or the Diavel for Bentley at $94,000. So what are you waiting for!
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