Ayrton Senna’s Legacy with Ducati
Ayrton Senna, the former Formula One world champion, has a storied history with Ducati. This partnership has been celebrated by the Italian brand on numerous occasions. Continuing this tradition, Ducati, based in Bologna, has unveiled a special, limited-edition Monster naked bike. This exclusive bike will be produced in a limited run of just 341 units. Priced at $25,000 (approximately Rs 20.8 lakh), it’s twice as expensive as the standard model, reflecting its unique character.
The ‘Monster Senna’ Bike
Named ‘Monster Senna’, this motorcycle pays tribute to the legendary racer on the 30th anniversary of his death. Unlike the standard model introduced in 2021, this bike features a new livery in yellow, green, and blue – colors inspired by Senna’s iconic helmet, which was a homage to the Brazilian flag. The production number of 341 bikes symbolizes Senna’s three championship wins in 1988, 1990, and 1991, and his 41 Formula One podium finishes.
Each bike will have a numbered plaque on the bars to highlight its uniqueness. Ducati has also added Senna logos to the tank and inscribed ‘Racing in my blood’ on the back of the bike. A rich blue saddle ties all these elements together.
Key Features
The Ducati Monster Senna comes with billet aluminum footrests, forged aluminum wheels, and carbon fiber silencers. It also features carbon fiber mudguards and lithium-ion batteries. These components collectively reduce the bike’s weight by about 4.5 kg compared to the standard model.
The bike is powered by the same two-cylinder Testastretta engine as the standard Ducati Monster, delivering 109 horsepower. It also features a Brembo brake system with yellow calipers to match the paintwork and a fully adjustable Ohlins suspension.
Previous Tributes
To mark the 20th anniversary of Senna’s death, Ducati produced 161 Panigale 1199 S Senna replicas in 2014 before the Monster Senna. Senna, a Ducati enthusiast, had a personal relationship with then-president Claudio Castiglioni. In 1990, he received an 851 SP as a reward for his racing achievements and owned one of the first red Monster 900S models released in 1993.