Now, if you’re an Italian manufacturer building a motorcycle for Asia, it makes sense to build the bike ground up keeping in mind the conditions and characteristics of the target audience. Like the height of the rider, for example. The average height of an Italian male is about 5 ft 9 inches, while that of a Chinese and Indian bloke is 5 ft 7 inches and 5 ft 5 inches respectively. With that in mind, Ducati has reduced the seat height of the 795, as compared to the 796’s 800 mm, by a whole 30 mm. This will make many riders, who are short of inseam, very happy for they can now get both feet down instead of tiptoeing at every red light.

Yet another reason to look forward to red lights is the attention that you are bound to get while aboard the 795. It might be cheaper (priced at ` 5.99 ex-showroom, India) than the 796, but it is every bit a Ducati and more so, a Monster to the core. From the sexy trellis frame on display to the chunky front forks with that intimidating headlight perched above, the 795 is menacing yet awe-inspiring to look at. Two fat pipes emerge from below the rear seat, ensuring that you make a lasting impression on the already gobsmacked onlookers as you lay that blackie the second the light turns green. The bloke who coined the phrase ‘the first impression is the last impression’ probably rode a Monster.

But to ride a Monster, you have to first swing your legs over it. Once you do, the forward tilted seat instantly snaps you into place, slightly forward crouched with a hint of rear set pegs. The handle bar, now 20 mm higher thanks to those risers, is flat and wide, just the thing to give you that added leverage to tug the meaty front tyre in the direction you desire. Although the riding position should be perfect for most people, a person of my height (6 ft) and beyond might have an issue.

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