In the early 1990s, Ducati was sitting on an enormous number of unused engines and frames. Looking for a way to move these unwanted units, the company tapped Miguel Galluzzi to turn these surplus components into a new machine. So, the Buenos Aires-born moto designer took the 900SS engine, stuffed it into the 888 superbike’s frame, fitted it with a new tank, roadster tail, and a circular headlight, and thus the legendary Ducati Monster was born. Now recognized as one of Ducati’s all-time best models, this parts-bin special is now celebrating three decades in production — an occasion the Bologna brand is marking via the release of the Ducati Monster 30° Anniversario — or 30th Anniversary Edition. 

Based on the new Monster platform that Ducati first unveiled back in late 2020, the Ducati Monster 30° Anniversario comes cloaked in a special Tricolor 30th Anniversary livery, plus features a seat embellished with an embroidered 30-year logo, and a 4.3″ color TFT  display with a unique 30th Anniversary Edition startup animation. At the heart of the bike is Ducati’s 937cc Testastretta L-Twin engine, which is good for 111hp and  68.7ft-lbs of torque — at 9,250 and 6,500rpm, respectively. In typical Ducti fashion, this top-of-the-line limited edition model comes loaded with a full suite of electronic rider aids that includes traction control, launch control, multiple ride modes, wheelie control, and cornering ABS, just to name a few. 

This new Monster variant also rides on a brand new set of forged wheels. Finished in gold, these rims reduce unsprung weight by 4.1 lbs. What’s more, in addition to top-shelf Brembo Stylema calipers, this Anniversary Edition model also features fully-adjustable Öhlins suspension front and rear that includes an  Öhlins NIX30 fork that’s 1.3lbs lighter than the Monster and Monster +’s front-end. Add in the 30th Anniversary Edition’s lightened GFRP subframe, carbon fenders, and Li-Ion battery, and you get an ultra-svelte 405.7 lbs curb weight — making this the lightest full-sized Monster ever made. It doesn’t end there, however, as a carbon-tipped stacked dual Termignoni slip-on exhaust, a steering damper, a mono-post seat cowl, and a bi-directional quick-shifter all come as standard equipment, as well. Lastly, each unit is also sold with a special plate denoting its limited production number, plus a special 30th Anniversary Edition bike cover, and a certificate of authenticity. 

Limited to just 500 units worldwide — only 100 of which have been earmarked for the North American market — the 2024 Ducati Monster 30th Anniversario Edition is slated to hit dealerships in the first quarter of next year, with pricing set at $18,595.