2016 Ducati Monster 1200 R

From race track to daily commutes: that's the domain of the most powerful Ducati naked of all time, the Monster 1200 R, which has just been unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The twin-seat Monster 1200 R adds another towering figure into the one-litre plus naked bike segment, and certainly packs a punch. It's powered by the marque's Euro 4-homologated Testastretta 11° DS 1198cc V-twin, producing 160hp at 9250rpm and 131Nm at 7750rpm — 10 per cent more power and 5.5 per cent more torque than the current Monster 1200 S. By way of comparison, Aprilia's recently launched Tuono 1100 V4 produces 172hp and 121Nm.

The Monster's engine is full ride-by-wire, offering three riding modes (Sport, Touring and Urban), and gasses are expelled by an exhaust with pentagonal-section twin silencers.Anti-lock braking and traction control are also standard, while the R is lighter than the current Monster 1200 S thanks to the new tailpiece, forged wheels and carbon fibre components. Dry weight is 180kg and kerb mass is 207kg.

The tail and front section are newly deigned to "confirm the sporting credentials of this new version of the Monster". The R has Ohlins suspension, working its way down to Brembo monobloc calipers and the three-spoke forged alloy wheels with sticky Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa rubber — 120/70-17 at the front and 200/55-17 at the rear.

Rake and trail of 24 degrees and 89mm respectively should be ideal grist for the sharp-cornering mill, combined with a 1509mm wheelbase. The seat height is 830mm, and the fuel tank holds 17.5 litres. The frame is signature Ducati tubular steel trellis.

The Monster 1200 R, complete with a colour TFT instrumentation display, will stay on public display at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week before heading to Milan's EICMA motorcycle show in November.

It will go on sale "early in 2016" but Ducati Australia is yet to announce a firm date. It will available in red or black, with the nose fairing and radiator trim engraved with an "R" logo.