Detail pics: Ducati Monster 1100 Evo

Most of the fine detailing on the new Monster 1100 Evo is beautiful, right down to the Ducati logos printed in tiny type on the cables, the exquisite cable guides and the lustre of the alloy castings and deep red paint finish.

I couldn't help but notice, the lock-stops, though.

Just a piece of threaded 8mm bar with a flanged lock-nut, the threaded end of which had already battered the paint off the frame from just a couple of full-lock turns and just a few hundred miles To give them the benefit of the doubt, these may have been pre-production prototype bikes we were riding. The bikes in your dealer's showrooms may be different. I hope so. 

The two-valve, air cooled, L-twin (Ducati's phrase, not mine) may be knocking on a bit but there's no denying its beauty, is there? It's also vibration free (perfect primary and secondary balance factors), simple to work on, symmetrical, strong and slim and extremely well developed.

What more do you want from a road bike engine?