2012 Ducati Monster 796 vs 2012 Kawasaki Z 1000

Full specifications comparison • 2 motorcycles

Comparing 2 motorcycles

Differences only

2012 Ducati Monster 796

Naked bike

Engine

Four stroke, 90° °L° twin cylinder, SOHC, desmodromic 2 valves per cylinder

Power

64 kW / 87 hp @ 8250 rpm

Top Speed

200.4 km/h / 124.5 mph

Weight

187 kg / 412 lbs

2012 Kawasaki Z 1000

Naked bike

Engine

In-line four, four-stroke

Power

101.5 kW / 138 hp @ 9600 rpm

Top Speed

239.7 km/h / 148.9 mph

Weight

643.9 pounds

Full Specifications

Differs Same

General
Year	2012	2012
Colours	-	Orange/black
Make Model	Ducati Monster 796	Kawasaki Z 1000
Warranty	-	12 months
Dimensions
Ground Clearance (in.)	-	9.3 inches
Ground Clearance (mm)	-	236 mm
Seat Height	800 mm / 31.5 in	815.3 mm / 32.1 in.
Wheelbase	1450 mm / 57.1in	1420 mm / 55.9 in
Ground Clearance	-	145 mm / 5.7 in
Height	-	1055 mm / 41.5 in
Length	-	2080 mm / 81.9 in
Width	-	770 mm / 30.3 in
Weights & Capacities
Dry Weight	167 kg - 369 lbs / 169 kg -373 lbs ABS version	198 kg / 436.5 lbs
Fuel Capacity	15 L / 4.0 USgal / 3.3 Imp gal (13.5 L / 3.6 US gal / 3.0 Imp gal ABS version)	18 Litres / 4.8 US gal
Wet Weight	187 kg / 412 lbs	221 kg / 487.2 lbs
Performance
Top Speed	200.4 km/h / 124.5 mph	239.7 km/h / 148.9 mph
Max Power	64 kW / 87 hp @ 8250 rpm	101.5 kW / 138 hp @ 9600 rpm
Max Torque	78.5 Nm / 8.0 kgf-m 58 lb-ft @ 6250rpm	110 Nm / 1.2 kg-fm @ 7800 rpm
Standing Start ¼ Mile	12.1 sec	11.1 sec
Engine
Engine Type	-	In-line four, four-stroke
Fuel Control	-	DOHC
Displacement	803 cc / 49.0 cu in	1043 cc / 63.7 cu-in
Engine Detail	Four stroke, 90° °L° twin cylinder, SOHC, desmodromic 2 valves per cylinder	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve per cylinder.
Fuel System	-	Injection. DFI with four 38mm Keihin throttle bodies, oval sub-throttles
Bore x Stroke	88 x 66 mm	77.0 x 56.0mm
Compression Ratio	11.0:1	11.8:1
Cooling System	Air cooled	Liquid cooled
Engine Oil Specification	-	Synthetic, 10W/40
Exhaust	Lightweight 2-1-2 system with catalytic converter with twin lambda probes	-
Fuel Consumption	5.2 L/100 km / 19.1 km/l . 45 US mpg / 54 Imp mpg	17.1 km/lit
Fuel Induction	Siemens electronic fuel injection, 45mm throttle body	DFIØ with four 38mm Keihin throttle bodies, oval sub-throttles
Ignition	Marelli electronic	TCBI with digital advance
Lubrication	-	Wet sump
Spark Plug	-	NGK, CR9EK
Starter	Electric	Electric
Valve System	-	4
Drivetrain
Clutch	APTC wet multiplate with hydraulic control	Wet, multiple discs, cable operated
Final Drive	Chain; front sprocket 15; rear sprocket 39	Chain
Gear Ratios	1st 32/13, 2nd 30/18, 3rd 28/21, 4th 26/23, 5th 22/22, 6th 24/26	1st 2.600 (39/15) 2nd 1.950 (39/20) 3rd 1.600 (24/15) 4th 1.389 (25/18) 5th 1.238 (26/21) 6th 1.136 (25/22)
Gearbox	-	6-speed
Primary Drive	Straight cut gears; ratio 1.85:1	X-Ring Chain
Transmission / Drive	6 Speed	6 Speed
Chassis
Frame Type	Tubular steel trellis	Type: Aluminum Backbone
Suspension - Front	Showa 43mm upside-down forks	41mm inverted cartridge fork with stepless compression and rebound damping, adjustable spring preload
Suspension - Rear	Progressive linkage with fully adjustable Sachs monoshock with piggy back aluminum swing arm	Horizontal monoshock with stepless rebound damping, adjustable spring preload
Rake	24°	25°
Trail	87mm / 3.42 in	102 mm / 4.0 in
Wheel Travel - Front	120 mm / 4.7 in	120 mm / 4.7 in
Wheel Travel - Rear	148 mm / 5.8 in	135 mm / 5.4 in
Electrical Systems
Instrumentation	Digital unit displaying: Speedometer, rev counter, clock, scheduled maintenance warning, oil temperature, trip fuel, lap time, warning light for low oil pressure, fuel level, fuel reserve, neutral, turn signals, overrev, immobilizer. Ready for DDA system.	-
Lighting system	-	30W x 2 halogen
Wheels & Brakes
Brakes - Rear Diameter (in.)	-	9.8 inches
Brakes - Front Diameter (in.)	-	11.8 inches
Brakes - Front Diameter (mm)	-	300 mm
Brakes - Rear Diameter (mm)	-	250 mm
Brakes - Front	2 x 320mm Discs, 4 piston calipers	2x 300mm 4 piston calipers
Brakes - Rear	Single 245 mm disc, 2 piston caliper	Single 292mm disc 2 piston caliper
Tyres - Front	120/70 -ZR17	120/70 R17
Tyres - Rear	160/55 -ZR17	190/50 R17

Verdict

Winner on specs

2012 Ducati Monster 796

The 2012 Ducati Monster 796 edges out the 2012 Kawasaki Z 1000 thanks to its lighter kerb weight, fuel injection, dual front discs and higher rear wheel travel. Specifications are one part of the picture - dealer support, parts availability, and intended use all matter too.

Key Differences

2012 Ducati Monster 796 - Advantages

Lighter: 187 kg vs 221 kg - easier to handle and less fatiguing on long trips.
Fuel injection: Precise fuelling, better cold-start reliability, and lower maintenance requirements.
Dual front discs: Greater stopping power and better heat management under hard braking.
More rear wheel travel: 148 mm vs 135 mm - absorbs bigger hits and rough terrain better.

2012 Kawasaki Z 1000 - Advantages

Larger fuel tank: More range between stops - an advantage on touring routes and remote roads.
Liquid cooling: Consistent engine temperature in stop-start traffic and hot climates.
Larger displacement: 1043 cc vs 803 cc - more cubic capacity means broader torque delivery and greater low-end pull.

2012 Ducati Monster 796 vs 2012 Kawasaki Z 1000 - FAQs

What are the engine differences between the 2012 Ducati Monster 796 and 2012 Kawasaki Z 1000?

The 2012 Ducati Monster 796 uses Four stroke, 90° °L° twin cylinder, SOHC, desmodromic 2 valves per cylinder, while the 2012 Kawasaki Z 1000 is powered by In-line four, four-stroke.

Which is lighter, the 2012 Ducati Monster 796 or the 2012 Kawasaki Z 1000?

The 2012 Ducati Monster 796 is lighter at 187 kg compared to 221 kg for the 2012 Kawasaki Z 1000 - a difference of 34 kg. This is a meaningful difference that affects handling and rider fatigue.

Which has the larger fuel tank, the 2012 Ducati Monster 796 or the 2012 Kawasaki Z 1000?

The 2012 Kawasaki Z 1000 has the larger tank at approximately 18 litres vs 15 litres for the 2012 Ducati Monster 796. At 5-6 l/100 km that is roughly 300-360 km vs 250-300 km between stops.

Which should I buy, the 2012 Ducati Monster 796 or the 2012 Kawasaki Z 1000?

Both are strong choices. The 2012 Ducati Monster 796 has the edge in lighter kerb weight and fuel injection, while the 2012 Kawasaki Z 1000 stands out for larger fuel tank and liquid cooling. Visit dealers, arrange test rides, and factor in local parts and service costs - these often matter as much as the spec sheet.

Related Comparisons

All Ducati Monster 796 years All Kawasaki Z 1000 years

Build your own comparison →