Ducati 916 MONSTER S4 Foggy 2001 — Specifications

Three hundred units. Not one more. When Ducati decided to pair Carl Fogarty's name — four-time World Superbike Champion — with its Monster S4, the Borgo Panigale manufacturer knew it had a collector's coup on its hands. In 2001, getting hold of this exceptional roadster meant not only shelling out 18,000 euros, but also battling it out online on D-Day, June 20th, against an army of enthusiasts whose wallets burned as hot as the L-twin nestled in the steel trellis frame. A masterclass in organized frustration, much like what Ducati had already pulled off with the 996 R or the 900 MHe.

Beneath the red and white livery echoing the King's racing colors, the Foggy is far more than a simple commemorative badge. Carbon fiber invades the beast with a generosity rare for the era: front fender in Infostrada colors, rear cylinder air intake, sprocket cover, clutch cover, belly pan, and radiator surround. The latter deserves a closer look, as it comes directly from the 998 lineage. A logical choice when you consider that the 916 cc desmodromic L-twin produces 110 horsepower at 9,750 rpm — nine more than the standard Monster S4. Torque climbs to 91.2 Nm from just 7,000 rpm, enough to snap your neck with every twist of the throttle. That extra grunt comes courtesy of the exhaust kit. The two high-mounted silencers reshape the roadster's profile, making it more compact, more aggressive, while shaving nearly five kilograms off the scales. At 189 kg dry, the Foggy remains a machine that demands respect, but its power-to-weight ratio places it squarely above the pack of roadsters from its era.

The tubular steel trellis frame houses a 43 mm inverted fork and a monoshock offering 148 mm of travel — a setup calibrated for sporty use without descending into the harshness of a pure track weapon. Braking follows the same philosophy with two 320 mm discs clamped by four-piston calipers up front. Ducati also shortened the gear ratios and fitted a carbon and aluminum steering damper. The message is clear: this Monster is built for those who want to clip the curbs on Sunday without giving up the upright, commanding stance of a roadster during the week.

Up against an Aprilia Tuono or a first-generation KTM Super Duke, the S4 Foggy plays a different card. It doesn't chase raw power or radical minimalism. It bets on exclusivity, the mechanical refinement of the four-valve desmo, and a prestige that few nakeds could claim at the turn of the 2000s. Its manageable 803 mm seat height and 16-liter tank even make it viable for long rides, provided you accept the slightly forward-leaning position and the nervous surges of the Italian twin.

Then comes the thorny question: at 18,000 euros in 2001, the Foggy was aimed at collectors just as much as riders. Twenty-five years on, its market value only keeps climbing. For anyone seeking a piece of Ducati history, a roadster capable of hitting 240 km/h while bearing the signature of a Superbike legend, the Monster S4 Foggy is a ticket into a very exclusive club. Three hundred members, not one more.