Ducati Monster S 4 2001 — Specifications

Do you remember that era when roadsters were still wild beasts, before electronics came to smooth everything out? In 2001, Ducati made a radical move: grafting the beating heart of the 916, that legendary 916 cm3 V2, into the bare frame of the Monster. The result, the Monster S4, isn’t a motorcycle; it’s a declaration of war against compromise. With its 101 horsepower roaring at 8750 rpm and its meaty torque of 92 Nm, it swept away the gentle Monster 900 of the time with a twist of the wrist. We were in a different league, much closer to a pure sportbike.

Visually, the message is clear. The large engine, with its four valves per cylinder, seems to want to escape from the trellis frame, inherited from the ST4 for increased rigidity. The red wheels, borrowed from the 916, and the carbon fiber accents complete its look as a bomb ready to explode. But be warned, this Italian doesn't give herself up easily. Forget the suppleness of a Japanese bike: below 3000 rpm, the engine sputters, before delivering a seismic wave of torque between 3000 and 6000 rpm. The slightest twist of the wrist becomes an event. The clutch is heavy, the seat is hard, and the track-tuned suspension transmits every imperfection of the road to you with brutal honesty. This isn't a machine for fragile backs or delicate hands.

On the road, the S4 demands grip and commitment. Its handling isn’t instinctive; with its 207 kg when fully fueled and a more open steering angle, it requires effort to change direction, much more than its little sister. But once you’ve put it on its line, once you attack a corner with conviction, it reveals a surgical precision. The braking system, signed Brembo with its two 320 mm discs, is of an absolutely exemplary power and bite, capable of calming this ardor in an instant. It’s a motorcycle that rewards boldness and punishes weakness. It doesn't forgive, but it gives everything.

So, who is this seductive vixen for? Clearly not for a beginner, nor for the touring rider seeking comfort. The Monster S4 is for the pure and hard enthusiast, for those who seek in a naked bike the raw sensations of a 2000s sportbike, with that V2 sound that grabs you by the gut and this unfiltered riding rigor. At the time, at nearly 12,000 euros, it mocked more polished roadsters. Today, it’s an icon, a brutal reminder that before being intelligent, motorcycles had to be above all charismatic and demanding. A simple turn of the key, and you understand why.