Ducati Monster S 4 2002 — Specifications

Does a roadster absolutely have to be polished to be seductive? In 2002, Ducati answered no with the Monster S4, a machine that fully embraces its wild and demanding side. Here, no Japanese compromises, no artificial suppleness: we take the four-valve engine from the 916, we slip it into a reinforced trellis frame from the ST4, and we let the raw character express itself. With its 101 horsepower at 8750 rpm and 91.2 Nm of torque, this L-twin does not joke around. Below 3000 rpm, it growls and pounds, but once in its powerband, between 3000 and 6000 rpm, it becomes electric. The slightest throttle input results in a frank push, a surprising surge for the time, and a hoarse sound that grabs you by the gut. Faced with it, a classic Monster 900 looks like a domesticated animal.

This mechanical fury demands a frame to match. The chassis, rigid and precise, is designed for winding roads. The 43 mm inverted fork and the single shock absorber are firmly set, very firmly indeed. They communicate remarkable clarity in corners, but transform the slightest road imperfection into a whack in the back. Comfort is clearly not on the agenda, and the thin seat quickly reminds you of it. The same goes for the steering: with a more open steering head angle and its 207 kg when fully fueled, it requires a firm hand to be leaned. It's not the most intuitive bike in the city; it much prefers curves where its stability and exemplary braking – two 320 mm discs at the front – inspire absolute confidence.

So, who is this beast for? Certainly not a beginner or a touring rider seeking gentleness. The Monster S4 is a machine for purists, for those who seek in a roadster the soul and the demands of a sportbike, without the fairing. It rewards commitment with superb riding precision and raw sensations. At the time, its price of 11,750 euros positioned it as the secret weapon of connoisseurs, a characterful alternative to more refined Japanese roadsters. Today, it remains a cult object: a concentrate of fascinating, sometimes exasperating, but terribly intoxicating mechanics. A simple turn of the key, and everything is forgiven.