Ducati ST 4 S 2005 — Specifications

We remember the era when Ducati, seeking to conquer the market for sporty touring bikes, lined up its ST models like elite soldiers. The ST4 S of 2005 was its standard-bearer, a compromise machine with long fangs. Imagine a 996 cm³ engine, the mythical L-twin from the 916, housed in a trellis frame adorned with touring fairings. With 121 horsepower at 8750 rpm and a torque of 103 Nm, the figures speak for themselves: this is far from a docile touring bike. This engine, less flexible than the 1000 DS of the ST3, requires commitment. You have to make it sing above 5000 rpm, where it releases its true nature, somewhat brutal, but terribly exciting.

The chassis is designed for pure performance. A 43 mm inverted fork and a single Öhlins shock absorber, both adjustable, offer a 130 mm stroke. The braking system, with its double 320 mm front discs pinched by four-piston calipers, offers biting efficiency, although it lacks ABS. At a standstill, the machine weighs 233 kg fully fueled, a mass that is felt in slow maneuvers, but which dissipates once underway. The 21-liter tank and 820 mm seat promise autonomy and relative accessibility, but don't be fooled: this machine is not just a tourer.

Compared to the ST3, which is more affordable and versatile with its crankshaft offset engine, the ST4 S is clearly positioned for the experienced rider who wants to concede nothing to pure sport on winding roads. Faced with a competitor like the Honda VFR800 of the time, which is smoother and more reliable, Ducati plays the card of raw emotion and character. It is less easy to live with, more demanding, but provides a sensory reward that the Japanese cannot offer. Its rigidity and precision in corners are exemplary, although its fiery engine requires careful throttle management.

The target audience? The confirmed sporty touring rider, the one who covers long distances on the highway to go and tease the mountain passes, and who accepts a certain temperament in exchange for a unique mechanical connection. At more than 13000 euros at the time, it was not cheap, but justified its price with careful finishing and high-end components. Today, it represents a character proposition in the world of touring bikes, a bold compromise between travel and the track, which refuses to blend in. It is a machine that does not forgive, but which, once tamed, provides a thrill that few of its contemporaries can equal.