Ducati ST 4 S 2001 — Specifications

Who would have bet, at the turn of the 2000s, that Ducati would dare to graft the feverish heart of its 996 Superbike into the civil frame of a touring machine? Yet, that is the bold, almost transgressive, gamble of the ST4 S. Externally, it plays twins with the standard ST4, contenting itself with subtle details such as redesigned controls. You have to make it roar to understand the deception. Where a classic touring machine offers decorum, Ducati installs the controlled fury of a 996 cm3 Desmo V2, releasing 117 horsepower at 8750 rpm. The character is radically different: you leave the polite world of touring to enter the arena of large-format sportbikes.

The magic operates from the first few turns of the wheel. The torque, generous at 98 Nm, manifests itself vigorously from 4000 rpm, propelling the 239 kg all fueled up with an authority that few competitors of the time, such as the Honda VFR800, more fluid, or the BMW R1100S, more sluggish, could equal. This engine is not an accessory; it is the reason for being of the motorcycle. It imposes an engaged riding style, encouraging you to play with the six-speed gearbox to stay within its vital zone, between 5000 and 9000 rpm. On a winding road, it is a delight, a precision mechanism that transforms each turn into a stylistic exercise.

The frame, with its traditional tubular trellis, is up to the task of this explosive engine. The 43 mm inverted fork and, above all, the adjustable Öhlins rear shock offer impeccable handling, rigorous without being punitive. The braking, with double discs at the front, has an exemplary bite, worthy of a pure sports bike. This is where the compromise is revealed, or rather, where the shoe pinches a little. With a seat at 820 mm and a considerable weight, the ST4 S is not the easiest in the city. Its 21-liter tank and relative comfort make it a demanding long-distance companion, reserved for an active rider who prioritizes the thrill of the curve over tranquil wandering.

Ultimately, the 2001 Ducati ST4 S is a motorcycle with a double face. It dons the costume of a touring machine to better hide the soul of a sports bike. Its price, 14,200 euros at the time, clearly placed it in the high-end segment. It is not a machine for beginners, nor for those seeking absolute smoothness. It is the ideal mount of the sporty globetrotter, the demanding epicurean who wants to travel hundreds of kilometers without ever giving up the raw pleasure of an exceptional mechanism. It proved that sports touring could have circuit thrills, a lesson that Ducati has never forgotten.