2004 Ducati Monster S4R – Classified of the Week

As far as motorcycles go, Ducati is up there as one of the most desirable names in the business. Regarded by many as the Ferrari of motorbikes, the Italian firm has been producing gorgeous two-wheeled machinery since the 1940s. In reality, nowadays Ducati is actually owned by Lamborghini, whose parent company is Audi and if you combine the exotic performance flare of Lambos with the engineering mastery of Audi then you get something pretty special and modern Ducatis are a force to be reckoned with. Drop dead gorgeous with incredible levels of performance and technical wizardry they’re popular for a reason, but what about older models, like this modern classic Monster S4R from 2004 for instance?

In the world of classic Ducati legends, alongside the likes of the 750 GT, 851 and 916 to name but three, the Monster is arguably one of the best known. Considered by many to be the very first ‘naked’ sportsbike, the Monster, unveiled in ’93, was an incredibly important bike for Ducati and would go on to influence a slew of similar bikes from rival manufacturers. It remains an incredibly popular style to this day but despite its genre-defining design, the original Monster wasn’t exactly cutting edge.

Designed by Miguel Angel Galluzzi as an exercise in minimalism the original Monster was conceived as an aggressive but eminently ride-able muscle bike for the style-concious rider – a bike that would break the mould but still be recognisably a Ducati. The trouble is, there wasn’t really a budget for it. This then meant that the Monster was put together with parts pilfered from other Ducati bikes rather than engineered from the ground up.

The original 1993 M900 featured the Ducati 851’s trellis frame that housed the V-Twin 904cc 73bhp engine from the Supersport with suspension courtesy of the 750. The Monster then was a bit of a budget bike built from bits but whatever parts were used to put the thing togehter didn’t dampen its popularity and it sold like the hottest of cakes and remains one of Ducati’s most significant models.

Definitely a case of style over substance then, but the initial idea was an absolute blinder and so buoyed by the public’s positive reaction the guys at Ducati developed the Monster over the coming years, building upon that wave of enthusiasm, but this time using grade-A parts. As the 2000s rolled around Ducati would improve the Monster by firstly adding fuel injection and then subsequently sticking in its 916cc four-valve Superbike engine, along with introducing better Brembo disc brakes and beefier Showa inverted forks for the S4 model.

The range-topping S4R arrived in 2003, now with the even larger displacement 996cc engine, twin high side pipes and a sexy single-sided swingarm. It was a bit of a hooligan and with 113bhp it was the most powerful naked bike ever produced by Ducati. Today it represents as a visceral, old school ride and that’s exactly what we have available here via our good friends at Duke of London, the family-run classic and supercar hub in West London, albeit one that’s had a bit of work done. Just look at it!

An achingly good looking bike this 2004 Ducati Monster S4R has been heavily modified from standard and features some choice upgrades. Taking Ducati Monster’s ethos of simplified design and running with it, this particular bike has been further stripped of anything that isn’t absolutely necessary. It really is a case of less is more here. Those aforementioned twin high rise exhausts have been removed in favour of a much subtler QD system that cuts off ahead of the rear wheel. Mounted lower down than the original it not only lowers the bike’s centre of gravity but it also emits a wonderful growl, befitting of the bike’s beastly epithet.

With a heavy focus on café racer aesthetics the rear of the Ducati has been modified and fitted with a tasty Jainsco seat that compliments the bike’s new low slung clip on bars, creating a much more streamlined look and aggressive riding position, something that is further bolstered by the non-factory standard headlight and bar-end indicators.

Make no mistake though, it’s not just the bike’s looks that have been fettled with. The handling has also been improved with the addition of a fully adjustable Ohlins rear damper, fully overhauled front forks care of Brook Suspension and a pair of Pirelli Diablo tyres.

It may not be one for the purists but this is one seriously cool bike so if you’re looking for something a little different that still retains all of the excellent characteristics that made the Monster S4R such a good bike then this is definitely for you. The Monster is still being made today, testament to its enduring popularity, but as great as these brand new models are, we’d much rather be riding this S4R.