Ducati, with some justification, believes it invented the modern naked bike category when it introduced the first Monster over a decade ago. This category has exploded, with both European manufacturers and Japanese manufacturers throwing some serious technology at the sector.
We have been wondering when Ducati might get tired of being left behind in the horsepower department by rival manufacturers who have created their own “Monsters”. The Monster S4R pictured here is Ducati’s response to this challenge.
Described as an “enormous step up” from the S4 version — which represented the ultimate Monster during the past two years — the S4R has several new features, including an engine straight out of Ducati’s 996 Superbike.
The most striking feature (never before seen in the Monster family) is the use of a single-sided swingarm, the design of which was inspired by the Mike Hailwood replica introduced a couple of years ago in very limited numbers.
Other new features include a newly-designed instrument panel, a stylish, high two-into-one-into-two muffler system, new Showa fully-adjustable suspension (the fork sliders are coated with titanium nitride), and a traditional aluminum handlebar (as opposed to clip-ons).
Weighing just 423 pounds wet (with no fuel), the S4R will also be one of the lightest production nakeds. We currently do not have information regarding price or date of availability.
