Tough job keeping the top dog on top, having to finagle the latest edition superbike engine into a naked platform. With the 998 cc Testastretta aboard, the S4RS is the supermodel that held the showroom door for thousands of Monster 696 shoppers. The S4RS made room for most of the premium 999 components, some modified just for the mission.
2007 Ducati Monster S4RS for sale on eBay
With 130 narrowhead hp on tap, the S4RS goes well under 11 seconds in the 1/4 mile, with a theoretical 153 mph top speed, well above any kind of naked sensibility. The generally red trellis frame allows the sub-systems easy access, the cooling system and oil radiator plumbing exposed but neatly done. The engine cases and covers have been trimmed to allow for the Monster’s single-sided swingarm, and Öhlins provide the monoshock and 43mm forks. Brakes are lifted from the 999, radially mounted fronts of 320mm, with 245mm rear. 17-inch forged Marchesini alloys are sized for 120 and 180mm width tires. Seating for one, though the long reach over the wide racing stripe is like sitting back on a biposto.
Apparently the hack around bike at a Honda CBX specialty shop, this S4RS has low miles, just a few upgrades and looks good. An Arrow system has replaced the factory dual exhaust and catalyst. ASV levers and some space-age Rizoma reservoirs update the controls. The fuel tank was replaced under a factory recall. The previous owner’s scrape on the water pump cover and radiator guard could be easily remedied. From the eBay auction:
as you ducati monster gurus are aware this is the fastest most powerful monster ever built–it is a 998 cc watercooled 4 valve beast–it is in excellent condition and runs great–we recently did a full service on it less than 500 miles ago with new timing belts and complete valve adjustment–it has a complete arrow exhaust system with a reflashed ecu from rexxer for the arrow system , the renowned ecu tuners in the us –it has like new bridgestone bt 016 tires on it and a new chain as also–lots of carbon fiber , rizoma clutch and brake reservoirs and handlebars, battery tender lead,it has ohlins rear shock and front forks and brembo radial calipers on marchesini wheels,cox radiator and oil cooler custom grill covers,ducati gear bag,carbon ducati tank protector,asv adjustable levers and included is the code card,red key, extra black key and both the owners and service manual–we have owned this bike for several years and have always taken immaculate care of it as we do all our bikes–the only flaw on the bike is the radiator line return cover on the motor has a scuff on it( see picture) but this happened b/4 we bought it and doesn’t interfere with performance, just a cosmetic boo boo–also the tank was replaced by ducati a few years back due to the ethanol issue that all plastic duc tanks had during this time period.
With journalists still reeling from the S4R, tests of the -S showed the naked bike to have too much of a lot of good things – handling, power, braking, and of course MSRP. The reserve seems sensible and bidding has opened. And while not a garage queen, this S4RS appears an easy return to super-nice shape. Too much fun for touring or actual sport riding, the S4RS is pretty much the pinnacle of Monster development in the bikina-faired / pre-traction control era, and as Motorcyclist magazine reviewed, a Monster that lives up to the name.
-donn
Always liked these, only thing better was if it was a Tricolore.
Nope. Monsters don’t need water.
The Ducatisti out there can correct me…but Ducati has NOT fixed the ethanol fuel tank issue correct? They were just giving owners affected a new tank that would ultimately have the same issue IIRC.
Yes, you are correct…it will be a reoccurring problem. As a wise man once said, “They can send a man to the moon, but Italians can’t build a reliable ethanol fuel tank.”
Here’s a good explanation of the plastic tank situation: (scroll down to last comment)
http://www.ducatimonster.org/forums/general-monster-forum/226097-plastic-tank-california-completely-avoid.html
I have an ’08 Monster 695 (CA) with the nylon tank and don’t have a problem – yet. I’ve spent some time looking, but can’t find that this problem is entirely a thing of the past. But there are fixes and preventatives. I didn’t know about this issue when I bought mine a year ago – had I known about it, and another couple of minor quirks, I might have passed, or made a lower offer. But now I’m smitten and it’s too late.