So last weekend I finally got my hands dirty with that Ducati Monster S4R in Mike’s garage. Been itching to try this beast forever. Let me walk you through what went down when I dug into its guts.
First Contact with the Beast
Rolled up to Mike’s place at 8 AM sharp carrying my toolbox. That S4R was just sitting there covered in dust but man, you could feel the attitude. Started by yanking off the seat – felt like opening a soda can that’s been shook up. First shocker? That massive airbox staring right at me. Bigger than my toaster oven I swear. Mike goes “Yeah that’s Ducati’s air choke system thingy” while I’m wiping off spiderwebs.
The Three Things That Blew My Mind:
- That Chunky Airbox: Seriously looks like they welded a lunchbox under the tank. Hooked up my pressure gauge – thing sucks air like a vacuum cleaner. Explains why the engine sounds like it’s gargling rocks when you rev it. Way more raw than my Suzuki’s setup.
- Brembo Brakes from Hell: Took the front wheel off and nearly dropped the caliper. These bronze monsters weigh a ton! Scraped off old brake gunk with my pocketknife. Test-squeezed the lever later – my fingers went numb for ten minutes. Overkill? Maybe. Awesome? Absolutely.
- Trellis Frame Surprise: Got grease all over my hoodie crawling under the bike. The frame’s welded joints look like my first grade art project – messy but solid. Poked around the steering head with a flashlight. Found three different weld patterns! Classic Italian “get it done” engineering.
What Actually Happened
Tried starting it cold around noon. Dead battery – classic Ducati moment. Jumped it off my truck. When it finally roared to life, the whole garage shook so hard a wrench fell off the wall. Took it down the block and instantly understood two things: First, the engine wants to rip your arms off even at 4,000 rpm. Second, you better squeeze those monster brakes early because this thing doesn’t wanna stop.
Got back covered in chain lube splatter. Mike’s neighbor yelled about the noise – guy’s lawn gnome toppled over when I revved it. Totally worth it.
Final Reality Check
Now I see why people either worship or hate these bikes. That raw V-twin literally makes your teeth vibrate at stoplights. The frame feels alive under you – not numb like modern bikes. But holy hell parts are expensive! Mike showed me the receipt for those Brembos – cost more than my first car.
Would I daily this beast? Hell no. My spine still hurts from the test ride. But grinning like an idiot the whole time? Priceless. Some bikes polish you – this one chews you up and spits you out grinning. Left Mike’s place smelling like gasoline and pure Italian madness.
