[Darren69]

Originally Posted by The Clockie

Darren,

I can see your argument re slipper clutches but would respectfully submit that the only reason to ride a 748 is to go like merry hell, banging gears in at great speed! I've dabbled very slightly with vee-twin sportsbikes but know they aren't my style at all, at least not on the roads around here, so am content to take time in making good manual gearchanges with clutch and throttle synchrony.

Which is not to say I wouldn't like to have a Ducati sportsbike in the garage to admire! I seriously test-rode an 888 a few months ago, meaning to invest a lot of money (for me) in a real classic Ducati, but I didn't gel with it at all. The S4R is much more me, especially after spinning the 'bars somewhat to give a flatter wrist angle. First time I've come across pegged brake and clutch levers: the cheek of manufacturers to try to dictate a rider's ergonomics!

Nick

Now then before we get into this; is the S4/R Monster actually a sport bike or not? Ducati called them Hypermonsters but I would argue that it is actually a thinly disguised sports bike although its not a race rep, but what you have essentially is an 888 derived frame and chassis, suspension and a 916 or 996 engine with a close ratio 748 gearbox. That's a sportbike with some pedigree if you ask me. OK so it's more sit up than the race rep bikes and with the standard setup they give it, it's a scary wheelie bound thing that is unsettled everywhere if you try to push it. But...

It's an 888 rolling chassis modified with a stiffer frame so if you dial the thing in and do a few mods it can really handle, ok so not in the 748/916 bracket but can be nearly as planted and stable mid corner just more comfortable. If I were doing another upgrade on mine iright now it would be the ST4S or S4R engine with the S4R gearbox. But for now it has more than enough grunt really, well more than a standard 916 actually. So I can only imagine the S4R is even more awesome?

So there is really two flavours to them. Hooligan wheelie thing that will scare the crap out of you or sweet handling sportbike that would give a 888 or 916 rider a surprise