|
||
Ducati Monster S4Rs world launch Let's face it, the Ducati Monster SR4s is a superbike in all but name – only the fairing is missing. All the grunt of the desmodromic Testastretta engine and the legendary handling of Ducati's racing trellis frame are still there.
But there are also lots of eye-catching racing components, starting with 999 front suspension and Y-spoked superbike wheels. Ducati Corse also contributed a number of smaller parts that might not be noticed under a full fairing but stick out like the proverbial painful digit on this naked bike.
The adjuster ring on the rear monoshock is now made from a plastic/carbon fibre mix for easier adjustment and reduced weight – the rear shock weighs only 2690g, 580g lighter than that of the S4R. As on the World Superbikes the rear ride height can be adjusted independently of the suspension settings. The rear wheel is a five-spoked design by Marchesini, 1.3kg lighter than the one on the S4R while the front rim, also by Marchesini, comes straight off the 999S. The brakes are Brembo's class-leading radial-mount callipers with the Brembo logo milled into the body and filled with red paint – just like on the GP6 MotoGP machines. The 320mm semi-floating discs are mounted on aluminium alloy carriers. The rear brake, also by Brembo, has a 245mm disc with a twin-pot opposed piston calliper. Vertically stacked tailpipes The S4Rs has a special pre-silencer under the engine with a three-way catalytic converter and lambda sensor, leading to two compact, vertically stacked tailpipes mounted high on the right with carbon fibre shields on the top silencer and the secondary collector pipes to protect the rider's feet. The diameter of the primary down pipes and secondary collectors has been increased 5mm to 45mm and the exhaust gas path has also been revised; Ducati says the bike's emissions are within the limits imposed by Euro 3 legislation. The electrical system of the Monster S4Rs has been completely revised to eliminate all visible cables for a clean, uncluttered look and provide easy access. The key components, such as the electronic control unit, battery, fuses and relays are located above the rear cylinder head and are accessed by simply lifting the tank. Lighting the fire Feeding and lighting the fire are taken care of by a Magneti Marelli 5AM electronic control unit with hybrid electronic circuits on multistrate ceramic surfaces and a high level of integration. The 5AM has a flash Eprom to allow operating parameters to be reprogrammed repeatedly during development and tuning; the unit also houses the power circuits for the ignition coils and for the two IWP189 12-hole injectors (one per cylinder) as used on WSB race machines to provide superior fuel spray atomising. The idle speed regulator has a horizontal slider, moved by a lead nut and screw on a stepper motor to maintain a smooth and regular idle even when the fuel-injection's mechanical components become worn. The throttle body no longer needs a cold starting device (choke to you, Cyril), which in turn means a far simpler butterfly valve control system. Engine The 998cc Testastressa L-twin needs little introduction, having won several World Superbike championships in the F-series factory racing machines. It gets its name from to the configuration of the cylinder head, which minimises the angle between the valves. The "narrow head" design creates a compact, cleaner and therefore more efficient combustion chamber while the flat pistons crowns produce a smooth and linear flame front. The S4Rs uses the "low sump" version of the Testastretta engine – the only difference is that the sump on the production engine is die cast as opposed to the sand cast sump on the race bike. Special sump The special shape of the sump ensures that the oil pump remains submerged in oil even at the most extreme angles (read wheelies). The rear of the engine casings has been redesigned to accept the single sided swing-arm, there are new carbon fibre cambelt covers and the cam covers are smaller, each secured by only four screws. The fuel-injection has also been revised with new 50mm throttle bodies, brackets, linkages and pulleys, along with new 12-hole IW189 injectors and a stepper motor for automatic idling speed control. Ducati quotes 97.5kW at 9500 rpm, with torque peaking at 103.9Nm at 7500 rpm. Style and finish The carbon fibre front mudguard, radiator guards, timing belt covers, side panels and exhaust system heat shields have been designed specially for the S4Rs; there's also a new logo exclusive to this model, applied on the top of the tank, the new instrument panel graphics and on the aluminium inserts of the side panels. The new Monster S4Rs is available in pearl white with red stripe, red frame and white wheels, traditional Ducati red with white stripe, red frame and black wheels or gloss black with light grey stripe black frame and black wheels. Additional Resources: |
