Introduced in 1993, the Ducati Monster is, indeed, a “monster”: with super performance and a naked-bike form that permits a great amount of customization. By the time Italian manufacturer Ducati unleashed the standard motorcycle for the 2004 model year, the Monster had grown into multiple models, which included a superbike called the SR4.
Each 2004 Ducati Monster is powered by a four-stroke liquid-cooled desmodromic L-twin (two-cylinder) engine, which is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. All-wheel disc brakes go on the 17-inch aluminum wheels for enhanced braking, providing better performance than the traditional front-disc-brake rear-drum-brake set-up on most motorcycles.
The 2004 Ducati Monster is split into models depending on engine displacement: 618 cubic centimeters (cc) for the Monster 620 (together with its black-colored version, Monster 620 Dark); 803 cc for the Monster 800; and 992 cc for the Monster 1000, its more sports-oriented Monster 1000S version and the top-of-the-line SR4.
For the best performance from the 2004 Ducati Monster, the S4R is the top choice. The engine on this variant--which Ducati had introduced in 2001--generates 113 horsepower and 70 pounds-feet (lb-ft) of torque. The aforementioned numbers supersede the 620‘s 60 horsepower and 39 lb-ft of torque, the 800‘s 73 horsepower and 51 lb-ft of torque and the 1000‘s 84 horsepower and 62 lb-ft of torque. Also, the S4R has twice the number of intake valves, which contribute to greater power.
The comparatively small amount of plastic that covers the 2004 Ducati Monster is colored black, silver or yellow. Its steel frame, coupled with its “nakedness,” gives the 2004 Monster a sturdy and imposing feel and look. Digital instrumentation at the front consists of a clock, tachometer, trip odometer, speedometer, and temperature and fuel level warning lights. Other standard features on the Monster include halogen headlight for lighting, rearview mirrors for enhanced visibility and engine immobilizer for bike protection. Ducati adds adjustable levers and tinted windshield on the Monster 1000-series and the SR4.
The 2004 Ducati Monster measures approximately 70 inches in length, around 31 inches in width and up to 45 inches in height. The wheelbase for each bike is 56.7 inches. The weight of the ‘04 Monster goes up with the engine displacement: 390 lbs. for the 620-series, 394 lbs. for the 800, 416 lbs. for the 1000-series and 425 lbs. for the S4R.
For a standard bike, the 2004 Ducati Monster gives more bang for the buck. The S4R, in particular, is the most coveted model, with a maximization of some of the major features that make the ‘04 Monster a great bike.