Ducati Monster S4RS Testastretta Receives a Rad Overhaul, Becomes “Ristretto”

Brazil's SP Corse is a reputed workshop located in the culturally enriched neighborhood of Vila Madalena, Sao Paolo. After a brief involvement in motorsports, the company's areas of expertise have been narrowed down to customizing and restoring Ducati's mechanical stallions as of 2016. Since then, we've seen a plethora of unique masterpieces come to life on their premises, the latest of which has managed to capture our full attention.

The project in question (dubbed "Ristretto") has been commissioned by a former racer and the chosen donor was a 2007 variant of Bologna's Monster S4RS Testastretta family. If you ask me, this couldn't be more appropriate for a fellow who is used to riding fast machines. The bike's liquid-cooled 998cc L-twin powerplant is good for up to 130 feral ponies and 77 pound-feet (104 Nm) of twist at optimal rpm, so that's certainly a good start.

Furthermore, the engine boasts a compression ratio of 11.4:1 and four desmodromic valves per cylinder. Its sheer force enables the Italian brute to run the quarter-mile distance in 11.3 seconds as it accelerates to a generous top speed of 153 mph (246 kph). SP Corse's work began in the bodywork department, where they removed the standard garments to make room for an aluminum tail section topped with a cross-stitched Alcantara saddle, as well as a fiberglass fuel tank resembling that of a SportClassic.

The slim tail rests on a custom subframe, which is also home to a fresh lithium-ion battery. At the front end, you will spot a CNC-machined top clamp, aftermarket clip-ons and a Hyperpro steering damper. The cockpit flaunts new switches, bar-end mirrors and a digital Motogadget gauge that keeps it free of any clutter. With these accessories in place, the craftsmen turned their attention to the bike's powertrain.

As such, the L-twin leviathan was subjected to a comprehensive makeover, receiving a state-of-the-art flywheel and a higher-spec clutch mechanism. The 998cc mill exhales via a unique two-into-two exhaust system that's been fitted with a pair of stainless-steel Spark mufflers. After equipping a MicroTech ECU, the team went about enveloping Ristretto's attire in a coat of metallic grey paint, while its iconic trellis frame was finished in Candy Red for contrast.