Ducati Monster S4R (2004-2006) Maintenance Schedule

This is the maintenance schedule and service intervals for the Ducati Monster S4R, released in 2004 to replace the Ducati Monster S4.

Like the S4, the Ducati Monster S4R is powered by a superbike motor — but from the superbike next in line after the 916, the Ducati 996.

Here are all our Ducati Monster maintenance schedules:

The motor in the Ducati Monster S4R is re-tuned slightly for more midrange torque, but the S4R remains a powerful weapon. It’s a 996cc liquid-cooled fuel-injected 90-degree L-twin with a compression ratio of 11.6:1. It makes max power of 83 kW (113 hp) at 9500 rpm, and 101 Nm (74 ft-lb) at 7000 rpm.

Like the Monster S4, the S4R has a dry clutch and a chain drive.

After two years, Ducati went to the next level and replaced the S4R with the even more powerful Ducati Monster S4Rs, borrowing the engine from the 999.

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What you need to service the Ducati Monster S4R

If you’re servicing your Ducati Monster S4R, you need the following consumable items.

Engine oil	The manual recommends SAE 10W-40 for the widest coverage of operating temperatures. Use a high-grade synthetic like Motul 7100 10W-40.
Oil filter	Ducati part number for the oil filter is 44440038A. The equivalent Hiflofiltro part is HF153RC.
Air filter	Part number for the filter element is 42610101A.
Spark plug	The prescribed plug is a Champion RG4HC. You can also use a CR9E or CR9EIX iridium.
Timing belt	Timing belt part number for the S4R is 73710101A.
Brake pads	Many owners use EBC HH brake pads for better bite and less fade. Use FA244HH on the front, and FA047HH on the rear.
Clutch and brake fluid	Use DOT 4 only, e.g. Castrol DOT 4.
Bulbs	Headlight bulb: H4 (55/60W), Tail light bulbs: P21/5W
Chain maintenance	Use a Motul chain care kit for maintenance.
Fuel filter	Ducati part number 42540041B.

Maintenance schedule for the Ducati Monster S4R

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Ducati Monster S4R.

Main maintenance intervals are every 12000 km or 7500 miles — slightly wider than those recommended for the S4 in the shop manual.

Notes:

• At the end of the service intervals, keep going in the pattern observed.
• Major services are every 12000 km (7500 mi) where you have to check and/or adjust valve clearances, and check the timing belt tension.
• Items marked (1) only need be done at the distance interval, not the time interval.

km x 1000	12	24	36	48	60
mi x 1000	7.5	15	22.5	30	37.5
Months	12	24	36	48	60
Change the engine oil	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Change the engine oil filter	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Clean the engine oil pick up filter			✓
Check the engine oil pressure		✓		✓
Check and/or adjust the valve clearances (1)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check the tension of the timing belts (1)	✓		✓		✓
Replace the timing belts		✓		✓
Check and clean the spark plugs. Renew if necessary		✓		✓
Check and clean the air filter (1)	✓		✓		✓
Change the air filter		✓		✓
Check throttle body synchronisation and idle speed setting (1)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check the brake and clutch fluid levels	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Change the clutch and brake fluid			✓
Check and adjust the brake and clutch control cables	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check/lubricate the throttle/cold start cable	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check tyre pressure and wear	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check the brake pads. Renew if necessary	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check the steering head bearings		✓		✓
Check the drive chain tension, alignment and lubrication	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check the clutch disc pack. Renew if necessary (1)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check coolant level	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Change the coolant			✓
Check operation of electric fans and sealing of coolant circuit	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check the rear wheel cush drive		✓		✓
Check the wheel hub bearings		✓		✓
Check the indicators and lighting	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check tightness of nuts and bolts securing the engine to the frame	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check the sidestand	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check tightness of the front wheel axle nut	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check tightness of the rear wheel axle nut	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check the external fuel hoses	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Change the front fork oil			✓
Check the forks and rear shock absorber for oil leaks	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check the front sprocket retaining bolts	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
General lubrication and greasing	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check and recharge the battery	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Road test the motorcycle	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
General cleaning	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓

User periodic checks for the Ducati Monster S4R

In addition to the above schedule, do these regular checks every 1000 km / 600 mi, or 6 months — whichever comes earlier.

Check the engine oil level

Check the brake and clutch fluid levels

Check tyre pressure and wear

Check the drive chain tension and lubrication

Check the brake pads. If necessary, contact your dealer to renew pads

About the Ducati Monster S4R

The Ducati Monster S4R was a fast-follow update to the popular Ducati Monster S4.

Like the original S4, the Ducati Monster S4R is a standard/sport bike with a superbike engine in it. But this time, it was the engine from the Ducati 996 superbike (which followed the 916, whose engine was in the S4).

The heart of the S4R is a 996cc liquid-cooled fuel-injected 90-degree L-twin (a V-twin with a forward tilt) with a compression ratio of 11.6:1.

The engine in the S4R makes a max power of 83 kW (113 hp) at 9500 rpm, and 101 Nm (74 ft-lb) at 7000 rpm. These specs are actually similar to those of the 996, just at different points in the rev range — the engine isn’t so much “de-tuned” as “re-tuned”. It still has a 10500 rpm limiter and charges all the way up — it’s a very different feeling from air-cooled engines that preceded it.

Like its predecessor, it’s a DOHC 4-valve-per-cylinder design, with belt-driven valves. So owners need to bear in mind that when those valve service intervals come up every 10000 km (or 6000 mi), there are twice as many clearances to check. And one must usually keep spare belts on hand in case they need changing. The final drive is via a hydraulic dry clutch (easy to fix, thankfully!) and chain.

So if you want a liquid-cooled high-power monster with the characteristic Ducati rattle of a dry clutch, the S4R is one of your last options — if you can still find one.

It’s amazing how much there is to say about the S4R without talking about its aesthetics. Whereas the original S4 got its handsome but dated looks from the Monster 1000, the Ducati Monster S4R got a serious upgrade.

The Monster S4R has a single-sided swing-arm and swept up exhausts that reveal that beautiful rear wheel. It comes with a seat cowl and small deflector which give it a more sporting edge. It’s just a much nicer bike to look at, which is a great bonus since it’s also more powerful.

Front suspension on the S4R is a 43mm Showa inverted fork with full adjustability (preload, rebound,and compression damping), and a fully adjustable showa rear shock.

Braking is also high-grade, with huge 320mm discs up front and Brembo P4.34B four-piston calipers on the front disc. Rear brakes are Brembos too (P32F).

Ducati replaced the S4R in 2006 with the Ducati Monster S4RS, which got the engine from the Ducati 998 superbike. The S4R Testastretta was similarly spec to the S4Rs.

Manual for the Monster S4R

The above maintenance schedule comes from the user manual.

You can download Ducati motorcycle manuals here.