A decade ago, Alex Earle made a spectacular entrance into the custom motorcycle scene with his innovative monocoque carbon fiber body design for the iconic Ducati Monster M900. The initial creation from Earle Motors featured eye-catching 19" wheels, wide handlebars, and oversized number boards, transforming it into a street tracker before the trend caught on.

Since then, Alex has replicated this kit multiple times, offering versions in both fiberglass and carbon fiber, even adapting it to fit the Harley Softail by Suicide Machine Co. However, he harbored a desire to revisit his original Ducati design with a unique twist: a renewed focus on performance. And now, he's realized this ambition with another exceptional Earle Motors creation, but this time, it's a track-oriented powerhouse.

For this project, Alex selected the 2007 Ducati Monster S4RS, known for its legendary Testastretta engine and impressive parts specification. His aim was to reimagine his initial Monster street tracker into an upright, high-handlebar superbike.

"After constructing several carbureted M900’s, I yearned for more power," he explained. "I also felt the need for better suspension and brakes after a few track events. The S4RS came with all of that as stock equipment."

He sought the help of Victor at Moto Club Santa Monica to locate a suitable donor, and they found a well-maintained bike owned by a meticulous airline mechanic, who had made numerous performance enhancements and given it a name.

To appreciate how Alex originally conceived the monocoque Monster body, he began by sculpting a 1/5 scale model of the bike, digitally scanning it, and then meticulously reconstructing it to the full scale. The final mold was produced by CNC-milling a foam master, a process that was well within his expertise as an automotive designer.

Adapting the M900 bodywork design to fit the S4RS chassis turned out to be relatively straightforward, with minimal modifications required to the frame underneath.

The body features an integrated fuel cell with an aviation fuel cap, securely bonded rather than bolted in place. The entire assembly can be removed in a matter of minutes using four bolts, a front rubber pull-down, and quick-disconnect fuel lines.

Beneath the surface lies a carbon fiber inner fender and battery tray, equipped with LED marker lights at the rear. Alex eliminated the airbox, replacing it with a pair of K&N filters housed in the front section of the monocoque. The focus here is on control, with a slim racing pad and knee grips.

At the top, you'll find wide ProTaper Evo handlebars, adjustable Rizoma rear sets, Domino grips, Brembo RCS levers with AEM reservoirs, a track-specific starter switch from APX, and the stock dash repositioned on a custom bracket.

According to Alex, the ergonomics are now perfect: "The body shape is ideally suited for rider movement and control on the track," he confirmed.

The Monster's 130 horsepower engine is more than adequate, especially considering the weight savings this bike has undergone. With Öhlins and Brembo components as standard on the S4RS, Alex didn't need to make many additional modifications. Nevertheless, he couldn't resist adding a pair of twin carbon Termignoni exhaust pipes and a set of coveted 17" carbon fiber wheels from BST.

Alex's latest Monster takes everything from his original design and turns it up to eleven. As expected from a designer with his discerning eye, the bike is adorned in a sophisticated endurance racing-inspired livery. With raw, satin-finished carbon fiber on one side and glossy Ducati red on the other, this S4RS exudes power and style from every angle.

A decade may have passed since Alex first made his mark, but his designs still feel as fresh today as they did back then, and it's likely they will continue to captivate for another decade to come.

Photo: BikeExif

#Bike #Moto #Ducati #S4RS #Custom #Monster