Specifications: 916 cc liquid-cooled DOHC Desmo V-twin, six speeds.

Ducati launched three Monsters in the model’s first generation: the M900 in 1993, the M600 in 1994 and the M750 in 1995. The “naked” or “street fighter” bike was designed by Miguel Angel Galluzzi, who was looking for a way into the U.S. market, without building another faux cruiser like Cagiva’s disastrous Indiana. Galluzzi’s boss, Massimo Bordi, is famously supposed to have said that this bike was what Marlon Brando would have ridden in The Wild One, had he been able to get one. Other than some colour variations, the Monster stayed relatively unchanged until 2000, when the M900 received fuel injection. However, in 2001 the S4 debuted, using the liquid-cooled DOHC superbike engine from the 916 and introducing semi-floating Brembo disc brakes, light wheels and Showa inverted forks.

The bike on offer is the actual test mule in which the 916 motor was fitted, when the project was being developed. It’s extremely rare for a developmental bike to come to market, especially one with such an obviously low set of matching numbers. It represents an unparalleled opportunity for a serious Ducati collector.