Senna S4

Previously come across dead threads where the S4- Senna which is the bike I have, are discussed and I'm still non the wiser as to whether the word 'Senna' refers to the colour Ducati Senna or if its some special edition. I'd assumed the former, but when I punched my frame number into the Ducati web page that tells you if there are any outstanding recalls for your model, it responded with "S4 -Senna - No outstanding recalls".

To me, if it refers to the colour then its an S4 and not some special edition as seems to be pushed when people are selling. If it is a special Senna edition, then what's the story behind the word....does it refer to the Senna- the man?

 

http://www.ayrton-senna-dasilva.com/

Quote from above....

"the-story-of-senna-and-ducati/ red passion was shared by Ducati, the Ferrari of motorcycles. So it was only a matter of time before they would fall in love with one another, in the times of “peace”. I can still remember a picture in which Ayrton arrived at a party after the Grand Prix in Monaco, on his Ducati, dressed in smoking. It was well-known drivers were not supposed to take risks outside the circuits, but true love was beyond any rules.

This passion brought Ayrton to meet Claudio Castiglioni, at that time, Ducati’s Patron.

Castiglioni was touched and inspired by Senna’s commitment to helping the poor in Brazil and involved Ayrton in a new project; a collaboration on a new motorbike, giving part of the selling revenues to his Foundation. What happened next can still be seen today in the 916 Senna Model. Painted in charcoal gray and red color, as Ayrton chose himself. The model became reality a few months before the Imola’s bloody Sunday, in 1994, and was presented to the World in 1995, by Senna’s sister Viviane.

Produced only in 300 examples, the 916 Senna was sold out in a record time which convinced Castiglioni to produce the second and third versions of 916 Senna, in the late 90’s. Yet again as limited editions. In 2014, for the 20th anniversary of Ayrton’s death, Ducati and the Senna Foundation repeated the tribute to the Brazilian champion, by giving his name to a new version of the 1199 Panigale S. It was produced only in 161 models, the same number with Senna’s Grand Prix’s in F1. Not many, actually, but for our hero, enough to become immortal.

Glory or not, I can tell you I would have preferred Ayrton alive now, instead of being a myth."

 

What peaked my interest was the word 'Senna' popping up when I was checking for any recalls. The acid test would be if someone with a different coloured S4 could do the same and see if the colour of their bike is mentioned indicating it is not a reference to the model!