Sport Classic: Ducati Monster S2R

Tex Motorbike designs a plug-n-play Sport Classic kit…

We often receive inquiries from riders who want to customize their bikes on their own, but don’t have quite the design and fabrication skills to pull off their vision — nor the time and money to go through all of the trial and error that comes from developing one-off parts. This is particularly the case with modern donor bikes, which can be significantly more complicated to work with, given their wealth of electronics and bodywork. If there was only a kit available…

Our new friend Paolo Tesio of Tex Motorbike has been developing a set of solutions for these bike owners, utilizing the design and fabrication skills he learned at IED (Istituto Europeo di Design) in Turin, Italy. Since then, Paolo has worked with many automotive companies, but his passion for motorcycles burns brightest.

The bike you see here is a 2008 Ducati Monster S2R 1000, which has been outfitted with Paolo’s SC (Sport Classic) Body Kit. It’s more a vintage-styled, nostalgic design than some of his previous projects:

“I have already designed and built other kits from super sport to the streetfighter style, but I was missing a more retro configuration, with a more classic and romantic look.”

Paolo uses 3D modeling to develop all of the parts and 3D printing to produce prototypes, as well as molds for the fiberglass and carbon components. The result is a kit that allows an owner to completely transform their Ducati Monster:

“It is a plug-and-play kit that the customer can purchase to order and install independently using the illustrated assembly cards included in the kit.”

Below, we talk to Paolo for the full details on this Ducati S2R “Sport Classic.”

Ducati Monster Cafe Racer: Builder Interview

• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.

Born in 1973 in Piedmont, I graduated from IED in Piemonte, Turin, in the field of Automotive, Transportation, and Industrial design. I was picked as a collaborator for major automotive companies, where I had the opportunity to expand my knowledge in various professional contexts. At the same time I developed several personal projects related to my passion for the world of motorcycling.

These works were appreciated by many magazines and have appeared in several other blogs related to motorcycles. Through the experiences I gained in the field and the knowledge of various specific 3D software, I was able to develop each project through all stages. From initial concept to design. From modeling all the way through to the implementation and execution of the finished product or individual part.

• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?

Ducati Monster S2R 1000 – 2008.

• Why was this bike built?

It is a plug-and-play kit that the customer can purchase to order and install independently using the illustrated assembly cards included in the kit.

• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?

I have already designed and built other kits from super sport to the streetfighter style, but I was missing a more retro configuration, with a more classic and romantic look.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

The project was made entirely with 3D modeling, then transformed into a first physical prototype in 3D printing. Finally, using the printing parts, I made the final molds to make the fiberglass and carbon components intended for sale.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

SC-Body kit (Sport Classic).

• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?

In general, I am always satisfied with the final work, because I don’t have big surprises. Modeling in 3D, I always manage to have a real and definitive vision of the proportions and details, and until I am completely satisfied, the project goes on.