Ducati Monster Forum

So, after riding the Monster for a few years and numerous mods, I've decided it's time for something different. I started out looking at cruisers and full blown touring bikes, but they were not for me.  Next I started looking at sport touring bikes like the BMW K1200LT, Honda ST1100/1300, and Kawasaki Concours, but just couldn't get away from how much I love riding the Monster. I started looking at the Ducati ST's and lucked into a 2002 ST4s with 27k mikes for under $5k. Although the downside is that it's located in San Diego, and I live in Norfolk VA, I took the plunge and the bike will be here sometime around the end of the month.
My questions;
Am I insane for buying a bike sight unseen off the internet 3000 mikes away (It's from a dealer that I've heard good reviews about, and I have seen pics.)?
Does anyone here have any fhe with the ST's and the Monster for comparison and contrast?

its a crapshoot. 27k miles is high, what's the service history look like?

You're fine.

27k miles?

It's done with break in and (hopefully) service intervals for a while.

Sandy Waffle?

It's nice year-round. The bike didn't sit for prolonged periods.

Stock Ducati suspension is crap.

You bought an s model, with Ohlins bits. You're gonna have to get used to those harsh, unforgiving shocks in your car. The ride on this bike is gonna spoil you.




Wait... You bought a Ducati?

Well, you're make the beast with two backsed.

 [beer]

You aren't going to ride it back?  :-X

If you need a volunteer...

I'll bite that bullet.  ;) [Dolph]

No time.
I run my own biz, have a disabled wife, and my father died in late August and I'm still dealing with his estate.

I actually thought about posting up here and on ADV, trying to get a sort of pony express - handoff type thing going, but the shipping was reasonable, and that's another 3k miles for me to ride the thing.
    [bang]  Should have thought of this before I sent the check;
     It's at Moto-Forza, anyone want to go take a look? It'll be a few days before it ships.

if the rockers have been addressed/replaced, then the only thing I would think about is a future install of some MBP collets to extend your service intervals....otherwise, you should be fine...

being that it is a 996 DesmoQuattro motor, if you feel the need, you can put some SPS cams in it and all manner of tarting up in the motor if you feel froggy down the line....

Coming from a 620, you'll find the ST has plenty of snap.

I've spent a good bit of time on an ST2, great machine for consuming large stretches of pavement, yet still sporty enough to have fun in the twisties.

Rockers would be the primary concern, secondary would be corrosion, depending on where in SD it lived.
Check the fork sliders for pitting and rust.

May have fuel hose issues, depending on how long it's been sitting.
Ethanol-laced fuel is hell on the hoses in the tank when it spoils.

The difference between the M620 and the ST4s will be night and day in performance in engine/power/torque, braking, and handling. The ST bikes are more top heavy and you can really feel it in the really tight (think <20 mph) curves, but on baby sweepers (60-80 mph) and wide sweepers (80+ mph), the ST is VERY well planted. The really tight twisties will give you a little more of a workout, but the bike still handles them really well.

My wife has a 2001 M900ie and we both have 1998 ST2 bikes. I believe the ST2's outperform the M900 in many ways, and I am definitely faster with the ST in the twisties. You also have the tremendous advantage of having the panniers with the ST if you plan any trips. I firmly believe that the ST bikes are some of the most under-rated Ducatis and they are probably one of the best bang-for-the-buck deals out there.

BTW, if anyone tries to tell you that an ST doesn't handle, tell them to go pound sand....

(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/Kramer_Krazy/ST4S_trackbig.jpg)

(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/Kramer_Krazy/Cidman.jpg)

(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/Kramer_Krazy/Terry_178.jpg)

oh, and if the bike doesn't come with it, look for a Paul Gellar Ducati Designs Headlight kit for it!!!

Hey Bun,
I got my 05 ST3 the same way. I'm in north Idaho and found it at Modesto Ducati.
Purchased it with just some digital pics of it. They stored it for me until spring and picked me up at the airport
in Oakland and I rode it back. For the 02 model you'll want to upgrade your headlight as previously mentioned and
also upgrade the seat. these issues were addressed in 05, I just got lucky. Go for it! [thumbsup]

One reason for buying this type of bike is because my wife has been lobbying me to get something so she can ride with me, so a seat upgrade is definitely in the cards, but I want to wait and give her enough ride time that she complains about it (Shouldn't take too long) so she'll be happy with a Sargent seat upgrade. If I went directly to the Sargent, she wouldn't appreciate the upgrade.
I've seen a couple of threads on Ducati.ms from people who have done DIY installs of xenon and bi-xenon lights, and that looks like a good winter project.
Thanks for all the info.

Balz (Yes, that's his name) from Moto-Forza called today to let me know my check arrived and that he'll be arranging shipping. So far it's been a hassle free experience.

was it GP motorcycles?

Strangely/coincidentally my pops did the same thing when he got his ST4s recently.  Found it at a dealer on the east coast and worked with his dealer to have the other dealer ship it to GP.  Worked flawlessly.  So no, you're not insane.

How's he like it?

A review and info about this light kit
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/ducati-designs/headlight.htm (http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/ducati-designs/headlight.htm)

Looks to be a huge step up from the stock lamps.

Hey Bun Bun,

      Great choice, I have a 900M and Febuary before last I purchased an 02 ST4 with 31,000 k

  And I love both bikes, I must admit that I really like throwing the Monster around the twisties but the ST series is a fantastic bike to get into those open sweepers, I personally know people that have well over 100,000k on their bikes so I would'nt worry about the mileage on your new steed.

   Apart from the lights that have already been mentioned here the only other problem you might encounter will be a shudder from the front brakes, if its really bad you will have to replace the rotors, otherwise you can put up with it, mine only shudders very lightly.

 Enjoy  [thumbsup]






                                     Mmick

I was at moto forza earlier this week and saw this one right inside their door. Red with hard saddle and tail cases. I actually considered inquiring about it.  [thumbsup]

Well, if you see a silver/silver with hard bags and trunk, that one's spoken for!  ;D

I'm less than thrilled that the earliest the shipper can pick up is next Friday, but Balz says Moto-Forza has used them in the past with good results, so I'll just sit here. . . waiting. . .













Or take the Monster for a ride.