Sport Touring Bikes

[DesmonsterS4RS]

Anybody have any personal experiences /recomendations on good ST bikes. Ihave been looking at Triumph Sprint ST's, and Honda VFR's.

TIA
Cory

[superjohn]

I've been looking at the same. The BMW F800ST looks like a good middle weight. The Sprint ST is a lot of sport, with some touring.
I'm thinking Multistrada or ST3 (used or NOS).

[DesmonsterS4RS]

I test rode a 1050 Sprint ST, it felt really good the suspension, and brakes weren't anything to brag about. That 3cyl is silky smooth, and has a great powerband I really like the seating position too.

I want to test ride some more bikes so I have something to compare the ST to.

[Wonked]

I have been pondering this as well. I am drawn sort of magnetically to the BMW GS1150 (not the adventure, mind you) and to a lesser degree the Ducati Multistrada, but I also sorta dig the Triumph Tiger in a kooky way. I also must fight the daily urge to convince myself a Hypermotard would be a good ST. In my head, I know it would be a lousy ST. Repeat, it would be a lousy ST. One more time... it would be a lousy ST...

I actually just traded in a Hayabusa which was a surprisingly competent, comfortable sport tourer. Ahem, even heavier emphasis on sport.

[DucHead]

Suzuki Bandit 1250S.

[DesmoDiva]

What about a Ducati ST2,3, or 4?  (the 2,3,4 delinates the valves per cylinder)

B has a 2002 ST4s, the 996 motor.  My 2001 ST4 has the 916 motor.  IMO the ST4s is more fun to drive.  Both have 14t front sprockets, open air boxes, remus pipes, ecu remap, and cycle cat clip-ons.  B has done more than one power wheelie on the ST4s.  The ST4 has plenty of power for me, only been riding for little over a year.  

We have not had any major mechanical issues with either bike.  The clip-ons improved the stock ergronomics nicely.  Some of the more recent models are available with ABS.  

If you have any specific questions let me know.  

[dlearl476]

You can buy a 2000-2002 ST (with the upgraded motor) with an ohlins and hard bags for $3500-$5000 used, depending on the mileage. End of conversation, IMO. 
I have an older one ('99) with the 100 hp motor and I wouldn't trade it for all the BMWs in  Germany China.

Did I mention that they have user-programable Fuel Injection?

[JohnnyDucati]

+11111111million on the ST4s (if you can find one).  I miss mine everyday (Euro spec bike, couldn't realistically bring it back from UK).

Put 10K+ miles on it while we had it.  It is comfortable, powerful, fast, handles, bags are decent.  I really really loved the fact that the pipes were adjustable:  bags off, pipes move up 3 inches.  Bags on, pipes are lowered.  How cool is that!!  I've never seen that on any other bike.  With the bags off, it is a proper "sport" bike.  Bags on, it's the perfect tourer.  Tank range around ~200 miles (can't remember).  That motor just pulled incessantly in any gear.

Only bad thing that I can remember was ground clearance:  I scraped (the centerstand) a couple times trying to get my knee down.  Probably more my bad driving than any shortcoming of the bike.

I wish I wish Ducati would revamp this line.  A Testastretta motor (or 1098!!) in one of these babies would rock and I would immediately buy one.

Ah, nostalgia.  Gotta stop . . .

[silentbob]

First choice:


The ST line from Ducati is great.  I have an ST4 and I love it.

The Multistrada is also great.  It has the same luggage as the ST.  There is no available ABS and it is not as sporty as the 4V ST.

I rode the BMW F800 and I really liked it.  It's not particularly exciting but it does everything it should very well.  The Rotax twin with the balance of a triple, the belt drive, the very efficient fairing, it's a great bike.  The only problem is the bikes sell for almost twice the MSRP when you add all the options and the dealers only stock fully optioned bikes.

[Ivan]

The best kept secret in the ST world is the Aprilia RST.  Extremely comfortable, large locking panniers that can be removed in seconds, looks great even without the panniers, single-sided swingarm, underseat exhaust so its narrow and the panniers are not shaped around the cans, valves that can go for >25k mi with no adjustments, and best of all you can pick these up for around $5k.  Here are some reviews reviews comparing this to other STs in the same class.  I kinda like mine...

Edited to add:  In one of the reviews they complained that the RST only went 140 miles before the low fuel light came on.  Mine goes about 210 mi before the warning light, thanks to a new ECU map that was released in late 2002.


http://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?section_id=12&article_id=26&page_number=2
http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/aprilia-rst-futura-vs-ducati-st4-15638.html
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/roadtests/aprilia_futura/index.html
http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/146_0108_aprilia_rst1000_futura/index.html

[duc996]

+1 on the ST4, I heard it's an awesome bike,a friend can't let go of his ST4.

[Big Troubled Bear]

It must be one of the Ducati st series bikes

[duc996]

I do like the look of the Aprilia though.

[DucHead]

The best kept secret in the ST world is the Aprilia RST.  Extremely comfortable, large locking panniers that can be removed in seconds, looks great even without the panniers, single-sided swingarm, underseat exhaust so its narrow and the panniers are not shaped around the cans, valves that can go for >25k mi with no adjustments, and best of all you can pick these up for around $5k.  Here are some reviews reviews comparing this to other STs in the same class.  I kinda like mine...

Edited to add:  In one of the reviews they complained that the RST only went 140 miles before the low fuel light came on.  Mine goes about 210 mi before the warning light, thanks to a new ECU map that was released in late 2002.

I've never heard anything but good about the Futura, and I was considering one when I bought my Bandit.  However, no dealer support in Raleigh (Matison is giving up their franchise after only two years).

The Ducati ST is nice too, although I never understood a tourer that requires frequent valve checks.

[DesmonsterS4RS]

I've never heard anything but good about the Futura, and I was considering one when I bought my Bandit.  However, no dealer support in Raleigh (Matison is giving up their franchise after only two years).

The Ducati ST is nice too, although I never understood a tourer that requires frequent valve checks.

I will be moving to New Orleans in Aug  so lack of dealer support is something I have to consider as well. I know for a fact there is a Triumph, and a BMW dealer but no Ducati dealer within a 3hr drive (there were rumors on TOB that the Triumph dealer was gonna pick up Duc's but I haven't seen even a hint of it on there site) 

I have a friend with an ST4S, and he wouldn't trade it for anything but I have to agree with pompetta a touring bike that requires valve checks every 6k miles doesn't seem ideal especially im my situation when I am allready gonna have to drive a couple hours anytime I need the S4RS serviced.