Ducati ST2/ST3/ST4 thoughts

[d3vi@nt]

I've read a few threads here on specifics related to these models, but I'm looking for general feedback and thoughts. I currently have an '07 M695 that I enjoy, but am looking for something more geared towards comfort, commuting and light touring -more range and hard bags particularly. I've also decided that for the area of Colorado where I live, air-cooled isn't optimal.

I understand the general differences; valves, suspension, etc. but would like input on what to look for as far maintenance costs, must have's, nice features, etc. from model to model or year to year. Or conversely, which/what to avoid. I'm also curious about the Triumph ST's, as they look pretty similar, and I like the BMW Dakar's.

Any feedback/thoughts welcome!

[Speeddog]

I've ridden an ST2 a good bit, pretty nice for eating up large amounts of road.

There's one for sale here in SoCal, has hardbags.

[d3vi@nt]

I've ridden an ST2 a good bit, pretty nice for eating up large amounts of road.

What year was it? Did you have any likes/dislikes?

[Desmo Demon]

I understand the general differences; valves, suspension, etc. but would like input on what to look for as far maintenance costs, must have's, nice features, etc. from model to model or year to year. Or conversely, which/what to avoid.

Very broad request there. You can start digging some of your answers out of this thread - http://www.ducati.ms/forums/40-sport-touring/15290-newbies-please-read-ducati-sport-touring-models.html

A lot of what you are looking for is personal preference. Some prefer the ST2 or the ST4 or the ST4s, or the ST3. I prefer an ST2 with airbox mod, slip-ons, and regearing, while others will stress bar risers, top case, tall windshield, aftermarket seat, lowering the rearsets, etc. Some people will tell you they don't handle; other will disagree. Some will say the bikes are uncomfortable for the long haul; others will disagree. As with any other Ducati, the 4V are more costly compared to a 2V to maintain. Not only does the ST4/ST4s use the more expensive timing belts, but they are also prone to the dreaded flaking rockers.....but you can read that just about anywhere, including this forum where the S4 is concerned compared to the standard M900.

[Speeddog]

What year was it? Did you have any likes/dislikes?

It's a '98.
Has bar risers and an aftermarket windscreen.
FbF cans and chip.

Really liked it, if I had the cash, I'd buy it.

The fairing lower corners would fight with my knees at a stop.
That's about the worst thing I could think of about riding it.

[d3vi@nt]

Thanks for the feedback, Speeddog.

Appreciate the link, Desmo.  I came across that one today -surprisingly little information for an 11 page thread!

Among those models, I'll likely steer clear of the ST4 due to the higher valve and belt-related expenses.  I'm starting to lean towards the ST3, but again, I'm not overly familiar with all the pros/cons of the models.  Still digging...

Thanks again.

[Speeddog]

ST3's are nearly as involved to service as the 4's.

And they take the 'DS1000' belts, which are more $ than the '900' belts.

I've done a major service on an ST3, and it had 3 badly flaked rockers.
IMO, mostly due to neglecting to do valve adjustments on schedule.
Downside was it required replacement with brand new rockers, as there were no refurbishing services available.

[fastwin]

Hayabusa. Lots of goodies out there and really no service besides gas, air in the tires, oil change, tires and insurance. And it gets along with my Ducatis in the garage! What's not to like? Happiness is never having to downshift to pass cars on a 2 lane road!

[Bun-bun]

Try this site: www.perryr.com/DucatiSTFAQ.html#_Toc102977151

My ST4s will be delivered this coming week, or so I am assured. I will definitely give my impressions as I form them.

[Raux]

Personally I would love to have the ST2 with ST4s suspension and ST3 seat.

[Desmo Demon]

Personally I would love to have the ST2 with ST4s suspension and ST3 seat.

Throw in the ST4s bike's Marchesini 5-spoke, lighter-weight wheels, and you'll have an awesome package.  

[Raux]

well  then ohlins sbk forks with radial monoblocks and wave rotors.

[d3vi@nt]

Personally I would love to have the ST2 with ST4s suspension and ST3 seat.

Why the ST2? For the simplicity of 2 valves?  And what year would you get?  Since they quit making them in '04 it seems the technology would be a little dated, though I'm not looking for a brand new bike.

A lot of ST2 threads I've seen are similar to the Monster threads that go like this: put a 14T sprocket on, chip, open air box, Termi's, better headlight, upgraded seat, upgraded suspension and upgraded wheels. Then you've got a decent bike!  I totally understand the perfectionist/tweaker/modder, but personally, I don't want to have to dump $4k into a $5k bike to make it decent, though I'm fine with some minor mods.

[Raux]

the ST2 is the only 2v and therefore less maintenance. it's also a bored 900 motor which is the most bullet proof IMO of the Ducati motors. lots of tq and decent power. the 944 is that much more.

the ST2 has a few issues that i've heard of. the lights weren't all that powerful and the seat wasn't all that comfortable, but most bikes that's true of the stock seat.

if you were to go completely stock, i've heard the st3 with the upgraded seat (the one with the wierd hump in the passenger seat front to stop them diving on you) is the best model out of the box. but like others said, maintenance can get you on that unique motor.

not sure I would ever want a 4v ducati tourer unless they put in the new 11 deg motor in a new sport tourer

[Desmo Demon]

A lot of ST2 threads I've seen are similar to the Monster threads that go like this: put a 14T sprocket on, chip, open air box, Termi's, ...... Then you've got a decent bike!

The 14T sprocket is only for those who ride in the mountains all the time or want more acceleration. The 15/42 gearing is perfectly fine for most situations. I just happen to ride mine 95% of the time in the mountains and the 14/41 (or 14/42) is much more suited for the tighter stuff.

The chip, chopped air box, and slip-ons just wakes the bike up a whole lot more and also helps smooth out a 3800-4000 rpm stumble that is an issue with the ST2. Personally, I ran bone stock for 11k+ miles and the mods really made the bike come alive. Regardless, though, you typically will get the exact same regear/chip/airbox/slip-on suggestion for the ST4 and ST4s, so it's not really an issue unless you want to make it one.

Suspension - the early ST2 bikes had the same adjustable suspension as the ST4. The ST4s got the Ohlins rear shock and the TiN Showa forks. If suspension is a concern of yours, the stock ST2 forks can be eaisly upgraded to better than the stock TiN Showas for a little bike of money, but nothing outrageous (often an Ohlins internals kit). If the rear shock doesn't suit you, there are cheaper alternatives to an Ohlins (such as the Penske), or simply get an Ohlins from a parted out ST4s on eBay.

Lightweight wheels are nice, but very few people ever buy them. The ST4s comes stock with the 5-spokes taht are a little bit lighter than the 3-spokes - and I like the way they look better, but I still have 3-spokes.

I've been perfectly content with my ST2 with only the regear/chip/airbox/slipon mods since I bought it new (53k miles ago). For the mods I did, the front sprocket was $24 (or no additional cost if you are already replacing the sprockets), the FBF chip was $99, airbox mod I did myself, and the slip-ons were new/old stock that I picked up for $300 several years ago. I bought a used sets of D&D for my wife's ST2 for $250 about three years ago. Typically, many/most used ST2 bikes already come with all these easy mods. If you find a bone-stock one for sale, take that into consideration wen it comes to the purchase price.

Edit - The main reason I plug the ST2 over the 4 is because it is easier and cheaper to do a service on and you don't have any concerns of flaking rockers. I have a 748 that I have to worry about flaking rockers, I sure don't need another Ducati with that concern. The ST2 belts are a bit cheaper than the ST4 belts, and it has half the valves - requiring less than half the time to do the valves. To do the valves correctly on the 4V, you really need to pull the cams out so you can inspect the surfaces of the closing rockers. I can do the valves on a 2V in about an hour or two. The 4V ALWAYS takes more time than this....I probably average about 6 hours for a 4V check/adjustment. As stated by a poster above, the 2V is noted as being a "bullet-proof" engine. You don't hear that when someone is describing a 4V engine.