Touring monster

[Moronic]

Can't ride the monster worth shiit with a tank bag on there. Something about it just throws me way off.

I know some people hate tank bags. I love 'em. Especially for long runs on a Monster, because they work better than a fairing for keeping you comfortable against the airstream at highway speeds.

The bike is certainly more cumbersome with all that weight up high from the luggage though.

I suppose I might be a wee bit quicker in corners without the tank bag, but I am not often in a huge rush these days and I don't enjoy the bike any less with the bag on.

[Moronic]

I swapped my M695 for an ST2. At around 100 pounds lighter, I found the Monster was definitely more flickable through the twisties. The better suspension on the ST coupled with adjustable ride height helped narrow the gap a bit, though...

Also interesting. Thanks. Yes I suppose the weight makes a big difference - even the big steel fuel tank must be like having a tank bag on permanently. Not to mention the upper part of the fairing.

[pitbull]

I swapped my M695 for an ST2. At around 100 pounds lighter, I found the Monster was definitely more flickable through the twisties. The better suspension on the ST coupled with adjustable ride height helped narrow the gap a bit, though...

Been away for a couple weeks, so just responding to a few thoughts now.


The ST4's added weight is definitely more noticeable to me and it's also a little more top heavy, compared to the monster. Suspension wise 01 monster 900 suspension was the same as the ST4, but I've upgraded my monster to SBK forks and an Ohlins rear shock, which certainly makes a difference. While I did upgrade the wheels on the ST4 to ST4s wheels, the monster has Marvic mag wheels, so there's no advantage for the ST there either. I've also put upright handlebars on my ST4, but it's still a longer reach to the bars so the monster is more comfortable that way as well.

I actually just found a set of hard bags and racks locally, for the monster, so I'm gonna spiffy up the ST4 and throw her up for sale.

The ST4 is a great bike and I do really like it alot, but every time I'm on it, I wish I were on the monster. I get stressed having more than one motorcycle as I'd much rather be out riding than cleaning and maintaining. I've become a bit of a minimalist in my old age and one monster fits that mindset perfectly. The biggest reason I bought the ST4 in the first place was for 2-up rides with my woman. Once I get the hard bags set up, we can tour 2-up with much more room.

[koko64]

Hey Pitbull.
I know this is an old thread, but what brand of upright bars did you fit to your ST4 and would they fit an ST2?
Cheers.

[d3vi@nt]

Hey Pitbull.
I know this is an old thread, but what brand of upright bars did you fit to your ST4 and would they fit an ST2?
Cheers.

HeliBars seem to be the most popular option, but I'm pretty sure they're not available for the ST2.

The only options I'm aware of for the ST2 are Convertibars (not cheap) and straight up bar risers like Corse Dynamics sells:
https://convertibars.3dcartstores.com/Ducati-ST-2-ST-498-02-Bike-Specific-Kit_p_137.html
https://motowheels.com/i-10311365-corse-dynamics-bar-risers-ducati-st2-st4-st4s.html

Most likely will require longer brake lines and too much height will cause clearance issues with the fairing.

[pitbull]

Hey Pitbull.
I know this is an old thread, but what brand of upright bars did you fit to your ST4 and would they fit an ST2?
Cheers.

They were a set of Rizoma tapered bars and risers I had from an older project. They had been sitting around for a few years, so I tried them on the ST4. The cables were just long enough, but the fairing interfered and I had to let out the steering stops a little and move in the reservoirs a ittle. Eventually I found a DP comfort kit fairing for the ST4 which was a nice upgrade, gave lots of room for the bars and looked better than the stock fairing.

It was a pretty fantastic set up overall and there are still days I regret selling the bike as it was a great touring bike and comfortable 2-up.

[GK]

Any pics of this setup?

I'm following the conversation. ðŸ'ðŸ»