Curious about getting an ST2/ST3, and wondering what the best options would be?

[Charlie98]

Yes, I still have my 2013 Monster 796... just a great bike, but it is NOT the sport touring bike I sort of wanted it to become.  I decided, after my first trip to Austin, for the 2017 MotoGP, that 8 hours a day, over the course of a week or so, in the saddle... was just not going to happen.

Back Home, Years Ago, my sport tourer was a 1993 CBR1000F, another great bike.  I actually sold it to buy an ST3, but life got in the way, they discontinued them, and it never happened.  I picked up the Monster on a lucky whim, but... the Monster is not a Multistrada, nor an ST.

I took the dangerous step... I went hunting on Cycle Trader.  Oh... the ST2's and ST3's are out there!  ...including some garage queens, and other low-mileage bikes.  And some junk, too.

My question is... was there a sterling year for the ST-series bikes?  Was there a 'don't do it!' year?  I'm mostly interested in an ST2 or ST3... I'm trying to stay away from the complexity and expense of the ST4 bikes.  I don't need a maintenance nightmare, and I'm not looking for a project bike.

I'm also curious for your opinions... certainly some of you have owned one, or know someone who did... or even worked on them.  Should I abandon the idea of buying a 20+ year old ST, and just suck it up and lay out the money for a Multi 950?

[Duck-Stew]

First year in the US was 1998 for ST2.  I remember the single-phase charging system being highly taxed with a friend and I replacing burnt stator wiring.  1999 went three phase and had more power.

IIRC, the cams in the ST3 need to be removed to replace shims during valve adjustments. 

That's all I've got.

[Charlie98]

First year in the US was 1998 for ST2.  I remember the single-phase charging system being highly taxed with a friend and I replacing burnt stator wiring.  1999 went three phase and had more power.

IIRC, the cams in the ST3 need to be removed to replace shims during valve adjustments. 

That's all I've got.

That certainly helps!  I knew the ST4 was a maintenance nightmare... I didn't know about the ST3 cams.  I'll have to look into that....

[koko64]

MTS950 is very comfortable and has abs, etc. The ST2 is much easier to work on (except for a couple of annoying panels). The MTS models like many modern Ducatis appear to be designed to make servicing more difficult!
You will miss the two valve grunt with the 950 and while protective from the wind and cold it is large and tall. The 950 will perform  better on dirt roads, especially the enduro/rally version.

[koko64]

Have you considered a Multi 1100 with integrated panniers?

[Charlie98]

Honestly, after looking at what's out there, I'm very likely going to go with the 950 Mulit.  I seem to have forgotten that the S in ST stands for Sport... with the appropriate seating position.  Thinking back on all the bikes that were easy to ride longer distances... and this back when I was young and indestructible... were the upright bikes.  I had HeliBars on my CBR1000F, which allowed me to sit nearly upright, even on that bike (I'm 6'2") so I think, looking into the future, that an MTS is the way to go.

As far as which Multi... I'm not discounting a bigger (1100/1200) version... heaven knows I'd like the power... but with power, comes responsibility... and cost, and particularly one that's all bagged up.  I'm still about 9 months out from buying, so I'm continually looking at what's out there... and the prices.

[koko64]

At 6'2", you'll be comfortable on a roomy multi and have no problem flat footing it.