.. although I have owned 998/916s up to now. Its not got the grunt of the Faser - about 20bhp less - but it is a far more composed ride and the pick up is better from low revs. Wind protection is much better on the ST and the finish on all my Ducatis has been superior to every Jap bike I've owned including a VFR750.
Servicing is at the same intervals and will be twice as much - say £300 more over 12,000 miles. Unsure what you mean by agricultural, do you mean the engine/clutch noise? If so the wet clutch on the '05 models will quiten things down. I used to get numb hands on my Jap 4 cylinder bikes through vibration but never have a problem on the L twin, very smooth.
As you say it's a heart thing. You become part of a big family with Ducati as the 57 folk who flew to Italy on Friday will testify, even the CEO talks to you
Give it a go for a year and if you don't like it trade in just before the first service and it'll cost you less than the Faser - can't ask farer than that
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