Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > Sport Touring: ST4 / ST3 / ST2 > First tuning idea for the ST4S

[jimmyDash]

I've got a 2005 ST4S and it's a bit slower than I'd like. Any suggestions for an improvement?

[Iconic944ss]

Welcome on board....

If you mean slow in accleration - then the best 'bang-for-ya-buck' has to be altering the gearing. I ended going up 4 teeth on the rear sprocket and didnt miss the trade off in top end at all.

Frank
DSC Webteam

[Rushjob]

Modded airbox
ST4 gearing ( 15 / 43 )
Lightened flywheel
Cams dialled in
PC III and exhausts
P4 calipers

It's tourer Jim, but not as we know it !!!

[jimmyDash]

Bigger sprocket - good idea - any idea of cost?

[Rushjob]

Going down to a 14T front - £25 max gives 1:0.36 ratio front to rear with the 15 / 43 method costing £50 or so ( £125 or so with a good new chain ) running out at 1:0.34
Downside to the 14T front is that if you run plenty of rear ride height the top run of the chain may rub on the top rubbing strip at the pivot end of the swingarm at times - it did when I ran the 14T hence I went 15 / 43 when I had a new chain.

[Rushjob]

Should have added that the 14T one takes into account a standard 38 tooth rear sprocket....

[twpd]

Hence why I always reckons it's better to go up on the rear sprocket instead of down on the front. Small sprockets stress chains.

I like the idea that the ST4, a tourer, is really a sports bike in disguse...must be good for a laugh on a twisty road chasing sportsbikes.

[Rushjob]

twpd posted......I like the idea that the ST4, a tourer, is really a sports bike in disguse...must be good for a laugh on a twisty road chasing sportsbikes.

Just ask Dukerob about the run back from Church Langton although it was him on his SP1 chasing me

[Jools]

Originally posted by twpd
Hence why I always reckons it's better to go up on the rear sprocket instead of down on the front. Small sprockets stress chains.

I like the idea that the ST4, a tourer, is really a sports bike in disguse...must be good for a laugh on a twisty road chasing sportsbikes.

You don't need an ST4 or a 4S mate, an ST2 does just as nicely in the real world. Me and my mate Glyn ride together on ST2's and we've mugged a lot of 'faster' bikes. My abiding memories are coming round the outside of a Gixer Thou on the last of the long sweeping left handers at Rockingham, and Glyn mugged a wheelie popping Mille and an R1 on one of our favourite private test tracks last week (as witnessed by urban996).

ST2's - Ducatis most grossly underated bike.

Mind you, the

[John W]

I agree witrh all the above.

I fitted the DP tuning kit that consists of a smaller front sprocket, free flow air filter, modified air box lid (its like a 1" high rim, only needd to hold the filter in place !), performance chip, and carbon cans.

That lot livened the thing up.

It was as quick as my 996 when new, but with the above it is somewhat quicker (and louder ).

I guess it depends on how much you want to spend...