Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > Sport Touring: ST4 / ST3 / ST2 > ST4S Mods

[eskimo]

I need to get my Ohlins shock recondition, l have been told l need a lighter weight spring for my 13 stone body fully leather up.

But this got me thinking, can the front forks be improved?

And is it worth fitting a steering damper,as it does seem a bit flighty over the ton

I am not bothered about engine mods, l am really after any mods that will improve the handling.

It would be nice to hear from other ST4s owners, their thoughts on the the ST handling, l find it need loads more input than the VFR's l use to owned, but is very rewarding when you get it right

Also the Swinging arm bush, l have not check it yet, but should l change it anyway, the bike has done 25,000 miles

TIA

[johnny]

I would very much doubt many people would be good enough to find the limits of an ST4s on a track and certainly on the road. You say it needs more input, have you lowered the rear wheel? This makes a big difference.

But if you have not done that then it should not be flitty at the ton. Mine has been lowered and is rock solid at 100 +. What changes have you made to the suspension settings? Out of the box they are set soft.

Last guy to service my bike said "it handles well" and he is a club racer.

Set up correctly a S would run rings around a VFR

[eskimo]

Originally Posted by johnny

I would very much doubt many people would be good enough to find the limits of an ST4s on a track and certainly on the road. You say it needs more input, have you lowered the rear wheel? This makes a big difference.

But if you have not done that then it should not be flitty at the ton. Mine has been lowered and is rock solid at 100 +. What changes have you made to the suspension settings? Out of the box they are set soft.

Last guy to service my bike said "it handles well" and he is a club racer.

Set up correctly a S would run rings around a VFR

I not saying mine handles badly, yes it does handle better than a VFR, but l have to move around on the bike more than a VFR, to get the best out of it, hard to explain really

The bike was set up at Snells for my body weight,they told me the spring was to strong for my weight, and adjusted it the best they could.

When you say lower the rear wheel, do you mean shorten the shock/to adjust the ride height????

I assume Snells had to lengthen the spring to make it softer for me

So could fitting the new Spring for my weight transform the bike

[nelly]

General rule of thumb with the ST's is to increase the rear ride to the point where the rear tyre just touches the floor when the bike is on the centre stand....... seems to work a treat. Makes turn in easier/sharper.

As with all things suspension, make sure everything is at stock settings to begin with so you know where you're working from. Preload, damping etc.

[eskimo]

Originally Posted by nelly

General rule of thumb with the ST's is to increase the rear ride to the point where the rear tyre just touches the floor when the bike is on the centre stand....... seems to work a treat. Makes turn in easier/sharper.

As with all things suspension, make sure everything is at stock settings to begin with so you know where you're working from. Preload, damping etc.

Now l understand Lowering the rear wheel.

Mine has quite a bit of clearance below the rear wheel.

So this seems to make sense,as mine needs a bit of persuading, to turn in.

[nelly]

yep. same thing only different
Try that along with suspension settings at stock and go from there.