ST or VFR
 

Getting rid of the 748 so as the missus can come out with me,so what do I get for two up riding.I like the st4,but am thinking of a vfr too,if only to keep running costs down,which would you have ?

My old man has an ST4 which he loves it to bits!

He did a big trip to WDW in 2004 and pulled up in Monaco in Ducati style, maybe not the same on a VFR.

OK servicing is a little higher, but a small price to pay to be part of Ducati'sti.

Andy

Or a Multistrada ????? :lol:

I had a VFR until yesterday when I got a Multi. The VFR is good (& for a pillion) but its so good its bland. You will find yourself doing silly speeds as its the only way to get some fun out of it. I reckon after the Duke you will find it soul-less & uninvolving after a while (I did even after a Firestorm!) Stay with a Ducati & dont rule the Multi out, I tried quite a few bikes & it can do everything with the fun added in.
Hope you find something your happy with.

Enjoy every Ride - The Duc
 

Just thrashed to UK and Back in monsoon and sunny weather - the ST4s never put a foot wrong on motorways or wonderful french N roads. 1624mls of pure love affair.

Don't hesitate go get a good ST4s and never ever look back. Sex on wheels - yes. Pure rock n roll and as cool as the blues.

If you like junk food, loose women, and fast cars then get the other wonda, but if you like your entertainment in it's purest form - get the Duc.

I have never heard anyone say, nice VFR (havent got one though) but even though I ride an ST4 people stop and look, when I stop people are always interested. I reguarly ride with my wife (as pillion) she didnt like the Multi but loves the ST4.

I parked next to a guy at Oulton Park last year who got off his 99* and looked at me and said ah, the thinking mans Ducati !

Isnt a VFR an 800 ? must be harder work than the wonderfully flexible 916/996 V Twin.

Of course its unlikely that anyone you find on here isnt going to support ideas of you getting a VFR

I test rode a vfr vs st2 when I went to look for me last bike... guess which I bought! :)

I've owned a VFR750 FT, a ST3 and a VFR800i and in my view the VFR800 pre Vtec is the cream of the bunch on build quality, performance, handling and resale - probably the only bike anyone could ever need .... I've also got a 996 :)

I've got an ST3 and ST2, both very competent touring bikes and both been on lengthy European trips, tried an ST4s which was very quick ! Never tried the VFR, have to say, I did try to sort a test ride but found the H*nda people not very good to deal with when trying to organise it.

The ST3 is really great and reviews very favourably against the VFR in the mags, it does all that we want, long haul 2 up trips with luggage (top box, panniers and tank bag) are great fun. Comfort with the new style seats and fairings is better than the ST2/4 and you have the character of an "L" twin. Guess the running costs may be a bit higher but it's a price you pay for a bike with a bit of character.

Well worth trying one, seem to be some great deals out there on new ones at the moment.

I test drove >>
 

the BMW 1200RT, Pan, FJR1300, Fazer thou, and other stuff but fell in love with the ST4S when I test drove it at Mnachester Ducati. Never had a duc before - wasn't sure I'd like it! Been to France on it and did the Yorkshire dales with the missus last Sunday. Love it!

What the hell are you on about mate?

Nar mate he was thinking of the 74* series....

Had a chance to ride a VFR in the mountains of Virginia, doing over 300 miles on mainly back country roads with some highway up and back. Nice competent machine, exemplary Honda quality (though it stopped on me pulling into a service station and refused to start for awhile). However, I found it cramped (only 5'10" or so) and pretty bland. My ST4 makes me smile everytime I crank it over as it has real personality everywhere. You will pay in upkeep, but perhaps the ST3 is better in that area and almost as competent. Rode one for half a day before buying the 4, but the new ones seem to be pretty nice and tractable.

Buy an ST
 

Just come back from riding round Mugello area on some of the most amazing roads ever on my ST, did not know life could be that good.
I have a St4s and a BMW 1100RT, the BM is for crap weather/winter riding (that was my reasoning for keeping it after I bought the ST).
Slight sideline to your original question, Took the BM for a MOT yesterday found myself pushing it harder than ever before to get any pleasure, will end up selling it as I'm sure it would be safer to go in the car than risk it on the BMW Barge.
I bought the ST for the sound and the pure thrill it gave me, even doing 30/40 through town puts a smile on my face, cannot imagine a VFR doing that.

Just about sums it up. Keep on enjoying the ST Jeff !!!!

sbwells
Not "on" anything - but I am "about" the purity of life's thrills. You can get your kicks in life from any source, but, if there is really no essence to them then they are transient and falter by the wayside rapidly. If there is substance intrinscally within them then they provide a pleasure far beyond their basic form and function.

The ST4s does this - the VFR does not.

All in my humble opinion.

Maybe one has to live with the ST for a while to fully appreciate it's character ? They have always been a vastly underated bike IMHO. Maybe worth asking Kushy how the ST3 performs :-)

Paul
When I picked up my new ST4s from the dealer it was raining cats n dogs and the next day it was lovely n sunny. I spent those two days doing the 500mile run-in and then back to the dealer for the post purchase inspection.

That's all the mileage in differing road conditions it took me to appreciate that this bike was something very special.

And now 5yrs later I am still being rewarded every time I go out for a ride - it is just so rewarding when in motion in so many ways too numerous to list. Then comes the bonus - when parked it looks wonderful.

Horses for courses - and this horse ain't no donkey, more of a throughbred that is not at all temperamental.

I've had 3 different models of VFR and ST4, ST4s and Multistrada and covered a few miles on each of them.

If you want a great day to day bike with top class build quality, but rather lacking in soul and excitement pick the VFR (sorry don't agree with Henners, don't like the current VTEC VFR, last 750 mwas the best followed by the first 800)

If you want a bike that can tour, and track day, with soul, fun and enough power to make you really smile then the best choice is undoubtedly the ST4s. Its got character and if i could only have one bike it would be close to the top of my list (not gonna tell you what would be top!!!!!) ST4s is streets ahead of any VFR.

I also make this statement with no axe to grind as a no longer have any of the bikes mentioned so just an unbiased answer.

Vfr/st4
 

Have to admit new RT1200 is a bit of a barge but before you stick the blinkers on test the GS1200 and a second hand 1100s both a lot lot cheaper to maintain once out of warranty and with the added benefit touring without lubing.
My 1100 BCR has been great fun is comfortable and returns over 50mpg two-up 12 monthly service was £221.00.
never tried a VFR but to me there like white goods their very reliable and everyones got one,the mondeo on 2 wheels.
ian

Shaun - you are agreeing with me - I have one of the first VFR800i's, not a VTEC. It's IMHO a great bike, but, I also have my 996 which I did over 400 miles on today (in this country) and which I prefer touring on :)