| If you don't like the Multistrada you may want to consider an ST. Basically, all modern monsters use the ST frame so an ST is a monster with clothes on. You can get different variants as well depending on what sort of Monster you were considering.
A two valver ST2 (at 944cc) is roughly equivalent to the 900/1000 2 valve monster in performance terms. These will be dirt cheap now, I reckon £1.5-2.5 would get you a reasonable one.
A four valver ST4 uses the 916 engine and will be nearly as quick as a 916 or Monster S4 which shares all the same cycle parts as the ST. These'll go for £2.5-£3.5K
The four valver ST4S uses a 996 engine and will be the equivalent of an S4R or 996 - Probably £3K+
If you look on the ST forum you'll see that their owners rate them as a superb all round bike, Ducati's best kept secret. They tour, they commute, they scratch and they even love trackdays. BDG, who has had loads of different bikes including 996R's and the like reckons that if he could only have one bike it would be the ST4S.
They are good for pillions with a bigger pillion seat than a monster, they'll take panniers if you've a mind to fit them but the biggest advantage for you is that they are fully faired.
With a Monster or a Multi, you've got acres of exposed engine that'll be a nightmare to keep on top of if you're reckoning to ride it through the winter, but the ST will lap it all up. Ride magazine did a test on riding through the winter on a whole bunch of bikes a few years ago and they were staggered to find that the Ducati ST2 won it - it scrubbed up better than all the Jap bikes, triumphs etc... Mine has been through 4 winters and still scrubs up OK.
Oh yeah...will it fit? Well I'm OK on one at 5' 9", but so is Martin Morell and they don't come much taller than him
Last edited by Jools : 27-Jul-2006 at 11:09. | 
Jools
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