Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > Sport Touring: ST4 / ST3 / ST2 > I am now officially an ST owner

[moto748]

The ST4S I saw yesterday had a completely different nose-fairing and light unit to the ST2/4. I don't know if all ST4S's are like this, or just very recent ones.

Well I've just had another go at it: jacked the ride height up a little more (a bit more accessible than on my 748), and screwed away frantically at those adjusters under the instrument panel fascias. Although I have to say they don't appear to have hardly any effect. When it gets properly dark I'll pop out for a quick spin and see if it's made any difference.

As far as the ride height is concerned, I can now just get the handle of my ratchet under the back tyre with the bike on the centre-stand. Measuring it, that's about 18mm. How does that sound to you guys?

[Glyn]

bout right

[KeefyB]

Originally Posted by moto748

The ST4S I saw yesterday had a completely different nose-fairing and light unit to the ST2/4. I don't know if all ST4S's are like this, or just very recent ones.

Yep,early ST4S had the same headlamp as ST2/4,...the later ones were the same as ST3,and used a wider headlight.

[rockhopper]

To get the bike turning quickly you need the wheel almost touching the ground but you might find it a bit twitchy and unstable and also run into problems like i had with the top of your helmet getting in the way of your vision! It really does lift the back of the bike a lot. 20mm is the ultra stable conservative setting.

I think its only in the last couple of years that the ST4S has had the revised top fairing.

[moto748]

Thanks, Glyn, KeefyB, and rockhopper.

At the risk of labouring the point, I'm more interested in it's effect on the headlight than on handling. Realistically, on cold, dark, winter roads, I'm much much interested in simple A to B transport. I'm certainly not going to be exploring the limits of its handling in rush-hour traffic coming home from work.

But it's a relief to know I'm in the right ball-park with 18 mm.

I'm thinking of braving the cold and shooting over to Bath in a bit; the annual Film Festival is on at the moment.

[misterpink]

have you tried a multistrada?? i swapped my 748 for one - and love it, course the 748 was special - and on a trackday i know which i would have( i think as i haven't had a trackday on the multi yet). Anyway. the multistrada has a great headlight, easily adjusts, good power characteristics for the winter roads, low maintenance etc etc and is great fun to ride - try one if you get the chance - they are a bargain.

[moto748]

It's crossed my mind.
But Multistradas are a bit more than I'm prepared to pay at the moment. That said, it's quite possible I wouldn't like them at all. I might try to get a run out on one.

And hey, I feel like I'm starting to become some sort of Seinfeld-style Headlight Nazi around here!

It's hardly my first priority in choosing a bike. But the lights on this bike at at the moment as less than adequate.

[moto748]

Spent yesterday twiddling beam adjusters, fitting Halfords supa-dupa bulbs (15 quid each! ), and scagging my knuckles. Bulb changing is an increasingly fiddly job on both cars and bikes these days: why? Car's used to have screws on the outside of the lenses: you removed the lenses and took out the bulb; easy-peasy. Now you have scag your knuckles behind the bumpers. Bikes are the same. Some progress...

Anyway, I reckon I've got the lights "about as good as they'll get".

One thing strikes me, though. The main beam has very little impact. Closer examination reveals that this is because it points towards the hedge on the opposite side of the road, not 'straight down' the road at all.

Anyone else noticed this? Or is my light unit misaligned?

[phoenix n max]

Originally Posted by moto748

I'm thinking of braving the cold and shooting over to Bath in a bit; the annual Film Festival is on at the moment.

Sooo how did it go ? - and did you see any good filums ?

[moto748]

Since you ask

Romanzo Criminale, a cool Italian gangster movie with lots of great old Italian cars!


rockhopper> Yup. Well, as far as I can see. It has mph clocks. How are the lights arranged on "Euro" bikes? Does dipped beam swap over to the right hand side, or is it invariably on the left?