Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > Sport Touring: ST4 / ST3 / ST2 > Best Bike in the World (Probably)

[Jools]

Nice one Norman....hmmm ST4S

[Monty]

Originally Posted by Jools

Nice one Norman....hmmm ST4S

Funnily enough I know someone who is selling one....................

[Mad Dog Bianchi]

Yeah, I like my ST4 loads with very few qualms (well, the heat from the pipes during our tropical summers here is a bit of a problem). Read the interesting article you posted. Good stuff. I usually put the fast idle on at startup, especially in the winter, and keep the revs below 3,000 until a temp starts to show on the indicator. Then I turn off the fast idle. I guess I could do without the fast idle at startup, but I haven't had much luck doing that when the bike is cold. Low idle generally means another try and in the winter the battery is getting close to saying 'enough!' After reading the article however, may try starting with a bit less initial idle speed. You brits may be moving quickly into your version of winter, but we still see days over 30 C here....LOL

[John W]

Great write up.

Mine has 36k on it now, and is still going well (did have a new cam and followers at 24k, but mechanic reckons this was due to 12k checks not being done - tricky to prove).

The best improvements to my bike, which makes it perfect for what we need, are the HID light conversions and DP Gell seat.

I really hope the new bike thats due out soon is as good as the ST.

[Mad Dog Bianchi]

Ducati needs another great Sport Tourer. Multi-strada is nice, but not quite the same caliber. The ST had poop enough for two up and luggage and 100 mph cruising. Improve on that with maybe a built in GPS/Nav and less heat under the seat and soon others will be singing the praises of the new ST as well.

[NormanBurrows]

Originally Posted by Mad Dog Bianchi

Ducati needs another great Sport Tourer. Multi-strada is nice, but not quite the same caliber. The ST had poop enough for two up and luggage and 100 mph cruising. Improve on that with maybe a built in GPS/Nav and less heat under the seat and soon others will be singing the praises of the new ST as well.

Good point. I wonder how many can't deal with the 'sit-up and beg' position of GS-style bikes though? Whilst I can't blame Ducati for producing a genre that made up just 3% of their production (seen on the poster at the factory) maybe an anniversary special or something? Don't know what anniversary but I would definately buy one, or maybe two! Why? Cos I love wolves in sheeps clothing. One golden moment out of many I'll share: hottest ever day in the summer of 2003 on the A352 eastbound towards Wareham. There's a mile or so of dual carriageway just past Broadmayne. An Aprilia RSV made a cheeky move at the roundabout and gave it the berries. The road was totally empty. He must have thought, "sports tourer with big luggage on, including tank bag, I'll have im". Err ... no. Let's just say at the end of the mile or so he nearly jumped off his bike seeing me right there at twice what we should have been doing+20 (on the clock of course). Last March I put her (bog standard) on the proper dyno at Carbon Can in Fleetwood. 117.5bhp at the rear wheel. Ducati claim 117 for my model. Top product.

[Monty]

Originally Posted by Mad Dog Bianchi

Ducati needs another great Sport Tourer. Multi-strada is nice, but not quite the same caliber. The ST had poop enough for two up and luggage and 100 mph cruising. Improve on that with maybe a built in GPS/Nav and less heat under the seat and soon others will be singing the praises of the new ST as well.

That's why I have the new 'Multistrada' thingy on order. I need a less 'wristy' riding position as even my ST4S kills my left wrist these days-serves me right for smashing it up 9 years ago I suppose-the wrist not the bike................
The new bike has the more upright riding position I need, panniers and topbox, and enough engine to sustain high speed cruising 2 up-well at least with an 1198 lump it should have enough engine-even for me.........
Latest picture I have seen shows the bike with luggage-I am going to the Milan show in November to see it in the metal-can't wait.

John

[John W]

Monty, that looks pretty good with the luggage. I was expecting them to do a ktm/bmw alloy box setup, which just doesn't do it for us.

The only concern with that is the height of the pillion seat and pegs. The step in the seat is so big it would put my missus way up in the breeze. I guess until we actually see and ride one we'll never know.

Not many weeks to wait now though

[Mad Dog Bianchi]

yeah Monty, but you don't count as you are one of the walking wounded....LOL. The photo looks like ST luggage, but the final product may be something else. They sure made that sucker butt ugly! Wow.
Still, I have never had a sore wrist from my ST except from a lot of clutch use in heavy traffic. Otherwise, touring is pretty comfortable. Would be nice to see a refined sports tourer again though.

[Chef]

Like it - nice to see ducati being used for what it was designed for ie ridden!!