Ducati STs (Sport Tourers)

[JeffOlson]

It's a shame Ducati stopped making the ST back in 2007. I would have bought a new one recently if they still made them.

A recent thread here about sport tourers made me misty-eyed for my old Ducati ST2 that I traded in on my first Norge. Light weight, fast, agile, fun, and glorious-sounding.

I love my Norge, but when I noticed that local Ducati dealer Moto Corsa has two (!) used STs for sale, I had to test ride them both. So, I took a long lunch today. First, I rode a red 2007 ST3s ABS with about 21,000 miles. It was fun, but not as fun as my ST2 with its Termignoni cans. Next, I rode a yellow 2004 ST4s with about 20,000 miles AND Termignoni cans. What a glorious sound! And what fast fun!

However, both Ducatis require much more "commitment" than riding a Norge (especially the ST4s). My hands were numb and tingling, and I'm sure my neck and back would have been sore after riding 100 miles.

I loved getting back on my barcalounger Norge and riding back to work. Still, my heart beat quite wildly riding that loud, fast, yellow bike...

[Adk.IBO]

I had an '04 ST4S ABS for 4 riding seasons. I can relate to the commitment required. You just had to be on your toes all the time. I have some very good memories from it. Sold it after I got my '09 Norge in '11. Getting the itch for something else again... Leaning to the lighter side, V7II, HD Roadster, Monster 821, ..?.. Open to suggestions, keep in mind aging with 28" inseam...

[Vince in Milwaukee]

Wouldn't it be great if you could have both?  I still remember riding a friend's 900SS.  It was like my LeMans, but then again it wasn't.  Fun times. 

[lucky phil]

It's a shame Ducati stopped making the ST back in 2007. I would have bought a new one recently if they still made them.

A recent thread here about sport tourers made me misty-eyed for my old Ducati ST2 that I traded in on my first Norge. Light weight, fast, agile, fun, and glorious-sounding.

I love my Norge, but when I noticed that local Ducati dealer Moto Corsa has two (!) used STs for sale, I had to test ride them both. So, I took a long lunch today. First, I rode a red 2007 ST3s ABS with about 21,000 miles. It was fun, but not as fun as my ST2 with its Termignoni cans. Next, I rode a yellow 2004 ST4s with about 20,000 miles AND Termignoni cans. What a glorious sound! And what fast fun!

However, both Ducatis require much more "commitment" than riding a Norge (especially the ST4s). My hands were numb and tingling, and I'm sure my neck and back would have been sore after riding 100 miles.

I loved getting back on my barcalounger Norge and riding back to work. Still, my heart beat quite wildly riding that loud, fast, yellow bike...

Well I own an ST2 with Termi cans and I laughed when I read "commitment". To me its a lounge chair, if you want commitment then I'll give you a ride on my 1198s. I wont need to worry because you wont get it out of the driveway:) There's a reason I go to the gym for an hour ever day. A Norge must be like a padded bar stool.....with the bar to rest on.

Ciao

[Nic in Western NYS]

Had Fast by Ferracci pipes on my old ST2 for a while until setting off car alarms in parking garages got a little old.  But that sound was amazing.
Heli bars on the ST4s suit my older self very well.  35" inseam here, which really helps with these bikes. I'm in a definitely one-bike situation for as far as I can see, and as much as I am longing for a Stelvio, I know I will regret selling the ST so that's about that.

[leafman60]

My long-time riding friend had an ST4 for several years and I rode it many times. It was fast and loud and handled very well.  It's visceral appeal was very high.

Without exception, everytime my friend had it in the shop for service, he would call me and say he was going to sell "the damn thing."  Service cost, regular maintenance cost was very high.

Eventually, I acquired my '02 Guzzi Scura with that wonderful single-plate clutch. I changed the exhaust and intake and installed a PC fuel mapping module. The Scura would haul butt too.

One day, my Ducati friend and I were on a ride and I offered him the Guzzi to try so we swapped. He loved the Goose. He said when he got on the throttle it slid him back in the seat and thankfully the rear tailpiece kept him from sliding off the rear fender!

The performance of the Guzzi was close enough to the Duck for him. And, he loved the fact that his riding partner would do the valves for him in about 30 minutes time. The next week, we went to Atlanta and he bought the last warehoused '03 red Corsa in the Guzzi warehouse.

He spent many pleasurable miles on the Guzzi until his untimely passing from cancer. Chuck from Indiana ended up with that '03 Corsa.

[Travlr]

I'm glad you love your Norge.
But it's more of a touring bike.
A better comparison would be to the BMW RT.

Over the years many sport touring bikes morphed in to touring bikes.
The ST series bikes are faithful to the original concept.

I have a Scura alongside my ST3.
I love that bike.   The last of the hot rod Guzzi's.
Two very charismatic motorcycles.

Mike

[guzzimatic]

Just a point about maintenance,my oldest friend had 2 ST's,ST4 and an ST4s,both use types of the 916-996 Desmoquattro superbike engine. He had trouble with flaking cams- followers a known problem on higher mileage bikes...don't think the ST3 had this problem...

[Travlr]

>don't think the ST3 had this problem.

You are correct.  The 3 valve motor, and later Testastretta motors, did not have flaking rockers.

[JeffOlson]

Any thoughts of replacing my Norge with a Ducati ST were quickly dispelled last night. I left my office at 5:45 PM and began traveling north to our cabin in Olympia. It took me one hour and 40 minutes to travel 20 miles. I would have parked the Ducati and left it by the side of the road... Welcome to #%^* LA!

[Nic in Western NYS]

Any thoughts of replacing my Norge with a Ducati ST were quickly dispelled last night. I left my office at 5:45 PM and began traveling north to our cabin in Olympia. It took me one hour and 40 minutes to travel 20 miles. I would have parked the Ducati and left it by the side of the road... Welcome to #%^* LA!

Yup.  My 98 ST2 had a manly clutch pull effort.  A lot of owners went for aftermarket slave cylinders (yoyodyne was a favorite).  My 04 has a more normal clutch pull feel.  Irrespective of the clutch, the riding position sure makes traffic a bear.