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ideas to upgrade performance of 04 st3

4K views 16 replies 9 participants last post by  Sikkenskid 
#1 ·
I am new to the site and happy to find a group of fellow enthusiasts.
I have an Ducati 04 st3 (dry clutch) that I had the remus carbon fibre pipes put on and a corbin seat. Any recommendations on things to add this season to increase my riding enjoyment and its performance with out sacrificing reliability?
Thanks,
Brock
Oh and I also got an older Carl Fogarty leather jacket off of ebay (I think that added about 5 HP to my engine)
 
#2 ·
What sort of performance/riding enjoyment improvements are you looking for? While I too own an '04 ST3, although I chose Staintune cans, I don't know that more power will really improve my enjoyment experience. I still may at some point have some port work done, maybe even some new headers and larger valves if the mood suits me.

The real performance-enjoyment upgrade on the ST3 is achieved by suspension work. Have you swapped out stiffer fork springs? The OEM springs are waaaaay soft for even the most diminutive rider. While you're in there, upgrade the fork valving. Next, lose the Sachs-Boge rear coil replacing with a Penske 3-way, preferrably with a Ti spring of appropriate rate. Use that Penske length adjustment to raise the rear end for quicker, lighter and more responsive steering. Lighter forged alloy wheels are a very nice upgrade in feel and performance, not to mention looks as well. A lightweight Metmachix alloy swingarm will also dramatically reduce unsprung mass, increase torsional stiffness in rear and make chain tension adjustments a piece o' cake. Of course the Pilot Road tires MUST go, replaced with Diablo's in my case, although some like Pilot Power's and I may give Conti Road Attacks' a go for my next set.

Creature comforts like heated grips and a GPS mount can also help but for my $$, suspension upgrades deliver the greatest improvement in riding enjoyment on any bike, including the already very nice handling ST3. Take care.
 
#3 ·
Thanks for the information bigmac. I was thinking suspension or wheels/tires. I come from a cycling background and know what nice wheels and suspension can do. I don't know what brands to get so thanks for that too. Do you do the work yourself, purchase it and have a dealer do it or have them purchase it and install it.
Best Wishes,
Brock
 
#5 ·
I've got Marchesini forged magnesium wheels on my ST2, but am getting BST wheels for my SS (I thought about them for the ST2, but they are officially rated at 400kg GVW, which can be exceeded by an ST with 2-up and luggage, so I went with the mags).

I put an Ohlins on my ST2, but the Penske is better for the ST3 as the ST3 doesn't have adjustable ride height, so the higher cost of the Penske is offset by the need for an adjustable strut with the Ohlins when used on the ST3.

These are things that are easily done by yourself. I also did the forks myself (RaceTech valves, Ohlins springs), but as the ST3 doesn't have adjustable forks, it's probably best to take them to a specialist.

Tom
 
#8 · (Edited)
Motowheels has pretty good deals...

www.motowheels.com


And as has been said. The biggest upgrade I´ve done to my bike in terms of performance was upgrade to lighter Magnesium rims. The change in the bike is fantastic! One thing for an ST rider to think about is that mag-rims aren´t really made for riding with a passenger.. This shouldn´t be a problem if your SO is of a smaller size.

A change of gearing is a wise thing.. All Ducati´s are to tall anyway.

Here is a little info on tuning the ST3 engine. Not alot, since the engine IS pretty new. Brad explains that the DP ECU really isn´t a good thing..
http://www.moto-one.com.au/performance/st3base.html
 
#10 ·
baw13 said:
The Penske 3 way is tough to find though? Any ideas on where to get that?
Thanks,
Brock
Check out www.Penskeshocks.com Hopefully they have a dealer finder link. If not, contact them by phone or email inquiring about location for a local dealer.

Alternatively, almost any sportbike suspension shop of decent regard should be able to order Penske shocks (including most if not all shops previously mentioned in this thread), just be sure they know the specific application, intended maximum and minimum payload capacity(this includes rider, luggage and possibly pillion rider) and intended riding usage. This information is critical in obtaining proper spring rate and valving for your Penske unit. All Penske shocks are sold as custom valved and sprung, not knowing the intended application and usage defeats purpose of this technology. Take care.
 
#11 ·
Penske shock

baw13 said:
Thank you all for your input I will let you know what I do in the spring.
Thanks for the link to Motowheels.
The Penske 3 way is tough to find though? Any ideas on where to get that?
Thanks,
Brock
Brock,
Try Dave Hodges at GP Supension in Oregon. www.gpsuspension.com
503-723-7793

He did a custom penske shock for me on my ST3, plus he reworked the forks too!

Don
 
#12 ·
Questions about the Penske rear

For those of you who've put the Penske rear 8900 series shock, what compression adjuster did you choose? Do you mind saying what your cost was for the parts?

Penske has a nice manual online:
http://www.penskeshocks.com/8900 Motorcycle Manual.pdf

Gives information on parts as well as setting sag and adjusting your suspension based on bike performance.
 
#13 ·
you might want to contact NC Rick (you can PM him); he's a Penske and an Ohlins dealer. He redid the suspension on my 853 and did a hell of a job. So he knows what he's doing. On top of that, hell give you a good deal on the shock and can have it set to your bike/weight.
 
#14 ·
Penske price

thewall67 said:
For those of you who've put the Penske rear 8900 series shock, what compression adjuster did you choose? Do you mind saying what your cost was for the parts?

Penske has a nice manual online:
http://www.penskeshocks.com/8900 Motorcycle Manual.pdf

Gives information on parts as well as setting sag and adjusting your suspension based on bike performance.
I paid $1458 for a total suspension rework through GP Suspension. That included custom machined valves for the front forks, new shims, new springs; new 8900 series Penske rear shock with a 700# Eibach spring and remote compression adjuster. The Penske shock with new spring was $795 alone.

Dave questioned my riding style, weight, what I wanted as far as performance, more street, track etc.. He then built the bike and adjusted it according to my preferences.

Don
 
#15 ·
Thanks Ducati Don and Buckelew for the contacts regarding Penske. I will follow up with them right away as suspension seems more cost effective right now. The right wheels seem to be a big investment and that will make more sense for next season.
Best wishes,
Brock
 
#16 ·
baw13 said:
Thanks Ducati Don and Buckelew for the contacts regarding Penske. I will follow up with them right away as suspension seems more cost effective right now. The right wheels seem to be a big investment and that will make more sense for next season.
Best wishes,
Brock

Ditto, thanks guys.
 
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