A few more newbie ST3 questions - Ducati.ms

Pirate · Sep 9th, 2006, 10:21 pm

OK.. Got my 06 ST3 a few days ago... so far, I'm having a damn good time on this.. my first twin... Spent most of the first day installing 3M material to all the parts that'll take a beating.. the second day installing my V1 which I have discovered will be VERY necessary... but today I got to ride.. Will post a full review soon, but for now.. a few more newbie questions for youz guys.. If the same questions have been talked about previously.. my apologies...

1. I made a run to Deals Gap today.. filled up twice. The first time I filled up the bars on the fuel gauge only came up to 1/2!! what the f#@*? the second time I filled up it came to 3/4... Obviously this is a problem that I'll tell my dealer about at first service but.. is this common?? or an anomaly?

2. Have owned a few BMWs.. a K1200RS and now a K1200S.. these bikes get smoother with time..engine and shifting The RS doesn't even get broken in until about 30K.. Will the ST3 get smoother as the miles go on?? Not complaining, as the bike feels damn good...just curious as to what to expect..

3. Am I wrong to assume that most are unsatisfied with the sidestand? The lean is pretty far over and the foot is microscopic.. I can lift the front tire off the ground by slightly pulling on the bike when it's on the sidestand..

TIA all...

Oilhed · Sep 10th, 2006, 12:10 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pirate

1. I made a run to Deals Gap today.. filled up twice. The first time I filled up the bars on the fuel gauge only came up to 1/2!! what the f#@*? the second time I filled up it came to 3/4... Obviously this is a problem that I'll tell my dealer about at first service but.. is this common?? or an anomaly?

2. Have owned a few BMWs.. a K1200RS and now a K1200S.. these bikes get smoother with time..engine and shifting The RS doesn't even get broken in until about 30K.. Will the ST3 get smoother as the miles go on?? Not complaining, as the bike feels damn good...just curious as to what to expect..

3. Am I wrong to assume that most are unsatisfied with the sidestand? The lean is pretty far over and the foot is microscopic.. I can lift the front tire off the ground by slightly pulling on the bike when it's on the sidestand..

TIA all...

1) Never had that problem.

2) My Ducati is smoother than any BMW I've owned. It hasn't gotten any smoother in 4,000 miles.

3) I'm happy with the sidestand. I would prefer it seemed more locked when down. The centerstand is too tall and at the wrong balance point, IMO.

pai2uk · Sep 10th, 2006, 3:11 pm

Hi, I have a new ST3, I picked up on Thursday. I fitted the side bags yesterday and put her on the side stand, I don't know why but it really did look strange. I was quite leaned over but everything is OK, I am glad you brought this up as it confirms the strange stance I noticed!

Now as its done less than 80miles I'm still not familiar with it, but I am getting strange surges when it runs at around 5000rpm? I feel it more than see it, but there is ever so slight movements in the Tacho. I had a 2005 Monster S2R and it felt nothing like this.Other than that its perfect.

ward · Sep 10th, 2006, 5:13 pm

1. IMHO fuel guages on Ducs are, err, for indication only. Far better to get an idea of many miles/kms you can go between fills. I get about 200kms on the ST4 before I start to worry - the gauge at this point can show anything from the blinking single bar to a 1/4 full.

2. What do you mjean by smoother? You'll never lose the 'lumpiness' of the L-twin. Things do loosen up a bit (obviously), but the motor characteristics don't really change. Be careful that you are not 'lugging' it. Duc motors are V. smooth when spinning over, but rattle the bike about when in too high a gear for the revs. Boxers (from what I know) are happier lower down the rev range. Don't be afraid to keep the revs up.

3. Yeah, aren't they. It adds character, and keeps you on your toes. No fixes that I know of.

Pirate · Sep 10th, 2006, 6:48 pm

As this is the first Duc I've ever owned or ridden... Wasn't sure if the lumpiness was consistent throughout the life of the bike or if it changed... as I said.. was just curious.. It's kinda pleasant actually... I was mostly wondering if the shifting got easier.. While it shifts just fine, it seems a little stiff...

THX for the tip about keeping the revs up and not lugging.. I have been lugging the crap out of the poor thing since day one.. I was wondering if it was OK to rev it up a bit.. THx for confirming..

I am going to get the dealer to look into the fuel gauge problem when I take it in for the 600 mile service.. I wouldn't mind a bar or two off but 1/2 the bars... I'm sure the warranty will cover a fix....

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

1. IMHO fuel guages on Ducs are, err, for indication only. Far better to get an idea of many miles/kms you can go between fills. I get about 200kms on the ST4 before I start to worry - the gauge at this point can show anything from the blinking single bar to a 1/4 full.

2. What do you mjean by smoother? You'll never lose the 'lumpiness' of the L-twin. Things do loosen up a bit (obviously), but the motor characteristics don't really change. Be careful that you are not 'lugging' it. Duc motors are V. smooth when spinning over, but rattle the bike about when in too high a gear for the revs. Boxers (from what I know) are happier lower down the rev range. Don't be afraid to keep the revs up.

3. Yeah, aren't they. It adds character, and keeps you on your toes. No fixes that I know of.

allikanbe · Sep 10th, 2006, 8:09 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pirate

As this is the first Duc I've ever owned or ridden... Wasn't sure if the lumpiness was consistent throughout the life of the bike or if it changed... as I said.. was just curious.. It's kinda pleasant actually... I was mostly wondering if the shifting got easier.. While it shifts just fine, it seems a little stiff...

THX for the tip about keeping the revs up and not lugging.. I have been lugging the crap out of the poor thing since day one.. I was wondering if it was OK to rev it up a bit.. THx for confirming..

I am going to get the dealer to look into the fuel gauge problem when I take it in for the 600 mile service.. I wouldn't mind a bar or two off but 1/2 the bars... I'm sure the warranty will cover a fix....

Pirate,
Congrats on the new bike. My 05 ST4s is vastly different than my 04 BMW KRS. After my first ride, I thought the Duc was very rough even on smooth asphalt. I got used to it and now I like it. It helped to have the dealer adjust the suspension too. I have no clue how to do that. It took him about 20 minutes and me a couple of rides.
I didn't care for the shifting initially. After 6,000 miles, it's great. The shifter actually feels like it's pulled into gear. A fast shift and a fast open and shut on the throttle makes it super smooth. There is normally no need for 6th gear. You have to go over 90mph to even think of using it otherwise you just lug around.
I have had no problem with the fuel gauge. I just fill up every 200 miles.

Oilhed · Sep 10th, 2006, 9:00 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pirate

THX for the tip about keeping the revs up and not lugging.. I have been lugging the crap out of the poor thing since day one.. I was wondering if it was OK to rev it up a bit.. THx for confirming.

My BMWs I ran 4500 - 5500 RPMs to keep them happy. Since my ST3 has been broken in I run it 5000 - 8000 RPMs. Rarely will I let it get below 4500 RPMs and it seems very happy and so am I!

dmrst · Sep 12th, 2006, 12:54 pm

1. Are you filling up on the centerstand? Mine takes a bit to show up correctly when I put it up on the centerstand. Once I put it back on the ground, the gauge reads as expected

2. Yes, it does get better. I adjusted the shift lever down a bit to make it easier to get the gear I want. It was too high for me as delivered.[/B]

3. Your point? Just kidding, yeah, the foot is tiny, so it digs in on asphalt at nearly any temp

The Ducs are meant to lean, even when you are parked!!!

LiquidSilver · Sep 12th, 2006, 2:45 pm

2005 ST4S, here.

For me, it seems like the fuel gauge gets to 'full' eventually. It just seems to have a slow, time-delay to get to 'full.'

Also, I raised the rear to sharpen the handling a bit, and now the 'spindly' sidestand is REALLY noticed. I generally look for a slope to park it on, to compensate. (or throw down the centerstand)

At 5700 miles, my gearbox still has false neutrals among the higher gears. I was hoping they'd have kissed off by now, but no. Perhaps I should just make all of my shifts clutchless, that seems to keep it from happening.

Motor is still abrupt, lumpy at certain RPM... assuming it's character of the Desmoquattro... not a problem, but it definitely would lose a city commuter comparo to a Vespa. (good thing I don't much use it for city commuting)

**flynfink** · Sep 12th, 2006, 3:41 pm

7K miles on my 04.

My only issue with the fuel level indicator is it's inaccurate (this weekend was showing E at 125 miles, put in 2.5 gals). Mine show's full when filled. Asheville to Deals Gap and needed two tanks of fuel? WTF .. Somethings not right. 5.5 gals at 40-50 mpg =220 miles worse case. 275 at 50 MPG

Adj. your gear shifter to fit your shoe/boot. Mine seemed to have a far # of false neutrals until I spent 5 minutes and made the adj. Never get a false N anymore.

Mines a 4v and keep the revs above about 3500 and she's sweet and smooth. and seems smoother as I get more miles.

As far as the side stand, yes, small footprint. I have a foot thingy that I got somwhere that stays in my tank bag. That said, the owners manual recommends not leaving it parked on the sidestand (for long). As you play with the ride height, it will lean more. I've had no issues except making sure that she's parked on pretty level ground with the sidestand.

And I commute with mine... not a problem, even two up.

CIO.