Lowest cost/maintenance ST?

[Royal Tiger]

250cc Suzuki race bike? I took the MSF on a Suzuki GZ250, which is a baby cruiser. Kawasaki and now Honda have 250cc sport bikes.

[GPettigrew]

ST 2 's for some reason seem to have low resale value...If there ever was a "practical" Ducati this has to be it, hard bags and all
Greg
Gregs Euro Moto Paint :: Home

[cb4265]

Originally Posted by bradvincent

Right now, I am a grad student with a full time job, serious girlfriend 30 miles away and house under major construction with me doing all the work. In 2 years, I will have a normal job, a normal house and a wife that lives with me. I don't mind maintenance, I just can't justify the time now.

The question is how long I keep my current motorcycle, whether I get an "in between" bike before a Ducati, and if I get a Ducati now, which model will suit me best.

Electric gremlins worry me, Ohio has a lot of salt on the roads, and I ride 12 months a year.

Riding position doesn't bother me, although I am getting tired of the "big man on a small bike". The s50 is a great bike for a 5' tall rider. I did my MSF on a Suzuki race bike (not sure what model, but 250cc) and was comfortable. Unless people are sleeping on their motorcycles, I am not sure what all the fuss is over ride position.

If I see a ST2, ST3, ST3ABS, ST4, ST4s in the classifieds for a good price, should I pull the trigger?

Yes, yes to all of the above, all models have there own little idiosyncracies but none that you would say don't buy that year or that model.
Supposedley the 2 & 3 valve models are easier to service than the 4 valvers but I am not convinced the difference is huge. If I had my choice of ST'ownership over again, I would pick a ST4S, purely for the better suspension, and make sure you get the later model seat, your girlfriend will thank you.

Craig

[va duc]

Originally Posted by bradvincent

If I see a ST2, ST3, ST3ABS, ST4, ST4s in the classifieds for a good price, should I pull the trigger?

You come into this form and ask this question? The answer would be hell yes!

The 2 valve motor is simpler to maintain, and cost less to purchase initially. The ECU's on the ST2 and ST4 are rock solid and don't have the problems some of the ST4S and ST3 bikes have.

The ST2 would be the best fit for the criteria you have mentioned.
Good luck!

[ptourin]

If you start looking for an ST2, here are a few useful tidbits:

In 1998 it had a single phase alternator, and there were electrical problems - the rectifier/voltage regulator tended to overheat and fry. Many '98 owners repositioned the VR so that it would be in the airstream and/or mounted it on a heat sink so it would keep cooler. If you find a '98, ask if the electrical mods have been done.

In 1999 they changed to a 3-phase alternator with higher output - less electrical problems.

In 2001 they downgraded the suspension on the ST2.

So the sweet spot for ST2's seems to be 1999-2000. That's what I was looking for, but never found one so I bought a '98.

If you want a source for a lot of this sort of ST info, look at the ST FAQ at Ducati ST FAQ

[DuckMan]

Originally Posted by va duc

You come into this form and ask this question? The answer would be hell yes!

The 2 valve motor is simpler to maintain, and cost less to purchase initially. The ECU's on the ST2 and ST4 are rock solid and don't have the problems some of the ST4S and ST3 bikes have.

The ST2 would be the best fit for the criteria you have mentioned.
Good luck!

The maintenance of the two valve is a big plus. But! I absolutely love the way it performs. It's all about what happens just as you hit the apex of a corner, and even if the revs are too low and the motor goes chug, chug, chug, it pulls in a way, no THE way that made Ducati what it is. I've said it a million times and I'll say it again, there's magic in the 2v motor.

Yes, I like them.

[va duc]

Originally Posted by DuckMan

The maintenance of the two valve is a big plus. But! I absolutely love the way it performs. It's all about what happens just as you hit the apex of a corner, and even if the revs are too low and the motor goes chug, chug, chug, it pulls in a way, no THE way that made Ducati what it is. I've said it a million times and I'll say it again, there's magic in the 2v motor.

Yes, I like them.

So saith the man with 2V, 3V and 4V motors...

[Royal Tiger]

Yeah that is a ringing endorsement from Mike.

[stryder]

Originally Posted by bradvincent

Right now, I am a grad student with a full time job, serious girlfriend 30 miles away and house under major construction with me doing all the work. In 2 years, I will have a normal job, a normal house and a wife that lives with me. I don't mind maintenance, I just can't justify the time now.

The question is how long I keep my current motorcycle, whether I get an "in between" bike before a Ducati, and if I get a Ducati now, which model will suit me best.

Electric gremlins worry me, Ohio has a lot of salt on the roads, and I ride 12 months a year.

Riding position doesn't bother me, although I am getting tired of the "big man on a small bike". The s50 is a great bike for a 5' tall rider. I did my MSF on a Suzuki race bike (not sure what model, but 250cc) and was comfortable. Unless people are sleeping on their motorcycles, I am not sure what all the fuss is over ride position.

If I see a ST2, ST3, ST3ABS, ST4, ST4s in the classifieds for a good price, should I pull the trigger?

No.

Get a FJ1200. When you are settled, then get a Ducati. FJ s can be hammered on an run well for hundreds of thousands of miles with little care. They are very comfy, and you can add hard cases, though they won t be pretty, but then it s a commuter. The FJ will get you into sport bikes without getting too committed money wise or riding position wise.

Riding position is a big deal for many riders. I like to think one can adapt his body over time to various bikes, but there are many who can never get comfy even with bar risers etc. to the forward riding positions of sport bikes...more sporty-racy more forward the position.

Once you start doing full tank to empty tank non stop rides on a bike with a 21+ litre tank, which you will find yourself doing once on a proper bike, seating position re strain on wrists is a big deal, as is the seat, wind buffeting etc.

No matter what you choose, it ll be the right choice for you.

[trueducman]

My Dad has a 99 ST4. He currently has over 70,000 miles on it and I'm sure has more to come. Aside from normal maintenance (clutch, tires, battery, etc....) the bike has been nothing short of awesome for him. Preventative maintenance will save you in the long run and from the looks of it you wouldn't have a problem with that. Not sure if you have any friends that have Duc's or why you are turned onto Ducati. I'd like to say that Duc's can be like women, you need to treat them right and give them what they want and of course no matter what, they will have their days. A Ducati is nothing like any other motorcycle. It is an experience and they will require your attention. You noted that you will be fulfiling big milestones in your life, remember that the Duc will cost you more to maintain than just about any other bike out there? Choose something that fits you and your budget. Good luck.