Lowest cost/maintenance ST?

[bradvincent]

About to pull the trigger on an ST2 1998 (price is right) without any luggage. How much will will it cost to get panniers or a top case?

Also, I read in the FAQ that these bikes are hard to start in the cold, which doesn't make sense being fuel injected. A large reason for my switch is I am tired of fiddling with carbs and tired of hoping my engine starts before the battery dies.

[ptourin]

It should start OK in the cold if the battery is good and the wiring connections aren't corroded (even better - heavier duty wiring for the start circuit, several vendors sell kits of varying heaviness and price). Another help for starting: wire a switch to turn off the low beam while starting, or a relay that opens the low beam circuit while starting. Then you don't have the heavy battery draw from the headlight while cranking the starter.

[Noid]

My experience is the panniers are nearly impossible to replace (for a reasonable price, at least). The only decent set I've seen on ebay (silver) sold for just over 500$. You /might/ be able to buy a brand new set for around $1.2k, but I'm not even sure these can be bought anymore. I have the panniers for my bike but no key and have tried everywhere to replace the lock kits, only to find no one can actually fill the order. Apparently Ducati doesn't actually have the part anymore.

[bradvincent]

Thanks, how hard is it to get a top case?

[tonered]

The top case is easy. Any Givi Monokey will do. The problem is the mount. They've been out of production for a couple years now.

Some folks were talking about fabricating a few as a sort of group buy, but no one has finalized anything. It is an easy design as the DP/Givi part was just a couple tubes bent in two dimensions with a few fittings welded to it for attachment.

Have a good one.

[bradvincent]

So is there any practical way to add any storage at all?

[tonered]

None that will look as nice as the Duc cases. Some Givi Monokey side cases are bad ass for storage, such as the E360 and E460, but stick out far and don't look the part. The later V35 cases are smaller and would require a lot more fabbing to work.

The side case mounts are very simple also, but the fittings will cost. They are similar to the Givi fittings you'd need to fab for a top case mount. These mounting bits and pieces can be found at giviusa.com.

A few folks around here prefer soft cases. Many companies make combo sets with a seat and side bags. Myself, it's hardbags or nothing. They make great sliders and carry Costco sized items perfectly.

You'd probably be better off looking for an ST with cases already.

Have a good one.

[bradvincent]

This is more a matter of cost than looks. I have a St2 nearby I can get for $3k. Do you really think I should keep looking? What fittings and and what is there cost?

[erikrichard]

Brad, I'll reiterate what the others have said - move on. ST2's with bags sell for $3000. The bags are what makes these bikes what they are, and are very difficult to add.

[bradvincent]

Painful to let this one go, a $12,000 MSRP bike is overpriced at $3000 because of luggage options. I will keep looking.