2006 St3s vs 2006 vfr800 - Ducati.ms

aconrad · May 1st, 2006, 1:31 pm

I'm sure this has been discussed several thousand times but from this forum's prospective what are pros cons for each(duc/honda). I am coming off a BMW R1150rt looking for something smaller less touring easy to handle at slower speeds but all day ride on weekend // 7mile ride to work week days.

pazzoduc · May 1st, 2006, 1:34 pm

I think you mean VFR... No bags, easy choice. St3. Or better yet st4s if you can find one.

mcd · May 1st, 2006, 2:47 pm

I believe bags for the VFR can be obtained for an added cost. Now, coming from a BMW, you know all about... dare I say... quirky motorcycles (splines, clunky transmissions, etc)? I am definitely biased but if you are looking for utilitarian, look at the Honda. If you are looking for soul, more power, better suspension and a pretty well built piece (see quirky statement above), give the 3s a look. Something to definitely think about when considering a Ducati though, is proximity to a good dealer if you are not pretty proficient with a wrench. Also, recently, some 06 owners on this board have encountered some issues. With respect to the 04's and 05's standard ST, there seems to be some pretty positive press from the bulk of the owners on this site. Don't forget there is always the demo ride option... at least as far as the Duc goes.

ST4R · May 1st, 2006, 3:18 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcd

Don't forget there is always the demo ride option... at least as far as the Duc goes.

But be careful! I rode one back in 2001 and that was it - I bought it. Until that point I had never felt a motorcycle with such character and soul. That 90 degree V-Twin is something else.

pgeller · May 1st, 2006, 7:04 pm

Lots of opinions out there. Some may be echoing what they've read on other opinion-based boards, some may have actually experienced the bikes. I've owned both a well-equipped ST2 and a 2003 VFR, and have ridden a fairly-new ST3. While there are differences, they're not that far apart. Both tour easily, handle very well in the twisties, get decent mileage and are relatively reliable. Some newer Ducs have had reliability issues, and so have the newer VFRs. A good dealer and some personal investment goes a long way to mitigate the risk.

The whole "soul" nonsense is just that. Both these bikes have unique personalities with positive and negative attributes, and only you can decide which you like. I love the sound and feel of the VFR V4 at high revs through Staintune pipes; nothing makes that sound and growl. The Duc benefits from good pipes as well, the throatier and deeper the better.

On the downside, the VFR is a technically overblown design. It is extremely complex in some areas and self-servicing can be challenging. While I really like the linked brakes, it adds a lot of plumbing. The VTEC valve train thingy is a nice gimmick that maybe reduces emissions (if you care about that), but is again overly complex and makes tuning a bit of a challenge. The famous "VTEC Kick" is certainly there on some bikes and not there on others. Mine makes a tiny kick (mostly sound changing) at a few throttle positions, but it really has no effect on riding. It sounds neat, but they could have just as well left it off. The bike makes plenty of low end torque (for a 781cc bike), but not the stump-pulling grunt of the 4s. Top end power is fine with good pipes.

Honda's hard bags cost $999 and work and look great, just like the ST bags. They've been available since 2003.

I suggest you ride both, see what you like. I'll keep my VFR for a while.

pg

Oilhed · May 1st, 2006, 7:43 pm

I always liked the 2000-ish VFR design and engine. If that one was available without the linked brakes and some factory bags I may have bought one. I even considered GIVI bags.

Now riding a ST3 and I love it. The factory bags are great, too - way better than BMW!

Sig · May 1st, 2006, 7:51 pm

I went through the same decision process a couple of years ago. I test rode the VFR and found it to be a fine bike. I found it was very easy to get comfortable on it and very easy to ride quickly through twisty roads even with no prior experience on the bike. Predictable and smooooooooth power delivery, predictable brakes, comfortable ergos...in short, a very pleasant ride. But in some strange way, it was almost too easy...too smooth...too refined?

It did not make me feel as involved in the riding experience as my previous Monster or the ST4S which I also test rode. The Ducati just made me feel better.

Bike choice is a very personal thing and at the end of the day, you should choose the bike that best suits the mental image you have of yourself and your riding. Which bike do you identify with more closely?

st2sam · May 1st, 2006, 8:01 pm

You did say ST3s? Your kidding, right?
My best friend rides a '04 VFR, I rode his, he rode my ST3, I couldn't wait to give it back! He said his next bike will be a Ducati.................

mcd · May 1st, 2006, 8:23 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgeller

The whole "soul" nonsense is just that. pg

PG, first and foremost... a very well thought out and very informative response. But, if there are any old guys out there who remember the now defunct Help Needed section of the Ducati Index you very likely remember a whitty gentleman by screen name of "EastBay 888". Anyway... one day the stars all seemed to align when he generated a post which summed up the whole "soul" concept in a way us mere mortals dream about. A free beer to the person that comes up with the details of that splendid post.

tttexan · May 1st, 2006, 8:53 pm

I had an 02 VFR, Staintunes, power commander etc.and liked it for a while, but the v tech gets old on a twisty road. I like the St4 a lot more. Try to swing a demo ride on each and see what you prefer.