In the December, '06 issue of Sport Rider they did a comparison between the ST3S, VFR ABS, Guzzi Breva and Triumph Sprint ST ABS. In their opinion the Duc narrowly beat out the Honda primarily because of more and better power and heat issues

Reading the comparison one item really stands out for me. The VFR weighed 60 lbs more and had about 20 lb/ft torque less in the midrange.

 

No Mark not me on the Honda. Just trying to show a bit of balance with regard to the capabilities of other brands other than Ducati.
I have 2 which are famous for being the most ugly in the coarse of history. I like the Ducs because they go pretty hard and like the characteristics of the V2.
They are a machine designed for a purpose. If you want romance from a machine, get a vibrator.

 

Would that be a Harley?

 

VFR, gears whine, steering is effortless to the point of providing no feedback at all, motor is smooth but sewing machine is all that comes to mind. Every time I let my friend who had one ride my ST4, he would never give me my bike back and I couldn't keep up with him when he was on my ST4 and I was on his VFR. When I was on the ST4, he couldn't keep up with me. I would go for a adventure bike or somthing like that if you really want a change.

 

It was just a thought really as I was really pissed off with the Duc! I have however found the problem but I'm going to take the winter months to sort it out. I'll stick with the Duc for the time been!

John

 

John - I hope it works our for you this time. I get perturbed at just the routine maintenance and upgrades that I've worked on to date, so I can only imagine the toils you've been through. Were it me, I'd certainly consider my involvement with this motorcycle, so I certainly can sympathize with your frustration.

Ron

 

I have just retired my beloved Duchess, a 2002 ST2 from active service after 8 fantastic but increasingly more frustrating years. A part from annoying electrical gremlins, she was a reliable long distance touring machine until I hit 115000 kms and did a big end bearing. Unfortunately Ducati Australia has seen fit to gradually reduce it's dealer network from regional centres so that the nearest dealer was 600 kms away. Because of my attachment to this bike, I spent a fortune attempting to make it like new but due to incompetence by mechanics etc, after 8000 kms on a refurbished motor, it spat the dummy again. Ducatis are great if (1) you don't do high mileages and (2) there is a "Qualified " Ducati mechanic close by. The lack of backup by Ducati Australia has left an extremely sour taste so I have abandoned the fold ( also had an 848) and have recently purchased a 2010 Honda VFR 800. The reasons are twofold - a local dealer ( 12 kms away) and a 4 year unlimited kilometre warranty. In 2 months I have covered 6000 kms and couldn't be happier. Anyone who says the Honda lacks soul hasn't taken it through 6600 rpm when it goes to 4 valve operation and all hell breaks loose. I still have a soft spot for Ducati but I no longer have a bottomless pocket. Cheers

 

A throwback to the valve guide topic: Guides were the first thing I fixed on my 93 907. Every time I throttled up, it spat a cloud of smoke. So, 2V water cooled motors had the same issues, apparently.
I had a friend with a 750 VFR, and I loved the looks. He'd leave me in the mts. whenever the rpm's picked up. The 907 was also heavier, and had less hp then as it seems is still the case. When we swapped, I had the same 'sewing machine' experience others have. It was like driving a civic, by comparison. Capable, competent, attractive, but just not enough.
Interesting how things don't change that much; this comparo. will go on forever it seems...my data is 14 years old!

 

I've owned and ridden many bikes, and still don't really understand what people refer to as "soul." Recently I had chances to ride a Ninja 1000 and an F800ST. When I got on the throttles of both I had visions of operating my cordless drill. When I get on my ST2 Steve McQueen's Mustang from Bullet comes to mind, and when I got on my VFR800 absolutely nothing came to mind. Does this have anything to do with "soul"?
The lack of power under 6k rpm is the problem with the VFRs, Honda should have come out with an affordable 1kcc VFR wo/vtec, instead Honda stupidity continues.

 

Sounds like you "get it." Some don't and argue against the existence of any such thing, and that's okay too. But "cordless drill" vs raucous Mustang sums it up nicely.

 

What is it about a Duc?

First off mw0dbb, sorry for taking your thread way off on a tangent. I hope you can get your ST sorted out. If not, I hope you find a bike that does everything you want & more.

Some of the guys here get it, some don't. I doubt that anyone here bought a Duc because it's ultra-reliable or can go 80K miles on just tires and oil. Although interestingly enough, my DD headlight came from an 02 4s with over 80K miles on it. I work on my own bikes so finding a dealer or scraping up $75 an hour to get it worked on is not something I'm concerned with.

I think the cordless drill comment pretty much nails it.

For me the ST was fast, relatively light, and handles like a dream. Sure there are other bikes that may be faster or more reliable, but that's not why I bought the Duc. Its the package, the speed, the handling, the braking, light weight, and....soul.... the way it makes me feel whether I ride it or look at it. It's gorgeous, not generic, not common, not conventional, and it's no slouch.

If I wind up having to eventually dive into the motor, so be it, I'll just make it faster.

Sure the VFRs are great bikes, if that's what rings your bell, then more power to you. However, don't think for a second that you can convince the majority of Duc owners that another generic Jap bike somehow has the "soul" of a Duc.

In case you think I'm a anti-Honda bigot, I'm not. my dirt bike is a Honda 450R. It's fast, light, and handles like a dream. Like my ST, it wonderfully serves the purpose for which I bought it.

 

Ok so I love Honda's as much as the next bloke ( I have a rare one) but how dare you, a Honda over a Ducati, that is like saying "I would rather have Pamm Anderson over Mirander Kerr (Australian super model) over for dinner, no dissrespect to Pammy A but Maranda is a hottie and i know the Vett get's em wet all the time but it's still not a Ferrari.

 

Interesting read.....
I've currently got a 98 Vfr800 with the gear driven cams and have a staintune on it. The sound is just great.

But as I've always wanted a Duc, I bought a Monster 695 that was going at the right price. Loved the Ducati sound and liveliness of that engine . So now I've sold the monster and am on the hunt for an St3.

So in terms of soul that everyone is talking about, can any one who had a 5th Gen VFR800 comment compared to an ST3? Details of note, ride quality, suspension?

 

So in terms of soul that everyone is talking about, can any one who had a 5th Gen VFR800 comment compared to an ST3? Details of note, ride quality, suspension?

What years does the 5th Gen VFR800 encompass? One of the fastest members of my riding group had a VFR. I know its engine has greatly changed over the years and VFR aficionados argue over which model year was the best.

 

5th gen was 98 to 01

 

Very interested to understand where and why you think your VFR is superior than your 07 ST3.

 

I have an '02 VTEC and 04 ST4S.
Love the higher service intervals and less expensive,easily obtainable parts of the Honda.Pretty much a gas it and ride bike.Many owners don't even bother checking the valves with no known issues,...as in a couple guys going 100K.Not recommending that but it's a Honda.I preferred the non-VTEC gear drive motors (had 2 of them) but the VTEC really suffers from a stifled exhaust.A PC3,header,cans really helps it breathe.Ya,a V-4 motor is pretty sweet and the earlier models were direct descendants from the RC-30's.Comfort is similar to the Duc,weight is not.80lbs less make the ST feel like a Superbike compared to a stock VTEC.
If you do your own maintenance or don't mind waiting for parts or can pay a shop whatever they want to do a service ,don't mind an occasional mechanical failure,go right ahead go for the Duc,cuz you get a great bike with real Italian soul.
If you prefer less fuss,don't mind the extra weight,less worrisome maintenance and costs,save some bucks and go for the VFR.Both have their pluses and minuses.Why I have both......

 

Thanks.

I have the 5th Gen VFR currently, and want to get into a ST3. As it is a weekend bike only, I don't do many kays a year.

And yes I love the sound of the V4 with the Staintune exhaust, but when I had my Monster that Duc sound coming out of the Termi's was just as intoxicating. There is something very special about a Duc, that is for sure.

Looking forward to finding an ST3....

 

As my sig states I have both model bikes and they both have good qualities.I currently ride my ST-2 more than any of my other bikes I like the torque and throttle response better than my VFR. There are times I like the Honda mostly cause as others have stated keep tires on it and change the oil and ride without much else to maintain.I do love the exhaust sound of the VFR as well.

 

I'm not allowing myself anymore 4 cylinder bikes as I'm easily excited and unable to grow out of it. I do wander how a SMT 990 would be in comparison to the st4?