[Oilhed]

Still looking at the ST3. Maybe you owners could answer some questions.

1. Is that tank steel - will it hold a magnetic bag?

2. What mileage do you get when touring, not thrashing?

3. What is the real fuel tank capacity - full to fumes?

4. What are the recommended service intervals?

5. How expensive has dealer service actually been?

Thanks for your anticipated replies.

 

[vincep]

1. Is that tank steel - will it hold a magnetic bag?
Steel - I use a bag that mounts to the fuel filler and does not touch the tank.

2. What mileage do you get when touring, not thrashing?
City, low light comes on at 125 miles (stop start 20 mile commute) takes 4.0-4.2 gals each fill.
Highway, light comes on 150-170 miles, same fill.

3. What is the real fuel tank capacity - full to fumes?
Never experimented with it. Book says just over 5, I have never put more than 4.7 in it.

4. What are the recommended service intervals?
600 mile and then every 6000

5. How expensive has dealer service actually been?
600 about $320, 6000 about $600 depending on work

6. Fun factor?
Lots

Thanks for your anticipated replies.[/QUOTE]

 

[mkrouse]

I agree...plus

1. Is that tank steel - will it hold a magnetic bag? 2. What mileage do you get when touring, not thrashing?

1. I use an RKA magnetic tank bag with a safety strap. Never moves. Doesn't even get light at 143.

2. I've never had the low light come on below 140. Once, while 'really not thrashing it' in Oregon, the light came on at 217.

 

[Stick]

Full to fumes is close to 5.5 US gal. If you look before you put in 5 gallons, it looks very dry in there. The rear area of the sump is where the last 1/2 gallon collect (logically).

I get the best mileage on the open roads, in warmer weather. I've gotten close to 55mpg when using 5th + 6th gears, and cruising at over 70mph. Stock ST2 gearing (15/42), opened airbox lid, and DUC perf. chip + DUC perf. exhaust.

 

[Bodhi]

Vincep: I've seen a tank bag that screws into the tank cap and keeps the bag raised as though on a platform and wondered if it is risking damaging the threads. Is that the one you're using and how have you found it durability-wise?

 

[RickC1957]

600 mile service is a crock....expensive oil change...the dealer does a visual inspection, maybe....never again.....I'm doing the 600 mile service on the wife's monster today. I was working on the ST3 yesterday....it was very evident that nothing but the oil was changed at 600 mile service, they missed all kinds of stuff...missing fasterners, improperly mounted RHS fairings. I'm never taking to THAT dealer again for service. I'm almost due for the 6000 mile service...taking to another dealer.....and when I get it back I'm going over everthing with a fine toothed comb.

 

[Mr_Squidward]

I'm never taking to THAT dealer again for service.

Don’t leave us in suspense, which dealer was it? ;-)

 

[RickC1957]

Don’t leave us in suspense, which dealer was it? ;-)

CC...great for selection of bikes and gear.....reasonable priced, friendly sales staff......service department, a bunch of idiots! What really burns me.....is the wife who bought me the bike as a surprise birthday gift, managed to convince me they should do the first service........never again! When the ST3 is up for the 6000 inspection, I'll take it to MCC, only because everyone at DRILL recommends them, so does Vivid1, but I'll be an absolute bear to deal with!

 

[Geoff_ST_III_1]

You'll find MCC to be a very good dealer. Ask for Greg, he'll take good care of you.


Geoff,

'05 ST3
'00 Cagiva Gran Canyon

 

[vincep]

Bohdi: Sorry I missed your question. I had the same concerns, but have been using the bag everyday to commute with a few pounds in the bag and have had no issues in the last 12 months.

 

[Oilhed]

Service

I assume there is a 600 mi initial service then every 6000 with 12000, 24000, etc being the big ones. Is there also an annual service covering things that aren't in the other services? On my BMW there were some fluid changes and inspections needed to be done every year regardless of mileage. Do most of you go 6000 miles between oil changes or to you do your own at 3000, 9000, 15000, etc, too?

 

[BAZ_777]

Gearing

I'm finding the standard gearing on the ST3 way too high - it's virtually impossible to use 6th gear.

Any suggestions on front or rear sprocket changes that have been successful?

 

[Guest]

bad dealers

Talk about bad Dealers.....The Ducati dealer in Madison Wisconsin that I chose to avoid and bought elsewhere....anyway I made a good choice. I stopped at the local dealer to look at something for my ST3 and the service parts guy asked me "what does ST3 stand for?".

 

[Oilhed]

Another question

The EOBD light - yellow engine on the lower right - comes on briefly if I sit at idle for a bit. Is that signaliing an error? Is it something I should worry about or just keep an eye on it and bring it up at the 600 mile service?

 

[st2sam]

I'm finding the standard gearing on the ST3 way too high - it's virtually impossible to use 6th gear.

Any suggestions on front or rear sprocket changes that have been successful?

Baz, way too high for what? IMHO - 6th gear is perfect for running at 80mph.(indicated) If you want a little quicker acceleration drop the front sproket one tooth, cheap and easy with great results.*BUT* the best thing to do if you want to just keep the revs up on the highway, leave it in 5th..

 

[ducsbill]

Baz, way too high for what? IMHO - 6th gear is perfect for running at 80mph.(indicated) If you want a little quicker acceleration drop the front sproket one tooth, cheap and easy with great results.*BUT* the best thing to do if you want to just keep the revs up on the highway, leave it in 5th..

+1 on what st2sam says about cruising. That 6th gear fits the bike very well in that indicated 80-85mph range.

I've been very happy with my ST3 so far. I bought it last year. The only problems I've had were a dash unit that wasn't working properly, a oil pressure sending unit that went bad this year, and most recently, a oil pump that wasn't working up to specs. My experiences with the dealer, Hall's Ducati in Springfield, IL, have been very good. They've worked hard at fixing the problems that have cropped up and they've been quick about getting things fixed. In fact they were upset that it took an extra couple of days to fix the oil pump problem.

When I bought the bike last year, I spent some time talking with the tech about various maintenance items. The dealer was fine with me handling the 600 mile stuff, which is mainly the oil change and checking that nothing is obviously loose. They do seem to be operating on a different schedule than Ducati. They recommended a valve check at 3,000 which I had done. After that, they really didn't feel it necessary for me to bring it in until about 12,000 miles which is when they recommend the valves be done again and also to check and probably replace the timing belts. After that, they feel that every 10,000 miles is a good rule of thumb. For many of us, that works out to about once a year. I have to give these folks good marks. They take the issue of customer service pretty seriously.

 

[RickC1957]

The EOBD light - yellow engine on the lower right - comes on briefly if I sit at idle for a bit. Is that signaliing an error? Is it something I should worry about or just keep an eye on it and bring it up at the 600 mile service?

Mark....that's standard and nothing to worry about.

 

[Oldskier]

600 mi service is important

Contrary to what you may read, the 600 mi service is important. My mechanic said almost every bike has to have the belts adjusted at 600 miles. Sure, it costs money but it is cheaper than what happens if your belts get too loose...now that's really expensive.
Ron

 

[ducat]

Mine is going in for the 6000 mile today (had it since Oct 05) For commuting averages 51 mpg at a quick pace. Remus cans and some fiddling -w- the ecm. Otherwise flawless.

 

[Mike]

Still looking at the ST3. Maybe you owners could answer some questions.


3. What is the real fuel tank capacity - full to fumes?

The shape of the ST tank is such that capacity varies a bit from example to example, probably depends on how the parts were stamped and welded. My friends ST was still running fine when we pulled into the station and looked inside with a flashlight. Looked dry. Then we filled it to the little breather hole punched in the filler neck and it took 5.601 gallons! The most I've ever put in mine is around 5.3 gallons but I've never run it all the way dry. After syphoning the old gas out of my new ST4s I coasted it down to the station and it took a hair more than 5.5 gallons.

My low fuel light comes on between 170 and 190 when I'm sport-touring and up to 219 when it's warm and I'm keeping it under 85 mph. At that point I know I have at least 50 more miles left (probably closer to 65 miles but I haven't found out exactly how much yet).