[SP3]

Long story short, friend has one for sale. She was awarded it as part of court cases against a couple pos thieves. Haven't looked at/listened to it yet but, from the few photos I've seen it appears to be in good shape, oddly. 19K miles, (will be) a clear title, runs/moves under it's own power, stock except the clutch slave, side cases, but, no service history. (ST) Would make a decent bike to take the wife on rides (finally)

 

[Chuckracer]

Sounds interesting...

 

[SS904]

"Talk me out of buying a '98 ST2"

Nope! You should get it, assuming a decent price...

 

[Yorik]

Don't do it. Good times and smiling may occur. Bad precedent to set for the family.

 

[PACABADA]

Sorry I can't help you out, maybe next time.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[Apexlocator]

I simply could not resist the bargain ST2 (also a 98) with 20K miles (and service history) I saw at my local shop. The bike absolutely rocks and begs to be ridden hard. The service of the 2 valve is less money and the power is just right. This is the bike Eric Buell should have built.....but then again, he didn't have to, Ducati already did. I've had plenty of Ducatis and this old girl is a real sweetheart and a keeper. I paid 2600.

 

[[email protected]]

If you want folks to talk you out of it, you need to provide the most important piece of information; what color is it?

 

[SP3]

since none of you have been terribly helpful in me NOT buying it thus far, maybe this will help - it's black.

 

[SP3]

Maybe I just talked myself out of it. After my first black car, I said I'd never have another. Then, I got another......

 

[Yorik]

Oh, it's black. That's different. People will compliment you on your shiny paint and ask you what year it is. Then when you tell them, they'll be like, "No way is that 20 years old. NO WAY!" Do yourself a favor and avoid the whole complimentary scene and feelings of warmth brought on by the loving admiration of others.

 

[hypermo]

since none of you have been terribly helpful in me NOT buying it thus far, maybe this will help - it's black.

Or is it a ST2 that happens to be black like this 999S Thread.
http://www.ducati.ms/forums/56-superbikes/400266-999s-nero-mono-question.html

 

[beemerboy]

since none of you have been terribly helpful in me NOT buying it thus far, maybe this will help - it's black.

I already went through this when I was looking at a Supersport. I now have a Supersport in the garage.

Let's face it, this place is populated with adult adolescents just giddy at the thought of drawing a fellow forum member even deeper into the Ducati abyss.

In short, you will get no sage advice from this motley lot nor should you expect it. Just buy the bike and post moto-porn. That's what they want.

That being said I'll chime in with my thoughts; sure, go ahead and buy it and don't forget to post pics or it never happened!

 

[Monster4Lee]

OK, I'll try. :laugh:

 

[SP3]

Or is it a ST2 that happens to be black like this 999S Thread.
http://www.ducati.ms/forums/56-superbikes/400266-999s-nero-mono-question.html

I have a headache now.

This one is actually, really, truly black.

 

[[email protected]]

since none of you have been terribly helpful in me NOT buying it thus far, maybe this will help - it's black.

The '98's had the lower wattage 2-phase electrical system and reported electrical gremlins. With 19k on the clock, I would imagine any electrical issues have been sorted by now. Heated gear, etc. could be an issue with power draw.

The older ST's have horrible headlights, frequently likened to dim candles. There are workable solutions if you plan on riding/touring at night. Or if you get lucky and score a used Ducati Designs assembly, which are no longer made.

2-valve will save you some maintenance $'s versus 4-valve. When I was shopping, I was told the 2-valvers were the most dependable. Very subjective, I imagine though.

Like most Ducati's, if you don't know the service history, getting up to snuff can cost you in the neighborhood of $1500 at the shop; belts, valves, oil + filter, air filter, fluids, plugs. Maybe chain + sprockets and/or new rubber depending on age and miles. Fork fluid, as well.

The bigger issue, of course is that it's not red >

 

[bloodycrashboy]

Oh, it's black. That's different. People will compliment you on your shiny paint and ask you what year it is. Then when you tell them, they'll be like, "No way is that 20 years old. NO WAY!" Do yourself a favor and avoid the whole complimentary scene and feelings of warmth brought on by the loving admiration of others.

last year my ST turned 10
a guy was admiring her one day as I went to swing my leg over.
"brand new" he said "how does it go"
I just laughed and said "been runnin sweet for the past 10 years mate"

 

[flynnmon]

Sorry, can't talk you out of that purchase. I've had my '98 ST2 for 17 yrs. and is the only bike I've had since a 25 hiatus from riding. (family, kids...)
Set up the suspension , maybe add some carbon cans(because it's the right thing to do, ha!), keep on eye on the stator/voltage regulator and ride into the sunset.

 

[Desmo_Demon]

It's not "black", it's "anthracite". It's the best ST color to have, as it is not the most popular ST2 color of silver and you don't have to get into the red vs. yellow arguments. When the red/yellow fist-fights break out, you can just glide over to your bike and go for a ride.

Unfortunately, I also cannot help you with talking you out of the bike. When I bought mine, I hated it. I didn't want the bike at all. I was at the dealer looking at the yellow 748 and the salesman kept trying to sell me this ugly silver bike. I wanted yellow, and I wanted a 748. I sure didn't want some touring bike with saddle bags on it. I mean, saddle bags are for Harleys, right? The salesman corrected me that they were "panniers", but to me, they were just hard saddle bags, like the ones the full-dress Harleys have. You know the ones. The ones we call "garbage wagons". Not only did I not want a SILVER motorcycle and an ST2, but this was a brand new 1998 bike sitting on the showroom floor with 2001 models sitting next to it. Then, I made the mistake while being pressured by the salesman. I made an offer.

My low-ball offer was lower than what a used ST2 went for at the time, so I figured I could get it, ride a little while, get all my money back when I sold it, and then buy that beautiful yellow 748 I wanted. After three days and never budging off my low-ball offer, then accepted. Shit! I just committed to a bike I didn't want!

It didn't take long until I found out I liked the bike. It railed in the mountains, and on the rare occasion I had the "panniers" on the bike, they were awfully handy. Before I knew it, I had it two years, running the wheels off of it, and I kept the bike! Not only did I keep it when I finally did buy my yellow 748, but I managed to ride the ST2 more often and more miles than the 748. Within a four year period, I came to an evil conclusion. The bike I never wanted, was the best bike I've have ever owned.



Attached is a picture of my wife's 1998 ST2.

 

[bloodycrashboy]

The bike I never wanted, was the best bike I've have ever owned.

LOL
that is some story
I have a same same but different story

my wife had come into some money through a family estate
she wanted to go on a holiday to Africa, but I wasn't keen at all to go
we were sitting on the front patio one evening watching the sun set over the hills when a brand new 1098 rode down our quiet little street
I jumped to my feet and ran to the road to see it go past
when I sat back down my wife inquired as to what it was that made me get all hot under the collar
after I had told her it was the latest offering from Ducati, something I had never seen in the flesh until that very moment, she said something that will ring in my ears until the day I die!
"If I buy you one, will you come to Africa with me?"
I knew she was serious by the tone of her voice
My answer, "you buy me a 1098 and I will go wherever you want"

so- off we go to the Ducati shop, but I was stuck between a rock and a hard place
I had an 02 Suzuki GSXR 1000, but they would not trade it for a new Ducati
OK, no worries
keep the Gixer and have a 1098 as well
then my conscience kicked in
My wife is buying me another bike, but neither one is very good for a pillion
oh look, an ST3

Our friends had an ST3 that they had just shipped to Europe and back (to Australia)
even took it to the Isle Of Man TT, it never missed a beat
But it's not very good looking, an ugly duckling even

The bike shop had an ST3 as a demo, so we took it for a scoot, not bad
wife did complain that there was no "Ducati sound" cos it had standard mufflers on it
so we ordered an ST3s with panniers, top box and a DP muffler kit.

that was 11 years ago
I sold my Gixer about 4 years ago to gather up some extra cash for a car purchase
I still have the ST3s
It's still an ugly duckling
but I love her

oh, I almost forgot the trip to Africa
Had a fantastic 6 week holiday
wasn't so bad after all

 

[SP3]

I missed the call I was waiting for to determine the 'noise' they hear. Then, I had a trip to Columbus to make (two days). So, maybe Monday we can try again. I might just drive the hour and meet him and be done with it. Listen, ride, think, offer?