Ducati ST4 Test

[SPman]

Ah - the ST4S has Ohlins suspenders. Twould like one myself - a yellow one preferably. Without ABS.

[Richard Mc F]

Do it.........the more time you spend on one the more you will realise you have made the right decision.

I think it was in the aussie magazines a million years ago they used to advertise Ducatis thusly " if you find yourself in the wrong gear on the wrong line...you will be glad you are riding a Ducati"

I know mine has better preservation instinct than the rider

Dammit I am going riding NOW

[Mike748]

At the risk of allowing Winston001 to have a break from having his arm twisted into purchasing the ST4.

1st) Thanks Duc for the offer, tis appreciated and I'll keep it in mind.

2nd) The 748 will need major servicing soon and whilst I don't mind paying for a skilled mechanic, I do want to know where they are. Mates with similar bikes go to approved bikeshops etc however I do what I can myself but this beast is a little daunting. Therefore some suggestions for places in Auckland would be appreciated, Thanks.

[Headbanger]

Thanks for the input guys, putting on a smaller front sprocket sounds like a very good idea.

My main hesitation is that I figured I could justify up to $10,000 for a thrill machine and scratch my Ducati itch. $12,000 is just a bit too far although I don't think the price is unfair.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=129532467

Simple, offer him $10500.

You have lost nothing if he won't haggle, and once you make an offer its almost impossible not to buy, so you will head home on a Ducati.

[far queue]

... I got Sean of trade me who rebaffled my muffler with good results, he has done both sets and sound bloody great with out paying up to $1200-1500 plus I would need the ECU rechiped, if like the S you need a whole ECU as you cannot replace just the chip.

Like Richard Mc F said.... let there be noise, and damn thumping noise at that!!

You love it!

Sean did mine too. He lives just round the corner from me. Good guy, and does a great job. I'm very happy with the resulting music

You guys have got me thinking about getn the spockets changed now, I've read a lot about it but wasn't sure if it was a real world improvement or just another internet theory that's talked up but rarely ever done.

I've also gone from 15 to 14, and it is indeed a great improvement.

My main hesitation is that I figured I could justify up to $10,000 for a thrill machine and scratch my Ducati itch. $12,000 is just a bit too far although I don't think the price is unfair.

I was looking at getting a brand new SV1000 or VTR1000 at around the 11-12k mark, but bought the ST4s for 15k instead. That was 10 months ago and I'm still rapt at the decision I made. You sound like you've decided the ST4 is the bike for you, so make the stretch and go get it. Better to spend a bit more and get something you really want than to settle for less and regret it later.

[jim.cox]

The 748 will need major servicing soon and whilst I don't mind paying for a skilled mechanic, I do want to know where they are. Mates with similar bikes go to approved bikeshops etc however I do what I can myself but this beast is a little daunting. Therefore some suggestions for places in Auckland would be appreciated, Thanks.

I think its worth putting in the effort to become a skilled mechanic experienced on your bike for yourself.

But you do need to learn. I find the best way to do this is from someone who already has those skills. But there are also some really good other resources around, the InterNerd, books , videos etc

How many K's has your bike done? ie what is scheduled at this major service of your's? How much of it could you do for yourself?

Replacing the belts and checking the valve clearances is entirely possible for a home mechanic. Although adjusting the valve clearances is much trickier and probably best done under expert supervision

[Duc]

John at AMPS works on my S4. I am very happy with their work.

[Winston001]

You sound like you've decided the ST4 is the bike for you, so make the stretch and go get it. Better to spend a bit more and get something you really want than to settle for less and regret it later.

Agreed. All too often we compromise between the best and almost good enough.

Really I want one which has panniers and I'd add a topbox, 14 tooth front sprocket and be set up. That probably means buying in Auckland because the deals there are more competitive but with a cheap air fare it would be worth it.

However I must say I like buying locally and this bike shop (Rogers) has a good reputation.

There is just one more little glitch - I'm buying a house next month which rather strains financing.

[jim.cox]

There is just one more little glitch - I'm buying a house next month which rather strains financing.

This might be what makes it possible

Add just enough onto the mortgage to get the bike you want

Its the cheapest finance you'll get

[ST4s]

My handle on this forum may indicate that I'm a smidgeon biased on this one, but I know it'll be hard to regret the Duc while you're riding it.

I would recommend the St4s as the pick of the bunch - the extra stomp of the 996 motor's nice, while better suspension & lighter wheels build on the already good handling.

My own one has the ABS brakes - these are the best ABS system, allowing very hard braking including stoppies before the ABS cuts in - as tested by more than one publication. I've not yet triggered it - at either end.

Be aware though, that these machines, like many motorcycles, have some known issues - and rathermore than your average Honda.

By 2000 model year many have been sorted, and there is very good info from an active Yahoo users group / mailing list:

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/st2_owners/

- it covers all STs and the Multistrada. Another worthwhile visit is to the ST FAQ:

http://www.perryr.com/DucatiSTFAQ.html

[Winston001]

Much appreciated ST4s. I'd picked up that Ducati lifted their game in 2000 and for that reason haven't been considering any ST older than that. There is plenty of choice at the moment on Trademe.

This seems like a good forum too http://www.ducati.ms/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=79

[miSTa]

The ST4 is a fantastic bike...then again I maybe biased.

I've done close to 7,000km over the last six months mine and the bike is getting better and better. I wish I had bought one years ago!

You do however have to be "positive" with it - you can't be lazy or coast along with it, it needs to be "ridden" to get the most out of it. Keep her spinning above 5,000rpm and you'll have an absolute ball! The 916 engine is fabulous.

I haven't ridden the ST4s and despite the fact that it has more power, torque, and the improved suspension, the truth is I don't really care - the ST4 does all I want and is a blast to ride.

Oh yes go for 01+ and www.ducati.ms is a great site for Duc and ST info.

[far queue]

I haven't ridden the ST4s

Despite me offering you a go - methinks you may be afraid you'll like it more than yours

[cowboyz]

Thanks for the input guys, putting on a smaller front sprocket sounds like a very good idea.

My main hesitation is that I figured I could justify up to $10,000 for a thrill machine and scratch my Ducati itch. $12,000 is just a bit too far although I don't think the price is unfair.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=129532467

Mate test rode one today and I had to give it a crack up the street and back. (rude not to). Went alright but not me. I can see why people would like them though. $12k is ok though, this particular one is $14k with panniers and topbox.

[Winston001]

$12k is ok though, this particular one is $14k with panniers and topbox.

Yeah I'm not arguing too much about the price. However Badcat got one recently with panniers for $10,000 and low ks. Here is another which looks very nice and a good deal - I like the blue but.........somehow a Ducati should be red or yellow.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=131065373[LIST=1]