Contributors,

My brother has decided, finally, that a Ducati is needed in his garage.
.
He has asked my advice on the best bike for him

I know a lot of you out there have the ST series bikes and I am wondering, from experience, which is the better bike.

Now, by this I mean servicing costs, seating position, tour-ability. He is in his 60's now so the better of the two for seating position is very important. He is about 75-180cm and about 100kg's.

Now, while I think the 4/4s are within his price range here in Oz, the "3" isnt so for a tar tourer, I think it will between those two.

My thoughts are more centring on a Multi though, from what I have read, a pretty good all-rounder and he might be able to keep up with my Bee Em.


He really wants a 907, but that is out of the question here as there just arent any for sale....and I'm not giving him mine.

Both ST and Multi series are comfortable bikes. So, it depends by the tastes.
Really, I would prefer a ST4S. Great engine and suspensions (Ohlins).
But, if there would be a 907
Ciao

I can tell you that ST2 is GREAT on twisty roads, ST4 is very good for long rides and ST3 has both great torque and good maximum power. But I was tols that suspension need improving compared to the ST4 ones.
Can I suggest you ABS optional?

im 48, 5'10, 14 stone. since i took my 906 off the road ive been enjoying the ST2 i bought as a replacement ride. lots of fun, fast enough, handles lovely, good brakes, plenty of touque, touring potential, reasonable fuel consumption, comfortable one or two up, simpler servicing than most. just keep the battery topped up to avoid starting issues and away you go.

Is the functionality if the bike more important than looks & feeling?

Thanks for the input so far people,

I actually hadnt considered the ST2, I know the motor is simpler being the 2 valve 900ss model and servicing is cheaper.

For me though, I would prefer the either the 4/4s.

My brother though, ultimately the decision would be a personal choice of course. I would prefer to see him on a Multi though...he isnt getting any younger and the riding position for us older guys is far better. What about servicing costs for the three different types though, it the 4 cheaper than the 4S and how do they compare to the Multi's???

I will have to do some more research into the engine configurations I think...I am not even sure if the Multi is 4 or 2 valve heads??

ST4 & s: Similar engine, similar service cost.

Multi 1000 & 1100: 2V.
New 1200: 4V.

I have ST2 2001 and ST4S 2002 and never wanted so much normal ST4, as it have that 916 cc engine, what needs to be driven whole time about 1000 rpm over ST2 and ST4S engines, so it is onekind "rpm engine" compared to others.

ST2 is very simple to maintain, as it have very similar engine as 907IE have and it have very realible ECU. Older ones suffer from charging problems, so dont go for 97, or 98 modells.

ST4S is best ever made ST modell with best suspension and many other things what other ST modells dont have, but it have also some problems, as many ECU's have failed and very difficult to find new one. Rocker arm surface failures had happen to very many bikes. Very difficult to maintain compared to ST2, as one example is valve clearance adjustment: Easier to take engine away from frame to able to reach enough well adjusting places. ST3 is MORE worser in that.

I have driven all ST modells, also ST4 and ST3, but i stay in ST2 for daily bike as it is easy to maintain and ST4S for just have "fun" in twisty roads and thats why not so many kms to it(as it is difficult to maintain). Also ST4S belts are very expensive compared to ST2, or Paso's.

ST2 is very realible, but if drive alot with passenger and big pagages, then little more power will be ok. Especially, if driver weight is close 100kg's. I am 77kg and i have in my ST4S little tuned engine 111 hp from REAR WHEEL and 100Nm torque(dynoed), so it is FOR ME, very fast bike. ST2 have enough power to me for long journeys. Anyway ST2 is better for daily use and realible for long journeys. I dont own and i dont want ST4, or ST3, as they dont fit to me so well.

ST2 have 944cc, ST4 916cc and ST4S have 996cc(but not same engine, as 996 have). Every ST modell have different engine! ST2, ST3 and ST4S engines are better for touring compared to ST4 916cc engine, no any doubt about it. ST4 was onekind "black sheep" in ST family, as 906 was in Paso series bikes. Ok, You 906 owners, no need to take this reality too seriously..

ST4 and ST4S (and ST3) are more expensive to maintain compared to ST2 in Ducati dealer, but i dont need they help as i do all maintaining by myself. They spare part prices are higher than in ST2.

If You need some more DETAILS, send to me PM.

Very comprehensive advice Finn, thankyou very much.

I have passed the info on to my brother. I believe he is going to test-ride an ST4s this week.

They seem to be very good value 2nd hand here in Australia right now.

Good investment currently, but quite high maintain costs. I would choose that early model, as last year models need allways Ducati dealer, if something happen to electrics as it have that CAN line system in electrics. Without dealers expensive testers u cant do anything to CAN system bike (i mean electrics!). Just thats why i bought that early version, 2002, as it have normal electrics with M59 ECU.

One note: That later version with CAN: You can change light bulbs, etc. and do very simple jobs, but i mean in injection, spark, etc. "more important" things u will need Mathensis, etc. Ducati workshop testers: Those CAN line systems cant be fixed with normal multimeter! I am electrician.

Hi Jeff
Bob Brown recommended the ST2 over the others, as the other models were very hard to work on and therefore lots more $$$$ to service. He even did a wet clutch conversion to his own bike.

The new Multi has much longer service intervals, to compete with the BMWs.
Its very fast, maybe too fast! So far a few in the DOCV, all good reports, Paola riding his around the world was very impressed by its reliability.

ABS would be a good safety feature, so no clear choice!

Haven't seen a 907 for sale all year! happy to sell mine for $25K

does it have to be a 907ie ? No idea how old these ads are but there´s a 750 and a 906
http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Automotiv ... e&AdOnTop=
http://www.motorsm.com/AUS/bikes/ads/DU ... DV7720.htm

What has always impressed me - although not a Ducati - is a Yamaha TRX850. With aftermarket cans soundwise you couldn´t tell a difference and handling is good, too.
http://perth.gumtree.com.au/c-Cars-Vehi ... Z243572812
G.

That Yamaha engine was designed just to sound exactly as a Ducati engine.
So the Honda CX engine was a copy of the Guzzi ones.

Above all, the first Honda CBF series were a copy of the Pasos and Suzuki too build its own L twin engine to fight Ducati.

By now, finally, Japanese brands don't copy other brands anymore.

Ciao

That Yamaha engine (180° crankshaft phasing) was designed just to sound exactly as a Ducati engine.
So the Honda CX/GL engine was a copy of the Guzzi ones.

Above all, the first Honda CBF series were a copy of the Pasos and Suzuki too build its own L twin engine to fight Ducati.

By now, finally, Japanese brands don't copy other brands anymore.

Ciao