Ducati have no plans for ST bikes in the future?

I'll have clocked up 8k on the 749 by end of next week since April, got to say its the comfiest sports bike i've owned for covering any distance on and look forward to plenty more miles on it.

Jeez, if i keep that mileage up it'll have 110k on it by the time i finish the repayments :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
 
I did plenty of 1000 mile stints on my 749 and it was great. The only problem was it wasn't much good for passengers and my little lad goes out with me a lot. so I got a Multi which is great for that but I still wish I had my 749.
 
I moved the other way, from an ST3 to a 999. On a long run you can move around on the 999 seat and have a different shape to sit on to relieve the numbness (happens after about 200 miles for me).

Although the ST seat is superbly comfortable you do eventually feel that it's too soft and not supportive enough - and when you try to move around there's no change to the shape, you just sink back into it and nothing has changed.

I'm wondering if more than one manufacturer is losing interest in the Sports Tourer market, e.g. Honda have again decided not to update/replace the VFR for next year despite the clamour from owners for something more competitive. I can't stand the thing myself, but it's not terribly long since it was a huge seller and Honda just seem to be letting it slide.
 
From the MCN it would appear that the VFR is going to have a 2 model line up at some point - an 800 and a 1000.

Spy shots look like something out of a manga cartoon, or they meant it to look like it was crashed on purpose!

I've known the VFR for a while as a Honda Clitoris, every @@@@s got one! But I'd agree, there seems to be less of them around nowadays, and the current model doesn't seem to have hit its target audience either.
 
It's that VTec engine, as the Vtec kicks in it's snatchy as hell, & you have to learn to ride around it (according to a friend, who got rid of his Vtec 800 for a non vtec 750). It's putting loads of people off who are now buying things like Sprint STs and the like. Honda aren't having a good time with their tourers at the mo with the Pan Euro spitting police riders off etc.
 
Once you've owned the ST you really do appreciate the best of both worlds. A Test ride on the ST misses all the true benifits, I love my 999 but if one had to go it would be....... the car !:D
 
the best non super sports tourer in my book is the BMW GS. i have a 1200 adventure. i rode 1200 km in 2 days last month in Germany and Switzerland. Huge fuel range and no sore arse. they call it the plastic cow, and i agree the telelever front end is a bit remote, but it sure as heck goes around corners. you just have to point, lean and cross your fingers. it seems (so far anyway), to get round what ever you throw at it.

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