Help!

T

The Honest Man

New member
People,looking for your advice!
Although I love the 748,I find I cant go any distance with my iffy back,Im 6ft1 and hurting lol!
Thinking about selling the 748 and getting a "comfy" Duke,but not sure the best one to get!
Budget will only be around 2.5k depending on what or if I get for my own bike!
Looking at ST3/4s but dont know much about them,like the ST but think that the round headlight model reminds me of a 70s Rickman type fairing if you see what I mean! Looked at the Multistrada but think they will be too expensive for me!
Thoughts would be appreciated!:confused:
Thanks in advance,Paul
 
:confused:Hi,thought about an SS,but need a bit more upright riding position.
Like monsters but not wanting a naked bike,although if the right one came up then id re consider,thanks guys ,keep em comin:)
The ST4 ticked all the boxes,except colour,not sure about blue!
 
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thought about an SS,but need a bit more upright riding position.
Like monsters but not wanting a naked bike,not sure about blue!
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The good thing is that you are not too fussy :D :D
 
The ST range are fabulous and much-underrated machines - the original (to 2004) fairings are much closer to a sports bike whereas the revised fairing uppers from '05 are more effective but much more 'tourer'. When I got my MTS1200 I couldn't bear to part with my '02 ST4s and likely never will - all the handling of a 996, Ohlins shock and more power (it's about 8bhp up on a 996). A real Stealth Bomber of a bike...

Check out the ST FAQ at: http://www.perryr.com/DucatiSTFAQ.html

Richard

The Honest Man said:
People,looking for your advice!
Although I love the 748,I find I cant go any distance with my iffy back,Im 6ft1 and hurting lol!
Thinking about selling the 748 and getting a "comfy" Duke,but not sure the best one to get!
Budget will only be around 2.5k depending on what or if I get for my own bike!
Looking at ST3/4s but dont know much about them,like the ST but think that the round headlight model reminds me of a 70s Rickman type fairing if you see what I mean! Looked at the Multistrada but think they will be too expensive for me!
Thoughts would be appreciated!:confused:
Thanks in advance,Paul
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Pict said:
The good thing is that you are not too fussy :D :D
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Lol,I know it looks that way but ,ah fek your right maybe I am fussy!:lol2:
Im talking to an owner of an ST4s 02 plate,red,18k on clock,hoping to see it next week.
Is there an after market front fairing available ,to do away with the "oval" headlight? I think thats the only thing that puts me off these bikes!
Tell me why some have nice modern fronts and some the oval headlight please? Is that the ST3s?:confused:
 
The Honest Man said:
Lol,I know it looks that way but ,ah fek your right maybe I am fussy!:lol2:
Im talking to an owner of an ST4s 02 plate,red,18k on clock,hoping to see it next week.
Is there an after market front fairing available ,to do away with the "oval" headlight? I think thats the only thing that puts me off these bikes!
Tell me why some have nice modern fronts and some the oval headlight please? Is that the ST3s?:confused:
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post-2004 STs (4s, 3 and 3s) had the bigger fairing with better lights. The standard pre-04 headlight is next to useless and the standard mod for owners is the very high quality Ducati Designs twin headlight mod from Paul Gellar - http://www.ducatidesigns.com/inc/sdetail/35 - looks a bit RC30ish but works v well indeed.
 
Ooops. Didn't read all the thread before posting, duplicated technomagus' info sorry!
 
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In fact i've just found a pic of an ST that lives in Aberdeenshire with the conversion, having a play somewhere you might recognise:
 
The Honest Man said:
People,looking for your advice!
Although I love the 748,I find I cant go any distance with my iffy back,Im 6ft1 and hurting lol!

Thanks in advance,Paul
Click to expand...

Try bar risers first! I bought a 748 earlier this year and love them - you'll regrest getting rid of the 748, it's one of the best handling bikes I've ever had and love the way it goes..and stops!

I've got neck and back problems, so after a month I bought a set of Heli-bars....and what a difference. No problem with a 250 mile ride compared to around 100 before! I got them second hand off a US forum for $160, but money very well spent! The handling does change a little as your not as far over the front wheel, but it makes it a much better sitance bike!

R
 
I'm in your height range and I can vouch for the comfort of an ST2 or ST4S as I've owned both in the past (also had a 996 - as you infer, not what the orthopaedic specialist ordered...). Having just traded in a GT1000 sport classic I would say that is probably the comfiest bike of all that I owned, although I'm not sure about used prices .
 
rmarinel said:
Try bar risers first! I bought a 748 earlier this year and love them - you'll regrest getting rid of the 748, it's one of the best handling bikes I've ever had and love the way it goes..and stops!

I've got neck and back problems, so after a month I bought a set of Heli-bars....and what a difference. No problem with a 250 mile ride compared to around 100 before! I got them second hand off a US forum for $160, but money very well spent! The handling does change a little as your not as far over the front wheel, but it makes it a much better sitance bike!

R
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Yup I've done that too & I'm about 6'1" too.
If it's a Bip then consider getting the suspension resprung.
It'll still roast your erse on a hot day though.

ShedBob
 
Oh no,Iv just got my head round the fact that Im an old fek and need a comy bike ,now you lot throw a spanner in the works ! Its rough,I love the 748 but think its got to be a comfy bike now!:eek:
 
Just stick with the arse up, wrists doon riding.:lol2:
Sports bikes are the ones to have.:flash:
Just buy extra strong linament to rub yourself down with, each time you complete a day oooot.;):D:D:D
 
Thanks for the thoughts chaps! I have sold the 748 and bought an ST4S in Red,51 plate,big miles but all the bills are present for major work in the last year!
I rode it from Croydon all the way home to Prestwick,470 miles,on Tuesday ,had to stop and refuel twice,as there was a full tank included in the sale. The weather was ok apart from getting soaked three times,stuck in traffick snarl ups on M6 ,,vy the time I got to New Cumnock I felt like crying!
It was so cold,I could hardly move my fingers to use the clutch. Anyway I made it home and steam cleaned her and polished her yesterday! Then I went to put her up on the centre stand and put my back out!:(
 
Hope to see you out & about after the winter goes.;);)
BUT, theres always Anstruther on Nov 14th for fish & chips with the SDC.
 
Congrats on the ST4s, you'll love it :)
- except for the headlight which is frankly crap. If you can afford it this is the answer but way beyond my means.:(
I have however come up with an alternative but it uses the OEM headlamp lens. :o
Over 35,000 miles on my ST4s now and unless Ducati come up with another ST model it will be seeing a lot more miles. :)
 
good choice in the st, theyre all great from 2 upwards. cant believe you lot think the light is crap. try riding a 6v lambretta for a few years. you will soon rethink your ideas
 
gordj65 said:
good choice in the st, theyre all great from 2 upwards. cant believe you lot think the light is crap. try riding a 6v lambretta for a few years. you will soon rethink your ideas
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Oh, I've ridden bikes with lights that are a lot worse, usually made by Joe Lucas, Prince of Darkness, but by modern standards the ST light is crap.
 
Guys,all the way from Croydon and never missed a beat! Went to put the cover over it and the feckn mirrors came off! Tell me they aint that flimsy? Are they really just secured by a spring? If so why is it so difficult to re fit them? AAAAAARRRGGGHH!:doh:
 
The Honest Man said:
Guys,all the way from Croydon and never missed a beat! Went to put the cover over it and the feckn mirrors came off! Tell me they aint that flimsy? Are they really just secured by a spring? If so why is it so difficult to re fit them? AAAAAARRRGGGHH!:doh:
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Well the mirrors on mine have had a few good wallops and have never come off but I have heard they can be a bugger to put back together again. :(
I think the trick is to remove it completely from the bike and use a length of cord or a spring hook to stretch the springs back into place and re-attach them. If the springs are stretched so that the mirrors are loose and floppy I can put you in touch with a guy who has some replacements.
Glad to hear the bike is running well too. :)
 
Hi Derek,thanks for that. Yes they were a bugger to put back on,still a bit floppy though!
I may well be looking to replace them in the near future.
While your there,the bike seems a bit hesitant at start up hot and cold,will turn over fine then it may fire up or it may not,seems to be plenty of power in the battery so im thinking starter motor or is it just because its a Duke?;)
 
If it's turning over fine it's probably not the starter. Mine always starts as soon as I hit the button when warm. When cold I push the button fist the fast idle lever fully off and gradually pull the lever forward as it's turning over and it usually fires up right away.
There are plenty of people who have uprated the battery and starter cable and say that starting has been improved, commercially made kits are available. I haven't had to do so but it is certainly worth checking every connection to battery, solenoid, and starter, and the battery to engine ground.
Another thing easily checked is the timing sensor clearance. It should be 0.7mm ± 0.1m and is adjusted by changing the shim under it. If the gap is too big it can cause poor starting, hot or cold.
 
Hi,I replaced the battery and while it starts "ok" from cold after a bit of persueding,it still is iffy starting when hot!
Thoughts?
Thanks Paul
 
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