I've had my ST4s in storage for far too long, so am in the process of recommissioning it. And trying to find a recommended source for: - brake caliper service kits (optionally inc. pistons) - a new clutch basket Also, of the current crop of tyres, what are people's preferences (mine are 15 years old, so not going to risk them). I used to use Diablos, but was getting 1100 miles out them, so moved on to the first generation of Angels. And the stupidity? Mine, entirely. I'd forgotten to plug in the battery tender, so had to buy a new battery. For some reason, the Yuasa battery now has the logo on the machine side (I always recall it being on the outside), so I fitted it as my memory suggested. And didn't check the terminals. Connected it up, thought, "that was a biggish spark" and powered up. All that happened was that the engine fans came on full blast, and nothing else. At which point I realised… …with visions of new electronics and another new CPU, I reversed it and powered up again. Massive surprise: everything working perfectly. There's a lesson there about basic observation & assumption… Fluids done, brakes, belts, clutch and MoT next.
Lucky escape with the reverse polarity. Could have been an expensive headache. Any of the current crop of sports touring tyres should suit the ST. Personally I'd be fitting Michelin Road5 or Road6, subject to size availability, but there are a broad range of opinions out there.
I’ve got Road 6s on the Multistrada, but had always found that I liked Pirellis on the ST. Opinion on the current Angels?
I always used Metzeler RoadTecs on my Raptor & this last time as a stop gap before taking him off the road (also for a recommission) I put on a pair of Angel STs. Now I'm the sort of rider who will never get to the limits of modern tyres on the roads so grip, heat up time blah blah are the same to me but there is a noticeable difference in tip feel. In comparison the Pirellis are much more responsive to input when pitching into and changing lean angle in a corner. Whereas the Metzelers felt more solid in the same circumstances. Both as stable as the other when set mind. And because of the Metzelers character I found them to be superb in the wet.
