I've posted in the new members thread but thought I'd introduce myself here too. My name's Steve, I'm 49 and live in Bristol. I currently have a 2004 ST3 which I purchased new from Riders of Bristol. I also used to own a Pantah 600 and a 748 but sold them both when I set up my own business 6 years ago...and to be honest I never really had the time to justify all three, although it did break my heart to sell the Pantah which took 2 years to restore. I love the ST3 and have toured all round Europe on it with my wife as pillion. Lots of GP's including Brno, Mugello, Le Mans etc. Have ridden as far south as Croatia and as far North as Poland and it's never let me down. I have looked at changing it a couple of times but can never get to grips with the look of the Multistrada which I guess is the only alternative that Ducati are offering if you want to tour, 2 up with luggage. Having owned the bike for over 10 years now, and done so many miles together, she's part of the family and my wife loves it too, which helps My ST3 has had a few mods. Remus sports cans (plus a dyno re-map) Scottoiler, custom designed Corbin seat (much better than the standard seat, although took a while to break in). Looking forward to contributing as much as I can, and in the meantime here's a few pics: Austrian Alps: Route Napoleon: Colditz Castle: Dover en Route to Le Mans: The Banardo's Gifts for Christmas run: Getting a train from Austria into Italy: Tuscany where we rented a cottage for a week: Gap in France on route to Mugello:
Hi Steve, If you are ever in the Dordogne area of France then be sure to let me know, I love to show people some of the nicer places around here. My son lives in Bristol but he rides a Yamaha. I looked at your picture of the ST without panniers on it in the intro section which reminded me of why I changed the look of the rear of mine, I did put the racks on it and removed them when I saw it from the back. I won't be using my luggage much.
Hi Bob, we've been in the Dordogne for the last two years. We camped at this place Camping Dordogne - CAMPING LE CAPEYROU - Camping Périgord entre Sarlat la Canéda et la Roque Gageac. We're looking to go back again this year for a fortnight in August. Is this anywhere near you? I appreciate the Dordogne is a big area? I don't mind the look of the bike with the luggage rack on and as I do most of my riding these days two up prefer to leave it on. We have visited France every year since 1992, and like to try out different places. However the site we've used for the past two years is fantastic. We camp at a pitch right by the River Dordogne, and as a keen cyclist the roads are great too. This year we're looking to upgrade the tent to a caravan. A quick snap from last year:
Yes we are a 20 minute ride north of Beynac and have friends who live about a mile from that camp site. You must have been to Roque st Christophe, and that is where I cycle to in the summer for my coffee. Have a look at some videos on my channel and I am sure that you will recognise places. www.youtube.com/channel/UCwVTmzySN2-E1YGuMGJiMzg Can you see yourself in this picture? My wife took this one while we were passing Beynac.
Yes, I've just had a look at your blog and a few of your videos too. We saw a few microlights and a lot of hot air balloons too which often just passed the top of the tent. Yes, we drove to Roque st Christophe the year before last. Last year I cycled to Rocamadour, which if truth be told was a little more difficult than I expected, and having chosen the hottest day of our holiday too, I almost had to call the wife to come and collect me I must admit the area is lovely, and having the camp site so close to a small town you want for nothing.
Thanks JR45. It's not lived a hard life to be honest. I don't ride much in the UK any more, and working from home means that it's usually on SORN during the Winter too. Its always lived in my garage, and is pampered to within an inch of its life That said we've done some great European trips on it when it comes into its own. I recall riding through Slovenia a few years ago on a brand new dual carriageway when we didn't see a car (in either direction) for 45 minutes. It was like having your own private race track. I've just had it MOT'd a few months ago and will be taxing it again in March, and have promised myself to get out and about more than I have in the last 3 or 4 years when it's hardly been used. I think I see some dust on the front mudguard on this one ;-)
Hi Steve, I recently acquired WX54FXE, an ST4S ABS also from Riders, but it's the older model with original shape fairing. There's a photo of it in the Newbies section. I guess you could have been around Riders when it was first sold! I've only done 400 or so miles but I'm really impressed, it's a great bike. I have a K1100LT for all year round work (including scraping ice off the seat and handlebars last night to ride home from the station!) Cheers
Yes I did see the pics of your ST3. I'm guessing yours had been in stock at Riders for a while before it was registered?
Oddly enough we're planning a 10 day trip to Germany & Austria at the moment. We visited both a few years ago, but want to go back again to spend a little more time exploring. Looking to leave on the 1st of May.
Ah, the blue ones...don't see many in that colour these days. Looking at your pics I see that you had/have one?
Yes, still have the "Tatti Ducati" blue ST4... It's a shed, but I still love it There are a couple of blue ones on the Facebook ST riders group... Log In to Facebook | Facebook | Facebook
Just signed up to the FB Group...never knew one existed. I'm the opposite. Mine's mint but I don't ride it enough Hopefully this year will be different as we've booked a week off work early May for a trip to Vienna. :Happy:
