Advice On Purchase Of St2/3/4 ?

Yeap I've had the st2,3 and 4. The 2 had low low low down grunt but runs out of steam too early. The 4 felt raw and really got me hooked on ducati's.The 3 is more refined and great for two up touring.No major worries with any. Fuel relay causes all sorts of gremlins so change with each service £2 . Watch the wheel bearings. I love the things. I currently have 37k on my st3.Buy any you won't be sorry .

 

I have an St4 it's been in my family from new. It's now done 40k with no problems. It's had the services and proved to be very reliable. It's a lovely bike. I will continue to use it. What more can I say.

 

I have an ST4s ... The 996 Desmoquattro engine in it is an absolute peach. If you want something on the sporty side of sport-touring then it is the one to pick but it will cost the most to run out of the three.

I have a few bikes so it doesn't get used a huge amount, but I've had no problems with mine in 5 years.

 

Come on Ducati we need a new ST with the latest family engine!

 

I had an ST2 and loved it, I'd happily recommend one to anyone. They quite often have a slight oil leak from the rear cylinder head gasket, nothing to worry about but a good bargaining point. Took mine round the Nordschlieffe and it was bang up for a bit of track action

 

I had an ST4 for four years, fantastic bike after I upgraded the rear suspension to Ohlins with the remote adjuster, swinging arm to the St4s Aluminium version. If they had continued the ST range I would have bought another and in fact would probably have one instead of the MTS 1200GT that I now have.

 

By eck, that's a steep hill.

 

Are you feeling lucky or brave ?

 

The only issue i have had with my 2005 ST4S is a failed speedo sensor, no biggie.

 

Same with my 2004 ST3, speedo sensor failed, back light on LCD display went (£650 for new unit - ouch), voltage regulator/rectifier failed and bearings on cam belt adjusters seized, luckily the belts held. But none of that caused a breakdown and always managed to get home for repairs.

With regards to reliability of all the STs depends on how well they've been looked after, so service history is a must. Even if you don't intend to tour they are easier to resell if it comes with panniers and top box. Earlier ST2 and 4/4S have dreadful headlights, I think most people fit xenons or don't go out after dark. Personally I prefer the ST3, on paper the ST2 is under-powered, but you never hear that compliant from owners and the ST4 & ST4S has a more complicated engine so you would think it's the least reliable, it would probably be the first to suffer if it was poorly maintained, but anecdotally you don't hear of any more reliability issues than the other STs

 

The panniers are unique to the range, and are horrendously expensive to buy secondhand.

 

I went for an ST3 as it was the best looking of the range and had the best compromise in the engine design. Don`t buy without luggage as it is difficult/ expensive to source separately. As a sports tourer it has done exactly what it says on the tin and I have no complaints. Happy hunting.

 

'02 4s owner for 8 years now. Bought it with 11k on it, 58k now.

Main bearing failure, 4 x inlet closers replaced due to chroming issue, failed immobiliser, water ingress on LCD display when I got it.

Apart from that, this has been the most reliable bike I've owned, and I've had a VFR

I love it and even though I've had my head turned by Falcos, ST 1050s, VFRs and 1000Sxs, I've never actually changed it.

TBH, with the 916/996 engines, the whole history thing is vastly overrated. They are understressed and fairly robust so if the bike doesn't look like a hound in general, then go for it.

When I did a compression test on mine at 37k miles it was bang on. So, if you can hear a bike start and run and it sounds OK, then I really wouldn't worry too much. When you get it, budget for a major service, including valve clearance checks and belts and then enjoy in good health.

 

People mistakenly think Ducati engines are fragile, but they are far from it. They need to used, and thrive on being used, regularly. No bike fares well being stuck in a garage for months on end.

But you did mention the Sprint 1050 ascalon, and that really is an epic bike; not as much character as the Ducati, but a truly great engine and a chassis that gets better the harder you ride.