Hello my experienced Sport Tourers, I am looking to buy an ST and have decided that I would like an ST3S or a later ST4S with the facelift fairing etc. There aren't many late S models around, and very few on the market . So I have been considering a basic ST3, especially since I found the wheels of the S are cast not forged. That is no longer a reason to hold out for an S. Upgrades are also possible later. My question is; with a rider of only 12 stone and light luggage is the ST3 suspension capable enough for spirited riding without wishing for more adjustability ? Any light weight spirited riding owners out there? Most standard bikes seem to suit my weight but there's always horror stories about suspension needing upgrades and if necessary I will wait for an S. Cheers.
I've got an ST2 and an ST3, both with standard suspension. Never ever felt the need to improve it. I would say get the bike first, looking for the normal signs, ride it and see. I haven't looked but I think you can use Ohlins, Maxton, WP etc...
I’m the other end of the scale to you and found my ST wallowy and soft. Make sure you get one with adjustable forks or there is only preload iirc. Different ages had different suspension chances are any bike of that age will probably do better with a refresh
ST forks, the adjustable ones, are extremely good if sorted out with fresh oil and the right springs. Good enough to race on
I had an 04 ST4s ABS, and recently bought another for a bit of nostalgia. These have ohlins suspension which works great. I did 40k miles on my old one, mainly 2 up with luggage, and I do like to push on a bit. Its fair to say I'm somewhat heavier than 12 stone I found absolutely no issues with the suspension being wallowy, just set the rear preload accordingly and then set the compression/rebound. The only issues I had was I bent two of the rear linkage bars. The first was when hitting a step in the road at 80 when fully loaded (french road, top lawar scraped off for mile on mile, then back to normal top cap with no warning). Second was similar circumstances. If you don't find the ohlins firm enough or too firm you can get an ohlins specialist to adjust either the shim pack, or the amount and weight of oil. Not sure you can easily do that with the standard suspenders. Hope that helps.
Ohlins is so much better than Sachs or whatever is fitted to the poor mans version. I fitted a ohlins ST shock with remote res to my monster race bike and it was epic!
I ended up with an ST2 and it is fully adjustable Showa both ends, 2001 bike. Fantastic handling bike, can't stop riding it. 10k since I bought it in June, Who would have thought 70 odd HP could be so much fun. I have raised the ride height and dropped the yokes down as far as you can with the standard bars, quite nimble. I am now on the lookout for a five spoke Marchesini front for the bike. I have found a rear.
