A Sportbike Blog by Dylan Weiss
Photos by Stephen Schauer
A thick early morning marine layer is hanging just a few feet above the coast as I whip through another mile of twisting euphoria. Each consecutive series of corners comes flying at me in a rapid succession that almost seems implausible and yet it’s not. Because it’s happening right before my eyes and even though I can’t quite believe it’s real, I know it is. Driving hard out of the turn I peer ahead and as soon as I’m able to focus on the next corner, it becomes the last corner. Gone. Just like that. Consumed in a remarkably easy singular motion that only comes forth when you realize that you’re not just out riding, you’re hunting a form of ecstasy.
With my heart pounding and a trace of sweat covering my brow, I swoop from corner to corner in an effortless advance. It’s one part bodysteering, a touch of countersteering and a dash of sliding off the saddle. The perfect recipe for an easygoing graceful yet utterly sporty early morning adventure. The kind of exploration that allows you to do as much or as little work as you want and still enjoy the ride to exactly the same degree.
By the time I finally pull up to a stoplight in Malibu after miles of full tilt swooping satisfaction it’s nice to finally take a breather - even if that breather includes a mouth full of sea salt. Sliding the bike into neutral, I turn my attention to a group of wetsuit-clad surfers who are crossing the street and staring. They have no idea exactly how much fun I’ve already had before even tasting a sip of coffee this morning. Of course right now I’m not even visible on their radar. In the lane to my right stands a piece of heavy metal auto lust, a brand new Aston Martin DB9 and it’s luring every set of available eyes towards it.
Like most of the greater Los Angeles region, Malibu offers an almost crazy perspective when it comes to cars. Around here what you drive is far more important to some people than just about anything else in life. People will live in shacks but throw down serious amounts of coin for their automobiles, all in the name of personal illusion. Yet while perception is the rule around here, right now I can’t help but feel like there’s a certain kind of pleasure that comes from being the forgotten man. The lost member of the moto lust crowd. It’s the kind of gratification that can only come from knowing that you’ve been let in on the big secret and nobody else has…
A secret called the Ducati ST3S with ABS.
It’s not the fastest motorcycle in the world or the most exclusive, but it’s certainly one of the most multifaceted. As I watch the heat on the DB9 continue to grow, I can’t help but smile. When was the last time you swung your leg over an Italian motorcycle and enjoyed being the sleeper in the crowd? When the light finally turns green one roar is all it takes to make the point. While you don’t need to exceed at business to ride this bike, the bike itself is nothing but business when it comes to riding.
At this point I’m nearing my fourth hour of riding and I’ve only stopped to get off the bike twice. Once to eat and once to fill up the tank. Compared to most Italian motorcycles this seems almost sacrilegious. I’m used to taking rest breaks in twenty-minute intervolves and yet today the only intervolve I care about is the number of minutes being spent traveling between curvy roads.
Thus far the ride has been nothing short of phenomenal. The kind of coalesced morning where the style in which you want to ride and the length of your journey come together in perfect harmony. It doesn’t seem to matter if I’m feeling particularly sporty or willing to dial it down, the bikes acts happy either way. Smiles back at you and asks for more.
On most weekends by this point I’d be ready to cash it in and head home – but not today. Not on this bike. Not when I feel like I can go on forever. Carving canyons in comfort has been an utterly enlightening experience and I’m ready for more.
By definition the sport-touring motorcycle category is all about compromise. It’s a unique market segment that’s built on the belief that a number of folks want something that’s lies between a full-blown land yacht and a high performance ergonomically harsh thoroughbred. Yet every bike that stands within the confines of this category puts one side of the sport-touring equation ahead of the other. There are no true fifty-fifty splits, or at least that’s been my experience until I saddled up on the ST3S.
Introduced at the Milan Motorcycle Show at the tail end of 2005 as a 2006 model, The ST3S is the fifth “ST” designated sport-touring motorcycle to be produced by Ducati. The basic genetic structure of the bike dates back to 1998 when the ST2 first rolled off the assembly line and thrust Ducati into the sport-touring marketplace. Back then there was a good bit of fanfare made about those early bikes, however the first reviews weren’t nearly as glowing as the company probably had hoped. For all their racetrack heritage, they were entering the sport-touring arena late and had some serious ground to make up. Since those early ST models the bike has seen a number of quiet revisions and has been bizarrely badged with a confusing sequence of numerical names. Instead of going sequentially, the boys back in Bologna decided to base the bike names solely on the number of valves per cylinder. Therefore for the uninitiated the ST3S is illogically newer than the ST4. While the naming convention might be a bit perplexing the basic idea behind the bike is not. Ducati bills the ST3S as bringing together, “the very best components and unparalleled comfort, making it ideal for day-to-day use” and they’re not far from the mark.
As The Pacific Coast Highway turns into Interstate-10 and I head towards Downtown LA, I can’t help but think that this bike does so many different things well it’s almost revolutionary for a rider like myself. It’s got that truly unique Ducati spirit and charm while at the same time seemingly allowing the rider to go on endlessly. Someone my age doesn’t normally admit to wanting or needing a bike that goes beyond racetrack chic, yet this motorcycle offers the kind of comfort, reduced heat emissions and quite frankly a riding position that doesn’t require mandatory twenty-minute wrist breaks. Swishing through a series of lane-changes I can’t help but think that in many respects this is a 999 that you can ride all day.
Twenty minutes later as traffic on the Freeway comes to its usual crawl, I watch the temp gauge rise towards to the mid 210s and I find myself shaking my head. It’s unbelievable. While it’s a hot day in LA, I don’t feel the usual Italian heat wave pouring over my lower body. Unlike my 999 and other Ducs I’ve ridden, someone at the factory finally figured out how to get the heat away from the rider when you’re rolling down the road under fifty miles per hour. For a real world Ducatista this is a borderline mind-blowing revelation, however for the sport-touring category it’s nothing new.
Clearly Ducati understood the competition when they introduced the ‘ST’ line because most discussions about sport-touring motorcycles inevitably begin with BMW. They’ve been building comfortable, reliable, heat resistant motorcycles forever and while there are other players in the market, BMW clearly has defined itself as the sporty touring motorcycle manufacturer over the past several decades. Yet for all their German reliability and completely functional engineering, the ST3S offers something that no BMW I’ve ever ridden has – a nimble, intuitive, heart pounding and emotionally cathartic riding experience that in many ways is just as comfortable as any Bavarian utilitarian ride.
Thirty minutes later I’m across town and standing at the base of The Angeles Crest. After all the freeway riding I’ve done today, I can’t wait to finally get a chance to let the bike out again. Personally I find playing at the top of the rpm range the most fun you can have on a motorcycle, but true to its touring nature the ST3S makes rolling along at seventy-five miles per hour plus almost a completely non-event. It doesn’t roar, shake, buzz, or rattle it just goes on and on and on. In an effortless movement towards your destination. I can easily imagine tearing off hundreds of miles a day for a week straight on this bike.
Yet the beauty of the ST3S is that it can do anything you want whenever you want. As California Route-2 shifts from a quiet neighborhood byway into a full-blown sportbike ascent in mere seconds, the idea that this bike is based on compromise seems illogical to say the least. It’s not nearly the same visceral sensation as say a 999, but it’s the best damn emulation of that experience I’ve ever felt on a bike with bags.
In some respects calling this bike a sport-tourer is a gross understatement. While it’s obviously built to travel, it excels at making you feel invincible when you’re carving corners. Heading into the first of many endless corners it becomes apparent that I’m moving around far less in the saddle on this bike than I normally do. The taller and wider handlebars make countersteering a breeze and the ST3S has a magical way of swooping from corner to corner with an astonishing sense of ease.
The bike just flows from one place to another and that creates a remarkable feeling of control. You can’t help but feel like you’re one with “the line” and while it’s not exactly racetrack technical the sensation is completely relaxed. It’s also just damn easy to body steer this beast. The footpegs are located directly beneath where you’re sitting and that allows you push down with such a tremendous amount of force that it can hurdle the bike wherever you want it to go without any other input being made. Instantly.
Coming out of the next corner I get on the gas and whip the throttle back. There’s a moment of hesitation and then the bike just shoots out from underneath me. It’s not nearly as instantaneous of a response as a Superbike or even some of the Monsters, but the ST3S gets going with the best of them in its class. Perhaps even the best in its class. It’s deceptive speed to say the least. You almost don’t expect it with a bike this big, but no matter how many times I let the bike out it just keeps asking for more. Unlike other sport-tourers I’ve ridden this bike doesn’t leave you lusting for more power. Rather it offers plenty of useable power.
At its core the ST3S is very much a Ducati and when you’re pinning the throttle back and letting it rip, the bike lets you know it. It yells with Italian heritage and a vast command of the human condition. There’s an utterly Italian sensibility to this kind of speed. An emotion that doesn’t come from statistics or require you feel like you’re hanging on for dear life, but rather offers you the chance to feel like you’re one with the acceleration. You create it and you control it. The bike is merely a conduit for your dreams and your passion.
The giddy-up factor can be directly attributed to the 3-valve 992cc 107 horsepower engine, which is built on the 1000DS motor platform. Ducati astutely altered the engine by adding an extra valve so that now there are 2 intake valves and 1 exhaust valve per cylinder. The result is a surprisingly stout feeling powerplant that offers a more commanding sensation when you’re opening it up then the traditional 2-valve 1000DS does. Why they have decided to neglect this engine in favor of promoting the 2-valver is beyond me. Granted I have nothing against the 2-valve, but this engine offers such a greater linear sense of delivery that I wonder why Ducati doesn’t ship more models with it.
However, just like the 1000DS there is a relatively small power window when compared to the 4-valve Ducati engines. When you’re getting on the throttle the impression of hyper-acceleration only kicks in around four thousand rpms and then it dies down just around eight thousand. If you top the engine out to ten on the tach it doesn’t seem to add very much to the adrenaline creation experience.
Rocketing along about a third of the way up The Crest it’s hard to miss the change in the road surface. What had been a perfectly paved chunk of asphalt transforms into a wet-weather battleground. Suddenly there are patches and grooves in the pavement that can completely unsettle a sportbike. It’s in these sections that the Showa front end and the adjustable Öhlins rear shock truly shine. The ST3S does a magnificent job of helping you navigate these kinds of rough and tumble sections by offering a tremendous amount of feedback while at the same time bouncing you around considerably less than a base model 999 or the entry level Monsters. Of course by definition sport-touring motorcycles are supposed to be less harsh in these sorts of situations and the ST3S succeeds in this regard. It’s the kind of bike that marginalizes poor asphalt without it being a detriment to its performance capabilities.
Of course getting a bike going and getting it stopped are two completely different aspects of riding and luckily the ST3S offers a commanding set of Brembo brakes. For a sport-tourer they’re outstanding. They offer a terrific feel for the road and at no point did I ever get the sense that they were underpowered when trailbraking through a corner or coming to a stop. In some respects they might be too powerful – if that’s possible for brakes - because no matter how smoothly you apply the front disc brake the front end of the bike has a real propensity to harshly dive. It’s not completely obnoxious but it certainly takes some time to get used to and is a definite departure from the way in which either the Superbikes or the Monsters handle braking.
When I finally roll into the parking lot at Newcombs Ranch, I toss the bike up on its centerstand and start to unlock the bags. If there is one area that Ducati still pales in comparison to BMW, it’s the luggage. For starters the need for separate keys for the ignition system and the bags baffle me. You’d think in today’s world having one key do both tasks would be standard issue. The locks on the bags are another sore point. They’re not the worst in the class, but they’re not BMW simplicity either. For the sake of all motorcyclists around the world I wish all the manufactures would just get together and license BMW’s design. There’s no need to try and out-engineer perfection. On the flipside however unlike BMW, the hard luggage is included in the bike’s purchase price.
A place like Newcombs offers a tremendous amount of motorcycling diversity – both in the bikes that show up and the riders. Glancing around the parking lot it’s obvious that there are all kinds of motorcyclists. A good portion of them probably won’t fit on an ST3S. The bike is by no means short. I’m 5’11 and while I was able to put my foot completely down at a stop, it certainly felt like a bit of a stretch. I can’t imagine shorter riders feeling very comfortable unless they start changing seats or repadding the stock saddle.
An hour later I’m heading back down The Crest towards the Westside of LA after a late lunch and I’m finally feeling just a bit past spent. The sun has started its decline and a day that once held an endless amount of opportunity now holds nothing more than a few more hours of light. As the traffic gets a bit heavier and I make my way down the mountain, it’s hard to ignore exactly how many things Ducati got right on this motorcycle. I’m not sure why the company puts so little effort or emphasis on marketing the “ST” series in general or the ST3S in particular. This is simply one the truly great motorcycle that is on the market right now and it offers a plethora of personalities to explore. If you feel like running it hard it’s absolutely game for the adventure yet on the other hand it’s more than happy to play along if you’re in the mood to take it easy and amble around.
It’s truly one of the most outstanding packages I’ve ever ridden. As someone who doesn’t draw a paycheck from either ProItalia or the mainstream motorcycle mags, I suppose it’s fair to say that I have a very different view of journalistic objectivity. I came into this review with some fairly heavy preconceived notions as far as this bike was concerned. It’s a bike that does not sell particularly well and my sense was that if the motorcycling going public was ignoring it there was definitely a reason. After thrashing around on it for a few weeks the only rational for this limited demand that I can come up with is a lack of marketing support.
I also suppose at this point I’m starting to sound a bit like a Ducati evangelist, but the reality is that this is just a wonderful motorcycle that offers traditional Italian sensibilities and flare while at the same time catering to the creature comforts that make riding for extend periods of time extremely enjoyable. It’s a downright fantastic combination of every aspect of riding that I not only enjoy, but also admire. Having now ridden my fair share of Italian metal if I had to come up with a top five list to own and ride, I find it somewhat bewildering and shocking that of all the bikes that are out there the ST3S would sit in one of my top two slots. It’s not nearly as visceral in any aspect of riding as a 999, but for everything else – and everyday life – it’s outrageously good and in many respects it makes weekend adventures far more enjoyable than any full-blown literbike could. This is more than just a motorcycle; the ST3S is a swiss-army knife for riding. It lets you carve corners, take grand adventures and motor along at any speed you like. If there’s a better definition for sport touring I don’t know what it is.
Photos - Stephen Schauer;
Honda, Part 6
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Having owned my 04 st3 for 2 years now, I have thoroughly enjoyed the ride. The only complaint I had was the flat spot if I had to really get out of the way on the freeway and I was already cruising at 60-65. So I did a little homework and contacted Ferracci in PA and talked to the service manager. We decided to put on a set of slip on exhaust, add the power commander, and upgrade to the large airbox. After a trip on the Dyno, my bike went from 104 rear wheel horsepower to 110. The flat spot was gone and bike explodes when I ask it to. The only other change I made was to have a custom made Corbin seat put on, and the long cruises at 80-85 are a dream. For anyone who wants a little bit of cruise, yet still ample sport. Don’t miss this bike.
Here I am again…my 07 STS ABS now has over two hundred kilos on the odometer. Finally the snow has melted. It has not been without the usual Ducati electrical drama. I have had to pull the side panels off and disconnect the battery twice to reset the ECU. Bike refused to start on two occasions; battery was fully charged. Then…on this very morning it decided to run on one cylinder…hmmm…a five hundred pound sport touring 500 c.c. single isn’t what I had hoped for. After riding it toward to the dealer who had agreed to look at it (there are no Ducati dealers in Newfoundland)the mega-single resumed its twin-like behaviour.
Troy LeBlanc of Atlantic Motoplex has been most helpful…Ducati Canada is fully aware and I am hoping that the new DP pipes, ECU and filter will pep up the response and start-up procedure. When the bike warm ups and runs on both cylinders it is an absolute joy to ride. I am used to the tempermental nature of Ducatis, but I would clearly hope that this annoying issue will soon be cleared up. I will keep you posted as our motoring relationship evolves.
not an ST3 owner, but a facelift ST4s owner, after 13000 miles (4500 of these touring europe, 2 up with full luggage) of smiles this is still great motorbike, whether your plogging down a country lane or out for a sunday thrash, this bike has replaced my trusty vfr750fv (that i toured the year before last and to say the least is a bit weak overtaking 2 up with luggage) and also replaced a cbr954rr3 that’s almost not turned a wheel since i got the Ducati, everything about the bike is surperb, you even get a smile closing the throttle.
the only issue is not with the bike but with the datatool alarm that drains the battery if you leave the bike in the garage for a long time, but the CBR is the same as that also has a datatool alarm.
http://www.bikepics.com/members/venturer/
I
whot’s the price of da massien ST3s
And of the per coffer(s)?
Are there payments a maand en howmutch dan?
Mat
I suspect that the disparity in your calculated mpg and the bike is that the bike is working on REAL imperial gallons not toy-town US ones ! That’s the trouble with you ex-colonials, can’t leave anything well enough alone
Toodle Pip
PAul
Sunny Scotland, no really it is…..
Just wondering, I am going to buy a ST3 in the near future, but am really concerned about maintenance costs. I am a buddy with a Duc 799 and his 6000 mile was right at $1000. He does not take care of his like I will mine, but has anybody else had this experience? The reason I am buying the ST3 is because it seem like more bike for the buck compared to the BMWs. Great bike at a better price, but if I spend thousands at every service, not much of a deal in the long run. I would like some opinions.
Thanks, Tristan
I just sold my 2003 K1200LT-E BMW Cruiser because I wasn’t doing any cruising and frankly the bike is way too heavy for short trips (7500 miles in 3 years) so I’ve decided to buy a lighter, more nimble sports tourer and have settled on either the FJR or a 2006/7 Ducati ST3. I love the idea of the Ducati plus we have an excellent Ducati shop close by here in Central Florida, without whom I wouldn’t give the Ducati a second look, given the service and small quality issues this bike seems to have. My head says buy the soulless FJR because it’s like a Camry or an Accord, excellent all round, high in quality and low in maintenance costs, but like those Jap cars, it exhibits little passion.
2 concerns I have that someone could elevate for me? What is the passenger comfort like? Although my wife doesn’t go along very often any more, she does like her comfort and the Yammi looks more comfortable? Also the riding position on the Ducati seems to be leaning forward on your wrists, anyone found this to be a problem? Last I have a 30″ inseam, and concerned about flatfooting, any comments?
Thanks
Cor
Cool…awesome….wish i had one…
I currently have a Monster 900. It does just about everything well, except for longer-distance touring. On rides over 1.5 hours, my rear-end hurts pretty badly, and my legs feel tight and sore. Thus, I’m now considering selling it and buying either a Multistrada 1000 or an ST3.
I’d like a bike that feels as flickable as the Monster, but I plan to do some 6-8 hour days on freeways and country backroads. Given such requirements, which bike would be more suitable….the ST or the Multi?
I have yet to read a comparison between those two bikes. Does anyone know where I can find such an article?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Hey Jason-
If you want a flickable feeling the Multistrada is not the way to go in my opinion - don’t get me wrong, it’s a great platform and a wonderful ride, but I wouldn’t call it exactly flickable compared to a Monster or ST3.
As sport-tourers go the ST series offers a remarkable amount of the Superbike experience but with less of the extreme traits usually associated with full blown liter bikes.
>>>>I wouldn’t call it exactly flickable compared to a Monster or ST3.
Interesting. I would have thought the opposite…..that the Multi would feel more flickable than the ST.
Thanks for the input, Dylan. Your site and writing are very impressive, and have earned a permanent place in my top bookmarks. Keep up the nice work.
Hey Jason - Appreciate the kind words. If you’re interested in the Multi, it’s worth taking a demo for a spin. It’s a fun bike and offers quite a lot of enjoyment but in a different manor — it’s a bike that you ’swoop’ into corners and countersteer towards the apex with. It’s a very confidence inspiring ride and has many of the same Ducati qualities: key among them perhaps its great stability, good sight lines and the wonderful 2 valved air cooled motor.
The ST series on the other hand replicas more of the superbike feel. Its got more extreme ergos then the Multi, which while much better then a full blown race bike when it comes to longer distances, has you cantilevered over a bit more. It offers greater acceleration — more of a toss you back into the seat sensation imho. And it offers something remarkably close to sportbike nimbleness.
So I think if I was to boil it down to a simplistic point of view, one bike is more comfortable and less aggressive, while the other one at times touches on the softer edges of extreme yet lets you hit the curves with the best of them.
D
Hey Dylan,
I have been considering buying an 07 ST3s ABS for some time & your article has been a great help - many thanks for an indepth review!
Just a bit about myself - I am very new into biking - biologically old (53 years) but young at heart! Living in India; which incidentally, has the largest production of two wheelers in the world, but mostly small scooters & max 200 cc motorcycles and any imports just add 200% to the cost!! I have in the last 9 months, first acquired a Suzuki 2005 Intruder (800cc) and recently. about 4 months ago imported a brand new 07 Honda Goldwing with ABS, Navi & Comfort package. Having driven four wheels all my life (& all kinds of - Porsche, Mercedes, Lexus, Bentleys etc.); riding a bike has been very cathartic experience. The first bike being the Intruder, I loved it’s classic looks & it was the initiation that I needed in biikng. The roads & weather (Bad & Hot) being what it is in India, at best I take the bikes out only during weekends for a short ride early in the mornings. It is the cruiser or the touring types that I am most comfortable on as we do not have the freeways like route 66!!
However, I have always loved the Ducati marquee and was looking for an appropriate model to add to my collection.
The question that I have for you is this - Both my bikes are shaft driven; the Goldwing actually drives like a car!! Would I have a problem with a chain drive and is it as comfortable? Second, I am not tall (5′ 9″; inseam 29″), would that create a problem in riding ST3s ABS?
I have in any case, gone ahead to import one. Hopefully, it should arrive in three weeks. Shall keep you all posted.
It is amazing that for someone, who has never posted any comment on a blog, what bikes can do!!
Take Care
Red Indian.
Picked up my new ST3 last week. 1000 miles later I am crazy about this thing. After reading all of the posts I can only say, DAMN. This is an amazing motorcycle. Yes, it’s bitchy in city traffic under 4000 rpm’s, but why are we driving this curve carving monster in the city anyway? This bike can carve up a road with the very best in motorcycling. And the ergo’s seem fine to me. I have a 29″ inseam and can stand flat footed at the corners. When I went to my local BMW shop they wouldn’t even speak to me. I guess I didn’t look like I could afford their products, even though I paid cash for my new DUCATI. The rest of the field in Sport Tourers is certainly fine. Sophisticated, comfortable and quiet. But this is Ducati’s ST. The hot rod of sport touring motorcycles. It’s shameless and quite snarly (sp?) compared to the rest of the old guy sport tourers. I’m 53 and have been riding almost my entire life. I’ve ridden all brands and vintages. But this thing puts a big smile on my face every time I light it up. So, to all the C.P.A.’s out there on the Davidson’s, Beemers and Asian touring bikes, ya better get used to the look of my license plate.
FWIW - I owned a 2000 ST2 which I really enjoyed riding, but as I got older and the few bits of arthritis bothered me more, I traded it for a BMW R1150RT expecting that its more upright riding position would help, but it just doesn’t work for me. I’m 5′ 10″ with a 30 - 31″ inseam depending on the pants
and I find the BMW too tall, too wide, and too heavy. The seat-pegs-bars relationship just doesn’t work for me at all and I can tip toe it at best. Everyone said I’d get used to it, but no luck - my back kills me after 45 minutes unless I start out with 2 Aleve. I test drove an ‘07 ST3S a couple of weeks ago, and I can’t believe what an improvement it is over the ST2, both in the engine compartment and ergonomically. The engine was smooth and pulled willingly from 2500 rpm, I can flatfoot it around, and the weight appears to be centered lower than the Boxer. And while I’m not sure I like the new fairing, it works way better than the original and the lights are way better also. I found it much quieter than the windshield on the Beemer, even at its highest setting. I think that with a set of Cycle Cat or Heli Bars risers the ST3 will be great as an all day rider. The only decision left is used or new, and what year. A 2006 or 2007 in the Senna colors looks sweet to me!
Great review. I picked up my new ST3Sabs on Thursday, rode to Monterey (400 miles) for business and back to Pasadena the next day. As an avid off-road and motocross rider the Ducati as a first street bike was a very different ride. I had HUGE buyers remorse after I signed on the dotted line. After 800 miles on the bike I am an absolute convert. Three days to do my break in service and now I am headed to Salt Lake City, Ut. Lets see if I am still so enthusiastic after 11 hours in the saddle each way!
Happy Trails,
Jess
Hey Jess, I would love to hear your remarks after 11 hours on your seat. I’m heading to New England in Sept. for several weeks of twisty mountain roads from Penn., N.Y., Vermont, N.H. and ocean views in Maine. Any input would be helpful about the comfort problems perhaps associated with an old turd like me. I’ll probably be doing about 8 hours a day. I can hardly wait to ride. Thanks, Bob
Hi Guys,
I just read on another web site that the ST3 series bike has been discontinued for 2008. Do any of you know if this is true? It’s a deal breaker for me if it is, I was just ready to sign for a 2007 ST3s but now I’m having doubts. I don’t want to be the last goat to enter the barn if you know what I mean.
LL75
Hey ya Larry-
Most folks do expect the ST3 to be discontinued for ‘08, but don’t let that stop you from picking one up — it’s a great bike imho…
After 7000kms of riding my 07 ST3s simple get betterand better. As the last chap stated, don’t let the fact that Ducati is dropping these “sport-touring” bikes from its line stop you from buying one of these bikes. Count yourself lucky that you can still get one at a reasonable price.
I have had 15 Ducatis and this one is simply the best combination of comfort, handling and performance I have owned. I have the DP pipes, ecu …kit installed and am in the process of ordering slightly higher bars for a little more highway comfort. This bike handles the open road with the stlye of a touring bike and the rigors of the Cabot Trail with the zest of a sport bike with equal aplomb. If you want precise handling and braking order the “S” version with the Ohlins and ABS.
I also own a Paul Smart Replica for brisk forays into the performance nostalga vein. Ciao for now.
Great review! I have an ‘06ST3, over 6000 on it now, and it just keeps getting better, and better. This is my first “new” bike ever (after fixing up older ones, etc.), and couldn’t be happier.
I was told by a Ducati dealer in NJ that that the ST3 is being discontinued. According to other sources Ducati just finished up their dealer meeting. I would like to have been a fly on the wall when that was discussed. This is a real shame; I was looking forward to getting many more ST3’s. Looks like the BMW K1200S will get my money when I’m ready for my next bike.
My wife has been bugging me to get a new bike. Multistrada or ST3? I still have my ST2…1998, original owner, with 34 thousand miles. Still going strong.
Most of the mileage was logged on the first two years I owned the bike. Ridden from LA, CA to Vancouver, BC and back a couple of times. Sweet rides! Very comfortable.
Now that I’m hearing that the ST3 is being discontinued, should I just go Multistrada or should I wait and see what Ducati is up to?
I don’t know who your questions is directed at, but I now have had both the Multi and the ST3, and I really love the ST3. The bike as you know rides and go a lot smoother than the Multi. If you like the dirt bike up-right position you will like the MS, but if you like the full fairing wind protection you will go with the ST3. I just love everything about it.
Now the sad news…yes Ducati is doing away from the Sport Touring category. The word is that they want to concentrate more on SportBikes and I guess that includes the MS.
I’m just going to ride it and ride it and buy more stuff and gadgets for it.
If you have room for two bikes… get them both! Best of Luck, but Ducati is not doing ST’s any more? I personally think it’s a mistake. After I’m done with my ST3…BMW will get my money.
I just test-rode a Multistrada 1100S last weekend. I have yet to ride a ST (I currently own a Monster 900), but that upright position just wasn’t for me. Although the most comfortable spot to sit was in the middle/back part of the seat, I kept sliding up into the gas tank. It was almost as though the seat was angled forward and dumping me off. Not very secure feeling, at all. As others have said, the wind protection wasn’t very impressive, either.
I’m looking forward to test riding a ST3.
Do any of you know of a ST-dedicated website and/or forum? I can’t seem to find any.
Dylan - You touched on the differences between the ST3 and the R1100S….can you elaborate? Which BMW would you say compares best to the ST3, in terms of power, handling, and wind protection?
A friend highly recommended the 2002-2004 K1200RS. How do you think those would compare?
Thanks so much for the great writing and resource!
Hey Jason-
There isn’t a dedicated ST forum the way there is for the Monsters (at least that I know of) - though the Ducati.ms forum’s ST board is quite active, so I would check them out…
As for your question about the BMW R1100S & the BMW K1200RS: My immediate reaction is that both of those bikes feel a lot heavier then the ST3 and neither offers the same kind of power or control in the brakes imho.
The KRS has a snapper engine then the R1100S and I would say from a seat of the pants sensation, probably offers more acceleration then the ST3 as well. But man is it a ‘big bike’. My old man has got one and whipping that thing through the corners is hard work. The upshot to that bike however is that it is more plush, has better wind protection and is perhaps more ergonomically friendly - so you can haul some pretty lengthy distances with no trouble. But all in all I think the ST3 is a better compromise between a sportbike and a sporttourer…
D
Dylan is right-there isn’t a dedicated ST forum or at least that I have found; The “twistingasphalt” is the closest thing to it.
Regarding MS forums the best one that i have found is http://www.multistrada.net/
It’s pretty good and you will find all you want to know from a global perspective.
I haven’t driven the BMW K1200S but it feel no heavier than my ST3, and the specs tell of it being a rocketship…and you will pay for it as well.
> totally agree
Jason…Sport Touring is relative small category amongst bike manuf. Every company has at least one. BMW I would say has the most, as Dylan would say, “old man bikes”.
Ducati, has what I think “the” nicest one out there, based on all aspects and category one who consider ready to pull the tiger. This Blog, the one we are on…was the decision factor for me. It basically confirm everything I suspected by a guy who did a great job reviewing the Bike.
I happen to be really lucky to have a great Ducati dealer near by which has a great service dept. Not the I’ve needed it. I have 4,500 miles and counting and I lover it and I average 48-50 MPG on country roads. It offers speed, looks/style…did I say looks, it’s reliable and oh yes it doesn’t break the bank.
Take one out and let us know how it goes. I suspect you be riding one soon. Best of luck
Carlos - Appreciate the kind words…
I would only offer this thought — BMW used to be an ‘old man’s bike’ (though I owned two in my mid twenties fwiw) but as a brand they’re getting younger every day and with every model introduction. The ‘new’ R1100S was a definite attempt to attract younger riders to the marquee and now with their entry into World Superbike, one has to think it won’t be long before we see a full blown Superbike… Personally I can’t wait… That being said most of their bikes do seem to attract / appeal to an older segment of the riding population…
D
D, I hate to talk about other bikes on this Blog out of respect fo rthe find job the reviewer did on this blog. I ended up buying my ST3 as a result.
And yes the K1200S does look interesting. I was hoping to getting the next ST3 that Duc would come out with but that wont be happening.
I had a feeling something was wrong when I attended the Bike show in NYC last winter and walked…well I tried to walk into their booth…it was packed with people (The rocket scientist who designed their booth built walls around it with a skinny door to do through, it actually kept more people out of it than anything). But, in any case the ST3 was missing from the floor. I had a feeling they unconsciously were sending a message.
Ducati just had their dealer/owner’s meeting and the news is out now. Triumph’s got an interesting ST as well, looking very much like the ST3. Check it out
I posted in here the first week I picked up my ST3. That was back in June. I just returned this week from a 7000 mile tour of New England, the Adirondacks in N.Y., Greens in Vermont, Allegheney’s in Penn. White mountains in N.H. and the coast and central mountains around Katahdin in Maine. I would find a place to stay for a couple of days, stash all of my bags and gear and ride light everywhere I could. Ran the “Kanc” and the notches so much in the White’s that I had to replace the front tire. It was cooked from all of the front only braking I did in the twisties. Finally, letting this great motorcycle do what it was made to do, fly. And that’s really my point here. This bike is completely as it was when it came from Bologna. I was tempted, at first, to change the handlebars a bit and maybe change the suspension. I decided the factory absolutely knew what they were doing and left everything as it was. PERFECT. It tore up the mountains like an animal! I must have passed 500 BMW’s and 5000 of those Harley parade floats. Getting stuck behind a Harley on a twisty mountain road is worse than getting stuck behind a motorhome. The greatest moto roads in the Northeast are no place for parade floats. Anyway, Don’t be afraid of buying any of the ST series just because Ducati’s stopping production on this model. I met several ST riders out there the road. One guy told me he had owned a BMW before his Ducati. He said he would buy another BMW….. when he was an old man. About sums it up for me. They all talked passionately about their bikes and how well they toured. Like a G.P. bike with luggage. And Dylan, I ordered my bike before I read your great review. You just confirmed what I expected this bike to be. You were completely right. By the way, I never got a speeding ticket! Thanks again, Bob
Well, I took a BMW K1200GT out for a test ride and walked away amazed.
Amazed that a motorcycle can provide such a soulless, dull riding experience.
The machine had absolutely no rider involvement. I kept looking down at it expecting to see an “Amana” or “Whirlpool” decal on the side. It truly is an appliance designed to transport one or two human beings from point A to point B.
Compared with my (or any) Ducati, it felt as though you could simply press the “TAKE ME HOME” or “TAKE ME TO WORK” button and contemplate your tax bracket and mortgage structure along the way.
I know now what Dylan means when he uses the word “visceral” to describe the Ducati riding experience. On a Ducati, you can feel the gear teeth mesh together when changing gears. You can sense how much torque is being applied to the clutch, and accurately judge whether the it’s necessary to pull the clutch in for the next gear change. You can hear the valves doing their job, and you can feel the flow of air through the engine.
Riding a Ducati is like having a backstage pass to the show. You get to enjoy the performance as a spectator, but you also get to participate in the performance as a member of the band.
Now, who wants to trade their ST3 for my Monster 900?
Well, I have certainly enjoyed partaking in this enjoyable blog. But, once Ducati decided to leaving me and all others that have purchased ST3’s hanging, I have decided to move on to BMW’s K1200S. Yes it costs more than the ST3, but the bike after only riding it for no more than 200 miles has proven to me to be a better bike. Fairwell, and thanks to this blog introduce me to a wonderful ride the ST3….shame on Ducati for canceling the Sport Touring class bikes.
Greetings from the Land Down Under.
Thank you all for this very enjoyable blog. I have been following the comments for a few months now…
Just like many of you, I can’t find appropriate words to express my disappointment with Ducati’s decision to kill the production of the STx line.
I was so disappointed that, ergh… how do I say this… that I went to a Ducati dealer and got myself a new ST3S, while they still have some left.
Read your blog last night and went and got an ST3 today….I have 24 miles on it. Traded my GT1000 in and rode away happy!
Read all the posts thanks to everyone!
Chris
Thanks to all of you for an informative blog on what seems to be an exciting bike. I am currently on a high end Moto Guzzi (2004 Cafe Sport) that I truly love…but… I would like to add a little more “tour” to my “sport” and I don’t want a character-less “sewing machine” bike. Sure, I like the Sprint ST , the VFR and the FJR, but I have always admired the ST3 and now feel the urge to savor that visceral experience that the Ducati offers. I rode a 07 ST3 this past summer during the Ducati demo days in the Atlanta area and I was stunned how comfortable and yet how sporty it was. More recently in Charlotte, NC I rode a used 05 ST3 (w/ 8,500 mi on the clock) and was again impressed with the motor/gearbox/ergonomics combination, but was a little disappointed in the handling in bumpy curves. I chalked it up to the suspension not being optimally set up, so I think it’s still the right bike for me. I would have to get the ABS model, since I am partial to Ohlins, having tasted that fruit on my Guzzi. The only problem besides the availability,is the price…the best discount I have found is hardly a $1000. I know what you’re all thinking: “stop your bitchin’ and just buy it!” Wise advice, I am sure. Alternatively, I do have a couple of used ST options in my area: a near-new 01 ST4 with barely 1,000 miles on it for about $6500 (no bags), or a 03 ST4s ABS with 16k on it for $7500. Should I cut my teeth on a quattrovalvole?
Thanks!
Philippe
Hi Dylan,
Any chance you could get a demo Triumph Sprint ST for a few days and review it? As I understand it, every Triumph dealer has one as a demo. Anyway, I’d love to hear your impressions of it versus the ST3.
Why not look at BMW’s K1200S…I bought a ST3 rode it for 5,000 then purchased the K1200S when ducati got out of the ST market and I never looked back. The K1200S kills the ST3 and I’m sure Triumphs Sprint as well. The difference is like day and night! Good Luck…stay safe
This review was a significant part of my decision to buy a ST3 in March ‘07 for weekend riding (I was already spending more than I ever imagined I would for a motorcycle, so the ST3-S was out of the question).
5400 miles later I’m convinced it was one of the most brilliant decisions I’ve ever made. The bike is perfect for me (52 and getting back into motorcycles after a 10 year hiatus due to wife and kids - no complaints about that).
In addition to weekends on Angeles Crest, I’ve ridden up and down the California coast (LA to Monterey) and did a track day at California Speedway (highly recommended). Just recently I acquired the Ducati/Termignoni exhaust system kit which includes a different ECU and airbox; awesome. Last week I took the pannier brackets off and raised the pipes (in total a 90 minute job the first time I tried it; easy enough to reverse).
I can’t imagine ever selling it. Thanks for the compelling review.
I gave up street riding for over 20 years ago after a bad crash which scared the s___out of me but I got the fever again last year after riding with an good ol’friend of mine who owns a Monster. I test rode a lot of different bikes, BMW, Honda, Suzuki, but when I hopped on the ST3 I knew immediately that I had found the perfect bike for me.
Your article describes the bike beautifully and I couldn’t agree more that it’s probably one of the most versatile motorcycles out there. It’s unfortunate that Ducati discontinued the ST3 for 2008. I feel fortunate that my 2007 is now a collector’s item.
Hi Dylan
As others have said, your excellent review and the posts that have followed have had some considerable influence in my own decision to sign on the dotted line and buy one of these beautiful bikes. I turned 50 on March 7 and the next morning went along to City Ducati here in Melbourne, Australia. Picked up my red ST3 the following Saturday.
I decided that as I’d managed quite well without panniers in the past, I would save the $1600. As part of the trade in of my FJ1200, they gave me a Ventura rack and bag. These are a quality and well designed, New zealand made luggage carrier.
In many hours searching the web, I was fascinated by how so many people had such a similar field of “sports tourer” contenders as I was looking at. The notable ones such as the ST Sprint and VFR were joined by what I thought were less obvious inclusions such BM’s R1200R, R1100S and Guzzi 1200 Sport.
I think that what many riders are looking for in a sports tourer, other than comfort and performance, is that very hard to define trait called character. You read in magazines that this or that model has little or no character, or as is often the case, describing a bike as having some character can be a back handed compliment as a prelude to criticsism of other aspects of the machine.
What I’m trying to say is that the typical Guzzi test will bag it, but praise its character, while the Honda does everything you ask of it , but is called too bland.
Many factors contribute to the perception of character, but maybe as with other forms of attraction, it really only fully develops with time and the experiences you have with your machine.
My old FJ had heaps of character, as does the even older XT 550 I still have.
I test rode a VFR800, an R1200R and the Guzzi 1200 Sport and looked at the Sprint, all of which are great bikes, but since having my first ride on a pre-owned 01 ST4 and two following rides on the demo ST3s, my mind and heart were heading to that red motorcyle from Bologna !!
I was a bit like “Goldilocks” in the children’s nursery rhyme trying out the chairs….this one was too smooth, the other too big, I don’t like that colour……but this one is just right !
I’m about 5′8″ and find the comfort great, though I’ve still not done any longer rides yet. The seat height at 820mm is a whisker high, but as it is considerably lighter than the FJ, I’m easily getting more familiar with parking and manuevering it.
Many Thanks
Wayne
Nice review. Definate help for the decision to go ST3.
Bonus is that my local Ducati dealer have lowered the price of the ST3 to shift them out of the shop.
Traded my 2005 MTS 1000DS for a brand new 2007 ST3S-ABS, including carbon fiber cans, hard full luggage, touring seat, tinted screen, et. al.
The after-market clutch slave, heated grips, sliders and HID are getting transplanted.
Roll on summer.
Hi I’m from the “Land Down Under”
Am seriously looking at buying an ST3s ABS. Have ridden a few ST2’s, ST4’s and 1 ST3. Am mighty impressed by the various attributes of all of them, some better than others.
I’ve narrowed my next bike down to either a Triumph ST Sprint, or the at this stage favoured Ducati ST3s ABS.
If somebody can answer a few questions on the Ducati for me, would be much appreciated.
1/ Are there any inherant issues/faults that I should be looking for ?
2/ Any factory recalls that should have been carried out ?
3/ How good or bad are the panniers ? I’ve been told the locks are ordinary, and the shape diminishes the “real” carrying capacity
4/ Does anybody have the factory rack and topbox, and if so, opinions please
5/ Does anybody have the Becker or H&B panniers and topbox fitted ? And if so, opinions please.
6/ Service intervals on the ST3s ABS. I’m told these are critical for longevity, but are fairly expensive, especially the 10,000 kilometer ones that involve doing the valves. A VERY reputable mechanic who is not at a Ducati dealer, but who has serviced many of them, told me that every time he’s checked the valves on them, they have been OK, but it still takes time, so costs money. Any thoughts please ?
Cheers from OZ
1) I’ve not heard of any major issues with the latest models of the ST3S, although I did manage to get myself a “Friday Job”.
First a connector came loose so the fuel-pump wouldn’t start, then the flywheel moved too far from the timing sensor so the engine didn’t start, and finally a partially cut wire (during their last checking on why it wasn’t working) snapped.
All 3 times I was out-and-about and called Ducati Assistance to come collect the bike. Even now, I hear some weird sound (like gravel hitting the inside of the mudguard) from the front when breaking.
But don’t let that put you off. It’s very uncommon to have issues with the ST3S, and overall I’m happy with the bike, just not as worryless as I was with the MTS which never had a single problem.
2) I believe my dealer did do one factory-required change. Just don’t remember what it was. Of course, I’ve heaped DP parts on it.
Oh yeah. Get the DP mufflers and ECU. If not, you’ll find it “hunts” around 2500 rpm and when riding slow you’ll get a slight jerking back-and-forth cos of fueling problems. The race cans smooth everything out perfectly.
3) Panniers are good. Strong enough to sit on without deforming. Big enough to fit a helmet inside. Locking mechanism is OK, but a bit fiddly in the rain with gloves.
4) I have the DP rack and topcase. Looks good without the case, still good with it, although it sticks out from the back quite a bit. Plenty of room for 2 helmets. Has the padded backrest with is well liked by the lady.
5) No comment as I don’t have them.
6) I can’t comment on the cost of the 10000Km service since I’ve only just had the 2500Km one done, but that was about US$150. Oil, filter, etc. Will look up the service receipt for details.
Greetings all. It’s now just over one year on from my purchase of the ST3. I have clocked up about 6,500 k and have been extremely happy with this machine.
The stock ECU was replaced at the 1000 k service under warranty, due to less than ideal running in city traffic. Out on the open road, not much could be faulted, but in City traffic I had the occasional engine cut-out at idle and an annoying hesitation when starting off at the lights or from low revs. The replacement ECU was only slightly better.
Then, one morning whilst stopped at a stop sign on my way to work, I was rear-ended by a guy in a Commodore. After I told him what I thought of his driving ability, judgement etc, I then “asked…what were you thinking”. The answer ” I thought you were going to go !! “.
The short story is that I now have the DP kit of Pipes, fully tunable ECU, new airbox etc and the result is like chalk and cheese. It runs beautifully at all speeds and sounds better into the deal !
It was done just a couple of days before the Ducati Turismo 08 in South Australia. I had a fantastic 4 days on Turismo, along with the 299 other participants. Plus the travelling over and back to Melbourne. 3,500 ks in 8 days. So many Ducati’s all in one place….well not exactly one place all the time !
I had bought a new pair of Alpine Star touring gloves prior to Turismo and these addressed, along with adrenalin, the palm discomfort I had been experiencing in my right hand. It may seem obvious to many of you, but the big thing I discovered about the gloves was to tighten up the wrist strap when I put them on, especially the right one. I don’t really bother as much with the left one.
With the poor running of the bike at low speed initially, combined with the throttle sensitivity of a modern fuel injected V twin and my old loose fitting gloves, I had developed a tension inspired discomfort and found it hard to settle the right hand into a good position. I have read about another rider on a Ducati forum with the exact palm position problem and I couldn’t believe the solution for me at least was so simple !( as tightening the wrist strap )
The ST3 proved to be beautifully comfortable on even the longest days I rode of about 500 k’s. I felt no need for a gel seat or sheepskin cover.
I also get the gravel in the front mudguard sound under braking that Andrew mentions, but this only seems to occur when there is actually small stones etc sticking to the tyre at low speeds. There is very little clearance under the guard and I’m going to try and make some Stainless Steel modified “raisers” for the mounting brackets.
Thanks for the great site
Cheers Wayne
any updates coming ?
I attended a PR event at my dealer a few weeks ago where they talked the current models, and the factory, and Ducati in MotoGP. All in Japanese of course, so I hardly understood any of it. But the pictures were gorgeous!
Anyway, they had that spy shot of the new Multistrada, and asked us politely not to blog about it (about a month too late in my case).
Nothing about a new sports tourer, but I’m pushing for them to give me any hints on what might be unveiled at Milan.