Ducati peps Help me decide.

[Doc]

I value your opinion so please serious posts here. Which one would you get and why?
Big chunk of change for me and I will be selling my 900ss to help fund this purchase. It will be the last big bike purchase for me since we are planning on starting a family soon. I plan to have this one for a very long time.


2004 ST3 3600 miles. RED, looks to be mostly stock, Asking $8250
KBB trade in value $5485, Retail $8040 Middle ground $6760





2003 ST4s 13k miles. YELLOW, Ferraci pipes, Corbin seat, 2 inch risers. asking $8000
KBB Trade $6140, Retail $8960 Middle $7550




The ST4s has better suspension and the 996 motor. The ST3 is still being sold has a new 3 valve motor 992cc

[Kurlon]

I'd opt for the ST3. The revised fairings are easier to work with, provide better wind protection, and the headlight is lightyears better. The stock seat on the 04's and later is also MUCH better than prior years, I've not bothered with tracking down an aftermarket unit to replace mine. The 3 is a great motor, it's got more low end torque than the 996 in the 4s, solid midrange, and the top end is where it gives up a bit to the 996, but not by much.

I've got Leo Vince slip ons, a drilled airbox lid, and a mapped PC3 in my ST3, it tosses down 105hp to the rear wheel, and will match a 1098 with slipons for power right up to 7k RPM. (I'll scan the comparison dynos tonight if I get a chance, also shows a Xerox 999...) So you're down slightly on peak power, but a lil short shifting and it does just fine.

I've not ridden a 4s so I can't compare the suspension, but I can tell you some time setting the sag does wonders on the 3.

[burnham]

I guess I'd go for the st3 because it looks like it comes with bags, it's red, and if you're going to have it for a while it will be a little less costly to own. Neither bike stands out as a great deal to me at those asking prices. Do you know who maintained the bikes and if they are due for any major service? Good luck, my next sport tourer will be a Ducati.

[Doc]

I have talked to the guy with the ST4s who has kept meticulous records, serviced by Kyle at BCM, it also comes with bags.

I hear ya about the red color. I would offer $7500 on the ST4s and $7000 on the ST3 (he seems to be wanting WAY too much.)

[Doc]

I'd opt for the ST3. The revised fairings are easier to work with, provide better wind protection, and the headlight is lightyears better. The stock seat on the 04's and later is also MUCH better than prior years, I've not bothered with tracking down an aftermarket unit to replace mine. The 3 is a great motor, it's got more low end torque than the 996 in the 4s, solid midrange, and the top end is where it gives up a bit to the 996, but not by much.

I've got Leo Vince slip ons, a drilled airbox lid, and a mapped PC3 in my ST3, it tosses down 105hp to the rear wheel, and will match a 1098 with slipons for power right up to 7k RPM. (I'll scan the comparison dynos tonight if I get a chance, also shows a Xerox 999...) So you're down slightly on peak power, but a lil short shifting and it does just fine.

I've not ridden a 4s so I can't compare the suspension, but I can tell you some time setting the sag does wonders on the 3.

So I take it you have a 3?

[highsider]

I think you should save yourself a trip and buy this one:

Catalog Page for Hobbs Automotive - 2000 DUCATI ST4 YELLOW

[Doc]

I have talked to Hobbs about that but it would cost quite a bit to repair it.

[DucDave]

I had an ST2 and put 72000 miles on it. Before I bought my Multistrada I rode the ST4s and the ST3. I would go for the ST3...wicked smooth and, I believe cheaper and easier to service.

My 2 cents!

[ChR1s]

ST3. Because.

[Doc]

I had an ST2 and put 72000 miles on it. Before I bought my Multistrada I rode the ST4s and the ST3. I would go for the ST3...wicked smooth and, I believe cheaper and easier to service.

My 2 cents!

Remember Dave.. I rode the ST3 abs at the Classic.

Wish I could try a 4s on for size.

Don't ya think he is asking ALOT for that ST3? Even with 3600 miles?

[Doc]

Ok just got off the phone with the guy with the ST3. Lowest he seems willing to go is $7800.

[Kurlon]

So I take it you have a 3?

Yes, an 04 just like you're considering. It's been to Loudon a couple times, may be there for the last race weekend. I can at least run the school on it once I swap the coolant out.

Couple more notes on the ST3 - It's sprung a bit on the light side, I weigh 135lbs, my wife is less, I run the shock at 1 click out from max preload for just myself, maxxed with us both. I dunno what spring the 4S has, but I'm betting Ohlins specced a better rate for a wider range of riders. Also, find out if the exhuast springs have been replaced, there is a bulletin on them, some in 04 got an older two piece spring design that's too weak, and have been known to break. The bike will run, but starting will be more difficult, and low throttle operation will be rougher. (Exhaust won't completely seal without good combustion pressure.)

[Doc]

Thanks for that tip. Mind me asking what you think yours is worth?

[Kurlon]

Thanks for that tip. Mind me asking what you think yours is worth?

Good question, I never thought about it till just now. NADA has it between $6500 and $8500 (low and avg retail). 7500 miles, with the pipes, PC3, rack and top case... and if it didn't have the scratched lower fairing and bag (I got my scratches before it's first service... some day I'll get it painted.) I'd be looking for around $7500 I think.

Some ammo to help get the price down:

2005 Black ST3 - $7500 buy it now, bids are only up to $6500 with 15 hours left (In mass, might be a good option?)
eBay Motors: Ducati : Sport Touring (item 290160226562 end time Sep-19-07 11:29:23 PDT)

2006 - Black ST3 - One bid at $7500 with 4 hours left
eBay Motors: Ducati : Sport Touring (item 290160069554 end time Sep-18-07 23:35:49 PDT)

2005 Red ST3 - Bids are up to $4250, reserve not hit (In NH, another to look at?)
eBay Motors: Ducati : Sport Touring (item 180159439951 end time Sep-20-07 19:00:00 PDT)

[Doc]

I just saw those too...

I was figuring I would offer him $7000 but he sounded pretty firm on $7800

His is stock and yours has more goodies.

He has it his listed at $8500, $8250 and $8000 on different areas of craigslist.



I bid on that one in NH.

[Kurlon]

Good luck to ya on the one in NH. I don't know the seller directly, but did get beat out by him by 24 hours on a 93 Ducati 888 SPO... d-oh!

[Doc]

The seller.. You mean that dealership?

[Kurlon]

Yeah, they guy that operates that dealership beat me to the punch on an 888 that was for sale up here in Maine this spring.

[Doc]

Dang... I wonder if he would take my 900ss in on trade?

[Kurlon]

Couldn't hurt to ask. I bet you'd do better selling it outright though, he seems to sell a ton on ebay, so I'm betting he's going to lowball and turn it around quick online.

[Doc]

Yah... but i won't sell it until spring.

You think that 05 comes with Bags?

[Doc]

NH bike

http://www.nationalpowersports.net/i...on&itemID=1803

$8500

[Kurlon]

Only the first year of STs in the US didn't come with bags out of the crate, so unless the owner sold the bags separately there should be bags with the bike.

[Kurlon]

As promised, ST3 vs 1098.

The 1090 is in blue. It's a standard with Termi slip ons and the matching DP ECU. It had roughly 4k miles on it at the time.

The ST3 is my 04, and is in red. Leo Vince slip ons, drilled air box lid, PC3 with a custom map. 6k miles at the time.

So, this shows the ST3 isn't a superbike, but yah know, it's not too shabby all the same. 1 less exhaust valve, down 106ccs, smaller throttle bodies, headers, far milder cams... not a fair comparison but I still say the ST3 motor should have been further developed.

If I ever get the time and cash, I want to put a set of ST4 headers on, degree the cams, and port the heads just to see what I can pull from it.

[DucDave]

Remember Dave.. I rode the ST3 abs at the Classic.

Wish I could try a 4s on for size.

Don't ya think he is asking ALOT for that ST3? Even with 3600 miles?

I can't speak to the price...you - and others - are much more rigorous in looking at comps than I am since I am not in the market!

However....

I would have to replace the Corbin Seat on the ST4s...just looks dumb with the red piping. Sargeant $449.00 +





Also, the headlight would have to be replaced with a Ducati Design unit at $575.00 if you plan to ride at night. I had that on the ST2 and it not only looked great, it worked great too.




I also like the fact that the ST3 appears to be bone stock. That means that if you are infected with the 'mod-virus', (and most of us are!), that whatever you do is YOURS and you're not inheriting the good and bad of someone elses taste in style, sound and performance!

(I have found that the purchase price of my Strada has provided an effective innoculation to the mod-virus. Unfortunately, my doctor, and friends at Seacoast, have not been able to tell me how long the innoculation is good for...!)

Oh, and I am not sure how much it would cost to paint the ST4s Red but I bet that with all the appropriate labels and stickers it would be pretty expensive!!!

Finally, the last question to ask yourself...and answer as honestly as possible...is how long you expect to keep this bike. If you tend to change every year then the price difference is more important. If you expect to ride the piss out of whichever bike you buy for 5 years then the difference in price over that period of time, is negligble.

Good luck! Half the fun is in the hunt...

Dave