Ducati ST4s reviews

Do your homework folks……. A 2012 1000 Vstrom with 51000 miles ! FOR $6,000 ????? 3500 would be fair, 4000 would be top dollar. What a shame. Now these are great bikes and if it were an ABS model we would be closer to 6k. Really not sure when they corrected the clutch basket chatter on the DL1000, but that issue alone would make me lean towards the DL650. Suzuki wouldn’t even fess up to the clutch problems and make it right. The 650 is solid, 50-60mpg low maintenance. Just a little buzzy above 80mph. Show less

Out of all the bikes I have owned (20+), this one tops the list. I have abused it and it never seems to stop ticking. It has taken me far and close from my home. Every time it leaves, it brings me back with a smile. Even riding to and from work I can find something it will astonish me with (a wheelie or two). Maintenance has been very low on it to date. Just several pairs of tires, pads and many oil changes. This bike scores an A+ on my favorite bike list. Show less

I purchased this bike used because the price was right and the condition was perfect. I was in the market for a bike to take short trips on and commute to work. I choose the Duck over BMW because I could stand flat-footed and it felt more sporty. After putting 4000 miles on it I can say this bike is rock solid reliable, fast, handles great and is comfortable to ride for 100's of miles a day. It is a fantastic machine. Try one and you will be sold on Ducati forever. Show less

Owned an St2 before purchasing the st4sabs. Wonderful handling and sounding bike but weak electrical system and clutch. 6 and 12 thousand services can vary up to four hundred dollars difference in price between dealerships. Oh, the price we pay for Italian craftmanship, a Ferrari on two wheels Show less

I've written several of these follow up e-mails to people contemplating the same thing. Let me tell you how I came to this bike. I previously rode a 2000 VFR800FI. Rode to work every day, rode to Daytona, rode about 2 dozen track days. Very reliable, hey it's a Honda afterall. Did it still break? Sure, but it never stranded me. Next bike had to do the same BUT I wanted character as well. See, the Honda did everything right and was smooth to a point of being "too smooth." It wasn't a looker and it wasn't scary fast. Next bike turned out to be a ST4S. I wouldn't have bought this a first bike or as a specialized bike but for what I use it for it's great. See, I do the same things as my last bike. First as an every day bike:
I have a top matching case on mine. My laptop, jacket fit. I plug my heated jacket, gloves into the outlet on the side. The blinking light on the dash has prevented theft. I have enough bungee points with the pannier bag mounts to carry extra stuff behind me. Second as a tourer:
The bags work. They detatch easily and mount back on. The passenger seat is big and my wife enjoys it better than the VFR. My 2003 didn't have the bigger fairing found on the 2004 and later but the wind deflection is adequate. You rarely use top gear unless you change the sprocket.(more on that later). You have to have a procedure for starting though. The battery on these bikes is barely enough amps to keep kicking it over. In other words, when you turn on the ignition you must preset the idle and begin. The lights are a big draw on the battery and you sometimes think you're going to run out of juice before the cold engine starts. But, you get used it. The bike stranded me once because I left the parking light on(key position) and ran it dead. I jumped it from a car but the battery was toasted. New battery $189. I've ridden this bike to Blue Ridge, Ocean City twice, Charleston SC, and Daytona last year with zero problems. Third as occasional track day bike:
I rode NESBA and Superbike school this past summer. My last bike I put a Ohlins suspension on that is the prime reason I bought this bike. You can't surprise or max out this suspension. Dial it in the middle for regular riding. Dial one turn up for 2-up. Dial it all the way and back a half for the track and smile all day. The brakes are the best, period. The 996 motor. What a rush. The bike goes fast and doesn't get upset easily. It's a hoot. Problems with the bike were all covered under warranty include:

1. Battery replaced
2. Turn signal switch
3. Clutch (impossible to get into neutral from a stop) finally replaced by dealer
4. Loose fairing screws all over. The rubber well nuts and vibration cause them to work out. Conclusion. If you've never owned a Ducati you always fear what maintenance and reliability will cost you. After 600/3000/6000/10000 mile service I've had 2 shims replaced, belts. Service is about 600 average per service with the first two under warranty. I still don't think owning a Ducati is more expensive than others of equal performance. My Ducati gives me more smiles per mile and gets more looks than my buddies BMW, Honda 919, and Aprilia. If you're tossed between the ST3 and ST4s then I'd ask how hard you ride. The ST3 would do 95% of what I want in a bike but I'd add the Ohlins because to me the ride is worth it. The ST4s has that last 5% for me to plunk down the extra money for. You've had a Ducati so you already know what many people don't, that suspension and frame must work together to give you confidence. On top of that, you have a motor that stands out like a Ferrarri in an ocean of Harleys.
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I wasn't planning on buying another bike but my every day ride a 2000 VFR with 38,000 miles died (fire). I ride every day year 'round and also do a couple track days a year. I wanted something reliable with better suspension and brakes. I purchased a 2003 ST4S at Speeds Cycle. I knew the bike had lots of grunt but fell in love with the suspension and brakes. Ride position is fine and it chugs along at any speed you wish. I drove straight to Daytona this year with no problems. Plug in power is great for heated clothing. Only maintenance issues were a dead battery (my fault) and it burned a quart of oil when new. Hard to get into neutral when stopped but you get used to it. Fully loaded with passenger and bags it rides the same as unloaded. It gets lots of looks and I love it. I'll drive it to the track, tape it up and ride this summer, can't wait. Show less

After almost two years of ownership I must say this is the best bike I've ever owned (by far). The confidence inspiring handling and awesome powerband put other sportbikes to shame while it's all day comfort will have you smiling at the end of a long and sporting day. For gobbling up the miles and making smiles appear there is no better tool. Show less

The 2003 ST4s-ABS in Senna Metallic Gray w/ bright red wheels, is an all day sport bike. The 996 motor stomps, it loafs along at 75 (mph)and eats up the blacktop. The abs brakes are phenomenal. The fit and finish is beautiful, typically Itailan. Show less

Still running in but what a dream! Amazingly high (? too high?) 6th gesr gives relaxed cruising but elsewhere the performance (even running in) is electric. Got a Corbin seat which at first I hated as I slipped all over the place. A few pence worth of non-slip kitchen material fixed that! This looks good, feels good and is bloody good. Show less

Post BMWR1100R experience, the ST4s-ABS rocks!. Smooth, potent, and fluid on mountainous curves. Rude Red and Curvacious at rest. Riding position is 1/2 Sport, unlike "sit up + beg" position on BMW. Short arms require a tank hugging posture to avoid numb wrists/hands. The bike is up to 750km - sure-footed on wet/slippery roads, beguilingly rapid on the blacktop. The best is yet to come! Show less