Heard a rumor (from an unnamed source close to DNA) that a new version of the ST is in development and will be released soon. This one will have the testastratta engine. 130+ HP.
If this is true I'm clearing a spot in my garage. Imagine an ST with a massaged engine, 155 HP or so, lighter wheels, comfy fairing, saddlebags, Ohlins fork/shock... the ultimate sport touring machine.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DanST4 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Heard a rumor (from an unnamed source close to DNA) that...</TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Gilbertl »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">IMHO, the 2004 was the last of the great ones, 05 is wet clutch. If it dosen't chatter, it's not a ducati.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I'll second that. My '01 ST4 has a Nichols basket and Barnett clutch pack... and it makes a ton of music. It's as loud or louder than it was with the stock clutch parts. The clearance between the friction plate tangs and basket slots is around 0.5mm and hasn't changed at all since installation over 10k miles ago.
When the engine is cold and I first start the bike, the clutch is silent for 10 seconds or so. At that point it sounds more like "other bikes". But then when the pack loosens up and that clutch music makes its appearance I smile because I know it's a Ducati and I have one hell of a fun ride ahead.
Recently I was at a BMW rally and the BMW riders just couldn't believe all the "racket" coming from my engine. Everyone was certain there was something seriously wrong. Most shook their head and said they could never own a bike that makes "that kind of noise".
I listened to the BMW's pulling away and if I closed my eyes they sounded like Honda Accords or Toyota Camrys.
Make mine a dry clutch.
I'll bet someone develops a conversion kit to change the wet clutch to a dry clutch.
we got a letter from the aust importers last week about the rumours stating the st4s will not get a testa in the foreseeable future, at least to '07 anyway.
Here in the States, rumor is that the ST4S will be going away and only the ST3 continuing. The 4V ST series has been a great bike that just hasn't been as successful as hoped in terms of sales.
IMHO Ducati will need to do something with the ST4S line to keep it competive in the SPORT Touring segment since BMW has Launched a very serious salvo at this whole market segment.
I seriously thought about getting a ST4S until I rode this.
Karl,
Tell me more about that Beemer you're on. I agree that a few more horsepower would be nice. Is it cheaper to service than Ducati?
I also think that the dry clutch is seriously overrated. What good is that it is dry? Does it really help any? Personally, I get tired of explaining it to just about everyone who hears it. Most people don't understand the differences, they just know its making a load racket. I say, if you want to make some noise, change your exhaust pipes and compete with the Harley Noiz.
167 HP @ 10250 (crank) dynos are showing form 145-150 RWHP bone stock
96ftlbs tq @ 8250
545 lbs curb weight
the bike rocks and is about the most technologically advanced motor vehicle you can buy today.
here is a link that runsd down some good info on them http://www.webbikeworld.com/BM...200s/
the bike is soooo much more than the sum of its numbers it isnt even funny.
It is the finest street bike I have ever ridden and I cant wait to get her on the track.
and yes it should be cheaper than a ducati to maintain, the bikes diagnostics will tell you when it needs to have the valves checked and most people are finding an 18k mile interval, oil changes and diagnostic code check every 6k miles.
I have a new K1200S sharing barn space with the ST4s. Would concur with your assessment the KS is next generation in just about every measure. True innovation and more than just sport touring refinement.
Nods I would give the ST4s... still less weight than the BMW, still goes 160mph (like I will ever see it), comes with nice side bags, has THAT NAME on the side, costs less, and a big one... that soulful superbike l-twin engine between the knees singing a most glorious song at any RPM.
well I will give you less weight on the ST4S but once rolling the K12S doesnt feel heavier, while my riding of the ST4S is limited I felt the K handled better.
The K has saddle bags that are expandable secure and still has 50 degrees lean angle with bags on.
ST4S have to move pipes to go from tour to sport, BMW just start riding sport with bags on or pop em off in 2 seconds and go.
While I luv the sounds my 996 makes I have come to realize that when traveling at hyperspeed on the street I would rather not be heard coming from 2 miles off, BMW brings much less atten that way from the Leo's.
Cost difference is not much cheaper ST4S ABS MSRP 15995,K1200S I paid 16500 for my K1200S and thats with ESA,ABS,Heated Grips and tankbag, I did have to pay another 800 for the saddle bags. But still that makes 17300. and if you delete ESA from a K1200S you are right in the ST4S ABS ballpark.
Lets not even talk maint. cause you know the beemer is way less money or time for the do it your selfer.
Hey I like the ST4S but when you look at the whole picture it doesnt make alot of sense over the K12S unless Ducati does some serious work like adding the engine from the 999S.
Sure it can make sense depending on how one weights factors. It does cost less, weigh less, and has the legendary Ducati handling. While I adore the KS handling, Ducati handling is the gold standard. Mine came standard with Ohlins. With the KS, at 20K we're going to have to cough up $2000+ to replace the shocks with ones working with ESA.
Ducati maintenance can vary. The price is several hundred more than a BMW 6K service if the valves need adjustment. Often they're in spec. My last 6K Ducati service was $260. Same as my GS.
My ST4s insurance is half that of the KS and I get over 50 miles per gallon. Maybe you aren't content with the 160mph top end of the ST4s but I certainly am for sport touring purposes. The Ducati is not heard from two miles off by LEO's, but it sure causes knees to weaken when going by at any RPM. I agree with Bike (U.K.) Magazine, there is no finer or more exotic sounding bike than the one from Bologna.
I agree, the K1200S is an incredible machine. It's intrinsic on the roads, any kind of road, for short or long distances. It truly is next generation. But one can buy a Duc for all the right personal reasons.
where do you get 20K???? I paid 16,500 with esa abs heated grips and tank bag, I am sure by the time I need to replace my ESA shocks there will be plenty of options for less than 2000.00 even the Stockers will have come down in a couple years. ANd ESA is an option, dont want it, dont buy one with it the money you save can pay for Ohlins Front and Rear.
I own a 996 so I do know the sounds of the engine and cost of maint. The ST4S is a fine bike but please make your points without misrepresentation, the KS is no where near 20K and the 996 engine with aftermarket exhaust (which is the first thing everyone does to a duc) is loud. the bags only go on if you moved the exhaust, the handling is not better from my experience than the KS.(yes the bike comes with the cheap version of Ohlins needs to be upgraded to be good)
And you still have higher maint cost including chain and sprockets to mess with. and for insurance I found the exact opposite to be true, my KS full coverage is 430 a year with Dairy land and they want a grand for the ST4S but Ill give you that Dairyland doesnt like ducs in my experience.
These are facts that I know to be true, so we can agree to disagree but if you paid 20k for the KS you got ripped off.
Karl,
You have a great bike, I love the K series. It's great seeing BMW move out of their Col Klink style of motorcycles, they're definitly shaking things up. But you keep referring to the ST4 in terms of MSRP and the KS at your negotiated price. I took a long hard look at the beemers before settling on an 05 ST3. The local BMW dealer gave me a hand written, pre-nego, MSRP, quote on a K1200S and with ESA, ABS, heated grips, anti-theft, tax, tags, delivery and it's over $19k. It sounds like you negotiated a sweet deal, but you shouldn't compare your nego price to the MSRP on the ST4, there is also a fair amount of wiggle room on the Ducs.
I rode the R and S and I was blown away by both bikes. But sitting on top of those babies I kept asking myself, do I really need +160HP, 0-60 in <3 seconds, another $20k (yes I'm rounding up) bike in my garage? When I took out the ST3 I felt more comfortable on the bike. It's light, agile, blistering fast, has plenty of power for touring (yes 100HP is more than enough for two up and luggage). Best of all I drove it off the floor for $11,000 delivered.
Your technical comparison of the bikes is fair, but my wife thinks my package is plenty big enough.
Now if I could just sell the damn Harley I can rid my garage of $20k motorcycles.
look what I am saying is the ST4S is a great bike, but it is last generation and if Ducati wants to stay at the top of the heap they need to step up again. The next generation of bikes are here now. you got 11k on a ST3 so what a ST4S would prob be negotiated to 14500.00 or so, 2k in difference not alot at all in the scheme of vehicles in this price range.
Oh and I cant find a MSRP on a K1200S with ESA ABS but I found it for the K1200S without ABS and ESA 15,750.00 (go to BMW website and then to the paymenbt calculator its right there in print)what is the ST4S without abs? How about 14995.00--- wow less than a 1k difference msrp to msrp --- so much for the costs more arguement.
What I negotiated was about 1500.00 off msrp and that is a going rate these days for the KS.
I am not sure why you brought your wife and package in the conversation but remember just cause she is happy with yours, doesnt mean she wouldnt be happier with more--- maybe she just hasnt ever had more.
New model coming... ST4R
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