Looking at ST4S as first Duc

So I've gotten the go ahead from my wife to get another bike (currently on an SV650S), and I really need a duc. I also need a sport tourer for tooling around the country with my wife. I've pretty much decided I want the ST4S, but I have a few questions about them. What year would you guys recommend. I can pick them up much cheaper used, but I'm not that familiar yet with the evolution of the ST4 over the last 5 years.
1. Has it's suspension and braking always been as good as I've been reading about the recent year models'?
2. Do the older models (03 and back) have the remote preload adjusters, electrical plug ins, etc...(little goodies).
3. How is the reliability of these bikes, and are there any years that had issues?
4. I've never ridden a bike with ABS, but it seems like it can't really hurt, only help. Am I correct in this assumption and is it worth ponying up the extra cash?

I'm sorry for the laundry list of questions, I'm just trying to do this right. I appreciate the help.

Mike

http://www.bike-gizmos.com/DucatiSTFAQ.html

Check out this FAQ summary. It's very complete. After reading through it, post back if you have questions.

Also you should check out this Yahoo site for ST-specific information:

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/st2_owners/

Wow...now that is alot of info. Thanks alot, that oughta take me a while to digest.

I can say for sure on the '03 ST4S-ABS that:
1) Yes
2) Yes
3) 4,000 miles and not a single malfuncton. Will take vacation on the bike two-up again this year - so I trust it.
4) I have yet to trigger ABS, even in the rain. The rear brake is not very strong and lacks feel which I think ABS contributes to.
Headlights are weak on '03 and before so you will not want to go out at night with the Ducati Designs headlight.
Stock seats are tough on '03 and older. If you get a Corbin and are less than 6'2" then I would not get the standard seat back - get the shorter rider seat length for support and give the space to the passenger. I would read up on break-in on this site.
The '03 and older fairing front ends look more Italian.
Incredible suspension and high speed steering and tracking.

My St4s rocks... We do about 800-1000 miles a week out here in the summer and (dare I say this) have not had any issues to date. The bike does however suck at around town speeds, it likes to be on the open road and corners as well as my smaller Monster at 45-65mph. The best 2-up riding I've done is on the St4s. Best of luck!!

CH LUKE-- Tell me more about after market head lights, no doubt the stock on an '02 are horrible.
Brian

Replacing the sidestand switch is about the only issue I had. Brembos and Ohlins work awesome, suspension adjustability is second only to a full on track bike. You'll love one, go for it.

'04 ST4S is the best bike I've owned. Since Ive spend my "Wad" on the bike I wish I would have forked out the addl cash for the ABS. Lights on the '04 are much better from what I've heard of the '03's and prior.
The bike is a Race Bike in sheeps clothing.

The stock headlamp is unsafe any time you are outside of the city. Since I live out on the prairie in a small towm of 13,000 that makes life scary. I tried a few different bulbs and went out to the Black Hills last fall and proved to myself that it would be worth making the investment in the Ducati Designs headlight assembly.

It will take you most of a day to install but it does bring you up to safe riding levels - there can always be more though. The kit is complete and when I had a couple of questions on routing the wiring they were very responsive, e-mailing back color illustrations.

Here is the url:
http://www.ducatidesigns.com/i...id=35