Recommend me a bike! Ducati ST2?

[Raf]

I've been thinking of getting rid of my 1997 gsxr 600 for a few months now as ive done everything i want to it and just for the fact that i fancy something different to the usual IL4 sportsbikes.

I was looking to get something bigger like a tl1000r or a R1 but i had a bump with a car a few months back which resulted in me losing my no claims and now having a £650 renewal charge for the gixxer.

I want to get out of the sportsbike scene and into something a little cheaper to insure and more comfortable to commute with.

The two bikes i have been looking at are the Triumph T509/955i and the ducati ST2 due to there low insurance quotes (£350~)

Now im leaning towards the ST2 as i have been offered a straight trade with the gixxer which is appealing to me as its less hassle listing the gixx on ebay etc.

Now i know these Ducatis have terrible electrics and eat clutches and are underpowered but i don't mind doing some work and going down to something slower for the sake of insurance and most importantly for the sake of trying something new.

There is one thing seriously concerning me about the Ducati, it has 50,000 miles on the clocks, to me this seems extremely high and a definite deterrent, but i say to myself: It is a touring bike which has most likely never seen a trackday and seen high use on the motorway at cruising speeds. It also comes with almost all service history from new which makes it more appealing.


I honestly have no idea, if it was a VFR i would have no problem with the milage but its not, i have little knowledge on these engines and no idea how durable these ducati engines are. Am i looking at a possible money pit? Can anyone enlighten me?
____________________
CBR1100xx - BMW K1100 - BMW K100 - Triumph Sprint ST 955i - Suzuki GSX-R 600 - Suzuki DR 350 - Yamaha XV 750 - Honda CBR 600 FM - Yamaha XT 600 - Yamaha Rs 200 - Honda NSR 125

[Paivi]

You need to go here for some genuine advice.
____________________
My other bike's a Monster...

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Hi, take a look through here https://www.ducatisti.co.uk/forum/ducati-st2/

In short. 99-01 are the best years for ST2s. High mileage is common on STs. Go through every electrical connector and clean n dielectric grease it. Clutch is heavy...easy(free) fixes available.
The headlight beam is pants..Upgrade to HID on the dipped.
Fairing are a B####D to take off. (kits available)

When viewing, check the rear engine mount for any cracks.
Look around the clutch slave for any leaks.
Check wheel and head bearings.

They have an excellent chassis, good paint work. Comfy riding position with adequate brakes. 21ltr tank(150-200miles)
+80bhp and 60ft/lb of torque is plenty to have fun with and enough for all day 100mph mile-munching with luggage and pillion.

Servicing can be done cheaply.

They are UGLY IMO....when viewed head-on. But yer don't look at the mantel piece when yer poking the fire.
https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/Image0050.jpg
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[Raf]

Thanks for the advice. They are indeed very ugly head on. Im thinking that if i do go ahead and get it, i will be converting it to a monster.

Something like this.

https://img396.imageshack.us/img396/1867/ducmod2av6.jpg

That way i could get a better headlight etc. I've also heard the lights are pathetic.
____________________
CBR1100xx - BMW K1100 - BMW K100 - Triumph Sprint ST 955i - Suzuki GSX-R 600 - Suzuki DR 350 - Yamaha XV 750 - Honda CBR 600 FM - Yamaha XT 600 - Yamaha Rs 200 - Honda NSR 125

[0l0dom0l0]

For me I would go with the 955i, but both are good options.

Reason for the 955i:

There was a fair few on ebay and such like when I last looked. Most were in really good nick, with low miles. Fantastic engine, and an even better sound. Reliable if looked after and a few other things.

Test ride them both, see which one you prefer. That's the only way forward really.

[rac3r]

Why not just go for a monster?

@HowlingTerror upgrade the damn exhausts and release the sound!
____________________
Bikes : 2006 CBR125R - 2004 Monster 620ie - 2004 ZX-6R B1H - 2005 Monster S2R 800 - 2011 Street Triple - 2009 Streetfighter 1098 - 2014 ZX-6R 636

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

The swingarm from the S4r/S2r fits straight on. Front end also if i remember right. Modern wheels...the list goes on.
Me..If i wanted a streetfighter? Ii'd get a proper one..not a lamb in wolves clothing.
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

[Raf]

I would go for a monster but there expensive. I've seen a few 600M's going but there under 60bhp and ment to be pretty gutless. The 900M is what i would like but finding one under 2k is hard.
____________________
CBR1100xx - BMW K1100 - BMW K100 - Triumph Sprint ST 955i - Suzuki GSX-R 600 - Suzuki DR 350 - Yamaha XV 750 - Honda CBR 600 FM - Yamaha XT 600 - Yamaha Rs 200 - Honda NSR 125

[rac3r]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

My fingers are independant of my brain. My brain doesn't know it yet, but i'm already typing in www.porntube.com
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[Tristan.]

Why not a VFR? I've seen a few 750s go for under a grand with tax and test, and insurance isn't too bad. £250 for me with 10 points and a claim a few years ago.

[Kickstart]

[GSTEEL32]

What about the 900s ?.. There's plenty on ebay at the moment, most under 20k mileage, invariably FSH & well looked after.

Puts out about 80bhp, cheap secondhand parts, group 14 insurance, great commuter with a decent chassis if you ever go for an afternoon blast....

I've owned one for nearly a year, cant fault it. The electrics are sound, its datatooled as standard so there's no problems with that either.

The downside is it obviously feels underpowered for a 900cc, but its still big enough to get you from A to B with a daft grin on your face. The other "issue" with a bike like this is the urban myths about servicing costs. If you buy something thats had its belts changed recently, you should be good for another 12,000 miles or so trouble free motoring.....

[rac3r]

[Valentino Mossy]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Nice to see some duc lads about.

No ducati ladies tho
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[Aspire]

trophy 900/1200 ? might be abit big/heavy but my dad got a 1200cc 3/4 years ago for £3500 800 miles on the clock 03 plate ! seen v.nice ones go for £2400.

[rac3r]

Oooh I forgot to mention you should also have a look at the Multistrada which are a little over 2k but worth a look
____________________
Bikes : 2006 CBR125R - 2004 Monster 620ie - 2004 ZX-6R B1H - 2005 Monster S2R 800 - 2011 Street Triple - 2009 Streetfighter 1098 - 2014 ZX-6R 636

[Raf]

I would love a Multistrada. But i think the olds ones looks pretty hideous. Looking at about £3000 for one of the new style ones.

I've been looking at Daytona t595's which i really like, and sprit st's which go for pretty cheap just a shame the frame and fairings on them are so damn ugly. They both have the 955i engine though which is ment to be pretty good.
____________________
CBR1100xx - BMW K1100 - BMW K100 - Triumph Sprint ST 955i - Suzuki GSX-R 600 - Suzuki DR 350 - Yamaha XV 750 - Honda CBR 600 FM - Yamaha XT 600 - Yamaha Rs 200 - Honda NSR 125

[Raf]

Just checked insurance on the daytona. £950 TPO, cheapest quote.
£350 for the Sprint ST. Same engine and double the price? Strange things.
____________________
CBR1100xx - BMW K1100 - BMW K100 - Triumph Sprint ST 955i - Suzuki GSX-R 600 - Suzuki DR 350 - Yamaha XV 750 - Honda CBR 600 FM - Yamaha XT 600 - Yamaha Rs 200 - Honda NSR 125

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

More nickable maybe.
Or in the case of the ST2 less of them about to nick.
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[MarJay]

[Raf]

[MarJay]