Ducati ST3 Review

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Ducati ST3
★★★★★
4.6
100.0% of users recommend this
  • Build quality

  • Reliability

  • Value For Money

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fabrice's review of Ducati ST3

“I love this Ducati ST3 Tourer. I have had it for seven...”

★★★★☆

written by fabrice on 05/11/2004

Good Points
Great engine.
Sweet handling.
Good looks.

Bad Points
Takes a bit to warm up.
Fuel injection down low.
Dry clutch.

General Comments
I love this Ducati ST3 Tourer. I have had it for seven months now and done over 7000Km on it.

Its my first Ducati and I was suprised by how they ride, stable and goes into corners quite easy.

The seat is very comfortable for the long haul. I did 8 hours on and of for the day and didn't get all that sore. My wife on the other hand said she felt it a bit after a few hours.

I am not all that tall 5 foot 7 and I cop a fair bit of bufferting from the screen, I dont know what could be done about this as the upper fairing has been inproved from the ST2.

The engine, though not all that powerfull compared to Jap bikes of the same size, I belive it makes all the right power in the right spots. Plenty of touque and pull above 3500 revs.

One thing I liked about the ST3 is it is so easy to ride, it fills me with confidence and makes me belive I am a better rider then I really am, its a lot of fun to ride.

Low speed riding is a bit of a drag. Where I live the streets are very poor making for smooth slow riding hard not so much because of the suspension but because the throtle can be a bit on off, the dry clutch also makes the bike a bit rough down low.

This could just be me though other riders might not feel this way.

One thing I didn't like much but have to put up with is the cost of maintanance. I am comming close to the 10000Km service and have been getting quotes from diferant Ducati delers. Prices I got are anything from $900 to $650 dollars Australian.

If your used to Ducati it probably wouldn't be a problem for you but for me it was a bit of a shock.

I did find maintanance parts cheep enough though, about $17 dollars for an oil filter, I can't remember the price of the air filter but I don't think it was that bad.

I can't realy coment on reliability as I haven't done to many Km on the bike, but I have had the fuel pump changed by the dealer because it was to noisy, I didn't know there was a problem.

The other thing that was changed was the upper fairing.

It had lost the paint inside the front air vents.

Again the dealer pointed this out to me and promptly got it replaced.

The brakes are Gold series Brembo's they give plenty of feel and bite when you need them to.

There not linked and don't come with ABS I don't know if thats any better I haven't riden a bike with ABS.

Suspension is basic for the ST3 compaired to the ST4 front has only preload the rear has preload and dampning adjustment. I am not a suspension expert but find the factory settings good enough for me.

If you know more them I do about suspension and feel like playing with it you would have better and more options of adjustment with the ST4.

Panniers I have been informed that the ST2 panniers fit strait on the ST3 same mounting brackets but if you are like me and have to buy them they cost $1800 dollers.

Style, what can I say ,I love the look and prefer the new head light compared to the ST2.

My bike is yellow and does it stand out but you don't want to be a giant reflector there is silver and you guesed it red.

Its getting into summer here and I am looking forwared to going for some long tours up the mountain roads up here, it may not be every ones cup of tea but I couldn't think of any bike I'd rather tour on.

Test ride one and have fun I am.

  • 2004

    Year Manufactured

  • 7 months

    Length of ownership

  • Build quality

  • Reliability

  • Value For Money

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Leo Friedlich's Response to fabrice's Review

Written on: 21/06/2005

I have the 2005 model, wet clutch, gel seat etc and have traveled 11800 ks and have had no trouble at all and the 10000k ducati service cost $480 NZ.
<br>I am 5'6 and do get sore wrists from the stretch over the tank. But apart from that have absolutely no complaints.
<br>My lady says Gel seat is great. We traveled 8 hours in one day and our butts were fine.

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Midlifecrisis's Response to fabrice's Review

Written on: 12/03/2006

I have just brought a ST3 rading in a very reliable 1998 Monster 750. The ST3 is great EXCEPT - at idle and on low revs ~3000 t0 4000 it surges and pops and spits on the over run. It is great under load but so annoying to drive around town.
Does anyone know of a fix? There is plenty of similar stories on the net. I have only done just over 500km but it is really getting to me. My dealer hasnt got an answer yet though he acknowledges the problem. Ken.

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Leo Friedlich's Response to fabrice's Review

Written on: 10/01/2006

I have now just clocked over 22000 kms so have had the 20000k service completed including the cambelt replacements. Cost including parts was $480nz. Since last review I have also added a set of Ferracci (forza) carbon pipes and a power commander. The bike was dynoed for road use and I have found the response to be much crisper, most noticeable in 2 up top gear roll on. I still think the bike is great and is a great compromise for 2 up riding compared with a dedicated tourer or sport bike.

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