I can't disagree more. But with a caveat, if it doesn't fit you, you won't like it. I like the ST's (don't own one at the moment but it's on my list to get one) but I had the pleasure of a loaner MTS 1200 from my local dealer some time ago and put over 800 miles on it over three days in a very cold and rainy November. Obviously everyone has heir different physiques and comfort levels/preferences and so are entitled to their opinion. But here are a few observations of mine.
First, power wise, torque and general handling, best compliment I can say is the bike does everything Ducati say it does. Plenty of power to loft the front end (something I almost never do) an the adjustable power settings are convenient in rainy situations I encountered. My position on the bike made controlling the machine very easy, everything just seemed to fit and fall in place comfortably. was riding with a friend, Gene, on his ST3 and we enjoyed spirited riding on a cold sunny day and then the cold rain and despite him being well used to his bike and an aggressive rider, I gained confidence in riding the bike quickly and never had any problems riding quickly along with him. It's just a fun easy to ride bike.
There were a number of niggles though. One, it's still damned ugly. It works great but I still haven't warmed to the beak and overall appearance. I would much rather have seen the bike clothed in svelte bodywork. Your date in a skimpy bikini is nice looking but a little black dress can be much more alluring no?
The windscreen is totally inadequate. At six foot tall the narrow and short screen allows wind blast to slam the shoulders very clearly. I wore very good cold weather gear but after a few hours cold seep sinks in under such a blast and you're gonna feel it unless you have a heated vest. But even then that would leave your arms cold. Heated full upper? Also, the hand guards have this opening to allow the lever hinges point travel. That little 1.5" square also allowed a blast of very cold air right on the backs of my hands. Again, despite good gloves and heated grips that was damned cold! (temps started out mid 20'sF daily) From what I have seen newer models have eliminated that gap so somebody paid attention. The center stand foot lever extension is right in the way of your heal when riding. I'm not sure how they can fix that as the extension is needed to properly hit the lift with your foot but it was constantly in the way when trying to move your foot as needed. I did get used to it after a while, but it's still a glaring ergonomic error.
If these sound like small problems they mostly are, except for the wind blast coverage. I really don't avoid riding in cold weather, sort of enjoy it actually. So that windscreen needs to improve. In fact, the cold led to the only uncomfortable issue I had. The cold led me to tense my shoulders without being aware of it and I ended up with a sore spot between my shoulder blades. We were out and about 6-8 hours each day stopping and starting to take pictures. This was when Gene and I were escorting Paolo Pirozzi on his around the world trip. We picked him up south of NYC and escorted him around the DC area staying at my house for two nights, then we rode him down to Raleigh where he was picked up by the next club president escort.
Like I said about the MTS, if the bike doesn't fit your body you won't like it. Gene wants one but he's just way too shirt and could never fit on it.
Just my observations. It's still damned ugly.
W
Maybe this will get the conversations going:
A few weeks ago my wife and I spent some quality time with a Multi 1200.
As a result, I will do whatever it takes to keep my '03 ST4s running and on the road.
I was not very impressed with the Multi.
-Bob
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Ryan <ryanr@cincinnaticomm.com>
To: st2_owners <st2_owners@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Fri, Jul 20, 2012 10:22 am
Subject: Re: [DucatiST] what's happened
Maybe this will get the conversations going:
A few weeks ago my wife and I spent some quality time with a Multi 1200.
As a result, I will do whatever it takes to keep my '03 ST4s running and on the road.
I was not very impressed with the Multi.
-Bob
Is the ST group sliding or slid off into a black hole? I get very few post.
After my wife and I went down to NC and set a land speed record coming back to
the mountains, I think we need to keep the ST's out there alive. Two up on ours we came
back up 220 from Rockingham to Greensboro at let me just say, a pretty good clip.
Robert McNabb
Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia
ST4 1999 RED
To unsubscribe from the list please send an email to: st2_owners-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment