OK, so having now ridden my new to me ST2 over the last 2 weeks and having covered circa 500 miles I would like to report the following. This is also my first Ducati. The bike is in lovely condition, turns heads, is well maintained and I'm told from riders behind that the bike sounds fantastic. I've just installed new tyres. However, I have no reference points against which I can judge anything so would love to hear from you guys especially anyone that rode an early ST2 in its day and also from the guys who ride modern powerful bikes. It has so much grunt that I have to constantly be careful; it doesn't seem to like being below 3K revs? In heavy congestion I find that 1st gear at 3-4K revs is smoother than 2nd gear with a lot of clutch slipping - Is this normal and typical? In all gears I tend to keep the revs between 3 & 4K but am I being over conservative and should I be giving it some? The bike really doesn't seem to like slow travel and it becomes a bit of a handful at times but get an open road and wow, away she goes - is this normal and typical? For me, at this stage I am enjoying the learning curve of a very different bike but keep thinking there must be smoother and more enjoyable rides especially given the UK roads and congestion. I'm sure if this discussion evolves there will be other matters that I will seek guidance on but I would genuinely like to know if the ST2 I have is fairly typical of the marque. Thank you
I'm sure you will get many replies Nifty - it sounds fine to me, and yes, the constant "clutching" at low speeds is typical/normal and even if you alter the chain drive ratio (as many do) it will only be marginally better. After a while it becomes second nature, and you will just "clutch" or coast momentarily ffs alternately whilst planning ahead. How are you finding finding neutral when you come to a standstill? - should be straightforward with your dry clutch if in good fettle.
Interesting; the one tip that I adopted was finding neutral before coming to a standstill and believe it or not, it seems to be working. Isn't it funny how so many of these little quirky issues end up becoming a characteristic of the bikes and we just get on with it.
I have no direct knowledge of the ST2, as the only Ducati I have ridden is my 950 Multistrada. However that does not like being below 3,000 revs in the lower gears, and around town I will select gears dependent on that so it does spend a lot of time in first gear. I don't have an issue with that as I was always taught to keep any vehicle in a gear in which it will immediately respond to an input, either opening or closing the throttle; I cannot understand the modern trait of getting into the highest gear possible in town and making the engine labour. As far as keeping it between 3,000 - 4,000, I tend to keep it around there if I am keeping at a constant speed, however if I am "making progress" then it is, as you put it, given some. And I was always taught that coasting anywhere was a hanging offence, so won't knock it into neutral whilst moving, but I do find it easier to find neutral from 2nd rather than 1st.
