I owned a 2005 ST4S until 2016. Was told once at a service that the inside of the petrol tank was rusting, common problem? . It never gave me any issues and to be honest i have never heard anyone else mention this so i doubt its actually common. Front wheel bearings seem to give up frequently. The ally bushes in the rear suspension linkage wear and then allow a degree of slop in the smoothness of the movement. Clutch slave cylinder. Replace it with an aftermarket alternative regardless, much better. Fairing panels can get cracked at the mounting points, later style ST i am describing for this. Difficult to get off so people manhandle them a bit too much in their frustration. The bike benefits from having the airbox cut to improve airflow. But in the correct place. Has this been done, by who, does it look like a neat job. What is the sellers response to questions about this if it is apparent. Fabulous bikes though, wish i still had mine.
Make sure the cooling fan comes on when the engine gets hot. I was told I needed a new ECU when mine stopped.
I had an ST4 for 4 years, which shares many parts. At around 20,000 miles I had the crank sensor fail. Not unusual I'm told and replaced with an identical fiat part, which was about a fifth the price of the ducati part. Replaced the clutch slave sensor which had a leaking seal with an oberon replacement. Advisory at around 25,000 miles for noisy front wheel bearings, which I replaced, and play in the rear suspension linkage, which I lived with as it wasn't bad. Also let me down once with a random electrical failure. was sorted by shorting one of the relays to ground. Even my auto electrician friend was mystified as to why, but after that I kept a length of insulated wire in the toolbag. Problem never re-occurred. A great bit of kit for the money, but being a 20 year old Ducati, I'm not sure I would have taken it on a long European tour.
Most people who had an ST4S and sold it, always regretted that decision (me included). They are a proper ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’, being able to embarrass many a sports bike. 220 miles to a tank! Corners on rails if the suspension is set up (involves dropping the yokes 10mm on the forks). Starting can be finicky, on mine no twist of the throttle or speed advance lever. Thumb the starter, once alive increase revs with speed advance lever. Believe later mapping addressed this. The immo is problematic. It is prone to failure but is easily disabled in the ECU for trouble free riding. A well looked after bike will be out there. Continuous service history is a must.
I had a 2002 ST4S for 10 years and the only recurring issue I had was the headstock bearings needed replacing twice. Probably my fault for riding in the rain and @chrisw is correct, I regretted selling the bike as I did eventually selling the 1200 Multistrada that replaced it. Andy
I have told this story before but i missed my st4s so much i spent the next 5 years trying to buy it back again. The new owner eventually relented when the new Multistrada appeared on the scene. Cannot remember his name but he was a good friend of John who bought the first Multi to arrive in this country. Loved it even more the second time around and on
Thanks all looks pretty universally positive with a few bits that you might expect for the age of bike. It's always a good sign when people regret selling them ! I do regret selling my 899 but c'est la vie.
The bike that got me into Ducatis. One of the first ST4S registered in the UK in 2001. Bought new from Motorcycle World in Manchester when they were in business and a Ducati dealer.
I had two ST4s and did about 30k miles on them. Just sold my MTS to get another one. First one was awesome. Never missed a beat. Second one was more troublesome and I never really got to the bottom of the problem. Every so often it would not start. Fuel pump on, engine rotating but never ignite into life. Changed sensors, etc. and sometimes it might appear like it fixed it, but it would return. I wonder if the STs have openings in the wiring looms that brings water in and rots some cables. Apart then that, things that have been said above. Immobiliser might be worth deprogramming at some point as it can become a problem. Fairing is a bit of a pain to remove and I cannot figure out why they did not put some quick disconnects on the tank flange like on the 916 series. But looking at the fairings on later Ducatis, the STs are not so bad after all. Don't overtighten the screws though at it leads to cracks. The rest is standard desmo maintenance. I had a Clutch master fail on me and that gives me a great story as it just failed at the exit of the O2 and I had to go back home with my wife as pillion South of Croydon, and I managed it using the m25 - I was lucky to get green lights between A2 and m25. Some tanks rust on the inside. I had to use POR15. Some people have racked up incredible mileage on them. The fuel consumption is also quite amazing, especially compared to an MTS. Over 200 miles on a tank is very doable on motorways. They are comfortable for a pillion without needing a step ladder to get on the back as well. For the rider they are both comfortable and sporty. So much so, that I have decided to replace the MTS with another ST4s. I got a new shape one which I prefer design wise and ST4s are pretty rare in the new shape. I need to fully commission it before I reunite with being back on it.
When i was having my Multi serviced once i said to the manager of the dealership that great as it was. i thought my ST4S was a better touring bike. He could not or would not believe me and thought i was touched in the head somehow. I still think this today and would love to find a really good example. Only concession i would make is to insist on ABS. The main reason for my view is because the Multistrada does not offer as good weather/wind protection as the full on touring ST4S. If you want to get anywhere in any kind of a hurry across europe you need to get a wriggle on sometimes. The Multi wont let me do this for any length of time unlike the ST.
Agreed The MTS is a great bike and liked the upright position and road stance, but wind protection is poor, fuel consumption is poor and tank small (though my reference is the 1200, later ones have improved that I believe). More power, but do you really need much more than a 996 on a road bike? Also, for me, the advantage of a somehow naked bike is that maintenance is easier. Well, try and access the engine... beak, tank, etc. need to come out. I did swear a lot about the fairing of the ST compared to the 916 series, but it is a breeze compared to the modern stuff. The ST4s I found is non-ABS. I think that most later shape STs are ABS, only very few were not. I was not fussed about ABS. I had ABS on a Beemer F800 ST and it would release the brake if braking over pot-holes. Scary has hell. I understand that Ducati ABS is way better (it was on the MTS). But the Beemer was so poor, that I am happy with my brakes being old school.
This is the bike I'm looking at, a late ST4S with the new bodywork. I was looking for an ST3 as prefer the more recent shape but this looks like its in fabulous condition. I echo your point about pillions, I want a bike that is pillion friendly and my previous adventure bike was just a little to get on tall (although really comfy once on the move). https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/297791790216 I'm hoping someone buys it before I get to see it to save me the money, so I wont be offended if someone buys it . I think this is probably the cleanest I've seen and the price looks bang on for winter. One owner etc...
Looking good, low miles and price is pretty good. Mine was a little cheaper but slightly more miles and the owner had covered some scratches with stickers. I need to do a bit of a repair to the tank. Mine has black wheels and it is worth refinishing them black. Looks very good in contrast with the red.
The 996 Desmoquattro engine is my favourite ever, and it has just the right state of tune in this bike for a proper “gentleman’s express” … I regret selling mine as well :-(
