Hi Guys, I had an ST2 a few years ago and found that the engine was really quite smooth and free-revving, above 3000rpm. But my new-to-me ST3 is quite vibey all the way through the rev range, is that normal or is it a result of not being used for 4-5 yrs before I purchased her? Any std issues that might be causing this ? Cheers Dave
Is the gearing the same as what you had on the ST2? If the ST3 is on the standard, higher gearing, i would imagine that just like all the ST range its too tall most of the time.
I must admit that I was thinking about changing the gearing a bit - 15/42 as std I believe - perhaps changing the rear sprocket to 45T ? That would at least keep the engine running (at my normal road speeds) slightly higher up the rev range. But as I said, she just doesn't ever really get into a smooth rev band - not really bad like below 3000rpm - but not really nice and smooth like the ST2.
What do you mean by ‘not smooth’? Has it got a power commander or similar fitted? Have you ridden a ducati in the time between? Did the ST2 have bar end weights and not this one? Ime all Ducati’s are a bit vibey.
My ST4 is smooth above 3/4,000 rpm with standard sprockets (although I believe the ST4 was the only one considered to have correct gearing from the factory) I'd still expect your ST3 to be smooth above 3/4.000 rpm whatever the gearing. Not being run shouldn't really affect it, maybe check the TPS balance?
Hi Bradders, good questions "here are the results of the French jury" : 1. With the ST2 above she was smooth almost without vibes at all, but not this bike, and as a result I'm not overly keen revving her above 65-7000rpms; 2. The true answer is I don't know if she has a Power Commander or not, I've only owned her for about 2 weeks and not really had a chance to 'strip 'er down' and have a good look under the skin; 3. No I haven't and maybe you've hit the nail on the head here. I sold my ST2 in about 2004 and since then had a variety of bikes 2x Triumph, 1x KTM, 1x Bandit 12, 1x Tracer 700. 4. Both bikes have/had bar ends. Maybe I'm expecting too much, maybe she needs a bit of a tune-up, maybe she needs that clutch mod from the guys in Holland - Bandelaar I think. I just want her to run to her optimum. Cheers all Dave
Hi Harry, before I do too much I want her to have a good service by a good Duke specialist to set a baseline, then we'll move forward from there. I just need to find a decent Duke specialist somewhere near to where I live in Central France ??? Dave
Sounds like ‘they all do that sir’ a little. Compared to what you’ve been riding, it will be vibey. If it’s lurching, a constant throttle isn’t possible or feels like it’s mis-firing so not progressive all the way on the gas, worth getting it looked at.
I have an ST2 and a ST3. I have found neither to be any more than normal Ducati vibey. The ST3 has Ducati Performance Pipes and goes well. I have taken it to France once and ended up doing about 600 miles in a day (Missed my ferry and had to get from Poole to Portsmouth in a hurry to catch another ferry that got me to the wrong port in France and so more miles in France) most of which were in the dark! Vibes never came into it.
Well since the oil and filter change and a few more rideouts I seem to be less and less worried about vibes and more concerned about losing my license !! Just come back from a high-ish speed bimble - very easy to leapfrog the speed limits - loving her
