Good afternoon. Please forgive me for the intrusion, as I'm a newbie to your site, but I would like some kind hearted folk to give me an honest opinion of a 2005 ST3 I am looking at buying. I have had a 696 before and that gave me terrible aching wrists, so I got shut, but I've always hankered after another Ducati. Mainly because son, Roberts' 848, makes me drool at the gills. I should add that I happen to be 73 and I'm getting the urge to sell my CX500 and buy this absolutely sex on wheels ST3. But I would appreciate any feedback from Members who know about these bikes. Dave Hughes Liverpool
Hi Dave, I have a 2006 model ST3, I only purchased it last May, and the weather has been pretty crap since! However, my first real ride was the journey home from Oxford to North Norfolk, approx 150 miles, and it was wonderful! I'm just into my 50's and suffer with a trapped sciatic nerve in my back, which has an effect on what bikes are comfortable, and the ST is one of them. It allows a comfortable, slightly leant forward riding position ( I'm 5'11 tall), a supportive seat, and good all road ergonomics for me anyway! My only gripe is a vibration through the bars, which I hope to solve with grip puppies this year. It has more than enough speed for me, fuel economy has been as good as 62 to the gallon, and I just love the death rattle from the dry clutch! If you can get a test ride then give yourself a good hour (if possible) and take in a mix of roads, I did and fell in love! Hope this helps, Chris
Chris. Thanks for that super reply. This was the type of response I was hoping to get. Sorry to read about your bad back, but in a way this helped me out enormously, because I thought the slightly bent body shape that you need to hold the bars, would for my 5'-8" be a bit too tiring on a longish run, but you put that idea to bed. So many thanks for your splendid reply. Incidentaly and I hope no one minds my digression here, what would be the approximate cost of insuring the ST3. My CX costs £79.00 but is on a classic policy. Any tips on this would be most helpful too. If this is the kind of response I will be getting from the Forum, I'll be made up I joined. Cheers Dave Hughes
Hi Dave, postcode will pay a penalty for you, but I get my 998s and st2 insured for not much over £300, for the pair tpft pete
Hi Dave, My ST3 is the my 3rd ST model. I use it for touring, weekend tootles with my wife and blasts with the boys. Ticks all the boxes and looks the part that the old ST's failed.......to some:wink: Mine has the wet clutch which is a little more forgiving 2 up with luggage. Wind protection is very good and the adjustable handlebars are easy on the wrists. Insurance for my 999 and ST3 is about £400. You wont be sorry enjoy.
Thanks Pete [Good luck this afternoon] and ITMA {sorry you may not remember that radio show] for your replies as to the cost of insuring the ST. At those prices it may well be out of my league. I'm hoping to sell my MGF to help pay for the bike and the insurance for that is a lot less than you guys are paying. Will get some quotes tomorrow, but many thanks for you help. Dave Hughes Liverpool
I'm 57 and pay around £120 fully comp on my 748, although I've 5 yrs no claims and it's limited mileage.
Hi again Dave, I paid @£90 last year for me and I have 4 yrs NCB but as has been pointed out I do live in a "good" postcode as far as insurance is concerned.
Awww bless you hello and a warm welcome to the forum all are helpful here. Enjoy and carry on having fun
I think the ST on it's own will be ok The other guys have superbikes as well because they can't just have one bike ;-) My monster is going to cost me around £85 fully comp
ST3 Insurance Thanks again guys [& ladies] for the advice on insurance. My CX is with broker Peter James [he is the James as was, in Footman James] and I've found him, to be "on the ball" for cheap quotes. So I'll be on the phone in the morning, but those rough, cheaper figures you have given me, are encouraging signs and have lifted my spirits somewhat. Cheers Dave Hughes Liverpool
I have been quoted £749 and with £250 excess by Peter James. Which is way over the top. But being fair to PJ they are Classic Bike insurers and not in the market for more modern machines. I will start now by phoning the usual insurers, eg, Nash, Bennett etc, but if members could recommend a particular company or perhaps this club is affiliated to an insurer, maybe some one could let me know. Dave Hughes Liverpool
Thanks Ron, I'll give them a trial. I've had some varied quotes, such as £372. from C.Nash; Ducati, £345; Bennetts were the cheapest at £142. but no breakdown cover like the others. What did strike me as unfair with each of them, was the excess of £250.00. This is a huge wedge of cash you have to pay out if you come unstuck. It seems all policies start at 250. If you add another voluntary 250 to it the policy becomes cheaper. I'll keep trying and let you know how I go on. I've still got to sort the finance out yet. Dave Hughes Liverpool
Welcome. Here is a previous thread that may be of use to you http://ducatiforum.co.uk/f7/differences-between-st2-st3-st4-3697/#post44331
I would like to ask another question of the ST members regarding choice of tyres. Hopefully [fingers crossed] I will put pen to paper for this bike soon, but it does need a set of tyres, which the dealer has promised to replace for me. Now, which in the Forums opinion are the best. Of course, it's horses for courses, but I'm a touring rider so all these 'stickies' out there are no good for me. My knee down days are well and truly over. So I would value your opinions. Incidently the bike is on e-bay. Item No. 150954950255. Pricewise it maybe OTT but I know the guys at Ducati Preston [Andy & Russell] and the bike will be right. Andy will see to that. Infact if you [the reader] live anywhere near a short ride to Preston, get your bike serviced by Andy. He's a top man. Cheers Dave hughes Liverpool
I tried all sorts over the years of ST ownership and the ones I liked the most were Continental Road Attack.
+1 for the road attacks, that's what's on my ST at the mo, and I've found the grip to be phenomenal! I consider myself to be quite conservative in my riding style, but I've had the bike further over than any other!
If all goes as I hope it should, I will ask for a pair of Conti, Road Attack. Thanks guys, that was most helpful. Dave Hughes Liverpool
