Underwhelmed by the ST3

[sagerat]

I thought this was a Ducati discussion?

How'd I end up in beamer'vile

 

Ze Germans haft to invade periodically to keep zer blood pressure down.

[ColdDuc]

I'm a little late to the party, but here's my $0.02. I have a 2006 ST3s with close to 16K miles on it. Initially, the bike surged pretty badly around 4500-5000 RPM and below 3000 RPM which forced me to feather the clutch around tight corners and during slow parking lot maneuvers. The bike was ridable although annoying. TPS and TB adjustments improved the ridability somewhat, but the bike still surged noticeably. During the 6K maintenance interval, the service manager was able to get the adjustable DP ECU from DNA (covered under the warranty) and install it in place of the stock nonadjustable ECU. I had a grin a mile wide as I rode the bike home - it felt like a whole new bike with a smooooth throttle response all the way from idle to redline.   Unfortunately, DNA has been providing these aftermarket ECUs on a case-by-case basis only instead of issuing a general recall.  

I'm also late to this party, but to bring us back around to where we started ----

I too had surging problems with my '06 ST3s. Took a few trips to the dealer, but they were able to fix it and it is fantastic. The bike pulls great from about 2800 on up. Very smooth when locked in at constant throttle, no problem to power wheelie in first gear. They can fix this.

[ZED]

Talked to a very informed Ducati dealer yesterday.  He's been wrenching on them for something like 30 years.  One of my big questions was the surging issues and how much latitude did he have to tune the EFI control loop to solve the problem.  His response was that once they introduced the closed loop O2 sensor (2006 I think he said) they removed a lot of the mechanics tuning ability from the ECU.  In his experience he has seen that the surging varies significantly from one bike to the next.  If it is a problem, they install the performance ECU that allows them the tuning latitude required to solve the customers problem.  Oh, and that's performed under warranty.

Scott, how did the ST3 turn out after it's first checkup?  Did they manage to tame the savage surge?

[RickC1957]

Sorry late to this thread....I have been riding

Plain and simple Scott....put down the crack pipe....NO WAY is the VFR a better machine than the ST3. Yes I'm biased The VFR is a fat ugly pig, and has all the handling of one....sorry I have ridden both. The ST3 is clearly the better handling bike. As for the throttle response, you twist the throttle on the ST3, the bike "leaps" forward, front end gets light, and it feels like my arms are being pulled of the shoulder sockets....personally I love that My only complaint about the ST3 is the gearing is tall, but I have come to live with it. You think the ST3 is geared tall, or has abrupt throttle response, come, I'll let you ride my brand new Sport 1000, then we will talk;)

[atadaskew]

While I wouldn't call the VFr a fat ugly pig, I would agree with Rick.
When I was deciding on getting an St type bike I test rode the VFr and then the Duc st4s (never rode a Duc before).  While the st4s makes more powah than the St3, it's still similar unless you go wide open throttle.  Anyway, the VFR did feel heavy, slow and unresponsive compared to the Duc.  There just was no excitement in it whatsoever, and sport type bikes should be exciting, even if they're sport tourers.
Anyway, each to their own etc etc
p.s. I like the previous generation VFR much more.  Guess that's what more torque and less weight does for it..

[Mostrogirl]

Scott,

Sorry for the late response.

As you know I have the ST4S.  I haven't experienced any of the throttle problems that Holly's bike is having. My throttle is very responsive and of course leaps when you accelerate but I simply love the acceleration.  Gearing is tall but manageable.  

I wouldn't trade my ST4S in a million years!!!!    

[RickC1957]

While I wouldn't call the VFr a fat ugly pig, I would agree with Rick.
When I was deciding on getting an St type bike I test rode the VFr and then the Duc st4s (never rode a Duc before).  While the st4s makes more powah than the St3, it's still similar unless you go wide open throttle.  Anyway, the VFR did feel heavy, slow and unresponsive compared to the Duc.  There just was no excitement in it whatsoever, and sport type bikes should be exciting, even if they're sport tourers.
Anyway, each to their own etc etc
p.s. I like the previous generation VFR much more.  Guess that's what more torque and less weight does for it..

To all VFR fans....I was overstatings my percieved short comings of the VFR....it's a great bike...but I rode the VFR and then immediately rode the ST3. Hence my comments....just over stating to make a point.

[Rogue]

You're a smart man for backpedalling.  

For a minute there you Eye-talians were about to have a two-front war against the Germans and Japanese.  

[RickC1957]

You're a smart man for backpedalling.  

For a minute there you Eye-talians were about to have a two-front war against the Germans and Japanese.  

I usually dive into arguements...it's more fun that way You should see me go off on Yosh's new ride

[SWriverstone]

Hey all...I'm doing my "two-months-late-to-the-party" response here!  

After we took the ST3 to DucPond Motorsports, Donnie Unger did do *something* to the ECU/FI (though we have no idea what) and it is somewhat smoother and less twitchy now. He also went down a tooth on the front sprocket to lower the gearing (I think? Or maybe he added a tooth in back? Can't remember...) And that definitely makes the bike more usable without sacrificing the killer acceleration.

Final additions were a Givi topcase (very nice!) and a pair of Feracci carbon-fiber pipes that are SHWEET!!! They sound incredible---the most beautiful, deep-throated growl you can imagine (and totally worthy of a Duc!). Interestingly, the Feracci's are lighter than the OEM pipes, cost less, look better, and sound twice as good!  

I actually need to hop on the Duc for a ride sometime...I haven't ridden it in six weeks since I've been loving my Wee Strom so much!  

Scott

PS - Though I don't miss my VFR one bit, I still think it was a great bike!  

[ZED]

Thanks for the update Scott.  

Has Holly noticed a difference in the surging depending upon the outside air temperature?  I'm finding that mine doesn't surge when it's cool (like fall on a mountain pass), but does somewhat when it's T-shirt weather.  This morning was a good example.  No surging going to work in the morning (almost freezing), but some rough idling and surging when I came home.

[SWriverstone]

Hi Zed...no, Holly hasn't really noticed anything like that (weather-dependent)...but then she's a woman, and never notices things like that. LOL (Meaning, she just rides the thing!  )

But you've got me curious...so I'll have to take it for some rides on cold/hot days...

Scott

[ZED]

Hey that's OK!  Glad she's liking it.  

Glad to hear they got it tamed a bit too.  Min definitely surges, but not so much that I regret getting it.  Once you get the thing moving at a decent clip the handling reminds you that it's a thuroughbred.