Selling my 98 VFR for a Ducati ST3s? Am I crazy?

I am thinking about selling my sweet 98 VFR for a 2006 ducati ST3s. Am I nuts? Anyone out there that has ridden / owned and ST3 or ST3s that can give me any insight?

Thanks - Mike

 

Hope you do your own maintenance, or prepare for much higher cost of ownership. I love ducati and love twins, so no, I don't think your crazy. Never ridden one, but I almost traded my vfr for a multistrada. They are great bikes, but I couldn't bring myself to rid the vfr. Hope whatever decision you make is the right one for you.

 

I have worked on and ridden a few ST3s in the past. They were around the year your considering. If you want to be a "euro-phile" then do it, personally, that bike is a little tall in the saddle compared to VFR and not as balanced in my mind. They have luggage and buying one, you have to consider this: CONDITION, CONDITION, CONDITION. They need belt maintenance and the Desmo valves are something unto-themselves. Nothing undaunting, if you wana eat that kiinda pasta, I like sushi and will stay with Japanese stuff, btw, I did own a 2000 900 SS road race bike. So, I am giving you an honest un-biased opinion.

 

Funny. I was you to buy the ST3 the when I saw the VFR I ended up getting that instead.
I now have 42k on my 06 VFR. I liked the DUC but any shop will be able to work on your VFR parts readily available etc. So maint and my ability to do it or have a selection of shops at my disposal made my mind up.

 

An indication of what you may be in for with a Ducati might be found in how often a desmo valvetrain needs service and how much that service is going to cost. Nothing wrong with Ducati's but they are not cheap to operate.

 

I prefer the ST4 over the ST3. But both are fine motorcycles. The maintenance intervals are short on the ST4, but it's only money . . .

Or, you could do what I did - keep the VFR for the sport-touring and buy a 748 to rip around on! Best of both worlds!

 

Hey no insult to you or your decision, but I was considering purchasing a Ducati ST3 some years ago and after doing some research found it to be a high maintenance and expensive bike to maintain. I would consider purchasing a Triumph Sprint or an Aprilia RST 1000 Futura before a Ducati ST3 - just IMHO.

 

Agreed!!
I was looking at one in the past and the dealer was VERY cool and asked me if I could afford to maintain it as they are expensive to do so
I ended up with another Honda

 

I've owned my '95 Ducati 900SS since 1995 and have yet to go broke owning it. Like with any vehicle, many of the service items can be handled yourself, but that's assuming you have a mechanical aptitude. When I first bought it new in '95 I had the dealer do all of the service while it was under warranty, after that it was either local independent shops or myself.

There are plenty of forums for Ducati too, yes there are other forums beside VFR World (I know, who knew?!). Lots of helpful people out there, a lot of how-to videos, etc. Though I will say that the info and helpfulness you get here seems to be way better than most forums! Like the VFR the sound of the Duc V-Twin can be very intoxicating! And is one of the joys in owning one, plus having the "right" Duc can be fun to ride as well.

 

....and yet another "I have it all figured oot" post. Any words on Slick 50 or ethanol free regular?

 

Stay away from the former and seek SOW on ethanol fee gas, he's seems to really have it figured out

 

It is your money get what ever bike you :love: if she put a big gind on your face
Here is my 2 cents
The ST3 is similar to your 5th gen (I said similar) since it is 06 it probably will cost more out of pocket.
If you mechanical inline and do most of the maintenance yourself that will save you some pesos
Now if you can do the valves job that even better.
As I said this many time in the past
Ducati is just like Fine wine and Sexy women :wink:
You pay to enjoy it..........!
Now if you just want to have a Ducati just to say you own one. Get it try it if you don't like it turn around and sell it to me ound:
Good luck with your decision.

 

Just getting back here on the site after being away for awhile. I'm older rider and have owned dozens of bikes. Having owned 2 Ducati's, I must admit I was not impressed. First was a Multistrada that the tank deformed on, second was a 1000 Monster. I spent lots of dollars trying to get the transmission to function; never did. Have an Aprilia for Italian bike now and seems to be a better bike for me.

 

I was thinking of doing just that, then I decided to not get him started on Ducatis or anything else for that matter..Well maybe Harleys..

 

Guys - this is extremely helpful and I appreciate the honest feedback. I was thinking after I posted that I would get flamed to death. But honestly, this has been helpful. As a result, I may bring the Aprilla into the search. Something that I have noticed in reading tons of comparisons articles, many of the articles compare back to the VFR - sorta as the standard...

I am quite mechanically able to do all necessary maintenance on whatever I buy - In fact, I enjoy it. Read some of my VFR upgrade posts spring of 2012. I may end up buying something before selling my VFR as someone suggested, and then decide later what to keep. Thanks again!

 

I own a 2007 Ducati ST3S ABS and a '95 VFR. Here is how I compare the two: The ST3 is a great touring bike. Very comfortable, big power, a Ducati but heavy. The VFR is more fun, sport bike feel, big grins.
As to financials, I have put lots of money into the ST to get it running right and keep it on the road. The VFR is new to me this year but my local independent can do all the work at Honda prices.
I will probably sell the ST since I am not doing much touring anymore. And, the VFR can tour.
I think owning both for awhile will lead to an easy decision.
Stephen

 

Yes, I was reluctant to bring it up previously but you did ask.

 

The photo of the 4th gen is stunning :thumb: