Motorcycle.com

KPaulCook · 09-21-2003, 11:53 AM

I think the headlight treatment is worse than the old one. Looks more Japanese now. I like the 3 vent slots on the lower fairing of the old ones. Turn signals are ugly too. I followed a beautiful red ST4 yesterday love the sound it makes. I think Ducati needs to fire their design staff.

detansinn · 09-21-2003, 12:20 PM

Pierre penned the original ST as well. You'd be firing the same people. haha

Seriously, the new STs are decidedly less "sexy" than even the previous iteration, but at least they provide more wind protection and comfort. Some of the aftermarket fairings and windshields for the previous STs truly define ugly.

The new bike has gained two position handlebars. That combined with the exhaust system which still pivots up without the bags, you've got one sweet all-purpose ride.

schizuki · 09-21-2003, 12:41 PM

With each bike he designs (or re-designs) for Ducati, Pierre Terblanche continues to show us the meaning of genius...

Massimo Tamburini's genius.

davyt · 09-21-2003, 02:12 PM

>Looks more Japanese now...

I'm going to have to agree with KPaul on this one (and this is against my better judgement): the fairing treatment bears an uncanny resemblance to the Honda VFR 800, circa 2001. I think that Terblanche is driving Ducati down the same road that Willie G. did with Harley-Davidson...

davyt · 09-21-2003, 02:18 PM

>...Massimo Tamburini's genius.

Yes, but don't forget Miguel Galuzzi, who designed the Monster (as I ponder why Ducati has restyled every model in their line up save for that one)...

Buzglyd · 09-21-2003, 02:43 PM

Ducati addressed current ST owner concerns and sadly made the bike ugly with that mis-matched fairing in the process (kinda like in the 80s when GM was sticking round endcaps on cars with old,square greenhouses).

1. New Seat

2. Better headlights (mine are awful)

3. Better ergos (adjustable bars are cool)

4. More wind protection

Too bad they cheaped out with that horrible upper fairing which doesn't match the bike's lines at all.

The aftermarket did it much better again. Check out www.ducatidesigns.com to see what the headlights should have looked like.

I guess a 2003 ST4s w/ABS is the way to go. Then I could just transfer over my seat, helibars and carbon fiber goodies.

boxerboy · 09-21-2003, 03:19 PM

I like the new ST's. Not a huge departure, but then it seems that Ducati has decided that Sport Tourers aren't for the stylistically adventurous, so an evolutionary, almost Japanese approach shouldn't come as a surprise, I guess.

I think Terblanche is a hell of a designer. The heat he's taking is inevitable, I suppose, and kind of reminiscent of the crap that the new design head at BMW autos has been taking. Guess it ain't easy being a design visionary working for a company with a design history like Ducati (or BMW).

I like the new(ish) SuperSports, the 999 and, especially, the Multistrada. Not nuts on the front ends, but the rest of them are just outstanding, IMO. But it's the fact that the latter two are such practical steps forward that really sets Terblanche apart. No, he may not be the stylist that Massimo is/was, but he's designing better bikes, IMO.

In the long run, I think that's what will count.

detansinn · 09-21-2003, 04:21 PM

Pierre has brought a clear fresh vision to Ducati. For example, the 999 is truly a work of art. It's Ducati's equivalent of the Ferrari Enzo. Like the Enzo, the 999 has strange and unfamiliar lines that look odd on paper, yet fantastic in the flesh. Pierre's designs clearly bother the traditionalists, but not Ducati's bottom-line.

Massimo may be a genius, but he knows nothing of how to keep your arse cool in traffic. haha. That said, I am a big fan Massimo's post-Ducati work (http://www.buzzwordenabled.com/mv).

iamz · 09-21-2003, 04:53 PM

The subtle design changes to the Monsters over the years is all that is required. The bike was nearly perfect from the start. I'd hate to see them do anything too drastic.

nbyers · 09-21-2003, 05:16 PM

Buz, if you and KPaul can agree on this one, it's gotta be the majority opinion.....

that is, the new ST fairing is so marginal that it makes the mediocrity of the old one look OK.

Ducati Designs has a nice upgrade for the old one, though. And a well-thought-out site, too. MOfos who like Ducs should check it out.

I'm thinking about an ST for my second bike and have ridden the 4s a couple of times. I took my wife out on it and she said "Reminds me of your CBR1000F, but with a cool 'boom boom boom' from the engine," which from her is high praise indeed.

A couple of questions--

How is wind protection? OK for two-up trips? I'm a sportbike guy so my expectations of "comfort" are sorta minimal. The wife, however, expects a real seat and a grab rail, and enough room for her legs.

Has your 4s been reliable? This seems to be the big crapshoot with Ducs.

09-21-2003, 11:53 AM	#1
KPaulCook Banned Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 2,756	Re: Updated Sport Touring Line for Ducati I think the headlight treatment is worse than the old one. Looks more Japanese now. I like the 3 vent slots on the lower fairing of the old ones. Turn signals are ugly too. I followed a beautiful red ST4 yesterday love the sound it makes. I think Ducati needs to fire their design staff.

09-21-2003, 12:20 PM	#2
detansinn Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 48	Re: Updated Sport Touring Line for Ducati Pierre penned the original ST as well. You'd be firing the same people. haha Seriously, the new STs are decidedly less "sexy" than even the previous iteration, but at least they provide more wind protection and comfort. Some of the aftermarket fairings and windshields for the previous STs truly define ugly. The new bike has gained two position handlebars. That combined with the exhaust system which still pivots up without the bags, you've got one sweet all-purpose ride.

09-21-2003, 12:41 PM	#3
schizuki Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 4,413	Re: Updated Sport Touring Line for Ducati With each bike he designs (or re-designs) for Ducati, Pierre Terblanche continues to show us the meaning of genius... Massimo Tamburini's genius. __________________ “[The video] should be sent for example to ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN and maybe PBS and VOA. As for Fox News, let her die in her anger... I used to think that MSNBC channel may be good and neutral a bit, but is has lately fired two of the most famous journalists – Keith Olbermann and Octavia Nasser.” - Al-Qaeda spokesman Adam Gadahn. Or any American lefty.

09-21-2003, 02:12 PM	#4
davyt Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 40	Re: Updated Sport Touring Line for Ducati >Looks more Japanese now... I'm going to have to agree with KPaul on this one (and this is *against* my better judgement): the fairing treatment bears an uncanny resemblance to the Honda VFR 800, circa 2001. I think that Terblanche is driving Ducati down the same road that Willie G. did with Harley-Davidson...

09-21-2003, 02:18 PM	#5
davyt Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 40	Re: Updated Sport Touring Line for Ducati >...Massimo Tamburini's genius. Yes, but don't forget Miguel Galuzzi, who designed the Monster (as I ponder why Ducati has restyled every model in their line up save for that one)...

Sponsored Links	Remove Advertisements
Motorcycle Forum Advertisement

09-21-2003, 02:43 PM	#6
Buzglyd Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 10,137	Ugh! I'm not buying one Ducati addressed current ST owner concerns and sadly made the bike ugly with that mis-matched fairing in the process (kinda like in the 80s when GM was sticking round endcaps on cars with old,square greenhouses). 1. New Seat 2. Better headlights (mine are awful) 3. Better ergos (adjustable bars are cool) 4. More wind protection Too bad they cheaped out with that horrible upper fairing which doesn't match the bike's lines at all. The aftermarket did it much better again. Check out www.ducatidesigns.com to see what the headlights should have looked like. I guess a 2003 ST4s w/ABS is the way to go. Then I could just transfer over my seat, helibars and carbon fiber goodies. __________________ Jay Leno: "President Obama released his tax returns. It turns out he made $900,000 less in 2011 than he did in 2010. You know what that means? Even Obama is doing worse under President Obama."

09-21-2003, 03:19 PM	#7
boxerboy Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 6	Re: Updated Sport Touring Line for Ducati I like the new ST's. Not a huge departure, but then it seems that Ducati has decided that Sport Tourers aren't for the stylistically adventurous, so an evolutionary, almost Japanese approach shouldn't come as a surprise, I guess. I think Terblanche is a hell of a designer. The heat he's taking is inevitable, I suppose, and kind of reminiscent of the crap that the new design head at BMW autos has been taking. Guess it ain't easy being a design visionary working for a company with a design history like Ducati (or BMW). I like the new(ish) SuperSports, the 999 and, especially, the Multistrada. Not nuts on the front ends, but the rest of them are just outstanding, IMO. But it's the fact that the latter two are such practical steps forward that really sets Terblanche apart. No, he may not be the stylist that Massimo is/was, but he's designing better bikes, IMO. In the long run, I think that's what will count.

09-21-2003, 04:21 PM	#8
detansinn Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 48	Re: Updated Sport Touring Line for Ducati Pierre has brought a clear fresh vision to Ducati. For example, the 999 is truly a work of art. It's Ducati's equivalent of the Ferrari Enzo. Like the Enzo, the 999 has strange and unfamiliar lines that look odd on paper, yet fantastic in the flesh. Pierre's designs clearly bother the traditionalists, but not Ducati's bottom-line. Massimo may be a genius, but he knows nothing of how to keep your arse cool in traffic. haha. That said, I am a big fan Massimo's post-Ducati work (http://www.buzzwordenabled.com/mv).

09-21-2003, 04:53 PM	#9
iamz Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 325	Re: Updated Sport Touring Line for Ducati The subtle design changes to the Monsters over the years is all that is required. The bike was nearly perfect from the start. I'd hate to see them do anything too drastic.

09-21-2003, 05:16 PM	#10
nbyers Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Jet City, WA Posts: 227	Ducati Designs has it Going! Buz, if you and KPaul can agree on this one, it's gotta be the majority opinion..... that is, the new ST fairing is so marginal that it makes the mediocrity of the old one look OK. Ducati Designs has a nice upgrade for the old one, though. And a well-thought-out site, too. MOfos who like Ducs should check it out. I'm thinking about an ST for my second bike and have ridden the 4s a couple of times. I took my wife out on it and she said "Reminds me of your CBR1000F, but with a cool 'boom boom boom' from the engine," which from her is high praise indeed. A couple of questions-- How is wind protection? OK for two-up trips? I'm a sportbike guy so my expectations of "comfort" are sorta minimal. The wife, however, expects a real seat and a grab rail, and enough room for her legs. Has your 4s been reliable? This seems to be the big crapshoot with Ducs.