Paging antonye

I cleaned the connectors, ran the bike up to temperature, and it sat
there ticking over at idle like a good 'un.

<fx: flicks Vs>

Of course, I haven't tried it out for real yet...

I'll have try it on the road; if that proves satisfactory, I'll
disassemble the connectors again so I can pack them with grease.

 

You're only prolonging the inevitable... ;-)

 

Or, keeping my money in my wallet until it needs to be spent.

 

Of course, this is very true.

However, Ducati have a very efficient method for extracting
it that has no known avoidance technique right now...

I do like the S4R, and it makes me wonder if the "new" shape
Monster will get a bigger engine than the 1100DS, which is
only 2v after all. Now that they have the streefighter, will
the 4v engined Monsters be no more? Certainly seems that
there isn't room for it in the new model line up.

 

Unfortunately, I suspect that may be the case.

I needed a new front brake light switch for the Heffalump a little while
ago: 20-odd quid, for a microswitch with a couple of wires attached!

Agreed; it's an absolute hoot, in the right conditions. I don't think
I'd fancy doing many long-distance trips on it, but I suppose it
wouldn't be so bad for someone shorter.

You've got to wonder who they think is going to buy all these big,
naked-but-sporty bikes.

 

I had similar problems with the RVF when it went in for
an MOT. They did some searching and found the switch for
a similarly stupid amount of money but didn't have it in
stock. So instead they took the existing one off and matched
it up to a Yamaha item which was £3.

But for £20, you could have put in a banjo pressure switch?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160299461530

Ducati seem to be diversifying their market somewhat, away from
their stable of sports bikes (and the Monster that keeps the
cash flowing in) into Motards and Nakeds. Maybe the company
has seen a move in the buying markets and is safeguarding their
future, or is just expanding the range to get more sales in
other sectors? If it can poach buyers away from Jap bikes and
even other Italians like the Tuono, then more power to their
elbow.

I was at our club meet t'other night and we were discussing
the new models, and someone mentioned the ST range. Time
for a revamp of that one next? The new 1198cc 4v engine maybe?

 

I wrote to Ducati this year asking nicely for an ST4-$ with the new
engine. They denied all plans. But they would.....

 

Oh, arse. I could have done, had I realised.

I asked my previously-mentioned friendly local mechanic and Ducati
expert if he knew if the switch from the Elefant was a standard Ducati
item. He said yes, ordered some for stock without looking at the price,
and got a bit of a shock when the invoice turned up.

Isn't that getting a bit big, moving away from the nimble sports-tourer
and into lardy-arse territory?

 

I'm sure they will do it in a couple of flavours, as per
the old ST2, ST3 and ST4. Maybe again going with the 1100DS
engine for the ST2 and the new 1198 engine for the ST4.

If you listen carefully, you can just about hear Hog fapping.

 

Gnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng

<cleans up>

not much hope here either
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ducati_ST4s

 

<fx: earplugs>

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Eddie

THAT'S NOT AN EARPL...

Oh. Too late.

Eww.

 

I don't agree with everything they say in that article, although
it is pure speculation. As they say, there is room in the "Adventure"
category which could fit a replacement ST and it's also the oldest
model that hasn't yet returned with a revamp.

The 1100DS engine would slot straight into the chassis as-is,
so they could then restyle the bodywork to make it more in fitting
with the 1098/1198, not that there was much wrong with the last
ST4S looks, imho. Just a freshen-up would do?

 

The final model 4S is about as good as it gets for a lightweight Sports
Touring bike. 1100DS engine? It wants the 1098 or better. Just add
HID lights (1), adjustable seat/bars/pegs and better seat padding.

The fairing and screen are comfy at 120+ all day.

(1) flicks High Beam at WUN

 

Excellent. Was the idle a particularly bad point, (I unrecall)?

<flicks Vs back>

 

It wouldn't idle once warmed up, just tended to stall. Also, it wasn't
keen on starting, usually needing a few goes of the hated self-starter
circuit.

Well, really. There's no call for that.