Faults:

Basically, not much. I did have a stalling fault which was the fuel filter. I bought it from a dealer, but have gone right through the bike as it is 21 years old. I do all my own maintenance and have brought the bike up to a very high standard mechanically wise.

I have replaced fork seals and oil. Engine oil and filter, spark plugs and HT leads, front and rear wheel bearings and sprocket bearings as they had dried out.

Also replaced the front and rear sprocket, gearing down the sprockets somewhat, making much quicker acceleration and smoother running at low speeds due to the revs running about 800 higher per gear.

Have drained down and replaced coolant.

New front and rear tyre.

Replaced front and rear brake pads and changed clutch and brake hydraulic fluid. Put in new clutch plates plus exposed dry clutch with carbon fibre case. Whilst doing the clutch, applied clutch quiet mod with extra fibre plate at back.

Replaced air filter.

Finally replacement of cam belts and Lithium Ion Battery.

General Comments:

I have owned many bikes including Honda SP, Aprilia Tuono 1000 V2 and Honda Blackbird, so can seriously compare my Ducati ST2.

In order I would say that the sharp quick handling of the trellis frame is just beautiful. Then the sound and feel of the big torque 944 cc L V twin, with the power pulling and pulling up to 9000 revs, always reminds you why you love motorbikes.

As you can see, I pretty well know every nut and bolt of this Ducati and enjoy the maintenance as well as the riding. If you keep this Ducati well maintained it will give you many miles of fabulous breakdown free biking, and wow it will leave you with a real smile on your face.

Faults:

Very little has gone wrong with this bike since I've had it.

After a trip to Belgium I gave it a good wash. When I started it up, it wouldn't go above 3000 without cutting out. I guessed it was water somewhere in the tach circuit.

I was right. I took the left hand bottom fairing off and found water had got into the connection between the sensor and the main cable to the ECU. WD40 / cleaned / filled with silicon grease and it's been fine since.

Started running on one shortly after a service at a main dealer two years ago - took it back, but the repair was short lived. Took it to Ducati expert. He swapped the ECU for a second he had. Been fine since.

General Comments:

Look after an ST2 and it will look after you.

I de-grease mine twice a year followed by a plastering of AC15 (winter) and SC1 (summer).

It handles beautifully. I find it forgiving to ride. There is so much power at low revs that going into a bend at too high a gear isn't a problem. Just open the throttle and the torque will do the rest.

The bike was a bit lumpy around town, but I thought this was just how a Duc Twin was meant to be. I didn't like the look of the exhaust so cored it and replaced the outer for carbon. I changed the chip to match an open exhaust. The difference was phenomenal. No more power, but the delivery is now absolutely smooth. It runs through town purring - almost sounds like a single.

Sound is incredible - a big part of owning a Ducati - and the reason why I would never go back to straight four.

Fuel consumption is good (50MPG) The tank will get you 200+ miles.

Not the most comfortable over long distance, but I don't do many 150+ mile days.

Long distance on motorway is OK, but a whole day of clutching gets the left wrist going. My average days are around 70 miles around the Welsh hills where it feels at home.

Power is ample for what I need, but always wonder what the ST4 would be like. Can't bring myself to change though, as the added costs of the extra four valves and lower fuel consumption put me off. I feel the 2 valve design gives the machine some character (grunt) not not many others have. The torque / power balance gives a nice even delivery of power through the throttle spectrum.

Mine is probably one of the last to be manufactured. They had been produced for over 5 years so niggles had been rectified (I hope). Up to now it's been as reliable as the three Hondas I've had.