Ducati ST2

Make Model	Ducati ST2
Year	1998
Engine	Four stroke, 90° “L” twin cylinder, SOHC, desmodromic 2 valve per cylinder, belt driven
Capacity	944 cc / 57.6 cu-in
Bore x Stroke	94 x 68 mm
Cooling System	Liquid cooled
Compression Ratio	10.2:1
Lubrication	Wet sump
Engine Oil	Synthetic, 20W/50
Induction	Marelli electronic fuel injection, 45mm throttle body
Ignition	Marelli 1.6M, 45 mm throttle bodies
Spark Plugs	Champion RA 4 HC
Starting	Electric
Battery	12V 16Ah
Max Power	61 kW / 83 hp @ 8500 rpm
Max Torque	84 Nm / 8.5 kgf-m / 62ft-lb @ 6500 rpm
Clutch	Dry, multiplate
Transmission	6 Speed
Primary Drive Ratio	1.84:1 (32/59)
Gear Ratios	1st 2.466 / 2nd 1.765 / 3rd 1.350 / 4th 1.091 / 5th 0.958 / 6th 0.857:1
Final Drive Ratio	2.80:1 (15/42)
Final Drive	Chain
Frame	Steel tube trellis
Front Suspension	Showa 43mm upside-down fully adjustable fork
Front Wheel Travel	130 mm / 5.1 in
Rear Suspension	Progressive linkage with fully adjustable Showa GD082 monoshock with piggy back aluminum swing arm
Rear Wheel Travel	148 mm / 5.8 in
Front Brakes	2 x 320 mm Discs, 4 piston calipers
Rear Brakes	Single 245 mm disc, 2 piston caliper
Front Tyre	120/70 - ZR17
Rear Tyre	170/60 - ZR17
Dimensions	Length: 2070 mm / 81.5 in Width: 910 mm / 35.8 in Height: 1320 mm / 52.0 in
Wheelbase	1430 mm / 56.3 in
Seat Height	820 mm / 32.3 in
Dry Weight	212 kg / 437.3 lbs
Fuel Capacity	22.7 L / 6.0 US gal / 5.0 Imp gal
Consumption Average	6.2 L/100 km / 16.2 km/l / 38 US mpg / 45.6 Imp mpg
Standing ¼ Mile	12.1 sec / 175 km/h / 109 mph
Top Speed	215.5 km/h / 134 mph

Ducati's ST2 is intended to take the best of the Italian firm's traditional high-performance heritage, along with their distinctive styling elements, and turn them into an ultimate, yet comfortable sport-touring machine. Housing one of Ducati's latest 90-degree desmo V-twins, the ST2 comes equipped with the usual assortment of touring creature comforts: Raised handlebars, softer springing and damping rates, and a larger, better padded dual saddle.

The ST2's chassis is one of Ducati's familiar tubular trestle frames that is similar to the 916's in torsional rigidity and lightness. Anchored to the steering head is a pair of 43mm Showa inverted forks that feature full adjustability, while the rear is held up by a single shock borrowed from the 916 and reworked for the ST2's status as a two-up touring machine.

Front brakes feature twin 320mm floating Brembo discs and four-piston calipers, offering excellent feel and power. At the rear you'll find a single 245mm disc with a twin-piston caliper that we found gives poor feedback. The ST2 wears Metzeler's latest MEZ4 sport radials in 120/70 ZR17 front and 170/60 ZR17 sizes.
Nestled in that steel spider web frame is Ducati's newest version of its 90-degree, liquid-cooled V-twin engine, enlarged to 944cc for duty in the ST2. SOHC, 2-valve desmo heads, similar to the set-up found on Ducati's early Paso models, are employed on the ST2 mill. Combined with 10.2:1 compression and Marelli electronic fuel injection, Ducati claims an output of 83 hp at 8500 rpm.

Besides the strong V-twin powerplant, ergonomics are another strong point for the ST2. Its slightly forward seating position, lower footpeg placement and taller handlebars seem to strike a nice balance between full-on sport riding and touring comfort. The dual saddle is quite large, and we found it provided enough room for two-up travel. The lockable hard bags appeared to offer enough luggage space for a weekend trip for two, but we could not fit a full-face helmet in either bag, as Ducati claims you can.
The color-matched bags are attached with a system similar to BMW's touring luggage, and can be removed from the bike with ease. Ducati incorporated a trick design feature with the bags that allows you to raise the exhaust cans for more ground clearance when the bags are removed.