Ducati ST3 1000 2006 — Specifications

When Ducati decided to replace the ST2, it needed more than just a facelift. The mission was clear: retain the sporty soul while making a real concession to touring comfort. The result is that the ST3 1000 of 2006 is not a revolution, but a matured evolution, a typically fascinating and sometimes frustrating Italian compromise.

Under the redesigned fairing – much more effective at protecting from the elements – lies the heart of the matter: a 992 cc L-twin, now liquid-cooled and, above all, equipped with three valves per cylinder. This architecture, borrowed from the catalogue of the time, releases an honest power of 107 horsepower, a good gain compared to its predecessor. Torque remains very present at 98 Nm, but it often needs to be sought a little higher in the rev range. This is where the character comes into play: this engine is not an urban tractor. It prefers open roads where it can breathe, delivering then a frank thrust and a warm sound that is sorely lacking in some overly aseptic Japanese competitors.

On the saddle, the compromise is felt. The seat height of 820 mm can be intimidating, and the turning radius is not the friend of urban maneuvers. The clutch requires a firm grip. But once launched on a departmental road, the magic operates. The position, although more touring-oriented, remains committed. The trellis frame, combined with a Showa inverted fork and a Sachs mono-shock, offers reassuring stability and precise reactions. We are far from the rigidity of a pure sports bike, but the ST3 proves agile and eager in curves. The brakes, with their two 320 mm discs at the front, have the bite and control expected of an Italian.

So, who is this machine for? For the sporty touring rider who refuses the anonymity of a BMW R 1200 RT or a Honda VFR. For those who want to cover kilometers with panache, accepting a few requirements in exchange for a unique relationship with their motorcycle. It is a motorcycle with character, imperfect and therefore endearing. As for what the price of a Ducati ST3 1000 2006 is today, you need to look between 5000 and 7000 euros on the second-hand market, a price that reflects its dual personality of a sporty machine dressed for the road. A purchase that is earned, for sensations that, they, do not bargain.