I just finished a 12k plus ride in 20 days on my 2001 Ducati ST4. All paved roads.
Now I am planning to do a Deadhorse to Key West ride. Would love to do it on my ST4. However, the Dalton Highway portion of the ride looks like it is not Ideal for my bike unless I am extremely careful and have good conditions…flying rocks doing damage to lower fairing/oil cooler, bottom exhaust pipe only has about 5.5” of clearance on level ground…on my last long ride, somehow the exhaust pipe got dented…that increased my ground clearance to 6”… : )…not a cheap part to replace…too bad I can’t make an exhaust pipe guard/plate. Been told possible deep/loose gravel to deal with on Dalton Highway. Of course, a vigilant rider under the right conditions can mitigate any possible bike damage or falls. But may not be the most favorite part of the 5000 mile plus journey.
Has anyone ever ridden the Dalton Highway with a Ducati ST4? Any opinions, or suggestions appreciated.
I enjoy riding my bike. A dual purpose bike would be ideal for the 400 mile Dalton highway section, but for the paved sections of the rest of the 5000 plus mile ride…I’d have more fun on my ST4. Would love to do the ride on my ST4, but yes, the gravel areas of the Dalton Highway may pose a challenge for the ST4 lower fairing/oil cooler and exhaust pipe if I’m not carful with pot holes and passing trucks.
Thank you for your replies.
Now I am planning to do a Deadhorse to Key West ride. Would love to do it on my ST4. However, the Dalton Highway portion of the ride looks like it is not Ideal for my bike unless I am extremely careful and have good conditions…flying rocks doing damage to lower fairing/oil cooler, bottom exhaust pipe only has about 5.5” of clearance on level ground…on my last long ride, somehow the exhaust pipe got dented…that increased my ground clearance to 6”… : )…not a cheap part to replace…too bad I can’t make an exhaust pipe guard/plate. Been told possible deep/loose gravel to deal with on Dalton Highway. Of course, a vigilant rider under the right conditions can mitigate any possible bike damage or falls. But may not be the most favorite part of the 5000 mile plus journey.
Has anyone ever ridden the Dalton Highway with a Ducati ST4? Any opinions, or suggestions appreciated.
I enjoy riding my bike. A dual purpose bike would be ideal for the 400 mile Dalton highway section, but for the paved sections of the rest of the 5000 plus mile ride…I’d have more fun on my ST4. Would love to do the ride on my ST4, but yes, the gravel areas of the Dalton Highway may pose a challenge for the ST4 lower fairing/oil cooler and exhaust pipe if I’m not carful with pot holes and passing trucks.
Thank you for your replies.