2003 Ducati Multistrada to 2012 Yamaha Super Tenere?

[Brain Salad]

New guy here thinking about selling my 2003 Ducati Multistrada 1000DS and buying a low mileage 2012 Yamaha Super Tenere.

My Multistrada is getting a little long in the tooth and despite its name is really a pavement-only bike with very few farkles available for anything else. It's also demanding to ride with its more sporty gearing and firm suspension, especially on longer trips. Don't get me wrong, I love the bike, but it may be time to make a change. My assumption is that the S10 has a more plush ride and is other wise a more comfortable bike for the long run on pavement, as well as suited for gravel and off-road. And of course I'm already aware of the wide choice of parts and equipment to make it just what I'd want.

So, I'd very much appreciate any thoughts others have about making the change.

Thanks!

 

[Doug44]

Power and the way it is delivered will be a big change. I personally don't care at all for the S10 engine after coming off of several V-Strom's.
The ST motor is not a bad design and it has proven itself pretty much bullet proof but it is very, very uninspiring IMO. Other owners say it is their all time favorite so ymmv. As far as comfort yes I feel like it is very good for long distance touring. As far as off road & gravel you will need to replace the OEM tires to do much of this however on pavement I personally like them and get super tire wear.

 

[Bushyar15]

I had a DS1000 before my S10… WORLD of difference. IMO, the DS was really a street bike. The power delivery/motor seemed geared towards street riding completely as did the suspension.

The two biggest things I've noticed are slow speeds and handling. It is amazing just how slow you can go on the S10 without stalling the engine. This came in handy climbing a rocky trail… The DS you'd have been slipping the clutch like mad. Then there is the street handling. The S10 turns easier and better than the DS. Hard to believe as Ducatis have been some of the best handling bikes I've owned.

Then there is the maintenance. Service intervals for that Ducati were short and pricey. Not so with the S10..

I really like my S10 over my DS….

 

[Brain Salad]

Just the kind of helpful commentary I am hoping for, thank you.

Bushyar15, you reminded me of several things about the MTS 1000 I forgot to include. Lugging the engine anywhere below 4K rpm means screaming through town in 1st or 2nd gear, slipping the clutch to keep it from stalling at slow speeds especially when starting on a hill, and that wide turning radius to boot.

And yes, Doug44, the precision of the bike through the twisties or wicking it up are nothing less than thrilling, things I would miss. And the dry clutch, too. Also, I'll admit because I'm a shallow person, the panache.

All comes down to what tradeoffs I'm willing to accept, I guess.

 

[corndog]

I had a DS1000 before my S10… WORLD of difference. IMO, the DS was really a street bike. The power delivery/motor seemed geared towards street riding completely as did the suspension.

The two biggest things I've noticed are slow speeds and handling. It is amazing just how slow you can go on the S10 without stalling the engine. This came in handy climbing a rocky trail… The DS you'd have been slipping the clutch like mad. Then there is the street handling. The S10 turns easier and better than the DS. Hard to believe as Ducatis have been some of the best handling bikes I've owned.

Then there is the maintenance. Service intervals for that Ducati were short and pricey. Not so with the S10..

I really like my S10 over my DS….

I too came from the DS1K (2007 that I put 100,000 miles on)

The DS, like the multi was really a street bike primarily. Yes it would tackle gravel and easy dirt...but it was out of its element. The DS has a steeper steering head angle than the ST. On street this made the bike very "flickable" but hurt the stability in the offroad areas. The ST has a relaxed steering angle that contributes greatly to crappy surface stability...at a slight expenses to its sport bike type handling on asphalt.

I like almost everything about my ST. The engine though is not the top of my list. I enjoy the power delivery and the instant torque at low rpm. But the ST engine requires a heavy and complicated counter balancer system so you can use the mirrors and not get vibrated off the seat. The DS being an "L" twin (90 degree V) has correct primary balance and does not require a counter balancer at all...one reason for some of the STs weight difference.

 

[Goldwing]

I have had high power sport touring & street fighter bikes in the past but fid the 2014 ES very exciting, even the engine. Yes, it does not have the power of my 2008 FJR1300 but I think it does have more charater. You feel something going on below you. I cut my teeth on a 1972 CB350 twin and when ever I ride the S10, I have good memories of a similar feel. Yes, the S10 doesn't have the power of the an FJR but thats OK for me. In S Mode, the bike is very responsive. Lets face it, how much power do you need. The S10 can MORE than get passed any other car or truck on the road.

Also, the bike is very comfortable and handles very well. You can scrap a peg a little sooner than lets say my FJR but I usually don't ride at those extremes everyday so again, no big deal.

Good luck !!

 

[Rasher]

Comfort is very good and the suspension is very nice solo, a bit soft, but well controlled. I found a change to linear springs with some other tweaks improved comfort and handling up front, but it was pretty damn good out of the crate.

I would agree that the engine can feel bland, but it is the very linear delivery that makes it so, most of the time this is a bonus, but it does mean when thrashing the bike it feels a bit dull, but if I wanted to thrash about everywhere I would have bought a sportsbike.

 

[fredz43]

My experience with the engine is that if it feels bland to you, try an inexpensive ECU flash. It made it more of a hooligan in S mode for me, lots of fun.

 

[Donk]

I also have I triumph Explorer and was worried about lack of power in the S10. I love the '14 S10. I drive it mostly in T which is much milder than S. Problem with S mode is I also get in S mode and get to having too much fun. No 2 ways about it the S10 could use a bit more power but its a great bike as is. If you get an older one get the reflash. I drove a stock '12 and it was a shocker how much more of a dog it was.