Multistrada?

[colorider]

So, my part time Harley, part time chopper and used to be V-Strom riding nephew calls me today for my opinion on a Multistrada. I of course try to convince him that what he REALLY needs is a Tenere.......... but he seems to think the Multi is the bike for him. I cannot help him a lot, other than telling him that I think ALL Ducs have the sweetest sounding exhaust of any bike in production today.

So, I'd like to hear from past and present owners for their opinion - both good and bad.

TIA,

Rod

 

[viewdvb]

I couldn't resist this one. I came from a Multistrada to the Tenere. Multistrada plus points: It is powerful (150bhp) and very light. That means jaw-dropping performance. It handles well enough to embarrass sports bikes on a track day. It even has a lap timer! On the S model (mine), the suspension, both ends, is infinitely adjustable FROM THE HANDLEBARS and gives a range of 16 instantly available pre-settings, including multiple traction control settings, that cannot fail to suit your riding style. The seat is quite comfortable (pillion too). So is the riding position. It has 17 inch wheels which means a wide range of sports and dual purpose tyres. When it is running properly, it is nothing short of magic to ride. Multistrada minus points: It is not Japanese. It is a Ducati which means poor factory support and information (chain adjustment - "see your dealer") and sky high servicing costs (expect at least $1200 for the 15000 mile service). It is built to racing standards which doesn't mean it is designed for for long mileages nor for convenient servicing (lots of easily stripped small screws direct into alloy castings and that's just to adjust the chain. The rear wheel securing nut is torqued to 170 ft lb or a 4 foot lever and two people heaving on it!). It is actually a bit fragile for long mileages. Mine was not reliable for the first year until I (and a reluctant Ducati) had sorted all the problems. Typical was a failed radiator, appalling fuelling and a non-functioning rear brake. The engine is not happy much below 3000rpm unless you do some expensive work on the fuelling or fit Fat-Duc oxygen sensor bypasses. Forget off-road. With 17 inch wheels, the best it will do is mimic a Supermoto on smoothish dirt. The stock exhaust is actually quite quiet. You can't hear it much above the engine clatter. Think of the Multistrada as a sports bike with a comfortable riding position and you won't be far wrong. I could go on. Why do you think I've got a Tenere now?

 

[MrTwisty]

I couldn't resist this one. I came from a Multistrada to the Tenere. Multistrada plus points: It is powerful (150bhp) and very light. That means jaw-dropping performance. It handles well enough to embarrass sports bikes on a track day. It even has a lap timer! On the S model (mine), the suspension, both ends, is infinitely adjustable FROM THE HANDLEBARS and gives a range of 16 instantly available pre-settings, including multiple traction control settings, that cannot fail to suit your riding style. The seat is quite comfortable (pillion too). So is the riding position. It has 17 inch wheels which means a wide range of sports and dual purpose tyres. When it is running properly, it is nothing short of magic to ride. Multistrada minus points: It is not Japanese. It is a Ducati which means poor factory support and information (chain adjustment - "see your dealer") and sky high servicing costs (expect at least $1200 for the 15000 mile service). It is built to racing standards which doesn't mean it is designed for for long mileages nor for convenient servicing (lots of easily stripped small screws direct into alloy castings and that's just to adjust the chain. The rear wheel securing nut is torqued to 170 ft lb or a 4 foot lever and two people heaving on it!). It is actually a bit fragile for long mileages. Mine was not reliable for the first year until I (and a reluctant Ducati) had sorted all the problems. Typical was a failed radiator, appalling fuelling and a non-functioning rear brake. The engine is not happy much below 3000rpm unless you do some expensive work on the fuelling or fit Fat-Duc oxygen sensor bypasses. Forget off-road. With 17 inch wheels, the best it will do is mimic a Supermoto on smoothish dirt. The stock exhaust is actually quite quiet. You can't hear it much above the engine clatter. Think of the Multistrada as a sports bike with a comfortable riding position and you won't be far wrong. I could go on. Why do you think I've got a Tenere now?

WOW! After reading the reviews I've kinda wondered if the Multi would have suited my riding style a little better. Not anymore! Thank you for that! ::022::

 

[Spider]

A riding buddy from Georgia left his Multistrada Pikes Peak Edition (S version plus) with a friend and me in Colorado for a month this summer, then we spent a week riding together. He bought it new about six months ago and it has about 15,000 miles on it. Ditto to the above review, except that my buddy hasn't experienced any reliability concerns. Awesome engine and handling on the road, able to smoke a lot more bikes than the Super Tenere if that's your thing. (We all seemed to reach our destinations at about the same time, regardless of the bike we were riding.) Comfortable stock seat. Seemed to me to be a bit taller than the Super Tenere, although with the electronically adjustable suspension there is an "Urban" setting (that I didn't try) that lowers the bike a bit. Shorter range than the Super Ten. No offroad capability. Chain drive. Limited dealership network. Costly maintenance. Cop magnet. And the center of attention anywhere it went (including Pikes Peak to see the hill climb competition). Definitely a rich man's bike...I might buy one if I win the lotto and decide I need a fifth bike in my stable for rides that don't stray too far away from a Ducati dealer. It wouldn't be on my list if I could only have one or two bikes, although my local friend disagrees.

 

[colorider]

Thanks guys for the feedback. I'll be passing this on to my nephew!!!

::26::

 

[autoteach]

if he wants to buy one following their Pikes Peak dominance, the bikes at the hill were far from a stock bike. It was more of a WSBK Multistrada. Other than that, learn how to fix it yourself.

 

[Tippo]

I've owned Ducatis for 20 years (but never a multi). I have a strong emotional attachment to the brand that is difficult to explain. I could have bought a Multi 1200 last year when I bought my Tenere but I didn't. I've done most of my own maintenance and used an independent shop a few time for tasks that were beyond my talents or tool inventory. I live about 200 miles from the nearest dealers. I had bad attitude from them both when I was having ECU trouble with my '02 ST4s. No help from the factory either.
The Multi was released with several problems (fuel tank swelling, suspension, fueling, rear brake, etc.) that required a close relationship with a good dealer. I did not have a good dealer nearby so I bought a Yamaha and have not regretted my decision. The Yamaha is so much easier to work on and my only trip to the dealer (38 miles away) has been for the fuel pump O ring recall). Direct your nephew to ducati.ms for more information. If he has the money for maintenance and a good dealer nearby he should go for it but he should have some idea of what he is getting into.

Jeff

 

[markjenn]

Good comments. I've ridden the MultiStrada numerous times and its a marvelous bike for fast pavement when you're in attack mode - it's really an upright sportbike with a few adventure bike cues that can get down a dirt road fine (as can most streetbikes). But it's almost the antithesis of the friendly S10 with relatively high costs, more fragile systems, and much more of an orientation towards outright performance rather than versatility. It's the kind of bike that is great in short doses, but can wear thin over the long term.

Paint on new model is stupendous. This is one bike that tells you clearly what it is all about, just by looking at it. Do you think Ducati gives a rip about weather protection with that front fender?

- Mark

 

[GrahamD]

Do you think Ducati gives a rip about weather protection with that front fender?

- Mark

I think they cut the rear of it off and stuck it on the back. 100 grams was too much extra weight.

 

[colorider]

I had a bit more discussion with my nephew and he is now thinking SUPER TENERE!! He is a bit inseam challenged, so he may have to look into lowering links and/or the lower seat from Yamaha.

::022::

 

[Paulvt1]

I had a go on a couple of MTS's. Quick - but i love the low end and mid range of the Yamaha unit ('specially after remap) and the predictability of ownership. Life is complex enough..

 

[Rasher]

First ADV bike I rode, thought it would ease me off sportsbikes.

Liked riding the thing and it was quick, but still lost out to a GS (Which I foolishly thought would be more reliable / cheaper to service)

I was worried about the cost to maintain the Ducati, especially if any of the electro-gimmicks were to fail out of warranty, and could not see the bike lasting for years / tens of thousands of miles.

Wish I had bypassed the GS and got straight on the Tenere, and certinly do not think I should have bought the Ducati, but it did seem very good at going fast - like a comfy superbike, and with a Lotto win I would buy one tomorrow, but for big miles / years of ownership I will stick with the Yamaha.

Plus who can be bothered to maintain a chain :question:

 

[autoteach]

So, I know I am resurrecting a dead thread here, but I started getting back in the hunt for Pikes Peak 2013 and was watching videos and reading articles and just got pissed. I keep reading that the factory Ducati effort for Pikes Peak used, more or less, stock Multistrada's. now, I know I am the only one that is begrudging this anywhere, as this thought is so widely supported so I wanted to provide what I feel is substantial evidence. California speedway is at 1000 feet of elevation, stock multistrada: How well can the Ducati Multistrada 1200 do at a track day?

Pikes peak starting line is at 9390 feet of elevation with a finish at 14,110 : Greg Tracy's under 10:00 race run at Pikes Peak!

I know they have different exhaust on the two bikes, but that shouldn't do it. One article that I saw said the bikes were virtually stock, save for the monobloc calipers, radial master cylinders, forged race wheels, modified fully carbon body work, modified frame and subframes, aftermarket ECU's, as well as full race slicks (something that was illegal until ducati complained). Now, I know this sounds like butt hurt going on here, but it just pisses me off when people can't admit when they have done work. I knew this guy that told everyone his chevy caprice was stock. I never drove any 350 chevy anything that would step sideways going into third. I guess a fully blueprinted 383 stroker will do that. Or how about Pinks? They changed their format after repeated drag strip theft by people who were supposed to come with a "10 second" car can showed up with 8 second cars and just piss pounded the other guy because he would have need half a track head start and no one is giving that.

so, what is my point? I think that they have really sold this "stock bike" thing to sell stock bikes, and it is all a whole bunch of lies that the loyal followers believe. Were the bikes cool? Yeah, never saw a... lets call it adventure bike... leave the line so friggin fast in my life. 100 feet to first turn, 3rd gear, dragging knee to make the turn happen. and the turn was more of a bend. and the wheelie control on the bikes, no more than 2-3 inches ever. talk about some awesome stock machines.

 

[coastie]

Although the videos claim "stock" they aren't. But I can tell you that I have heard first hand from sport bike riders who have ridden side by side with the multi, said they had absolutely nothing for the multi. It kept up in the turns and would crush them down the straights. It's a very good machine stock, if I had the cash I would get one. Also the guy on the track, I would have to assume is a pro who is out there with a bunch of average weekend warriors.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

 

[hANNAbONE]

FORGET THE mSTRADA...

get him atop the new KTM Adventure.

It'll be a MS muncher

 

[~TABASCO~]

That video looks like SO much fun... Would love to do that ! ! ! ::008::

 

[coastie]

Re: Re: Multistrada?

FORGET THE mSTRADA...

get him atop the new KTM Adventure.

It'll be a MS muncher

Stock KTM Adventure vs. Stock Multi pikes peak with riders of same skill level in the same senerio as above. Race up pikes peak and laps around a track, I find it difficult to believe the KTM would stand a chance. I would put my money on the multi. Now put them on a 300 mile off road adventure with full gear and the KTM wins hands down in my book.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

 

[autoteach]

Although the videos claim "stock" they aren't. But I can tell you that I have heard first hand from sport bike riders who have ridden side by side with the multi, said they had absolutely nothing for the multi. It kept up in the turns and would crush them down the straights. It's a very good machine stock, if I had the cash I would get one. Also the guy on the track, I would have to assume is a pro who is out there with a bunch of average weekend warriors.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

The guy in both videos is the same guy. If you listen to the machines the one at pikes peak just seams to pull like it has wsbk horse power. At 10,000 feet, using standard formulas, it should make about 45 horsepower less if figuring that it started with 150. 105hp power wheelie, power sliding beast? hmmmm

I do understand that they are fast, I just wish that they would admit the work they did. There was a guy with a street fighter there with carbon wheels, all the trick bits, he said that he was next to him during practice and the multi checked out like it had 30 more hp.

 

[scott123007]

Well, the video made it look like he was really hauling ass, and the sound made it feel like he was hauling ass, but the glimpses of the speedo gave everything a reality check. Bike probably had 125 hp at the start and 100 at the top. Didn't look toooo outa line to me.

 

[scott123007]

. Do you think Ducati gives a rip about weather protection with that front fender?

- Mark

Now that's pretty funny. What's our big blue turd have, maybe 3 more inches? Front of the motor gets trashed with shit. Want a fender that works, put a V-strom fender on