Multistrada

[61nearlybold]

You've hardly ridden the thing!!.. You obviously have too much disposable income.. and not enough time available to ride!.

Have sold all my GS's with about 2000 miles on them so you are right on one account, and as I am retired wrong on one account. Just getting back on the road after my heart operation.

 

[The Other PaulG]

Why did the original Multi Strada never sell in numbers ?

What's that expression about "a face a mother would struggle to love!....

 

[Mutley]

What's that expression about "a face a mother would struggle to love!....

This on a GS forum?

 

[APE]

This on a GS forum?

I think it's quite a handsome beast - especially in alpine white

 

[Neil A]

Multistrada 1000DS

I had one of the original Multistradas (2004 1000 DS model).
I outted it because it made me feel nervous. Great bike to ride and I even liked the looks, but:
- the sidestand didn't go out enough to the side, so it could easily fall over if you parked it on uneven ground (sidestand foot on slightly lower ground than wheels), which it did to me once, costing a lever at £46. Ducati recognised this and the later ones had modified stands
- the starter motor stuck on twice, so when you stopped pressing the button, it didn't disengage, just kept turning with the motor. Quick (panic!) switch off and restart sorted it both times, but...
- just started spluttering and backfiring one day for about 60 seconds, then cleared up - not low on fuel or anything else I could think of.

All in all, I wanted out before something expensive let go.

Never had any of those feelings with either GS (2004 1150 Adv & 2004 1200GS).

Only my limited experience, but would never have a Ducati as an only or main bike.

Neil

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

Ive ridden a mts1200 a couple of times, the owners on forums do seem to love em almost universally.

Wasnt keen on the handling as too much fork dive and crap screen which couldnt adjust to be right for me, might get one next time trouble is i use my bike every day. for now i will make do with a ducati 748 as a second bike. I would almost guarantee an mts1200 wont be as relable as a gs and the dealers are not as good as bmw.

 

[DJ GSA]

The multistrada is a lovely bike. I did a few tests before I bought the GS.

To be fair I'd been mooning over a Big GS for years so the Ducati was pretty much on to a loser.

Take nothing away from the Ducati but the big beemer just had that something else about it.

 

[Sleepy]

Have sold all my GS's with about 2000 miles on them so you are right on one account, and as I am retired wrong on one account. Just getting back on the road after my heart operation.

Serious question... Why sell a bike that's barely run in? (let alone a load of them)

Were they unreliable? I'm gobsmacked here..

 

[61nearlybold]

Serious question... Why sell a bike that's barely run in? (let alone a load of them)

Were they unreliable? I'm gobsmacked here..

I have loved everyone of them and not had one single problem with any of them. Bottom line is I like buying new bikes and can buy new bikes when I want them and I want a change while I wait for the water cooled GS to come out and get over any little niggles.
Other reason for the Multistrada is 2 months ago I was in an induced coma for nearly 4 days after heart surgery and complications. Now made an amazing recovery so it makes me determined to have what I want when I want it and I am fortunate enough money wise to be able to do it.

 

[Hman]

I have loved everyone of them and not had one single problem with any of them. Bottom line is I like buying new bikes and can buy new bikes when I want them and I want a change while I wait for the water cooled GS to come out and get over any little niggles.
Other reason for the Multistrada is 2 months ago I was in an induced coma for nearly 4 days after heart surgery and complications. Now made an amazing recovery so it makes me determined to have what I want when I want it and I am fortunate enough money wise to be able to do it.

fair play, i'd do the same in your shoes.

Hman

 

[patzx12]

Got a offer to swop my 2010 GSA with a 2010 M\S today so thinking about it. Nothing wrong with the GSA its perfect. Like you it would be nice to own the Ducati for a while until the watercooled GSA launch fuss is over.
And glad to hear you are getting over your health issues.

 

[Tomcat]

I have loved everyone of them and not had one single problem with any of them. Bottom line is I like buying new bikes and can buy new bikes when I want them and I want a change while I wait for the water cooled GS to come out and get over any little niggles.
Other reason for the Multistrada is 2 months ago I was in an induced coma for nearly 4 days after heart surgery and complications. Now made an amazing recovery so it makes me determined to have what I want when I want it and I am fortunate enough money wise to be able to do it.

I'm an ex-GS1200 rider who has switched to the Multi 1200. I loved my GS and hung on to it (it was an '04 model) waiting for BM to bring out a version with a bit more woomf (I would sometimes hit the limiter on the GS on overtakes). The twin cam GS just didn't feel a big enough step forward to justify the cost to change so, after trying the KTM SMT (great fun but a very sharp throttle action) I decided on the Multi.

The Multi has been great - I've now done 8000 miles, including tours to Italy and Germany. It's had some recall/upgrade work done by the dealer (Snells in Alton ) to improve fuelling and the power of the rear brake. It's been 100% reliable. Servicing is at 7500mile/10k km intervals. The engine is stunning and it is huge fun to ride. The luggage isn't as well-designed as that on the GS but other than that it ticks all the boxes. I find the Multi more comfortable than the GS - I used to get aching knees on the GS after a few hours but the Multi is more spacious.

So don't be put off the Multi by second hand tales of owners having problems - there are 9+ 1200 Multis in the club that I belong to and no one has regretted buying the Duc. At least 4 owners came from 1200GSs and I think that you'll find that Ducati's quality is more than a match for current BMWs

 

[john1215]

.......(I would sometimes hit the limiter on the GS on overtakes). ......

Wow you must have been going quite a speed then !!

 

[APE]

If you're a rev junkie I really don't think a GS is the right bike. They suit a more relaxed style involving generous dollops of torque rather than peak revs.

If that's your thing I would definitely look elsewhere.

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

I'm an ex-GS1200 rider who has switched to the Multi 1200. I loved my GS and hung on to it (it was an '04 model) waiting for BM to bring out a version with a bit more woomf (I would sometimes hit the limiter on the GS on overtakes). The twin cam GS just didn't feel a big enough step forward to justify the cost to change so, after trying the KTM SMT (great fun but a very sharp throttle action) I decided on the Multi.

The Multi has been great - I've now done 8000 miles, including tours to Italy and Germany. It's had some recall/upgrade work done by the dealer (Snells in Alton ) to improve fuelling and the power of the rear brake. It's been 100% reliable. Servicing is at 7500mile/10k km intervals. The engine is stunning and it is huge fun to ride. The luggage isn't as well-designed as that on the GS but other than that it ticks all the boxes. I find the Multi more comfortable than the GS - I used to get aching knees on the GS after a few hours but the Multi is more spacious.

So don't be put off the Multi by second hand tales of owners having problems - there are 9+ 1200 Multis in the club that I belong to and no one has regretted buying the Duc. At least 4 owners came from 1200GSs and I think that you'll find that Ducati's quality is more than a match for current BMWs

I would get a multistrada in the op's position. it wont concern the op as he doesnt keep his bikes long (lucky man) however the ducati 7500 service interval masks an expensive timing belt change every two years, another £200 pounds plus to fork out on top of the other service items. The ducati riding position is more restricted than a gsa as there is a ridge in the back of the ducati rider seat that locks you in a more forward position, handy when gunning it tho!

 

[patzx12]

Hi Tomcat, how do you find the engine chugging through traffic at a slow pace in say 3rd gear is it snatchie?

 

[Tomcat]

Hi Tomcat, how do you find the engine chugging through traffic at a slow pace in say 3rd gear is it snatchie?

Hi Pat, I'm more likely to be in 2nd in the 30s, especially if I'm in traffic. Duc engines aren't really happy chugging along, they're much happier when revving freely, and they respond very positively to a good spanking (no exaggeration).

On the old GS I'd be in 2nd or 3rd at 30; on the Duc I'm more likely to be in 2nd. 3rd on the Duc is the ideal for back road scratching in the 40-80mph range. The GS would start to feel breathless at a point when the Duc is really in its stride.

If you want to run 3rd at 30 on the Multi then you're best switching to urban mode, which seems to smooth out the engine at low rpm. I tend to think of urban mode as the 'GS mode' - the standard settings limit power to 100bhp, and set the suspension into a soft and slightly wallowy mode to deal with duff road surfaces. Touring mode brings up 150bhp and stiffens the suspension, and Sport brings 150bhp on a fast action throttle, and further stiffens the suspension.

Best thing is to try the Multi for a few hours on your favourite roads

 

[61nearlybold]

it's done. Will be picking the multistrada up next Friday. In red, well you would not buy a ferrari in any other colour would you? Also got some Ducati leather clothing to make sure I look like a real poser.
I will pack away my BMW suit just in case the water cooled GS is a stunner. Someone coming to the house to discuss buying my GS tomorrow. The Ducati is dearer on insurance, it ranges from around £210 with Bennets to near £350 to £400 with Carol Nash or Devitts. Will probably go with Ducati Insurance at £259.
Many quotes on MCN compare with Internet only companies but ther are to many tales of woe to risk them.

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

it's done. Will be picking the multistrada up next Friday. In red, well you would not buy a ferrari in any other colour would you? Also got some Ducati leather clothing to make sure I look like a real poser.
I will pack away my BMW suit just in case the water cooled GS is a stunner. Someone coming to the house to discuss buying my GS tomorrow. The Ducati is dearer on insurance, it ranges from around £210 with Bennets to near £350 to £400 with Carol Nash or Devitts. Will probably go with Ducati Insurance at £259.
Many quotes on MCN compare with Internet only companies but ther are to many tales of woe to risk them.

Nice one, ive used ducati insurance before they are very professional which is always a good start. Which one is it, standard or an s?

 

[61nearlybold]

Nice one, ive used ducati insurance before they are very professional which is always a good start. Which one is it, standard or an s?

S Touring as heated grips, paniers and centre stand more use than carbon fibre bits.