multistrada

[Paul_E_D]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The multi is the best street bike I've ever ridden. As an example of how easy it is to ride, I was nearly knee down in the first corner out of the dealer's lot, and was doing crossed up whoolies out of the corners within 10 minutes. It went down dirt roads great, and all the engine modes actually worked as advertised. tour gave 100HP with broad torque, city made lurchiness in stop and go completely disappear, dirt made dirt roads easy to manage, and sport mode, well, see above about the crossed up whoolies.

For me, at 5'7" the bike was as big as I could ever live with, and all day comfy. buffeting did not effect me.

I'm amused by anyone who can fault this bike.

[markbvt]

Street rubber selection kills anything with a 21" front for me.

The selection is better than you might think. The Bridgestone Battlewing is actually a pretty good tire. For a pure street tire, there's the Avon AM26 RoadRider (have those on my Bonneville and love them; haven't tried them on my Tiger though). Others too.

At the same time the 17/17 setup on the multi may be harder to find bad-ass adventure/dirty type rubber. (I don't know.)

Yeah, that selection sucks. Continental allegedly came out with the TKC-80 in 120/180 sizes for the Multi and other upright-sportbike "ADV" bikes, but last I checked they still hadn't actually gone on sale, they were just expected "soon." Last time I checked was a while ago though -- but I've never seen them anywhere in the meantime.

I've never heard of any other knobby or even semi-knobby tire being available in 120/180 sizes.

Check out the full bores. Dirt cheap, look more dirty oriented but doesn't give up anything on the street for the level we ride at.

I suspect Mark may be mentioning that because he spent a week watching me not being shy about leaning my Tiger over in the twisties despite having Full Bores mounted.

They are great tires. They work way better than they look like they should both on pavement and off, and they cost half of what most other tires do. They're my go-to tire on the Tiger.

Me, I'm after a half-naked sport tourer. I would be on a full on sport tourer if it weren't for the cost, size, and gratuitous use of plastic. These 'adventure' things appeal because they have similar geometry and can be setup similar to a 'sport' tourer. Yet aren't 100% plastic clad. The extra suspension travel doesn't hurt my feelings either.

On paper I'm probably all about the multi. In reality I'm with Chip; too much bike for this dummy.

It actually sounds like an FZ1 would be an ideal bike for you.

Run the other way and the Tiger 800XC, 1190R, and every other ADV type that comes setup 21/17 is just too dirty-bike-esque for me; that much kit is a waste.

You may think that, but the 21" wheel on the front of my XC is actually awesome for more than just dirt/gravel. It's also way better on our beat-to-shit roads than a 19" or especially a 17" front wheel. And the XC's extra-long suspension is awesome for soaking up all the cracks and frost heaves and undulations.

But then, I live in Vermont, and our paved roads are getting to the point that many of them are actually worse than the dirt roads.

--mark

[markbvt]

For me, at 5'7" the bike was as big as I could ever live with, and all day comfy. buffeting did not effect me.

I'm amused by anyone who can fault this bike.

Not all of us are 5'7". Clearly the Multi was designed for people your size, not mine.

--mark

[Paul_E_D]

Not all of us are 5'7". Clearly the Multi was designed for people your size, not mine.

--mark

Yep, Triumphs are clearly the choice for tall people. I can barely reach the bars on an ST with any kind of tank bag on it.

[e30addict]

Yep, Triumphs are clearly the choice for tall people. I can barely reach the bars on an ST with any kind of tank bag on it.

I'm 5'8". The Tiger killed my shoulders from being hunched over until I got pivoting risers. They make the bike comfy for consecutive 400+ mile days back to back to back........

I'm against the Multi because I think Ducati as a company sucks balls and they treat their customers like dirt. They may have turned out a good all around bike in the Multi, but the first thing I'd do if I came into possession of a Duc somehow would be to sell the freaking thing ASAP.

[Chippertheripper]

hows $1000 per cc?

1.2mil for a used Ducati?! You're fucking nuts.
Or do you mean $10?

[nhbubba]

I'm against the Multi because I think Ducati as a company sucks balls and they treat their customers like dirt.

Meh. I know some that have been treated extraordinarily well by Ducati USA. I know others that got the shaft. I know the same for Triumph. I personally felt wronged by Suzuki USA-or at least their dealer in Nashua-way back in 2002.

Basically I've come to the decision that there isn't a motorcycle dealer on this earth that is going to act in anything but their own best interest. Therefore I'll just go about life buying used bikes off CL, fitting them with parts I bought from the lowest bidder online, and doing my own maintenance and repairs using web-forums and youtoobe as my guide. I have no particular allegiance to a make or dealer. I am entirely on my own.

Lately it's working for me.

- - - Updated - - -

I'm amused by anyone who can fault this bike.

It is sinfully expensive.

Amused? Am I wrong?

[SVRACER01]

Wirelessly posted (GS3)

hows $1000 per cc?

1.2mil for a used Ducati?! You're fucking nuts.
Or do you mean $10?

Lol. I clearly missed a decimal point hahaha

[Paul_E_D]

I'm 5'8". The Tiger killed my shoulders from being hunched over until I got pivoting risers. They make the bike comfy for consecutive 400+ mile days back to back to back........

I'm against the Multi because I think Ducati as a company sucks balls and they treat their customers like dirt. They may have turned out a good all around bike in the Multi, but the first thing I'd do if I came into possession of a Duc somehow would be to sell the freaking thing ASAP.

That's baloney. Maybe back in the 90s, but today Ducati treats you as well as any brand. Find a good dealer. That's really who treats you anyway.

- - - Updated - - -



It is sinfully expensive.

Amused? Am I wrong?

For what you get, the base model is a freaking bargain!

[e30addict]

That's baloney. Maybe back in the 90s, but today Ducati treats you as well as any brand. Find a good dealer. That's really who treats you anyway.

Tell that to Jeff. I'm sure he'd just laugh.

A good dealer can help, and have certainly tried, but they don't call the shots in the end. Ducati chose the low road on that one.

Glad you like the bike. I have no desire to own one, especially after seeing that.

[SVRACER01]

Wirelessly posted (GS3)

I read an article on the new ape, if it wasnt for aprillias horrible track record with new models combined with all the fancy abs/tc/add electronic items to go wrong, id think about one. I also feel that they shouldve put in the V4 to really compete with the ktm and duc.

[nhbubba]

What does a base multi MSRP for these days? $15k even, right?

Man, that's a lot of cheapass suzukis.

[Paul_E_D]

Everyone knows a guy who got the shaft... from any brand. I owned a ducati for 8 years and heard all the whiners. I only had one issue in 50K miles, and they covered it. But I used BCM, who were an extraordinary dealership.

Not sayin anything about the scenario you mentioned, but some people like to square off over issues, others like to solve them through whatever channels are most efficient and effective. Those who like to square off will always feel they got the shaft.

[TheIglu]

I'd rock a Multi if it was a KTM 1190.

[abeer]

For me, at 5'7" the bike was as big as I could ever live with, and all day comfy. buffeting did not effect me.

I'm amused by anyone who can fault this bike.

+1 on being 5'7"
+2 on being amused

[reks95]

Tiger 1050 has 7 inch travel front and rear.

I stand corrected.

[SVRACER01]

Wirelessly posted (GS3)

Ive got 7 inches of travel in my pants

[Garandman]

I can explain why the MTS makes sense to me

I am not planning on riding it off-road. (I may, it's just not why I bought it)

I wanted a sport tourer, but not something biased so heavily towards touring as an FJ. And I wanted it to be able to handle New England roads. I really wanted a Supermoto style bike, but something with a bit more range. And I really wanted something I could take on an occasional track day without being completely over run. (go on, click the links to youtube video's)

The MTS lead the way into a niche between the middleweight Adv bikes that aren't very fast, and the mega-everything shaft drive 1200's like the BMW R1200GS, GS-A, Yamaha Super Tenere', and Triumph whatever they call their R1200GS clone.

I looked at bikes like the MTS, Tiger1050 (it was still alive here, then), and Ninja 1000. Suzuki has now inserted the new DL1000. They are 100+hp bikes weighing around 500 lbs with long suspension travel, relaxed riding position, and some weather protection and luggage. Really a practical choice for New England's bumpy roads and changeable weather.

The 17" front didn't bother me once I learned most "Adventure rides" were mostly pavement, with a few dirt roads that could be handled by most anything. Went on a "GS" ride once and a guy showed up on a full-dress Honda Valkyrie and the rider kicked ass the whole day.

Ducatis have a lot of "curb appeal", maybe more than any other brand.

[SVRACER01]

Wirelessly posted (GS3)

Rode it about 30 miles 2 up today and I can say that im impressed. Bike felt very light. Lots of power. Phenomenal suspension. Not very 2 up friendly though. Wife said that even though the back seat is huge, once I got settled in she was toward the rear of the seat. If a top case was put on she would be on top of me. I found the bars to be just a bit low for me and seat couldve been better. Honestly a different seat and bars or risers would fix it and maybe even some slightly lower pegs.
I could probably ride it all day without issue but I already ride an uncomfortable bike so thats neither here nor there.
I didnt get a chance to really wring its neck since i had a passenger but I could feel its power when I got on the highway.
the suspension when I had it on enduro was plush. I was aiming for rough spots and pot holes. Even did a few miles on a very well maintained dirt road and barely noticed any of the washboard that we hit.
The multi will remain on my list of possibles but I know now that it will need some work to make it perfect.
top of our list is still a HD ultra. That bike has always been good to us on trips.

[No Quarter]

It just seems strange to have a Multi and an HD Ultra on the same list. I made the mistake of selling a 2010 Multi and bought an HD FLTRUSE. I only owned it for 3 months, hated it. I am now back on a 2013 Multi GT and never been happier. To each his own I guess.

[SVRACER01]

Wirelessly posted (GS3)

I have a bike for solo fun. The next or secondary bike would be for mainly 2 up use. The multi is a great bike and if I was looking to replace the ktm then the multi would be near/at the top.

[Garandman]

It just seems strange to have a Multi and an HD Ultra on the same list. I made the mistake of selling a 2010 Multi and bought an HD FLTRUSE. I only owned it for 3 months, hated it. I am now back on a 2013 Multi GT and never been happier. To each his own I guess.

(HD+MS)/2 = BMW.....

[slowrider]

Botto has had a lot of issues with his. He also had issues with his previous Triumph. If it weren't for bad luck that boy'd have no luck at all...

I've had an occaisional issue with an exv error. Simple to address...and free. I also get an occaisional DES (suspension) error. I've always been able to clear them. The biggest issue I had was with the Ohlins forks. I think I had to replace seals 4 times. There was a recall that seems to have corrected that though I also put 'fork savers' on about 15k ago so I can't say for sure which solved the problem!

Everyone that I know who has a Multi absolutely loves it. I'm wondering where this deal is you're looking at. Ducati bought back Botto's bike I believe. Wondering if it's on the market. If it is is should be a smokin' deal. I for one would snatch it up.

Good luck...!

I had to replace the fork seals as well. Just the one time, and other than that, no issues. I wish I hadn't sold it.

[No Quarter]

(HD+MS)/2 = BMW.....

Yup...I actually did that. In between the HD and the Multi was a BMW K1600GTL. It was a great 2-up bike. Very nice machine, but it had no "soul", it was too refined. It was also a heavy bugger. To me, there is just something about the Ducati twin.

[Garandman]

Yup...I actually did that. In between the HD and the Multi was a BMW K1600GTL. It was a great 2-up bike. Very nice machine, but it had no "soul", it was too refined. It was also a heavy bugger. To me, there is just something about the Ducati twin.

I belong to Yankee Beemers and they have a saying.

"K bikes suck."