Thinking About Going From 2k Vfr To Duc Multistrada

Any opinions? I'm doing more ST riding that outright sport riding. The MS seems really confortable, and reviews seem to be positive.

What say you folks?

If you want to wrench on it as much as you ride it. Their service intervals are SHORT. They seem to be a cool bike, but with the service factor, and how much I HATE the front fairing, I'd probably opt for a V-Storm.

Have you looked at the Suzuki V-Strom? Cheaper than the Mulistrada and no valve checks to worry about. Don't forget about the ST1300 or FJR, if you're going more towards touring.

in that department I'd be all over a beamer GS.

Jon, Aug 24 2006, 02:41 PM
in that department I'd be all over a beamer GS.

$$$$$$$$$$$



Best bang for the buck is the Strada, but its damn ugly.

THe GS is too expensive, the FJR and ST too touring focused. I'm looking for even more comfort, but I don't want a bigger bike. Yeah, the 6K service intervals are a bit short, but I overall, if I can condese the 3 bikes into one, it'll be a wash.

The Vstrom is no more a pretty face than the multi, but that 19' front wheel really leaves me cold. I think I'd feel ok with the MS on the track, but not the 'strom.


--jeff

Ducati's are nice, But I hated buying the premium gas.

I thought seriously about the same thing and concluded that there just seem to be too many potential gremlins to accept it as my only bike. If you haven't already, check out www.multistrada.net. It is a very good source for info and owners opinions, much like this site. Good luck.

I think Cycle World just did a head to head on the MS vs. V-Strom and the V-Strom was rated way ahead overall bang for buck.

cb400, Aug 24 2006, 06:57 PM
THe GS is too expensive, the FJR and ST too touring focused. I'm looking for even more comfort, but I don't want a bigger bike. Yeah, the 6K service intervals are a bit short, but I overall, if I can condese the 3 bikes into one, it'll be a wash.

The Vstrom is no more a pretty face than the multi, but that 19' front wheel really leaves me cold. I think I'd feel ok with the MS on the track, but not the 'strom.
--jeff

That's what I think too.

I've been dreaming of a v-twin too. I like the MS, I like Ducs in general, but ... what do you think about the MS's HP/torque vs. the Vstrom 1000? Seems like the MS doesn't have enough sack ... Ducati put the castrated motor in it, whereas the 1000cc Vstrom twin pulls pretty good. I'm thinking it would be better to have the Vstrom's big motor and much longer maintenance intervals and then do some mods on the Vstrom to improve the ride and handling. With money saved by buying the Vstrom over the MS one could do a lot of mods to the Vstrom.

Whaddya think?

- Dad out.

Again, two ugly motorcycles mentioned, both the Duc and The V-Strom. . Why not go for the FJR1300? At least then you would have more tour, but some sport should you really want it.
I wouldn't mind taking one for a test drive and seeing what they are like. Everyone I talk to that has one or has ridden one really likes them.

Later,
Jeff

USMCDad, Aug 24 2006, 08:11 PM
That's what I think too.

I've been dreaming of a v-twin too. I like the MS, I like Ducs in general, but ... what do you think about the MS's HP/torque vs. the Vstrom 1000? Seems like the MS doesn't have enough sack ... Ducati put the castrated motor in it, whereas the 1000cc Vstrom twin pulls pretty good. I'm thinking it would be better to have the Vstrom's big motor and much longer maintenance intervals and then do some mods on the Vstrom to improve the ride and handling. With money saved by buying the Vstrom over the MS one could do a lot of mods to the Vstrom.

Whaddya think?

- Dad out.

True, with the exception of that damn 19" front wheel. Even with the mods, I don't know if that can over come that. The last bunch of guys I rode with included an ST1100, VFR800 Gsxr 750 (06) and a cb-1 (400F).

No one was really any faster than anyone else, at what we concidered a sane pace for the street. I doubt that the relative lack of HP will show up as a serious prolem...

The FJR is simply not what I'm looking for. Nor the St1300 for that matter.


--jeff

In this area of motorcycling, my personal fav is the Buell Ulysses. 1200cc, air cooled twin. Belt drive and 17" wheels. Should be dead reliable, and similarly priced to all but the VStrom.

cb400, Aug 24 2006, 08:21 PM
True, with the exception of that damn 19" front wheel.--jeff

What is it about the 19" front wheel that bothers you? It should be an advantage off road. What about on road - do you think it is a negative for handling on road? Or is it just the look that bothers you?

- Dad (liking the Vstrom 1000 the more he looks/thinks/talks about it!)

Ducatis have a temper, that's why they are called the Italian mistress. Been there, done that, no thanks. You will be lucky if you make it to the valve checks, without spending too much time fixing other problems. Check out http://www.micapeak.com/reg/bikes/Duc-DP/ for what owners have to say.

As ugly as it is I'd still have to say (IMG:style_emoticons/oldemoticons/+1.gif) for the V-Strom. Looks better in the Kawi version though?

(IMG:http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a203/jelling/bi-klv1000.jpg)


A friend that works at a Ducati dealership was giving me the tour and we passed a row of newer bikes sitting there with a thick layer of dust. Maybe 8 or 9 of them, 916's, 998's, ST2, ST4, etc,....I asked what was up with them,...."waiting for parts" was his reply. (IMG:style_emoticons/oldemoticons/unsure.gif)

I love the looks and sound of most Ducs but ever since then my desire to own one just isn't there, especially if it's an only bike, but then I'm practical like that. (IMG:style_emoticons/oldemoticons/beer.gif)

Another idea KTM 950 Adventure. Swap tires for the track and your good to go.

cb400, Aug 24 2006, 01:28 PM
Any opinions? I'm doing more ST riding that outright sport riding. The MS seems really confortable, and reviews seem to be positive.

What say you folks?

Jeff, you just missed a Ohlins shod one(05 or 06) with very light damage of ebay for less than $5k ! (IMG:style_emoticons/oldemoticons/unsure.gif)

Also the 990 Super Duke is coming!

Well, I think the strom would be cheap enough that I could keep my track VFR, so my concern for the '19 inch wheel is not so acute.

More and more, I have to agree the 'strom might be the way to go, even more if Ican keep my trackbike.


May be a 5th gen for sale soon.

Let's discuss the possible move from VFR to V-Strom...

Opinions?

--jeff

Have you thought about a Bandit 1200S?

cb400, Aug 24 2006, 09:13 PM
Well, I think the strom would be cheap enough that I could keep my track VFR, so my concern for the '19 inch wheel is not so acute.

More and more, I have to agree the 'strom might be the way to go, even more if Ican keep my trackbike.
May be a 5th gen for sale soon.

Let's discuss the possible move from VFR to V-Strom...

Opinions?

--jeff

So the 19" wheel concern is only for the track, not for regular road riding?

In addition to a v-twin, something else I would like to get going to a different mc is more leg room. Can anyone give us the top of the seat to the top of the peg dimension for the Vstrom 1000 please?

- Dad

cb400, Aug 24 2006, 02:13 PM
Well, I think the strom would be cheap enough that I could keep my track VFR, so my concern for the '19 inch wheel is not so acute.

More and more, I have to agree the 'strom might be the way to go, even more if Ican keep my trackbike.
May be a 5th gen for sale soon.

Let's discuss the possible move from VFR to V-Strom...

Opinions?

--jeff

I have a VTEC, and my neighbor has a Strom. We're both running Pilot Roads. We both ride at about 8/10's pace, and the bikes seem pretty evenly matched on good pavement. On poor pavement (or gravel, of course) he can dust me. I've ridden his bike, and of course it's way more comfortable, and the torque is nice. The front end seems to have some more flex to it, but once you get used to the feel, it doesn't really slow you down. For hard riding on good roads, the VFR is better (but not enough to really smoke the Strom). For everything else, the V-Strom is really more practical.

The MS is just too homely. GS is probably great, but too expensive. I'd love to try any of the KTM LC8's, but they're too expensive. I have another buddy with a Triumph Tiger, which he loves, but I haven't ridden it, yet. Good deal, and reportedly very nice motor (sounds mean with his custom pipe). That or the Strom are the way to go if cost is a big consideration. It is for me, since I'll only pay cash for bikes (insurance too expensive). I'd be less likely to buy a Strom, since they're a dime a dozen, here.

USMCDad, Aug 24 2006, 02:51 PM
So the 19" wheel concern is only for the track, not for regular road riding?

In addition to a v-twin, something else I would like to get going to a different mc is more leg room. Can anyone give us the top of the seat to the top of the peg dimension for the Vstrom 1000 please?

- Dad

19" wheel is fine on the street. Even on the track, probably the main disadvantage is that you can't get track tires for it.

I've been looking at legroom, myself. I have an extremely long inseam (can easily flat-foot a GS), and bad knees, and the VFR (my only bike) gets painful after a couple of hours. Ideally, I 'd like to have something sportier for short rides (like an RC51 with near-VFR ergos), and roomier (with some off-road capability) for my long commute, and weekend trips.

From Motorcyclist:
VFR (VTEC) = 18.4
V-Strom = 21.0
MS = 17.7 ???
Futura = 22.8
GS = 20.2
ST4 = 18.2
RC51 = 16.6 (Ouch!)
ST1300 = 20.4
Supermoto = 22.0

If I were to add an adventure-touring bike to my garage, it would be a Kawi KLR650. It is much more capable off road than the V-Strom, while still being a comfortable ride. It could never replace the VFR, though.

fallz: Good info. Thanks for that.

This guy has done and documented nicely some interesting mods to his Vstrom 1000. He also owns a Vstrom 650 and has a good comparison page too.

http://www.jackphelps.com/vstrom/vstrommodifications.htm

http://www.jackphelps.com/vstrom/comparison.htm

- Dad

The more I read, it seems that for the handling, the wee-strom (the 650) might be the ticket. I'm gonna have to ride one and soon.

I?d take a serious look at the V-Strom. It?s a great bike. It?s a blast to ride and you can?t see the front wheel or what it looks like. (Sounds like a girl I know)

I may be a little partial because I own one. It?s does a lot of things very well.

SS

cb400, Aug 24 2006, 11:31 PM
The more I read, it seems that for the handling, the wee-strom (the 650) might be the ticket. I'm gonna have to ride one and soon.

I owned the 650 before moving to the 1000. I think they both handle pretty good. The one thing big thing I noticed...if you plan on touring at all the 650 seems to be effected by crosswind a lot more than the 1000. The 650 was hard to keep on the rode at times when it was windy...kinda scary. I never had that problem with big brother. They are both great bikes though.

SS

cb400, Aug 25 2006, 04:28 AM
Any opinions?

What say you folks?

Err don't do it, you already own the worlds best ST motorcycle so why take the risk ?

John451, Aug 26 2006, 02:57 PM
Err don't do it, you already own the worlds best ST motorcycle so why take the risk ?

(IMG:style_emoticons/oldemoticons/+1.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/oldemoticons/+1.gif)