While the new Ducati Multistrada 1200 is being marketed as an adventure bike, its lack of true off-road capability excludes it form the R1200GS club. But every road test and review I read proclaims it to be perhaps the best true rider's road bike ever.
Gobs of power, true all-day ergonomics, switch on-the-fly suspension from touring to sport, available hard luggage, great handling. And did I mention gobs of power?
It just sounds like the ultimate sport touring machine to me - and seems to be the general consensus of the motorcycle press. I'm just wondering if Asian manufacturers will chase Ducati down this path with more comfortable machines that can tour and sport equally?
[image: View Post]creggur, on 20 October 2010 - 08:56 PM, said:
While the new Ducati Multistrada 1200 is being marketed as an adventure bike, its lack of true off-road capability excludes it form the R1200GS club. But every road test and review I read proclaims it to be perhaps the best true rider's road bike ever.
Gobs of power, true all-day ergonomics, switch on-the-fly suspension from touring to sport, available hard luggage, great handling. And did I mention gobs of power?
It just sounds like the ultimate sport touring machine to me - and seems to be the general consensus of the motorcycle press. I'm just wondering if Asian manufacturers will chase Ducati down this path with more comfortable machines that can tour and sport equally?
What say you?
My buddy bought one about 2 months ago; he already has a '97 4th Gen but just couldn't get comfortable on it. He got the Touring package with the hard luggage and upgraded suspension (the S model I believe); incidentally, they knocked a grand off the retail price. We went out riding a few days later and I rode it for about 15 minutes and I wanted off. It's nice but the upright riding position feels really strange for a Ducati; with that red and that much firepower (and that much dough!) I don't want to feel like I'm riding a KLR650. And the stock exhaust sound is...well...absolutely hideous; like a V twin lawnmower with a bad skip. Lastly, pray that any electronic gremlins appear before the warranty expires because when you go to start that bike up the dash looks like the Space Shuttle initiating its launch sequence. (He is already getting an occasional error code when going into Enduro mode.)
All in all, for me too much tech, too much dual-purpose bike feel and Waaaaaaaay too much scratch for a bike! $22K with sales tax and excise tax/plates. Insane...
[image: View Post]MaineRider, on 20 October 2010 - 09:19 PM, said:
Lastly, pray that any electronic gremlins appear before the warranty expires because when you go to start that bike up the dash looks like the Space Shuttle initiating its launch sequence. (He is already getting an occasional error code when going into Enduro mode.)
All in all, for me too much tech, too much dual-purpose bike feel and Waaaaaaaay too much scratch for a bike! $22K with sales tax and excise tax/plates. Insane...
The fear of electronic gremlins (I mean, it is a Ducati afterall) is the biggest thing that's kept me from seriously looking at the bike. That, along with the price and potential maintenance costs... Could just imagine being 800 miles from a Ducati dealer with a bike that mysteriously quite running because of some tech issue that can only be diagnosed with proprietary scan equipment - enter touring nightmare...
I'm just thinking, if this thing is successful, we may see Japanese manufacturers bring their reliability to the overall concept. They probably still wouldn't bring it to the States, of course...
[image: View Post]creggur, on 20 October 2010 - 08:56 PM, said:
While the new Ducati Multistrada 1200 is being marketed as an adventure bike, its lack of true off-road capability excludes it form the R1200GS club. But every road test and review I read proclaims it to be perhaps the best true rider's road bike ever.
Gobs of power, true all-day ergonomics, switch on-the-fly suspension from touring to sport, available hard luggage, great handling. And did I mention gobs of power?
It just sounds like the ultimate sport touring machine to me - and seems to be the general consensus of the motorcycle press. I'm just wondering if Asian manufacturers will chase Ducati down this path with more comfortable machines that can tour and sport equally?
What say you?
I'm definitely interested. Two years ago I wouldn't have been, but a friend has got a Triumph Tiger and he tears up the road when we ride together. He really likes the upright position. I think once you get your mind around it, its the perfect bike for sport touring if you want to take a few side roads. I hear the luggage is small and not very good, which is problematic. I think in short order every sport bike and sport touring bike is going to be feature adjustable, suspension/braking/power modes. Maybe the multi is just the first to do it well. The real question is whether BMW will steal sales away and come up with a GS1200/S1000RR combo.
This is one of the reviews I'd read recently and was talking about in my original post...
As for the maintenance intervals - yes, they are coming up to speed with the rest of the world, but my biggest concern would be the $$ to get it done and little competition between the sparse dealers to bring the price down.
I guess you go into a Ducati knowing you're going to 'pay to play' in that realm...
Love the looks and performance of the new Duc MS. Just my $0.02 since I obviously don't own one and haven't even had a test ride on it, but the price is high and I'd worry about reliability while touring. I think there are better and cheaper, albeit less sexy, options out there.
[image: View Post]RED RUNNER, on 21 October 2010 - 09:12 AM, said:
[image: View Post]creggur, on 20 October 2010 - 08:56 PM, said:
While the new Ducati Multistrada 1200 is being marketed as an adventure bike, its lack of true off-road capability excludes it form the R1200GS club. But every road test and review I read proclaims it to be perhaps the best true rider's road bike ever.
Gobs of power, true all-day ergonomics, switch on-the-fly suspension from touring to sport, available hard luggage, great handling. And did I mention gobs of power?
It just sounds like the ultimate sport touring machine to me - and seems to be the general consensus of the motorcycle press. I'm just wondering if Asian manufacturers will chase Ducati down this path with more comfortable machines that can tour and sport equally?
What say you?
I'm definitely interested. Two years ago I wouldn't have been, but a friend has got a Triumph Tiger and he tears up the road when we ride together. He really likes the upright position. I think once you get your mind around it, its the perfect bike for sport touring if you want to take a few side roads. I hear the luggage is small and not very good, which is problematic. I think in short order every sport bike and sport touring bike is going to be feature adjustable, suspension/braking/power modes. Maybe the multi is just the first to do it well. The real question is whether BMW will steal sales away and come up with a GS1200/S1000RR combo.
The standard side cases are a bit on the small side, especially on the exhaust side of the bike. There are optional larger side cases and a large top case available, though.
Personally I think the worst things going against the new Duc MS and the new VFR 1200 is they are beta year bikes. I would much rather have a tried and true 2008 K1200S.
The electronics work, and go beyond what else is out there on street bikes. Oh sure, there is a scattered and stray report of an electronics glitch here and there, but overwhelmingly owners are reporting serious miles without any problems. Think about it... at the push of the button, the ABS, Traction Control, Suspension, and fuel mapping is adjusted... and it does change the nature of the bike. Other manufacturers will follow suit over time. Dry weight is only 417lbs. Coupled with that Testastretta race bred engine... Dang. Yeah, it doesn't have the off road cred of the GS, but most only take the big dual sports down dirt/graded rock roads anyway. The MTS is fine for this, and especially so with its light weight. Like other Ducs, the exhaust note is muted with the stock muffler. With the Termignoni's, the luscious basso profundo is unleashed. As OWD noted, so long sport bikes on the street. I think they are exaggerating a bit, nevertheless, some owners are reporting cooking through their favorite circuits faster than on their sport bikes. Yet one can go far on the thing. Roadrunner Magazine just named it MOTY. As with any bike... the ergos and stance aren't for everyone. The appearance is a challenge for some. There is a low RPM stumble (but this is common to all Bologna Superbike engines straining at the leash for higher RPMs). Some are reporting bags that aren't water tight. The centerstand on the touring model is a joke. The 2011 MTS addresses the mapping, bags, and centerstand, with the enhancements available to 2010 owners for free.
Game changer my ass. It's another overpriced Italian bike. Ducati hasn't proven itself at manufacturing dependable, low-maintenance bikes, and I don't think this is the start of a new trend. Is it any better than a GS or even a 1k strom? Sure, it's got more gizmos, but that just means it'll have to be at the dealer longer waiting for parts when all that shiz breaks. What game is it changing exactly? When the motor can last as long as a VFR motor, and when it's relatively easy to work on and doesn't require routine dealer servicing (e.g., valve checks every 10k miles and desmo belts every 12k - By the way, I once asked a trusted mechanic if these intervals could be stretched out, and he said he strongly discouraged it, while many stretch the valve check interval on the VFRs routinely), I'll believe that Ducati's becoming a contender.
You need to separate your opinions, from what the industry is observing.
The electronics, the power to weight, the riding modes, etc. have designers and engineers at other makes scrambling at the drawing boards to come up with future responses. You can bet your sweet little fanny what Bologna has implemented will be copied. It's called "changing the game."
Now, you can whine about the maintenance, the reliablity, or its appearance, but it has nothing to do with industry "game changer".
Oh, and by the way, I've enjoyed better reliability over many years with numerous Ducs (zero issues), than I've had with the Shadow/Valkyrie/Super Hawk/Blackbird/VFR (one issue). http://www.farson.com/smiley/lol.gif, and the valve maintenance interval is 15K miles with the Multistrada. Often, Duc valves are in spec and no adjustment is required.
[image: View Post]sfarson, on 22 October 2010 - 05:56 PM, said:
The electronics, the power to weight, the riding modes, etc. have designers and engineers at other makes scrambling at the drawing boards to come up with future responses. You can bet your sweet little fanny what Bologna has implemented will be copied. It's called "changing the game."
I don't know about that. At $20K+, few people will experience its "game-changiness." Again, my opinion, but I don't know how desirable that much tech is on a bike, especially coming from a manufacturer known for having gremlin problems. Plus, it's being marketed as being somewhat off-road capable, but I seriously doubt with its weight (no matter how much lighter it is compared to a GS) and power that it'd be any good on anything more treacherous than a highly-compacted dirt road; although the latter may not be as pronounced due to the riding mode adjuster. You may feel differently, and that's ok.
I sure would like to ride it someday, though, but I'd like to ride or drive anything motorized.
[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 22 October 2010 - 06:22 PM, said:
I sure would like to ride it someday.
Do it. I did and I'm smitten. I hope to add one to the stable one day. People can piss and moan all day about the purchase price but I find that a lousy argument. There are plenty of less expensive alternatives that we can choose if so inclined, and damn near every HD model is another 25% more. I can't judge DUC reliability as I haven't owned one, but my VFR has left me stranded three times in eight years. So much for stone reliable Honda products.
[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 22 October 2010 - 06:22 PM, said:
I don't know about that. At $20K+, few people will experience its "game-changiness." Again, my opinion, but I don't know how desirable that much tech is on a bike, especially coming from a manufacturer known for having gremlin problems. Plus, it's being marketed as being somewhat off-road capable, but I seriously doubt with its weight (no matter how much lighter it is compared to a GS) and power that it'd be any good on anything more treacherous than a highly-compacted dirt road; although the latter may not be as pronounced due to the riding mode adjuster. You may feel differently, and that's ok.
I sure would like to ride it someday, though, but I'd like to ride or drive anything motorized.
Doesn't matter how many experience its game changeness soon. Doesn't matter it came from Ducati with a history of electro challenges (notably pre-2000). Doesn't matter whether we like the MTS or not. Mfgs know the rules of the game have changed. Over the years, bikes will adopt versions and flavors of the breadth/depth of what Ducati pulled off; prices will come down, and those in the industry will recall the bike that packaged it all together first.
[image: View Post]sfarson, on 22 October 2010 - 08:48 PM, said:
[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 22 October 2010 - 06:22 PM, said:
I don't know about that. At $20K+, few people will experience its "game-changiness." Again, my opinion, but I don't know how desirable that much tech is on a bike, especially coming from a manufacturer known for having gremlin problems. Plus, it's being marketed as being somewhat off-road capable, but I seriously doubt with its weight (no matter how much lighter it is compared to a GS) and power that it'd be any good on anything more treacherous than a highly-compacted dirt road; although the latter may not be as pronounced due to the riding mode adjuster. You may feel differently, and that's ok.
I sure would like to ride it someday, though, but I'd like to ride or drive anything motorized.
Doesn't matter how many experience its game changeness soon. Doesn't matter it came from Ducati with a history of electro challenges (notably pre-2000). Doesn't matter whether we like the MTS or not. Mfgs know the rules of the game have changed. Over the years, bikes will adopt versions and flavors of the breadth/depth of what Ducati pulled off; prices will come down, and those in the industry will recall the bike that packaged it all together first.
This is what I meant by 'game changer' I suppose. A bike with TRUE performance and TRUE all-day ergonomics - vs the compromised sport-touring bikes we've seen to date. I would argue the VFR800 is great sport tourer after I lowered the pegs and raised the handlebars and replaced the seat. The Duc is doing this with no mods needed and adding 40hp to the equation.
My point is, I guess, I would by the tech if it came with Honda's reliability. I'm just a bit scared of the exotic (read expensive) nature of an Italian machine...
[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 22 October 2010 - 04:56 PM, said:
Game changer my ass. It's another overpriced Italian bike. Ducati hasn't proven itself at manufacturing dependable, low-maintenance bikes, and I don't think this is the start of a new trend. Is it any better than a GS or even a 1k strom? Sure, it's got more gizmos, but that just means it'll have to be at the dealer longer waiting for parts when all that shiz breaks. What game is it changing exactly? When the motor can last as long as a VFR motor, and when it's relatively easy to work on and doesn't require routine dealer servicing (e.g., valve checks every 10k miles and desmo belts every 12k - By the way, I once asked a trusted mechanic if these intervals could be stretched out, and he said he strongly discouraged it, while many stretch the valve check interval on the VFRs routinely), I'll believe that Ducati's becoming a contender.
Oh yeah, it's ugly too.
All my opinions, of course.
GS1200's are like Range Rovers. Sure, we like to think of them out on African Safari taking abuse from elephants, the Dakar, and what have you. But they have reliability issues just like the Italian bikes. If you want reliability, look at the Honda in your garage. Everytime I get tempted by some exotic, I fire up the VFR and think, it may not be exotic, but it is going to run like a champ when I'm 200 miles from nowhere.
[image: View Post]sfarson, on 22 October 2010 - 04:33 PM, said:
Yes, it's a game changer.
The electronics work, and go beyond what else is out there on street bikes. Oh sure, there is a scattered and stray report of an electronics glitch here and there, but overwhelmingly owners are reporting serious miles without any problems. Think about it... at the push of the button, the ABS, Traction Control, Suspension, and fuel mapping is adjusted... and it does change the nature of the bike. Other manufacturers will follow suit over time. Dry weight is only 417lbs. Coupled with that Testastretta race bred engine... Dang. Yeah, it doesn't have the off road cred of the GS, but most only take the big dual sports down dirt/graded rock roads anyway. The MTS is fine for this, and especially so with its light weight. Like other Ducs, the exhaust note is muted with the stock muffler. With the Termignoni's, the luscious basso profundo is unleashed. As OWD noted, so long sport bikes on the street. I think they are exaggerating a bit, nevertheless, some owners are reporting cooking through their favorite circuits faster than on their sport bikes. Yet one can go far on the thing. Roadrunner Magazine just named it MOTY. As with any bike... the ergos and stance aren't for everyone. The appearance is a challenge for some. There is a low RPM stumble (but this is common to all Bologna Superbike engines straining at the leash for higher RPMs). Some are reporting bags that aren't water tight. The centerstand on the touring model is a joke. The 2011 MTS addresses the mapping, bags, and centerstand, with the enhancements available to 2010 owners for free.
Regarding the above statement concerning the Termignoni exhaust, Have you priced it out? My friend who bought a MS recently (see first response in this thread) did check it out and decided that dropping 2 grand on top of the bike's already high cost was just wacky. Just my opinion, but for 20 Large I shouldn't have to drop 2 more just to make my Italian Exotic sound better than my Weed Wacker. Even my friend chuckled when I said Ducati should change their name to CreditCati...
[image: View Post]MaineRider, on 23 October 2010 - 08:55 PM, said:
Regarding the above statement concerning the Termignoni exhaust, Have you priced it out? My friend who bought a MS recently (see first response in this thread) did check it out and decided that dropping 2 grand on top of the bike's already high cost was just wacky. Just my opinion, but for 20 Large I shouldn't have to drop 2 more just to make my Italian Exotic sound better than my Weed Wacker. Even my friend chuckled when I said Ducati should change their name to Cri...
Yes... Costs about the same as it does with the Superbikes, Hyper, etc. Full exhaust systems are major $bucks for most bikes these days. Fortunately for most MTS12 owners it appears they like the stock exhaust from what they are saying at the Duc boards. They don't want a big volume exhaust accompanying on big mile trips. One magazine raved about the exhaust in stock form. Personally, I like the booming, unleashed note, but the majority of MTS owners are content with stock.
[image: View Post]sfarson, on 24 October 2010 - 01:12 PM, said:
[image: View Post]MaineRider, on 23 October 2010 - 08:55 PM, said:
Regarding the above statement concerning the Termignoni exhaust, Have you priced it out? My friend who bought a MS recently (see first response in this thread) did check it out and decided that dropping 2 grand on top of the bike's already high cost was just wacky. Just my opinion, but for 20 Large I shouldn't have to drop 2 more just to make my Italian Exotic sound better than my Weed Wacker. Even my friend chuckled when I said Ducati should change their name to Cri...
Yes... Costs about the same as it does with the Superbikes, Hyper, etc. Full exhaust systems are major $bucks for most bikes these days. Fortunately for most MTS12 owners it appears they like the stock exhaust from what they are saying at the Duc boards. They don't want a big volume exhaust accompanying on big mile trips. One magazine raved about the exhaust in stock form. Personally, I like the booming, unleashed note, but the majority of MTS owners are content with stock.
I really liked the MS stock exhaust I heard, had a very nice deep bark to it.
End of thread · 26 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 22 Nov 2010