Multistrada

[jkhomes]

I have thought for a while that when it comes time to replace my 08 R1200R it might be fun to get a Ducati Multistrada. I think it is a little more comparable to our bikes than the Monster as referred to in another post because it has a similar riding position it is good for a variety of conditions. I don't think the Duke holds a candle to the GS for true offroading.

The observations that jumped out at me were: needs a taller windscreen, seat is hard and uncomfortable, and the instrument screen seemed hard to read. Seems like familiar complaints! It was a little taller than I expected, and although I liked the 150 horsepower, the difference in the power band from the boxer twin was significant.

Surprisingly, I felt relieved to get back on my BMW and ride home.

[bmwk100]

I considered that bike prior to getting my R. Avoiding first year issues, chain and cost were major factors that led me to decide on the R. I'm glad I did, based on numerous issues reported in the Multistrada forum. Still a nice concept and beautiful bike.

[jkhomes]

Gonna try a Triumph triple next. But I am pretty sure I can wait to see what the water cooled boxers are going to be like in a couple years.

[SF_Hooligan]

The triple engine is amazing. I had an '07 Speed Triple, and loved it. Sadly, it wasn't as flexible a bike as I'd like - carrying much on it was a huge pain. But man, the grin factor was high.

[AndyRR]

I am a recent Multistrada convert. You are correct about the windscreen. You have to spend some time in the seat to see if it works. They have a "comfort" saddle available (what does that make the stock seat? Why not sell it with a "comfort" seat to begin with?)
No problems seeing the instrument panel. I would have preferred dials, but it works well.
The only consistent complaint I have seen about the MTS1200 online is the rear brake. It is not linked as on the BMW. It is a bit mushy, but it works for what I use it for. Front brakes work very well.

I have the standard MTS 1200 with ABS. Price was a little less than a new R1200R w/ cases. Riding position is slightly more upright than my retired R1150R. 150hp causes frequent S.E.G's . I do not go off-roading except for some hard-packed dirt roads. 4500 miles on it so far and no quality issues.

I recall that comfortable feeling getting back on the R1150R after an MTS test ride. Like putting your old shoes back on after trying on a new pair.

[Maxx]

I am a recent Multistrada convert. You are correct about the windscreen. You have to spend some time in the seat to see if it works. They have a "comfort" saddle available (what does that make the stock seat? Why not sell it with a "comfort" seat to begin with?)
No problems seeing the instrument panel. I would have preferred dials, but it works well.
The only consistent complaint I have seen about the MTS1200 online is the rear brake. It is not linked as on the BMW. It is a bit mushy, but it works for what I use it for. Front brakes work very well.

I have the standard MTS 1200 with ABS. Price was a little less than a new R1200R w/ cases. Riding position is slightly more upright than my retired R1150R. 150hp causes frequent S.E.G's . I do not go off-roading except for some hard-packed dirt roads. 4500 miles on it so far and no quality issues.

I recall that comfortable feeling getting back on the R1150R after an MTS test ride. Like putting your old shoes back on after trying on a new pair.

Lets hope when u have to have ur first belt change..............u don't faint with the cost.......in the UK ur looking at the thick end of £800......

[Roder]

I apologize for my ignorance, but which belt you are talking about?

[Maxx]

I apologize for my ignorance, but which belt you are talking about?

Ducati engines are belt driven....early engines need to have their belts changed every 12,000miles or 2 years or which ever comes first (even if the bike has been parked up for 2 years they still need to be changed)

the Multistrada 1200 has a new type of engine with a lot less internal moving parts compared to the older engines also have done away with the dry clutch set up which was a PITA... ..they need to be serviced every 7,500miles and belts and valves done every 15,000miles or 2 years which ever comes first.....the engine in the multistrada is basically out of the 1198 superbike detuned to 150bhp from 180bhp........hope this helps

[AndyRR]

YUP, the 15,000 mile service is going to be a PITA. Replacing the belts doesn't worry me much, it's the valve servicing. I'll really miss the boxer as I'm tearing the bike apart to get to them. 8 openers and 8 closers - all shimmed. (Here's where you pay for the Desmo performance - remind yourself of the 150hp as you pay or wrench it yourself).
The 7500 mi service is mostly an oil change - no biggie. Since it has a wet clutch and the oil is doing triple duty (clutch, engine, transmission) I also change the oil only around 3700 miles. I know it's overkill, but it's cheap insurance. Strangely, Ducati does not specify motorcycle specific oil for it's wet clutch. I use JASO approved Mobil 1 motorcycle oil anyway.
I intend to do all the maintenance myself.

[Roder]

@ Maxx Thank you Sir, very appreciated!

@ AndyRR

Replacing the belts doesn't worry me much, it's the valve servicing. I intend to do all the maintenance myself.

So when you say the belts replacement doesn't worry you, is that mean that they are easily accessible and easy to replace?

Valves as you said are a pitta, but then the question is do you have to really adjust them every 15K miles, I met people who ride older bikes with spherical valves spacers and they rarely if ever need to adjust their valves. Are these legitimate claims or does it mean that not all the spherical valves were born the same and some need to be checked more often than other.

[Maxx]

@ Maxx Thank you Sir, very appreciated!

@ AndyRR

Replacing the belts doesn't worry me much, it's the valve servicing. I intend to do all the maintenance myself.

So when you say the belts replacement doesn't worry you, is that mean that they are easily accessible and easy to replace?

Valves as you said are a pitta, but then the question is do you have to really adjust them every 15K miles, I met people who ride older bikes with spherical valves spacers and they rarely if ever need to adjust their valves. Are these legitimate claims or does it mean that not all the spherical valves were born the same and some need to be checked more often than other.

With regards to getting into the belts they can be very tight on the rear cylinder because of the frame and bodywork u need to take off and the rear belt can be a bit fiddly to get on the rear pulleys, another fiddly thing is the cam pulleys are spring loaded so u have to twist them to TDC position whist trying to slip the belt onto the pulley....... without it springing back.... .

As for the valves with my present bike zrx1200r u need to have the shims checked 8,500mls, 15000mls, and 24000mls but I know a lot of owners who don't really bother after 15k the thing I like about r12r is that it's so simple to work on valves piece of cake compared to my bike and also the MTS 1200 thing is also if ur forking out £15,000 for a MTS 1200 then u've got to stick with the servicing intervals after ur warranty has run out then it's up to u....

[Roder]

Thanks Maxx. I had a HP2 Megamoto until last year and I always serviced the bike including valves myself. I don't think the new boxer DOHC engine would be much more difficult. I never test rode the MS 1200 but from what I seen they are good looking babes. I rode the new 2011 boxer R classic and was impressed with the handling and the response of the engine.

Another question: Do you experience any problems with the MS at high speeds? My MM would shake sometimes at speeds above 90m/h but not always and I contributed that to the height of the bike and not having a steering dumper, also the MM is a very light bike compare to other boxers. The MS 1200 and the MM are similar size - tall bikes, but the MS is a mass production bike and I would think that it shouldn't have any steering or shaking issues especially considering the Ducati's racing history.

[Maxx]

I test rode the MTS1200 back in april this yr and to be honest it's a solid as a rock even up to insane speeds..... it's scary fast too easy to ride fast I got it up to 140mph and didn't realise I was doing that speed (looked at the speed and thought....oh sh1t..... ) also got the traction control light to flash a few times (which is a bit scary thinking about it later on) it's a great bike but would be even better if it were cheaper to service things might change with this new engine coming out of Ducati for the new superbike because they have done away with the belts as the new engine has gear driven cams, as for owning a MTS1200 yes I would love to but it's still a bit pricey, my old girl (ZRX1200R) will have to do til I can get my hands on a R12R I think thats the natural progression for me now besides I seen the brand new 2011 R1200R and that was it for me....... just got to get a test ride and hopefully I won't be disappointed.....

[AndyRR]

What Maxx said .
I have the "standard" model with ABS. Comes packaged with the side cases for $16,500. Dealer threw in the top case to seal the deal. I added the $200 center stand. The standard model does not have the adjust-on-the-fly Ohlins suspension (think of it as a $3000 option). I found the stock suspension to be great. It's fully adjustable, servicable, and upgradable to Ohlins (though not the adjust on the fly deal as the wiring harness isn't there).
I think that price is VERY competative to a R1200R with cases. I would expect the ownership costs to be higher for the Ducati though - although not higher than the ownership cost of my R1150R (15k mile transmission rebuild interval). I had to leave BMW until I'm convinced they have their quality issues sorted out. (Out of the frying pan and into fire. I know)

[Maxx]

Just looked at the prices of the R12R and I can see they are a pricey bike........ so what is this quality issues I've heard about was talking to someone yesterday while out for a run on the bike, and he was telling me about rear wheel bearing problems the big bearing was what I was told and the also the rear wheel won't sit correctly.... , I have a back up bike in mind if I can't get my hands on a R12R......