2010 Ducati Multistrada vs R12R

[Dan-A]

I attended the Sneak Preview of the new Multi at A & S. I recall it has a 17" mag front wheel, and a big Catalytic/muffler hanging low. It may compete with the Triumph Tiger, but it is no GS. It is VERY different than the Multi Strada it replaces.

I sat on it and It is comfy, the ergonomics are very GS like, and really good. Handlebars, foot pegs, riding position seemed perfect (sitting still).

...and it has 150HP so it is going to be a fast adventure/sport touring bike, but not a real dual sport IMHO.

Ducati=Thoroughbred
BMW=Quarterhorse

[Mollygrubber]

Ducati=Thoroughbred
BMW=Quarterhorse

This may be quoting out of context a bit, but take a test ride on an S1000RR and then say that! It's nice to see a Beemer on the front of every sportbike magazine this month

Sorry for the thread-jack...

[motoracer8]

I'm on the US side of the pond, service intervals on the 1000's are 6,000 miles for the valve ck, 12,000 miles for belt replacement. The 1100,s they say 7500 miles for a valve check, 15,000 for belt replacement. This is for the air cooled two valve engines. The new 1200 is water cooled and is a four valve engine. It will be interesting to see what the new Multistrada will require for matainance. In my experence with Ducatis, unless you are constantly bumping them off the rev limiter the valves stay in tolerance for quite along time.

Ken G.

[celticus]

One thing about the Multisrada, You can see them at my BMW dealer. However the dealer does not have a single new BMW for sale. At what point does he cease being a BMW dealer?

Mark

O Tay!!! My BMW dealer finaly has some new BMWs on the lot!!

Mark

[Acpantera]

I'm gonna give the ms1200 a real strong eye. For one thing the dealer is only 15miles away vs the BMW stealer is 75 miles away. As for the whole service schedule thing, It doesn't seem to be all that bad. My only question would be how much heat does the ms put onto the rider? I really enjoy the heat free ride on my RR vs some of the warm/hot dingle on some of my friends rides (faired 4 & 3 cyl bikes). 150 HP in a versatile/light package sounds very nice. RED with ohlins.

[nbarab]

ducatis are excellent bikes, especially now that they solved the reliability issues.. however. i believe that the ducati stealers here in the usa are ready to give a lot of problems to all the local ducatistis...

[Mollygrubber]

ducatis are excellent bikes, especially now that they solved the reliability issues.. however. i believe that the ducati stealers here in the usa are ready to give a lot of problems to all the local ducatistis...

... do go on...

[mickyt]

Although more will be revealed

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/ ... s-slashed/

[Mollygrubber]

I must say, I do like that bike.

But I'd miss all you guys too much!

[Acpantera]

Gotta tell ya, the Duc ms1200 is quite a machine. I've seen it in person @ the Cleveland show, sat on it, and every thing feels really good. The stars seem to be lining up for me, first I seen a nice used ms1100 @ the Honda dealer near me and I thought it was a cool bike but it looked a little strange and didn't have the power my boxer has. Then Ducati introduces the new ms 1200 and it has all the features I like in a naked bike without the heft and girth of the 1200GS. Now I here that Ducati is easing the service requirements on the multi and then I hear BMW is going to ax the R1200R and possibly not have a lg bore naked bike except for the 1200GS. This coming season is my 10th on a beemer and just may be my last. The Ducati dealer is 60 miles closer to me too (15 vs 75).Love my boxer but when it's time for a new bike the Duc looks real enticing.

[craigleo]

I have this thing about motorcycles. I like them without fairings. I like to ride them, not screw with their buttons or shocks, or... I like to KISS. Keep it Simple Stupid. In Southern California torque is the king of qualities. I'm sure the Multistrada 4 bikes in 1 is great. Ducati dealers are like their bikes; working sometimes and sometimes gone.
I've said this before but here goes; motorcycles are like golf clubs. Much of how good the motorcycle is, has to do with the motorcyclist and if they like their bike.
I love the R1200R because it looks like a traditional cool motorcycle, it is torquey and fast,comfortable, extremely stable at crazy speeds, reliable, handsome, perfect handling and balance, quiet running and well supported by the dealers and user community.
I do not need 4 bikes, only one.
Leo

[blueviewlaguna]

I saw the 2010 Ducati Multistrada and was disappointed in the quality, I really wanted to like it - I suppose its looking through the lens my 30+ years of having been in manufacturing that ruined it since I could see how it could be appealing if some of the quality issues were overlooked:


The Saddlebag arrangement is very flimsy - the passenger foot pegs flex alarmingly, then when they support the saddlebags that are molded from mushy resin (lots of flex in all directions) it exaggerates the problem. The top mountings are thin plastic tabs that have a very small cross-section. Finally, they are difficult to remove.

Not a fan of chain-drive

Heated grips have dongles (wires) hanging, looks like a pre-production prototype

ABS braking is not linked, so no computer is helping you proportion the front/rear during a panic stop - a front only ABS stop could still result in a stoppie - I want my 2010 ABS modern bike to have a brake lever that works like a 2010 ABS car (like the R1200R does).

The torque curve still comes in much later than the 1200 boxers, I find myself in the lower rpm ranges (3-5K) 95% of the time, so the drivability for my use is not as good - I know the bike is quite a bit faster on the track, but on the road for my use I would be forced to wind the motor higher.

Handlebars are much wider than the R1200R - personal preference here, a bit wide for me.

Again, personal fit here - the "low" seat is still very high (31.7") and its a bit tall for me even in "city" mode (the lowest suspension height setting)

Front end does not do a thing for me - reminds me of the MP3 Piaggio 3 wheeled scooters in the front (maybe I was traumatized by them..)

Hopefully, things have changed, but having an Italian bike with this amount of electronics controlling everything (including ride by wire) would concern me.

That said, one cannot argue with the acceleration once it is in its torque range.

[craigleo]

Yes. I think I am in your camp re: Ducati. I really want to like two of their bikes, the bigger Monster and the Multistrada.
BMW is the very best at fit and finish in the motorcycle world IMHO.
Prior to my purchase of my 09 R1200R, I spent some time at a Ducati shop. When the planets were aligned for me to get a new motorcycle, there was two R's in San Diego and there was to be no Multistradas(new and improved) due until May.
I bought the R I wanted. Two weeks ago I called the Multistrada dealer and got a 'this # no longer in service'.
The brand seems a little too high maintenence for me.

[Stef.]

Stupid question: weren't the Ducatis famous for being unreliable bikes? I thought they broke down a lot? Has this changed or am I totally wrong?
Stef.

[craigleo]

Not a stupic question. To be fair, I have never owned a Ducati. I have heard motorcyclists, former Ducati owners (20 years ago) talk of their Ducs being a pain in the... to keep running and expensive. I think that reputation was at one time prevelent. Lot's of guys currently looooove their Ducati's.

Leo

[deilenberger]

They do love their duc's - but are afraid to ride them because of the expense of servicing them.

A friend just traded his in because it needed new timing BELTS (who uses timing belts on a motorcycle engine? Apparently Ducati...) Combined with the 6,000 mile valve adjust - the cost was going to be over $1,200. And he needed new tires, and the rest of the 6,000 mile service. About $2k for a 2 year old bike with 6,000 miles on it (the belt change was miles OR age - in this case age.. I believe the interval for the belts was 12,000 miles/2years.) And it wasn't exactly touring bike comfy. He replaced it with a K1200S (his second one) and he's happily joining me on rides again.

We have had several combined BMW/Duc/Triumph dealerships in NJ (one folded, one is expanding) - and it's fun watching the Duc boys show up at an open house, dressed to the hilt in leathers with numbers and knee pucks, just waiting around until the day Valentino Rossi feels a bit under the weather, and someone will ask them to step in and replace him..

Meanwhile the BMW crowd is hanging around in smelly unwashed Aerostich's planning their next round the world trip.. And saving 15% on an oil filter and asking if they can reuse the oil plug crush washer.

It seems behind every stereotype is some sorta of fact.. Haven't been to a Triumph open house - have to do that sometime. See if they're hanging around in rocker-boy leathers or old oiled cotton riding gear (Barber jackets mebbe - they've become quite the collectable..).

Best part about Ducati open houses - the young ladies Ducati hires to sign up the test riders. The bikes hold zero interest to me - except as eye candy, which I'm distracted from by the Duc Girls..

[craigleo]

Hello nbarab,
I'm having trouble understanding what you mean by Ducati 'solving the reliability problem and the dealer issue with the owners?
What is up?
thanks
Leo

[craigleo]

By the way Don,
Perhaps the Duc girls could work as motivational vision therapy, Perhaps you are focusing too much on the bikes.
Leo

[fastdogs2]

Looks like a nice bike, but the seat height would exclude me from the club:

"the dual seat is 33.46 inches tall (though a lower accessory seat is available, measuring 32.48 inches." - Motorcycles.com review.

Why do manufacturers build bikes as if all potential buyers are 6'6" with 37" inseams?

Bill

[TIV]

I'm sure glad they build them for tall people. My bike would look pretty stupid with 6 inches of foam taped to the seat.

Ave male height for Germany = 180.2 cm. If you can touch your tip toes all should be good. After all your riding the bike not walking it.