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2010 + Ducati Multistrada - what do you not like?

2,000 miles on my new PP and umm - okay, it is tall and I have a 33" inseam. And I don't have any frame guards yet, so I worry about dropping it on dirt roads. The Monster and 999 don't actually see dirt roads so this is a new one.

What else? Now I can take my daughter for a ride and she insists on singing Katy Perry tunes in the bluetooth. Or burping in my ear. That sucks.
 
You do get used to the centerstand issue. I'd forgotten about it until reading this thread.

As an urban commuter it's not as easy to split on as my SV650. The SV is slender and can fit through holes the Multi can't. Otherwise, great bike. No complaints and no issues in 9.5K miles.

Easiest bike to ride slow that I've ever been on. I can turn crazy tight circles on the Multi.
 
Be careful what you wish for.

I bought a brand new 2010 MTS touring s and ended up selling 13 months later. I sold a 2004 BMW GSA to get the Multi. The MTS is hands down the fastest & best handling ST on the market but it has way to many electronic devices on it (IMO) I was told it has 6 ecu's, there have been DES problems (electronic suspension) key fob problems, over heating problems, rear brake problems, ect. ect. My bike had none of these problems but I never really trusted it for long trips. My main problem with the Multi was it's power and handling I was constantly riding like a 1st class ass-hat, triple digit speeds, 70-80 mph wheelies, cornering so hard just to get some wheel spin hear the TC kick and watch the cool red dash lights get brighter as more TC was being used, the bike flat out rips and I don't have the brains to ride it sanely. You also need to remember what friggin mode your in the Duc TC and wheelies do not go well together, and if your elec. suspension is in a soft mode and you start to rail corners your going to pay a price. I found it a very very boring bike at anything near the speed limits or even at semi fast pace. Kinda like driving a turbo porsch in a crowded parking lot. I think there a fantastic bike but just not for me. Almost forgot how I hated the MTS ABS I've ridden BMW and Honda ABS both are way better then the MTS I always rode with it off (when I remembered to turn it off, it defaults on every time you start the bike) I say if you really want one buy it. I'm not sorry I did.
 
bweb said:
The Pirelli Scorpion tires that come stock didn't last very long. I swapped them out for Pilot Road 3's at 3,000 miles and find the PR3's better suited to the mostly street riding that I do.
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Stock tires seem to be good for about 4.5K miles, but they're excellent.

I had a little puncture and replaced them with Dunlop Q2s. I liked the Q2s on other bikes but on the Multi they just never felt right. Squirmy, vague. I went back to the Scorpions as fast as I could. ("Oh no! You mean I have to put 3,000 miles on my Multistrada? Woe is me!" :teeth :ride)

I'll have to try the PR3s for the next set.
 
Dibs on the multi when you inevitably sell it
 
I'm getting set to buy a MTS and have been researching everything I could for the pros/cons....and then I rode one! It's the 'perfect' bike!!! The windscreen issue I've had on my last two bikes and still haven't totally solved the issue. For what this bike offers, I can live with the windscreen. And yes, 95% of my rides are long day rides (300+ miles) + 3-10 day trips.
 
Stan, that didn't take long. Funny though, if I could afford this bike I would jump on it in a heartbeat. My buddy and I have already agreed that in 2017 we will each be buying a 2012-2014 MTS. Too bad I won't be ready to buy in January, when you sell this and move on to the next bike. Bad timing....
 
I bought my multi 1200 s tour today. From livermore I rode Mines up to mt Hamilton, down to San Jose, 280 to 17 to hw9. Hw9 to boulder creek, bear creek road to hw17. About 170 miles today. Amazing bike. Probably the most fun bike I have ever ridden.
 
I've had a 2010 since the first month they hit the Bay Area.

The early models had a lot of little recalls that required many trips to the shop. But most of that stuff has been worked out: fixed under warranty, or corrected in newer models.

Things to know:

- Many folks (including me) have had rear brakes that quickly fade to literally nothing: pedal goes all the way to the stop with no braking force. This is not my first (or only) Ducati, it's a genuine failure. Ducati has had multiple fixes, and the current one seems to have worked on my bike. Rear brake not great, but that's normal for Ducati.

- Don't get the electric gas cap, seems to fail frequently

- Centerstand design impedes left boot. I ditched mine.

- Exhaust impedes right boot if you have big feet. I got used to it.

- Windshield is the loudest ever. Only very short or very tall alternatives will help.

- Don't bother with an aftermarket exhaust. This is the 11-degree motor and it doesn't sound like (or as good as) other Ducs, though it has long valve inspection / adjustment intervals in return. None of the pipes sound great, it's the motor, not the pipe.

- Saddlebags look great but hold little and are pain to work with.

- Seat on 2010-11 models has no room fore/aft, so you get locked into one position. 2012 model has a shorter pillion and more room for rider, and can be retrofit to the older bikes.

- Big power, stellar handling. The riding modes and Ohlins e-suspension really work. Sprung for lightweights, ground clearance can be an issue if you're a bigger guy and ride fast.

- Big power, great handling (worth saying again), particularly if you mount purely street rubber.

- Gets decent mileage when you're not caning it. I saw 45+ mpg on the freeway coming back from the eastern Sierra last weekend. Drops to low 30s when you're having fun.

- Consider it a comfortable sportbike rather than an Italian dualsport or GS.

I've owned a lot of bikes, and for all the little drawbacks, it's the only bike that meets my criteria for a truly great street bike:

- big power w/traction control
- top-shelf long-travel suspension
- killer brakes w/ABS
- upright seating
- 17" wheels
- 175 mile range

Nothing really else in this class.
 
My 08 1098 had its tank replaced in 2010 or 2011 due to bulging. No issues with it after. Most owners with a bulging tank don't even realize till I pointed it out.
 
stan23 said:
Getting ready to jump on one, and know about all the raves.. But to all owners that live with this bike day-to-day, what do you not like?

I made a BIG mistake sitting on one when I was at the Motor Cafe picking up KTM parts!:ride
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Mostly... just the owners:teeth
 
Stan, we have one in the rental fleet. It performs beautifully with no issues what so ever. We did install engine guards and big ugly sliders because it's about a $3K bill if you drop it.

That is the only issue besides a soft rear brake pedal after performing a brake recall.
If you want to rent it and get a feel let me know.
 
Heh Pelon, if you think sitting on one was a big mistake, don't ride one! I've been thinking about buying one since they first came out and have finally decided to get one. Test rode one last week......stunning bike!
 
Buy one, it rocks.

+1 on the rear brake, it sucks. Motor cafe did a caliper flip and bled it for me, I have some rear brake now. They ordered the ducati parts kit for me, which is technically not a real TSB/warranty fix, but they do it on bikes that have "excessive pedal travel" - I had zero rear brake. :)

I have a CalSci shorty windscreen and I have zero issues with wind or buffeting. The CalSci is about $220 cheaper than the ducati pike's peak CF screen, and looks about $220 cheaper in coolness. :) I don't have much issues with wind, but my last bike was a super duke. This bike will never be a goldwing.

The ohlins/DES is awesome, but I love electronic geekery. The 4 bike modes are amazing. Spend the extra $$ and get the S.

I have the touring which means it came w/ bags, centerstand, and heated grips. heated grips are great, the centerstand sucks for left foot placement but otherwise works ok, and the bags look neat and work good, but aftermarket bags are probably cheaper and you can buy sizes that you need, if you don't want the touring model.
 
CurveSurfer said:
- Don't get the electric gas cap, seems to fail frequently
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Forgot about this.. Researched getting one when I was buying mine, since the idea of a 100% keyless bike was appealing. All the complaints on the forums tell of stories of guys riding with it and the thing failing to open when they needed gas, and having to get a tow. There's no mechanical key mechanism to open it if it fails, you're 100% dependent on the electronics - wouldn't buy it until it's 100% foolproof or there's a mechanical key unlock function as well.
 
Funny - i've owned several ducati's - 748, monster 900, 999, multistrada, and none of the rear brakes worked properly. I think it was my frist duc, the 748 that I actually tried to 'fix' the problem. Never did, and just thought it was par for the course. Of course, I don't actually use the rear brake, so it's kind of a moot point - but I like having a 100% functioning vehicle at all times.

I'm looking to purchase a base model MTS - I don't want the bags or the fancy ABS, electronic suspension gizmo. Just want the basic bike and i'll add bags to my liking.
 
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