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2010 + Ducati Multistrada - what do you not like?

stan23 said:
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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I've had the same experience with my Ducs (851, Multi 1000, Monster). Rear brakes are quite handy, particularly if you ride a lot of goats and fire roads. I just got used to pumping it a few times before the corners came up, so it would semi work. Certianly not ideal.

Regarding your upcoming purchase, I would normally be similarly inclined. In this case, however, the electronics (TC and the suspension settings) are a HUGE part of what makes the bike so great. I would suggest that you try both before deciding. I agree about the touring package. I tend to prefer aftermarket bags on just about every bike.
 
What's a rear brake for? I mean besides preventing a bike from rolling backwards after stopping on a hill. And when on dirt/gravel...but how much speed is involved there?
 
Bonerov said:
Comes in awefully handy on dirt/gravel.
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Lets see....I ride 7 miles of dirt/gravel, everytime I ride my bike, just to get to pavement...And I've been riding mountain trails for more years than You have been alive, and got adopted by Desert Racers..to move into that, And got the #3 in the state of Oregon title, with my tricked out KTM 495 Two stroke (but don't do that anymore)...Some day I should try to learn something about dirt and Gravel and brakes :laughing

Right now, I'm laboring over the memories of how little the rear brake needs to do..in Dirt and gravel and mud.
 
louemc said:
Lets see....I ride 7 miles of dirt/gravel, everytime I ride my bike, just to get to pavement...And I've been riding mountain trails for more years than You have been alive, and got adopted by Desert Racers..to move into that, And got the #3 in the state of Oregon title, with my tricked out KTM 495 Two stroke (but don't do that anymore)...Some day I should try to learn something about dirt and Gravel and brakes :laughing
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As someone with so much experience, are you honestly telling me that rear brakes aren't handy in low traction situations? I understand the need to play devil's advocate, but come on. While riding in those conditions without rear brakes is certainly possible, it's a lot more fun with a functioning rear brake.
 
Bonerov said:
I've had the same experience with my Ducs (851, Multi 1000, Monster). Rear brakes are quite handy, particularly if you ride a lot of goats and fire roads. I just got used to pumping it a few times before the corners came up, so it would semi work. Certianly not ideal.

Regarding your upcoming purchase, I would normally be similarly inclined. In this case, however, the electronics (TC and the suspension settings) are a HUGE part of what makes the bike so great. I would suggest that you try both before deciding. I agree about the touring package. I tend to prefer aftermarket bags on just about every bike.
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Interesting! I've never really considered the gizmos at all. What I wanted was that delicious 1199 motor in an upright riding position, and I also happen to love the way the bike looks.

I may have to save a few more coins and get the S..

louemc said:
Lets see....I ride 7 miles of dirt/gravel, everytime I ride my bike, just to get to pavement...And I've been riding mountain trails for more years than You have been alive, and got adopted by Desert Racers..to move into that, And got the #3 in the state of Oregon title, with my tricked out KTM 495 Two stroke (but don't do that anymore)...Some day I should try to learn something about dirt and Gravel and brakes :laughing

Right now, I'm laboring over the memories of how little the rear brake needs to do..in Dirt and gravel and mud.
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I'm not a dirt guy--never have been. I know .. I was condemned by riding a GS strictly on the street, so with no dirt cred, I don't mind not having a fully functioning rear brake.

Also bravo for your informative above post without using the worlds; bars, scotts damper, and zx10:ride
 
Bonerov said:
As someone with so much experience, are you honestly telling me that rear brakes aren't handy in low traction situations? I understand the need to play devil's advocate, but come on. While riding in those conditions without rear brakes is certainly possible, it's a lot more fun with a functioning rear brake.
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No I'm not saying they aren't handy...The rear brake has 100% need/function at times...Just sayin it takes so little braking force, at the rear wheel...to do what is wanted....I can't believe Ducati is putting out a bike, that doesn't meet the need.

I mean Ducati would be getting their ass sued off, (which would cost way more than fixing a problem) if they had a problem.

I'll never forget the trench my Desert Mentor dug in the desert soil, with his front tire, braking up to me...to show me what he could do.

I just have to believe riders over depend on, and over use, the rear brake too much..indicating a lack of abilities with the front brakes.
 
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louemc said:
No I'm not saying they aren't handy...The rear brake has 100% need/function at times...Just sayin it takes so little braking force, at the rear wheel...to do what is wanted....I can't believe Ducati is putting out a bike, that doesn't meet the need.

I mean Ducati would be getting their ass sued off, (which would cost way more than fixing a problem) if they had a problem.

I'll never forget the trench my Desert Mentor dug in the desert soil, with his front tire, braking up to me...to show me what he could do.
I just have to believe riders over depend on and over use, the rear brake too much..indicating a lack of abilities with the front brakes.
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Precisely why I used the word "handy" instead of "necessary" in my previous post about the rear brake. I agree that a lot of folks are overly reliant on the rear-brake, but I've seen just as many street riders who use 100% front brake and never touch the rear. Sure, 90% of the stopping power is in the front, but the rear brake is excellent for getting the braking started (i.e. smooth transfer of weight forward) and adds a little bit of extra stopping power when needed on the street. I think street and dirt riders should be proficient with both brakes and understand when and how much they should be used.

/soapbox
 
Ducposer and Bweb had some good stuff..as did others.

Since mine is newer (2012).. only riding it about 5 months here are my comments:
My first set of Scorpions are toast at 2K miles, but I love the tires so worth re-upping, which will happen on Monday.

I also found the center stand a pain.. so I removed it. (mostly just for standing vs. sitting reasons). No other mod's to it.

The rear brake is weaksauce.. but rarely used so not a biggee to me yet. I am having it looked at because indeed on the dirt it is a good thing and right now I have to stand on it to get it to work.. really makes little sense to m.

BIG ISSUE:
The electronic Keyless ignition does not like cell towers.
If you are within 100ft.. the electronics get squirrely.. I have over come it with the manual code, but even that was weird.. once I figured it out (that it was a cell tower).. I simply rolled the bike away from it and it fires right up. That took a couple of times of :wtf to figure it out though.

The ride is awesome... awesome .. awesome.. gobs of usable power. Nimble.
I call it my fat motard. Spend quite a bit of time in the real tight bumply slow stuff with the leg out.. that also actually helps swing the weight into a corner as well, but you can really use the bars and I think pushing with the opposite thigh actually works on this too ( a la dirt bike style). Keeps the boots from dragging too :teeth

Love being able to go from Enduro to Sport.. makes every ride a good one wherever the road leads.

Long trips seem fine so far.. just one really, but it did fine over 3 days with fully packed bags. Comfort was fine.

Some mentioned the wind shield.. never an issue for me at all.. :dunno
At 6-1" and on the lower setting I could give a shit I guess. I love the wind.

It is the best bike I have ever owned as far as fun per mile.
Here is a link to a recent ride over Mt. Hamilton following Butch on his R6.
http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=410037

While he is hanging off a bit left to right I am dead center on the bike and have full confidence in not needing to ride it like a spr0tbile... rather.. a fat motard. :teeth
 
budman said:
It is the best bike I have ever owned as far as fun per mile.
Here is a link to a recent ride over Mt. Hamilton following Butch on his R6.
http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=410037

While he is hanging off a bit left to right I am dead center on the bike and have full confidence in not needing to ride it like a spr0tbile... rather.. a fat motard. :teeth
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...yeah, but it is just Butch, afterall :twofinger

Kidding. Love ya, Butch! As I said before: If I could afford it I would have this in my garage right now. Some day....
 
louemc said:
No I'm not saying they aren't handy...The rear brake has 100% need/function at times...Just sayin it takes so little braking force, at the rear wheel...to do what is wanted....I can't believe Ducati is putting out a bike, that doesn't meet the need.

I mean Ducati would be getting their ass sued off, (which would cost way more than fixing a problem) if they had a problem.
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As you obviously haven't ridden one, you are talking out of your ass at this point. As a Multi owner and a previous owner of multiple other Ducs and about 20 other bikes, I can tell you that the rear brake on my Multi, and most other owners I've talked to share my view, is not sufficient to meet any need unless you consider slowly stopping a bike from 5 mph is the only need for a back brake. There is a serious problem with the Multi's rear brake system, possibly multiple problems collectively causing the lack of performance.

I could give a rats ass because I never use it, but it is absolutely worthless and by far the worst rear brake I have ever felt on a motorcycle in my life. The only reason Ducati isn't getting sued (yet) is because of the fact that the rear brake is rarely needed/used. But don't think the word 'class action' hasn't come up a couple of dozen times over on the Multi forum. Right now Ducati is trying a couple of different things to fix it, but I've yet to hear a single owner say that it's a long term solution yet. Some have better performance for a while and then it fades back into uselessness.
 
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ScottRNelson said:
Could you give us a pointer to "the Multi forum"?

Is it just part of ducati.ms, or is it somewhere else?

Thanks.
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This is the most active one.

http://www.ducati.ms/forums/44-multistrada/


There are two brake threads on the first page right now and many more if you scroll through the history. The long ones are further back, as the issue got beat to death on there and I think everyone got tired of discussing it. The only think people bitch about more over there is the wind noise from the windscreen.
 
Archimedes said:
The only thing people bitch about more over there is the wind noise from the windscreen.
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In the "Orange Crush" section of AdvRider - where the 950/990 Adv issues are discussed - they just have ONE very long thread on the wind noise issue. Apparently there is NO good solution for that bike. How annoying.
 
Archimedes said:
As you obviously haven't ridden one, you are talking out of your ass at this point. As a Multi owner and a previous owner of multiple other Ducs and about 20 other bikes, I can tell you that the rear brake on my Multi, and most other owners I've talked to share my view, is not sufficient to meet any need unless you consider slowly stopping a bike from 5 mph is the only need for a back brake. There is a serious problem with the Multi's rear brake system, possibly multiple problems collectively causing the lack of performance.

I could give a rats ass because I never use it, but it is absolutely worthless and by far the worst rear brake I have ever felt on a motorcycle in my life. The only reason Ducati isn't getting sued (yet) is because of the fact that the rear brake is rarely needed/used. But don't think the word 'class action' hasn't come up a couple of dozen times over on the Multi forum. Right now Ducati is trying a couple of different things to fix it, but I've yet to hear a single owner say that it's a long term solution yet. Some have better performance for a while and then it fades back into uselessness.
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I'm one of the lucky ones who's rear brake is actually good. I'm afraid to have the shop touch it during tune up time. Its my only Duc that has a working rear brake...my 998's rear brake wouldn't stop you from rolling down a driveway, the ST3 isn't much better.
 
ScottRNelson said:
In the "Orange Crush" section of AdvRider - where the 950/990 Adv issues are discussed - they just have ONE very long thread on the wind noise issue. Apparently there is NO good solution for that bike. How annoying.
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The solution is to go super shorty down to the mount stalks. Only way to get rid of the wind noise. To me it's not a buffeting problem, it's the wind roar. Was giving me a headache until I tried the chop.

Re: the brake thing, just for grins I searched the Multi forum for 'rear brake'. There are 79 threads on it, the vast majority discussing how bad it sucks, what the options are, should there be a recall, etc.
 
louemc said:
What's a rear brake for? I mean besides preventing a bike from rolling backwards after stopping on a hill. And when on dirt/gravel...but how much speed is involved there?
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I don't use mine much, but a little dab on tight u-turn, or holding on a hill...

When my Multi1200 rear brake was gone, it was literally gone. It couldn't achieve these basic tasks whatsoever.
 
xgambit said:
that is pretty bad :wow



can you guys change the caliper or something?
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It seems different dealers are trying different things, from new calipers to reverse bleeds with the caliper held above the reservoir, to pedal adjustments, to voodoo dolls. I've yet to hear anyone say anything has worked long term.
 
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