Four years with a Multistrada.

[3B43]

Heh SJUELS, my MTS looks like that every February. Yes, compared to my 2V 1100S, it is a PIA to work on, especially the time to get to the vert cylinder, but....it sure is FUN to ride!

 

[NorCalBusa]

The Desmo service sure does sting something awful tho.

"Other......$5.00" <----now that's adding insult to injury if ever there was, what the heck were they thinking?

 

[PrincessFalafal]

"Other......$5.00" <----now that's adding insult to injury if ever there was, what the heck were they thinking?

I think that's the California state required oil disposal fee?

Or they're just being Italian and finding just one more thing to smack me about with.

 

[strictlyJDM]

Id love to hear more about these 100k+ Multis,

Please tell me more

Im thinking of going multi from 1100 evo sp.

 

[3B43]

Well, as of Friday, my ‘12 has 106,123 miles. I did 18,000+ miles last year, but only 8,000 in ‘18 due to an ‘off’ on Hwy 36....which took me 3 months to repair and by that time it was the end of October. I’ve had very few problems with her (mention in my previous post) and have done the last 5 services. I’ve run 5 different oils in her, but been running Amsoil for the last 70,000+ miles simply because the UOA’s were better then other oils (actually Motul and Amsoil UOA’s were identical, but the bike shifts much better with Amsoil) and change it every 5000 miles, again, because of what the UOA’s were telling me. The last UOA, at 103,000+, was ‘perfect’ according to Blackstone.

I’ve thought about buying a newer/new DVT, but am hearing working on them is a nightmare. Hmmm....not sure what I’m gonna do. Plus, my ‘07 1100S ‘project’ bike is up and running, so it’ll be saving me putting miles on my ‘12. Yes, I’ve ridden other bikes, but nothing ‘feels’ like the MTS.

 

[sckego]

Id love to hear more about these 100k+ Multis,

Please tell me more

Im thinking of going multi from 1100 evo sp.

Close to 100k (km)... the fuel level sensor just went out for the second time. Had a pinched wire that disabled the front wheel speed sensor, which knocked out ABS. Wireless key sometimes doesn't register and I need to put in the code manually.

However, it still rips 100%, all the electronic suspension adjustment still works, never had any major electrical or mechanical issues.

Unlike my VFR and FZ1, it's never left me stranded on the side of the road (whooo Japanese reliability)! People like to rag on 'em for Italian quality, but I'd buy another, no problem.

 

[3B43]

Hmmm....my prior bike, an ‘08 FZ1, I sold to a friend when I bought my MTS and he’s had some issues. He’s had two coils ‘pop’ and lost the ECU. Related? Probably, but his ECU melting down was a big issue.

 

[budman]

Close to 100k (km)... the fuel level sensor just went out for the second time. Had a pinched wire that disabled the front wheel speed sensor, which knocked out ABS. Wireless key sometimes doesn't register and I need to put in the code manually.

You brought up two points that I have noted as well.

My fuel sensor went out too. It happened right before my 17.5K service and was fixed then. I had just left the Ducati shop for a final piece back together after I got the wiring harness bullshit fixed. (the shop said I needed a new harness and it was about 5K to get it done - all I needed was a new kill switch assembly and to push a broken pin out of the kill switch = $189 and a PIA figuring it out) Anyway... The sensor went off on the way home. I thought to myself I know have gas. I still went to top it off and sure enough plenty of gas. I called the shop saying I just left

The Ducati shop without even looking at the bike said I needed a new fuel pump and asked if I wanted to order one?

My key sometimes does not sense either. It happened Sunday. I have used the code before, but also just pull it out of my pocket and hold it close to the dash board... that worked and off I went.

 

[bikeama]

I had to use the code one time to start mine. Put new batteries in the fob and all was good.

 

[budman]

I am due for batteries...

I assume you did not by from Ducati??

 

[Gary856]

People worry about Italian/Ducati bike electronics/reliability, but I'm more worried about late model BMWs. I've been thinking about getting a S1000XR and its electronics/sub-systems reliability worry me; they're too complicated...

I am due for batteries...

I assume you did not by from Ducati??

It's just a normal button battery (CR2032) for my '13's key fob. Check YouTube for how to pop open up the key fob and get the battery out.

 

[bikeama]

People worry about Italian/Ducati bike electronics/reliability, but I'm more worried about late model BMWs. I've been thinking about getting a S1000XR and its electronics/sub-systems reliability worry me; they're too complicated...




It's just a normal button battery (CR2032) for my '13's key fob. Check YouTube for how to pop open up the key fob and get the battery out.

Yep, I put in Duracells you need 2 batteries.

 

[budman]

Thanks boys.

 

[bikeama]

I did a short 60-mile ride through the foothills with the wife this afternoon. XR worked well with two up. The wife said I went too fast so all is good.

 

[PrincessFalafal]

Id love to hear more about these 100k+ Multis,

I've only got 26k miles on my 2016 Pikes Peak (pictures on page 2), but you can read some of my thoughts here: https://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=536295 and after a year of ownership here: https://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=541741

For the DVT Multis (2015+ 1200cc), there's no avoiding the Desmo 18k mile valve/belt service and it's one of the most expensive on any Ducati; only the 1299 is worse. It takes nine hours of book time (assuming you're a factory trained mechanic who's done it before), and requires $700 worth of specialty tools. If you're taking it to the dealer it starts at $1,700 and most independent shops I found weren't much less.

If you're buying the bike new or used from a dealer there is a pre-paid maintenance plan you can buy that will reduce the costs, but it only makes sense if you know you're going to do a lot of miles.

There's a few well-known flaws on the bike; The fuel level sensor will fail, repeatedly. The rear brake kinda sucks and is a pain in the ass to bleed. The keyless ignition occasionally won't sense the key. The 1200 engines have a flat spot in the torque curve right at 5,000rpm (fixed in the 1260). The placement of some of the buttons is stupid (especially the heated grip button). And did I mention how much of a pain in the ass the maintenance is?

That being said, major failures seem to be pretty rare; it's not a famous basket case like the 821 Hypermotard. I still bought an extended warranty on mine, and it did pay for the failed fuel level sensor.

If you're going to compare it to similar bikes, I think the closes compeditor is KTM's 1290 Super Enduro. The KTM has a better engine and slightly more off-pavement capabilities, but the Multistrada has much better suspension and brakes and is a brilliant machine on the pavement.

I stretched my budget and nearly bankrupted myself to buy my Multistrada, and I haven't regretted it for a second. It's just awesome, a delightfully batshit machine that makes me smile every time I even look at it. It's that good.

 

[3B43]

I forgot to mention my key fob working/not working after about 50,000 miles. Sometimes replacing the battery works, sometimes not. It’s like the fob has a mind of its own.....gotta....

 

[budman]

I did a short 60-mile ride through the foothills with the wife this afternoon. XR worked well with two up. The wife said I went too fast so all is good.

 

[Sportbiker]

Just so I don't have withdrawals on spending money.

Congratulations on the new bike!!!

 

[Hooli]

I'm going to take a page from Budman's book and reply similarly.

But before I do, I suggest to you Desmo owners who find dealerships bending you over for maintenance to suggest you book your next appointment with Advanced Cycle Services in San Jose. Unless Jim had to raise his rates lately, he routinely charges much less than the stealerships. And no I didn't get paid a damn cent to say that.

ANYWAYS...

Thoughts on almost 4 years with a Multistrada.

• Riding the Ducati always put a smile on my face.
  
  I bought my 2013 "S" new @ Munroe in SF in 2014. Loved the bike's comfort, wonderful engine torque & carrying capacity. Now, your first statement is 100% true when the planets are in alignment. I loved the overall comfort, wonderfully torquey engine and the bike's carrying capacity (I had a 2013 "S" model which came with sidecases. I added a Givi 46-liter topcase shortly afterwards).
  
  
• It will be a motorcycle I will have good memories of riding.
  
  Good memories indeed!
  I bought it mainly for commute duty, but it did go on a couple of BARF rallies and did some backroad work in the Santa Cruz mountains with no complaints. No trackdays on it, though I did see a couple at Thunderhill.
  
  
• The best electronics for adjustment of any motorcycle I have owned.
  
  If you were lucky to own an Ohlins-equipped model, that suspension was amazing. However, Ducati replaced that sweet Swedish gold with Sachs which, IMHO anyway, was subpar in performance, and good luck getting that rear shock rebuilt. My bike suffered the infamous front-end clunk (even after getting the active fork leg replaced under warranty) & it went through 3 sets of fork seals. Other electronic gremlins included eating 3 fuel level sensors and a key fob that only seemed to work when it wanted to, even after replacing its battery. There were tales of owners who couldn't unlock the steering and/or the optional electronic fuel filler cap. Seriously, who thought this was a good idea?
  
  
• In the shop more than any motorcycle I have owned.
  
  Mine seemed to be fairly reliable, but the overall build quality felt poorer than a typical Japanese bike of that time period. I know mechanics gritting their teeth when a Multistrada rolled up for a service. I've been told that it took like half a day to strip the bodywork just to get to the valve train.
  
  
• I would not want to own without an extended warranty.
  
  Extended warranty is highly recommended.
  
  
• Normal maintenance costs were more than any motorcycle I have owned.
  
  Depends on who you go to. For a basic valve adjustment and tune-up (parts included), I paid well under a grand. Jim usually charged me in the $750~$850 range) He had to keep the bike longer but that was perfectly fine by me.
  
  
• Ducatis in the area are bargains used, low resale value.
  
  Mine had just over 60k miles when I sold it for $4900.
  
  
• The Desmo service cost is so high I made a financial decision to sell. Spend $2K to keep another year and have a motorcycle worth $2K less than it is worth now. With the upcoming V4 may be worth even less.
  
  See above.
  
  
• The engine light came and went without saving a code.
  
  Never had an engine problem per se but along with the fuel level sensors the rear suspension sensor and the front ABS sensor went out and had to be replaced.
  
  
• First motorcycle ever that I thought about trading in. Wow, low trade-in $6,500 high just under $10,000. I guess that is why some people call then stealers.
  
  I just figured that I was happy with getting as much seat time as I did out of it without actually being stranded somewhere.
  
  
• I will always be glad I rode one for 4 years.
  
  Me too, but would I buy another? Nope. The Eurobike experiment is over.
  

As a side note, I really did like the ease of pulling the rear wheel for tire changes. Remove the exhaust tips (I was running the stock pipe) and put plenty of elbow grease undoing that huge center nut. Wheel comes right off, rear brake rotor and sprocket remain on the swingarm. Brilliant, and the centerstand makes it a cakewalk.

 

[Gary856]

As a side note, I really did like the ease of pulling the rear wheel for tire changes. Remove the exhaust tips (I was running the stock pipe) and put plenty of elbow grease undoing that huge center nut. Wheel comes right off, rear brake rotor and sprocket remain on the swingarm. Brilliant, and the centerstand makes it a cakewalk.

Isn't it like that with all single-sided swingarms? On a GS it's just five lug nuts and the rear wheel comes off like a car wheel. I thought it's dumb on the Multi that the exhaust tips had to be removed first to clear the rear wheel.

I don't know if other Multi owners noticed this. Last week I washed my Multi, rode it around the block and put the bike on rear stand to lube the chain. As I rotated to rear tire/chain I was puzzled to feel one fairly hot spot on the right side of the tire. Turned out the catalytic converter merely inches in front of the rear tire radiated enough heat to a parked tire to do that.