Demo'd a Multistrada today...

[SWriverstone]

We went down to Duc Pond Motorsports demo day today. Good turnout—lots of people showing up to ride bikes; the local radio station was there; Donnie, his wife and kids were there; free hotdogs and drinks!  

Demo rides were well-coordinated, with Jason leading and another guy (can't remember his name) riding sweep—the only rule was stay between them. I hopped on a Multistrada 620 (I think I got the number right?), and was really eager to try it out after hearing so many positive reviews about it!

The engine was typical-Ducati-great, throttle response was slightly twitchy but nothing annoying. The bike felt incredibly light and flickable—far more so than just about any other bike I've ridden except the KLR (in terms of lightness).

Our demo ride was a little short, and I would love to have taken it through some twisties...but I had to settle for a few miles of city streets, followed by a 2-3 mile stint on the interstate (where I got it in 6th and up to 75mph or so), then back to the shop on city streets. Maybe 10-15 minutes total, but hey—I'm glad I got to ride it at all!

I really wanted to love the Multi. Donnie is such a GREAT guy and GREAT dealer I was hoping I'd fall in love with the Multi and decide to buy one from him. Sadly, the ergs felt all wrong for me. Simpy put, I just felt too big on the bike. Specifically, I disliked how close (in terms of seating position) I was to the handlebars. I just felt a little too scrunched-up all around. My KLR and the V-Strom 650 both have much more relaxed ergonomics, with slightly wider grips (much wider on the KLR) and arms less bent at the elbows than the Multistrada. BTW, I'm 6'0 tall and 220lbs. I know other people my height ride these bikes, but I just wasn't comfortable—I kept wanting to push myself back away from the handlebars...but I couldn't because of the seat, which has a very defined "shelf" between the pilot & pillion positions.

The bike felt like it had plenty of power—no issue there at all. Shifting was smooth...though one other thing annoyed me (and I'm not sure if this is normal on a Multi?)...the friction zone on the clutch—going from stopped to moving in 1st—was really grabby. It might be that I'm just not accustomed to it, but it irritated me and caused a few "lurchy" starts. Maybe I just suck...but I never had a issue with the ST3's clutch (nor the 748's)...so this one was definitely different from those.

So all in all, a great bike, looks awesome, sounds awesome, rides great...but it's just too darn small for me! If I were 6" shorter (with proportionately shorter arms and legs) I thinkthis bike would RULE! So for me, the Wee is still my top choice!

Scott

[ZED]

Thanks for posting your observations.  It's nice to have someone actually post their height when discussing ergonomics, windshields, etc.  Most people don't so we can't compare.  I'm 6'2" and felt the Multi to be a bit on the small side when I sat on one.  I won't bother test riding one now.

Monday I take my test ride of the ST3! Two more sleeps.

Also, I'm curious on your search for a new bike.  I see you have a VFR (held hostage still?) and a KLR.  What more could you want?

[garry]

You need to demo an 1100cc Multistrada, not the 620. Better everything. The 620 is an entry level/budget bike to give people a cheap way to own a Duc, much like the entry level Monster.

[SWriverstone]

I'm sure the 1100 is nicer Garry...but the guys at the shop said the ergonomics (seat height, handlebar position, etc.) are identical between both bikes...so if that's true, I'd still feel like the 1100 is too small for me.

I've been spoiled riding my KLR with a Corbin flat seat—because with 2 feet of seat for me to slide back/forward on...and 3 different sets of footpegs (highway, normal, passenger, which I use a lot) the range of possible riding positions is tremendous—I literally never get tired or sore on it.

Scott

[SWriverstone]

Also, I'm curious on your search for a new bike.  I see you have a VFR (held hostage still?) and a KLR.  What more could you want?

LOL, yeah—I thought the same thing ZED. I love the VFR...but after 16K miles I realized the leaned-forward riding position—even moderated such as on a VFR—just isn't for me. I simply get too uncomfortable after 250-300 miles on it. The KLR, on the other hand, is SUPER comfy for me, I can ride it 15 hours straight and feel great. So I decided I wanted the upright riding position of the KLR (zero weight on my hands) in a smoother, more powerful bike.

So far, it's the V-Strom 650 for me—exactly what I'm looking for, and is awesome to ride (again, for me).

Scott

PS - No, the VFR isn't being held hostage anymore. I pick it up Monday!  

[ZED]

LOL, yeah—I thought the same thing ZED. I love the VFR...but after 16K miles I realized the leaned-forward riding position—even moderated such as on a VFR—just isn't for me. I simply get too uncomfortable after 250-300 miles on it. The KLR, on the other hand, is SUPER comfy for me, I can ride it 15 hours straight and feel great. So I decided I wanted the upright riding position of the KLR (zero weight on my hands) in a smoother, more powerful bike.
...

Yeah the KLR does offer a lot of "room to move".   I find the vibration of the thumper to be a bit annoying on the hands after a while.  I put about 12k on it last year, but prefer my Z1000 for highway trips that don't involve more than a couple of miles of gravel. 

As another option, any of the nakeds tend to have a more upright riding position somewhere between the KLR and the sport bike.  The only problem with a naked is, well, it's naked.   Not much wind protection in foul weather.

Good luck on your choice.  We'll expect a full and detailed review if you get the V-Strom.
 

[cliffst]

The seating position of the multi is definitely different - more dirt bike like. It's actually very comfortable once you adapt to it. I am going to change out my bars to something flatter though to put them a little lower and further away. Some people actually put clip-ons on them.

[SWriverstone]

I was able to cut down in the vibes of the KLR a lot with two mods:
• replacement grips (ProGrips 714s, I think—a little beefier)
• a BB "snake" through the handlebars (PVC tube run through the bars...then filled with BBs)

These two mods made a big difference in vibes felt at the grips...though at high speeds the vibes make my butt itch sometimes.  

Scott

PS - I already test rode a Wee—if you haven't read it, check out my review here:
http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,9970.msg224416.html#msg224416

[ZED]

The seating position of the multi is definitely different - more dirt bike like. It's actually very comfortable once you adapt to it. I am going to change out my bars to something flatter though to put them a little lower and further away. Some people actually put clip-ons on them.

Yes, a bar change can make a huge difference.  I put a straighter, lower bar than stock on my KLR and it's given me a nicer, slightly more forward riding position.  I also found the change helped my lower back not be sore on long days.

[SWriverstone]

Yes, a bar change can make a huge difference.  I put a straighter, lower bar than stock on my KLR and it's given me a nicer, slightly more forward riding position.  I also found the change helped my lower back not be sore on long days.

LOL—just goes to show how different people are (and how subjective riding positions are). I actually put 1" bar risers on my KLR to make my riding position even *more* upright! (Although I still scoot my butt back and lean forward for "high speed" interstate travel.)

Scott

[dangle]

I understand your criticism bout the close handlebars. The handlebar to bellybutton distance was way to close for me too. A little cramped in the legroom also. Otherwise the Multi rocks. Now if only Ducati made the Multi in size XL.

[SWriverstone]

Yep. I bet a lot of motorcycle manufacturers would be surprised at how popular size variations on a given model would be. Bicycles are not one-size-fits-all...so I've often wondered why motorcycles are expected to be!

I'm certain the Multistrada was designed with "Italian height" in mind. If you've ever been to Italy, you know that Italian males are not exactly "towering" (no offense intended to Italians!).

Scott

[atypical1]

The Multi is not really a "laid back" type of motorcycle in the same vein as other upright bikes. Because of its sporty nature you might feel a bit cramped on her.

Have you tried the new Tiger? It looks to be somewhat more comfy than the Multi does but it sounds like you have already made up your mind on the Wee.

good luck with whatever you choose!
james

[timatwood]

Wow, some of you guys sure are spoiled by KLRs and the like. I can't believe a 6' person is complaining about the legroom, the bar reach or how far you can move around on the seat. I take it you've never ridden a sportbike?

The multi has tons of legroom (more than an R11RT). The seat height is about 2" taller than most regular bikes, and the narrow frame allows pretty low pegs. The only problems with the pegs are that they are a bit too far forward and the passenger peg mounts stick out too far due to the thickness of the swingarm.

The handlebars are somewhat of a poor compromise, much too straight for street riding but also about 2" too low to allow standing comfortably on the pegs like a dirtbike. I reangled mine with more downward curve and more sweep angle since I don't really care about standing up on it. I'm 6'1", BTW.

The '03-'04 seat was not padded enough and angled down too much, but the '05 onward seat is pretty good. I customized my '04 seat to be more like that, but with confor foam. It is still flat, so I sit forward for sportriding and commuting and then slide back 2" right to the back edge of the seat to get a decent forward lean into the wind for highway riding. The normal riding position is just shy of bolt upright for me.

If you've never ridden the multi, try it before you decide its too small. By no means was it designed for Italian height, whatever that means. If you're under 5'10", you won't be able to flat foot it.

[SWriverstone]

If you've never ridden the multi, try it before you decide its too small. By no means was it designed for Italian height, whatever that means. If you're under 5'10", you won't be able to flat foot it.

I tried it—it's too small.   And you're right—I have been spoiled by my KLR! I also have a VFR and learned to ride on a Ducati 748, so I'm familiar with the sportbike riding position...which is why I don't want another sportbike! (And yes, the Multistrada is better than a sportbike.)

I think people who've never ridden a KLR (esp. wth a Corbin flat seat) are missing out on the joys of having a bike with about 8 completely different riding positions. On a long trip, variability is awesome!  

Maybe I'm jst turning into an old fart...but I want a bike that has good performance while being all-day comfortable, period. I've been a whitewater slalom racer for 15 years, and I paddle a boat called a C-1. My point is that it's the fastest, lightest, most high-performance canoe on the planet...and you sit on your knees in it! It's uncomfortable as hell (I can barely walk after paddling it for a few hours), but I've put up with it for years because the thing performs so incredibly well on water.

I've decided I don't want to do that on a motorcycle!  

Scott

[kendenton]

I'm 6' as well, but weigh....less  

The Multi's seating position is a little different than most others - you feel like you sit very close to the bars, very up-front.  I found it natural from the get-go, but others have posted it took them a while.  One of the benefits is that there's virtually nothing in your field of vision as you ride except the road.  The Tiger, on the other hand, has the screen and clocks very far forward and always in your sights.  

The 1100's ergos are only slightly different in that it's a bit taller.  Once you're underway you won't notice anything different as far as seating position goes.  Well, you might be sitting a little lower because you won't have that extra $4500 the 1100 cost you over the 620  

You're right about the friction zone of the clutch - only the first 1/8" of travel seems to do anything.  No need to pull the lever back all the way, or even halfway.  At Americade I demo'd a H-D Sportster that had the exact opposite scenario - pull the clutch all the way in, and then it grabs in the first millimeter you let it out.  Also took a while to get used to.

Compounding the clutch issue is the tall gearing - something I'm told Ducati's are known for.  My 620 Multi isn't happy at anything less than 10mph with the clutch out, so stop-and-go traffic is a chore.  Easily fixed with a front-sprocket swap I hear (14 tooth instead of the stock 15-tooth).

[timatwood]

Have you tried the KTM 950 adv? Its a lot more dirtbike-like than the multi. Taller seat (especially the S model), taller bars, and you can move as far back as you like. I puttered around on a friend's and it was fun, though it would take a lot of getting used to before I would feel comfortable hussling it down a twisty road.

[sagerat]

Scott,
I'm 6'1" with 33" inseam and my first two rides on a 620 I did feel like Gulliver.  My GS has much more legroom.  But my last 620 ride that little Duc felt OK, although it does feel to me like my chin is sticking out over the front tire.

The Wee Strom I test rode fit like a glove, though.  Mmmm, Wee Strom...