My MTS 1200S Test Ride Report

[DaleFranks]

I couldn't resist taking one of these out for a little ride. I didn't think I'd like it...Boy! Was I wrong. This may be the best motorcycle I've ever ridden. My full write-up is here: Linky

[R Doug]

 But I can say that for city streets or canyon-carving, Ducati has created a truly enjoyable, versatile motorcycle in the Multistrada. I would be perfectly happy to have this as a replacement for the FJR. This is about the best all-rounder I’ve ever ridden.

 Linky

Nice write up, thanks.

With the EXC in the garage now, I could see replacing the Adventure someday with the MTS.  

[GTS_Rider]

Damn brutha, are you auditioning for a moto-mag writer spot?  

Nice review.

I always go for the short script... "This is the best bike evah!, you should get one..."

p.s.

It 'does' have self-canceling signals, they just don't work in the 'real world'. I think I has some other mis-information come-backs, but I forgot about those...  

[Rincewind]

Nice review.  I liked it quite a bit on my test ride as well.

It's the first time I've read about the battery draining issue.  It seems a bit silly to have the bike always looking for the key-fob, when it only needs to look for it after you've pressed the button.

[GTS_Rider]

...It's the first time I've read about the battery draining issue.  It seems a bit silly to have the bike always looking for the key-fob, when it only needs to look for it after you've pressed the button.

Thanks Rincewind, you reminded me of more mis-info. In fact I just went out and started my bike after being parked for a couple weeks. It relates back to the position of the starter-cover switch, and if you leave it in the down position you may well be f'd in a couple of days. It is actually a switch mal-function, but I'm still able to fly. Ducati already admitted their f'up on the starter switch cover and sent a mass email to explain the battery drain...

[Rincewind]

Good to know that it's not a huge issue, GTS_Rider.  

[UFO]

Nice review.

Owners did get an email about the battery drain issue.  solution is to leave the starter switch cover in the up position.  I've not had a problem with it yet as it's always living on a Battery Tender in my garage (as all my bikes do).  

[Espada]

I have left my switch in the down position for several days and had no battery issues.  I don't like leaving it up because that exposes the starter button to additional elemental exposure.  Of course when I'm riding the switch is exposed to even more environmental effects.  So yeah... what am I talking aboot???

Oh yeah, as mentioned, the turn signals do actually self cancel, but you have to be doing < or equal to 45 mph for at least 0.3 miles before they self cancel.  Which is stupid, because as you now know, going slow on a Multistrada 1200 S is stupid  

Either way, great write up!  

[falconati]

Quick question for all MTS1200 owners: where is the battery located on this bike?  Please tell me it's under the seat...

[UFO]

Quick question for all MTS1200 owners: where is the battery located on this bike?  Please tell me it's under the seat...

Yes, right under the front seat, very easy to get to...unlike the FJR.

[Busa@11K]

Oh yeah, as mentioned, the turn signals do actually self cancel, but you have to be doing < or equal to 45 mph for at least 0.3 miles before they self cancel.  Which is stupid, because as you now know, going slow on a Multistrada 1200 S is stupid  

Don't know why they just can't make them self cancel off the odometer regardless of the speed .... just like Yamaha did in 1976, which works great !  

[DaleFranks]

Don't know why they just can't make them self cancel off the odometer regardless of the speed .... just like Yamaha did in 1976, which works great !  

Well, Yamaha might have done it in '76, but apparently they stopped before building my FJR  

[Castaway]

... it's always living on a Battery Tender in my garage (as all my bikes do).  

What is the reason for having a bike always on the tender? Do batteries live longer when continuously charged, or kept fully charged?

[Busa@11K]

What is the reason for having a bike always on the tender? Do batteries live longer when continuously charged, or kept fully charged?

Yes.  If you rode the bike all the time it wouldn't be necessary.  The key it to keep the voltage up on the battery so it doesn't sulfate.

[Busa@11K]

Well, Yamaha might have done it in '76, but apparently they stopped before building my FJR  

Guess it never caught on.  I don't know why the manufactures can't put self canceling turn signals on all bikes ... not rocket science technology.  We went to the moon with slide rules.  

[UFO]

What is the reason for having a bike always on the tender? Do batteries live longer when continuously charged, or kept fully charged?

Yes, and I have multiple vehicles so my bike isn't ridden every day, and I'm not fond of commuting to work in the winters in pitch black darkness, pouring rain, and 40 degrees   ...so it hibernates a lot during the winter.