Need input from Multistrada 620 riders....

[JNUNZMAN]

I'm currently riding a 2004 BMW R1150R. Approx 85 hp, weighs around 525 with fuel. I have a craving for a new bike and looking at the economics of a trade in, have an interest in a Multistrada 620 leftover.
I ride about 6000 mi a year and do the bulk of my riding on the winding county roads of Pennsylvania and will take 1 long 1500 mile trip per year.
I ride solo 99.9 percent of the time.
I like the idea of a lighter nimbler bike, but will the power of the 620 be enough for me? It's 20 hp less and about a hundred pounds lighter. I mean, the BMW isn't slow by any means, but is the power enough?
Your input is greatly appreciated. By the way, I'm 5 ft 10 and weigh 185.

[Thor]

I'm 5'10", 220.  I rode a 620 and a 1000 back to back last year.  You have to ride one and see what you think.

For me, the 620 didn't have anywhere near enough power, but I normally ride a bike with 130hp and 65ft lbs. at the wheel; it's hard to say.  If you mainly ride by yourself, it may not bother you.  If you ride with other people, you may find it irritating when everyone else has significantly more power than you.

What does the 620 have, about 63hp and 41ftlbs at the crank?  Your current bike has about 85hp and 70 ftlbs at the crank?  It's the torque that will make the most difference for normal street riding.

[Rincewind]

Your question is really quite subjective.  I have test ridden a MTS620 twice.  The first time, I was not very impressed with the power; however, after the second time I nearly bought one.  The power is adequate, and the bike is quite fun.  My current ride (900cc lc triple) makes about 69hp and 52ft/lb torque - it's got slightly more umph, but not by very much.  I agree with Thor that if you are riding with a group of sportbikers you may feel underpowered if they are going balls out fast.  But if the pace is moderate/quick ST pace, I think a MTS620 would keep with the pack just fine.  In fact, its nimble handling may allow you to carry more corner speed vs. your current R bike.

I'm from PA, too, and I think it would be lots of fun for our backroads.  I think it may feel underpowered only when you're going up a mountain or passing cars quickly.  (Part of me still feels like buying a leftover.)

[sagerat]

Not a perfect comparo, but I ride an '04 GS and have done several test rides on a 620 and one of my riding buddies has a 620.  They are very flickable and there's more than enough power to keep you entertained.  Plus with aftermarket pipes the Multi sounds  

I'm just a tad too long 6'1" with 34" inseam to be comfy on the Multi.  Which is a shame as I really wanted to get one.  

[Nny]

I just got my multi 620 and haven't ridden it much yet, but you might find this article helpful:  It's a comparison between the Multistrada 620 and a Suzuki GSX-R 1000.

My riding experience so far has been mostly on an F650GS and a Kawi Z750s.  The Multi feels much lighter than the F, the sound is much better, and the engine seems like it is working much less to maintain the same speeds.  I haven't tested the acceleration much yet though.  It certainly is down on power from the Z750s (which has an awesome, torquey, yet sewing machine like sounding motor on it), but it just feels like you have to twist the throttle a bit more to get there.  I can't wait to take it into the twisties.

[GilaMonster]

I ride both an '06 MTS 620 (63 hp, 41 ft lbs), and an '04 K1200GT (130 hp, 86 ft lbs).  I also had an '05 Z750S.  The MTS clearly has less power than either of the other two.  However, at speeds approaching reasonable riding (< 80mph), it has plenty of zip to stay  up with anyone I ride with.  It absolutely out handles either the K or the Z at corner entry speeds of less than 55 mph and has plenty of acceleration out of the turn.  The MTS is incredibly flickable and predictable.  I generally enter turns 15-20 mph faster than the other bikes.  The only significant difference is passing on a two lane road from a 70 mph roll-on.  You do need to do a bit more planning even though it will go in excess of 100 mph.

I'd recommend it if you like tigher twisties.  While I have done 500 mile days, I don't thing I would want to do them sequentially.  I'd also reconsider if you plan to ride two up on a common basis.

Oh, and I am 6'1" at 230+

[PhilBiker]

I'm starting to think of replacing my old bike in a year or two, and the Multistrada 620 is on my list if intriguing bikes.  How is maintenance?  Are the valve adjustments too expensive and often?  I hate the 7500 adjustment interval on my GPZ.  I don't think I need nearly as much power as I have, I never twist the go lever very far.  I mostly commute now, with the occasional bikepacking trip thrown in.  Thinking about a sexy Ducati as a midlife crisis mobile to replace my sensible Kawasaki.

[marc11]

If you hate the 7500 mile adjustments on your GPZ the you are gonna hate the 7500 mile adjustments on the MTS 620.  It is not expensive however and a DIY job if you have the basic tools and skills available, in fact a member "Hulked Up' posted a step by step how to a while back here.

[dangle]

I have an observation/question for Multistrada riders. I tested an 1100s and really liked the bike. As soon as I was in the saddle I noticed how close the handlebars were to me. I'm bout 6'4" 32 inseam. It seems there is very little room to move the handlebars farther away and would interfer with the fairing. Also it would be nice to have the pegs dropped an inch or so. I also tested the new Triumph Tiger and was wowed by the comfort and power. It just felt larger and a little less nimble than the Multi. I sorta preferred the Multi but comfort factors will take precidence in the end.

[Hulked Up]

I've been riding my wife's 620 Monster for several years and for the type of riding you're describing it sounds like you would be satisfied with the power.  If you like going balls-to-the-wall it's not going to be for you, but that doesn't sound like the type of riding you'd be doing.

The 620 makes very good power in the reasonable range of speed and rpm's.  It'll cruise effortlessly on the highway at 80mph and return almost 60mpg doing it.  It starts to run out of steam about 90 and you'll be done by 100mph.  It's very good in the twisties, but you've got to be watch your shifts.  It needs to be revved to really make it go (like any 600) and if you're in the wrong gear coming out of a turn you'll bog it down.

The 620 is a very good engine - I see no weaknesses with it.  Motorcycle Consumer News recently said they preferred that engine over the new 695.

Check out my website if you are curious about the maintenance requirements of a Ducati.  It's not difficult to check/adjust the valves and even easier to change the belts.  In fact when I eventually retire my VFR I'm going to look strongly at a Multistrada primarily because I can do all my own maintenance and save quite a bit off the Japanese brands.  And I'm not a mechanic by any means.

[ctfz1]

Ride before buy, is very different.  

[st ryder]

Check out my website if you are curious about the maintenance requirements of a Ducati.  It's not difficult to check/adjust the valves and even easier to change the belts.  In fact when I eventually retire my VFR I'm going to look strongly at a Multistrada primarily because I can do all my own maintenance and save quite a bit off the Japanese brands.  And I'm not a mechanic by any means.

OH MY GOD!!!! Stop the presses, call out the national guard, button down the hatches, lockup you daughters!! How can the world as we now know it ever be the same??!! Can we survive such a flagrantly paradigm busting statement??!! A Ducati easier and cheaper to maintain than a Japanese bike??!! I need a Quaalude or something, I'm so dizzy after reading that. I was so comfortable accepting the natural order of the universe, that a Ducati costs more to maintain. Why God why?!!

[ferenc]

i'm also in the market for another bike, and came across this a bit dated, but puzzling:
http://www.ducati-upnorth.com/images/review/mcn%20mtstest.pdf
the text panned it, but the overall rating beat out all the others.
explanation sought,
ferenc