2004 Multistrada 1000

[BlueRidgeKat]

Found one of these for $4800 and 17k miles on it. Always wanted a Italian and it seems to be a pretty good deal. Looks great. Would just use it to commute some and scratch around the local area and would continue to use the Tiger for the long hauls.

So who has one and whats the good the bad and the ugly ??

[darkstarmoto]

I'm in the market for one as well....lots of good info on http://multistrada.net.

[falconati]

If you've looked at one, you should know what the ugly is  

[Emerson00]

Funny face, I think, but the rest is damn good looking <- having owned an '04 as well as my current '06.

Having sold the '04 (other reasons), when it came time to buy another motorcycle I did not expect to buy another Multi - I figured I'd find something else, just different/new. I ended up on another Multi, go figure. That says how much I like them.

The bad/ugly on an '04...
Valve guides can go bad. My '04 was fine through 15k miles, so not all suffer this. If you do most of the work yourself to remove the heads, the fix is +/-$350
The seats on the originals wasn't known for comfort on anything other than back roads (if you're moving around it was ideal... highways were painful).
The original kick stands AND mirror stalks were accepted as being too short. The kick stand could be replaced by dealers as a warranty/recall item. The mirror stalks can be replaced for ~$30 aftermarket.
I've heard of issues with the instrument panels being wacky if they get too wet, but I still hose mine off when I wash the bike (admittedly a rare event).
If you buy one without the red key and code card, beware - the computer is expensive ($1200 IIRC?) and w/o the card/red key there are some things that can't be done without replacement.

Wonderful machine, incredible engine, and there are reports (see Multistrada.net) of people racking up respectable miles on them (well over 100k miles) largely trouble free. That model held (holds?) the Prudhoe Bay- Key West record.

[spd2918]

Did anyone make a fairing replacement for this bike (a different style)?

[Emerson00]

I don't think I've seen a replacement fairing, aftermarket or redesigned.

[Mr. Whippy]

Emerson and I are of like mind.  I have an 04 and just did the valve guides.  Basically painless process unless you're an idiot (like I was  ) working carefully, it's a basic bolt off/bolt on process.

Only other thing is gas tank swelling.  Ducati is replacing them under warranty, but you might want to coat the new tank.  I used Caswell's.  I had the new tank off the bike for 6 months (don't ask...) and it slipped on easy as pie--no swelling.

I plan on keeping my Multi for a LONG time.  Just a super fun bike.

[Emerson00]

Ooooh yeah the tank swelling!

OK my '06 had that, too. Also reminded me the tank filling breather valves can be a little wacky.

HONEST, though they're great bikes, LOL They're just very Italiano... I was just laughing "f-ing Italian engineers" this morning when the breather hesitated on filling up, then spewed a la a micro geyser of fuel. As I poured water over the tank and wiped it off "friggin' Italian engineers"  

I'll have to look into the Caswell treatment over at multistrada.net though

[Emerson00]

I promise to stop post-hoing on this thread.

That said I feel I ought to clarify something rather important: Although the engineering oddities (we call it "character") on the bike to prompt me to mutter "friggin' Italian engineers" as though it's a negative; while riding the bike I often say the same thing "Frigging Italian engineers!" with a huge smile on my face and with no small amount of appreciation.

Me and my Multi were in the groove on some back roads locally last night and

[MK96xj]

I have the 620 and I almost did not buy it when I first looked at it. As you know I came off a Kawi ZZR 600 I4. The Multi L2 was just wierd to me and on multiple test rides really had me seconded guessing my thoughts on buying it.

Since I bought it the ZZR did not get riden and is now up for sale.

The Multi is just a rediculous fun bike to ride and handles very well. I ride the wheels off this thing every chance I get.

Oh, by the way, a Wolfman Enduro bag fits nicely on the tank.  

[Mr. Whippy]

I have the 620 and I almost did not buy it when I first looked at it. As you know I came off a Kawi ZZR 600 I4. The Multi L2 was just wierd to me and on multiple test rides really had me seconded guessing my thoughts on buying it.

Since I bought it the ZZR did not get riden and is now up for sale.

The Multi is just a rediculous fun bike to ride and handles very well. I ride the wheels off this thing every chance I get.

Oh, by the way, a Wokfman Enduro bag fits nicely on the tank.  

I also use a Wolfman Enduro bag on my Multi.  Great, expandable tankbag.