Never owned a Duc, but thinking about a Multistrada...

[Shizoku]

Any input positive or negative that one should know about Ducs (service, reliabilty, etc)?
Thinking of a 2012 Mutistrada...everything I've read so far is uber positive.

Comments?

Thanks

[Kramer]

The sounds she makes are truly intoxicating.  Given the right set-up of course.

[garry]

Deforming plastic gas tanks (not covered under warranty)???

Are the Multis having this issue? I've just read about some Ducati models having issues and owners not happy with the factory response...

[GilaMonster]

Had an '06 Multi and loved it.  It was very reliable, BUT if you are planning to ride a lot of miles, service costs will break you.  That's because of cam belt adjust (6K-7.5K miles depending on year of the bike) and replacement (2 years or 12K-15K miles) due to desmodromic valves.  It's bad enough on 2 valve motors, but really expensive for 4 valve motors.  My recollection is around a grand for belt replacement on a 4 valve and about $600 for a 2 valve.

[GTS_Rider]

I got one of the first in California towards end of May 2010, wasted the rear tire in 1740 miles and changed it in a parking-lot (after much figuring out that I needed to remove the exhaust pipettes in order to remove the wheel).

I've had a couple electronics issues that seemed to clear themselves on their own...

Just ticking 20k on my 2010 version, which is my primary multi-day big-tour ride. Otherwise, it's mostly parked and I have other bikes for daily commute duties.

I will say this is my Ultimate touring machine for at least a couple more few years. When I purchased the Duc, I also had the Concours 14 , which in that time and space where I purchased the C-14, I also thought that would be the Ultimate ST-machine...

My trouble was, during the course of owning the C-14, I also had the V-Strom 1k. It was always a hard debate on which bike to take. I generally pick out major twisty bumpy goat trails along the course of a ride, which the V-strom shines, but then there's the connecting highways and/or deserted straights where I want to really wick up the speed. Eh, the V-Strom starts getting really sketchy on the front end @ around 140 indicated, which is 120 actual. The C-14 can bust the straights nearing actual 150, but it's not really set-up to deal with the bumpy goat-trails as well...

I sold the C-14 at at a major loss. But for me, and my style of riding and road picks, the MTS1200 is still my Ultimate ride thus far...

   



 

[Ack535]

I too like the Multistrada, but the maint. costs scare me. Plus I would have to travel 75 plus miles one way for service.

I am going to stick to my FJR for now. It's really hard to beat the reliability of a Japanese bike.

[SalsaShark]

I too was a Ducati virgin when I bought my Multi 1200s. Best bike I've owned by far. I sold my 1125R right after, my speed triple was gone the following summer. I've covered most of the western states on it and love it.

I had the typical electronics issues which have since been resolved. The deforming tanks were on the previous stradas, not the 1200s. I'm on my second set of tires, mainly due to some very long days on slab. The bike eats up the highway miles, is a kick in the ass in the twisties and does a fine job on dirt roads.

The  testastretta engine has 7500k service intervals, but I change my oil more often... cheap insurance. Major service intervals are 15000 for belts. I haven't reached that yet. My dealer quoted 1K, but I can't confirm this. I guess my thought with this is go in with open eyes. It's part of the cost of ownership. If you're so inclined, pick up a service manual and dig into it.

The pirelli tires are great for both dirt and twisties. I haven't found a "do all" replacement.

Don't let the ducati demons of the past dissuade you from your choices.

I don't regret it for an instant!


my obligatory happy trails pic... hello from Yellowstone...

[Shizoku]

I got one of the first in California towards end of May 2010, wasted the rear tire in 1740 miles and changed it in a parking-lot (after much figuring out that I needed to remove the exhaust pipettes in order to remove the wheel).

I've had a couple electronics issues that seemed to clear themselves on their own...

Just ticking 20k on my 2010 version, which is my primary multi-day big-tour ride. Otherwise, it's mostly parked and I have other bikes for daily commute duties.

I will say this is my Ultimate touring machine for at least a couple more few years. When I purchased the Duc, I also had the Concours 14 , which in that time and space where I purchased the C-14, I also thought that would be the Ultimate ST-machine...

My trouble was, during the course of owning the C-14, I also had the V-Strom 1k. It was always a hard debate on which bike to take. I generally pick out major twisty bumpy goat trails along the course of a ride, which the V-strom shines, but then there's the connecting highways and/or deserted straights where I want to really wick up the speed. Eh, the V-Strom starts getting really sketchy on the front end @ around 140 indicated, which is 120 actual. The C-14 can bust the straights nearing actual 150, but it's not really set-up to deal with the bumpy goat-trails as well...

I sold the C-14 at at a major loss. But for me, and my style of riding and road picks, the MTS1200 is still my Ultimate ride thus far...

GTS,
Would you happen to know the changes that have been made on the 2012 models vs the 2010?
Thanks,
Dave

PS...I think my son and I rode with you one time on a FAST 400 a number of years ago...fun ride!

[expatbrit]

GTS,
Would you happen to know the changes that have been made on the 2012 models vs the 2010?
Thanks,
Dave

PS...I think my son and I rode with you one time on a FAST 400 a number of years ago...fun ride!

Not GTS, nor do I play him on TV even, but another Ducati virgin MTS1200 owner. Also really enjoying the bike; I don't commute at all any more, so almost all my miles are of the fun variety and it ticked over 8k this weekend since I bought it in April.

My beauty shot, on the way IN to Grand Teton (amd then Yellowstone)


I think the largest change is the seat giving more room (though I don't feel the lack, and I'm tall). I hadn't seen anything on other updates -- though they may be incorporating the rear brake fix in it.

[atadaskew]

The  testastretta engine has 7500k service

I thought it was 15K miles on the MS 12.

http://www.multistrada.ducati.com/jspducatimultistrada/techspecs.jsp

[SalsaShark]

I thought it was 15K miles on the MS 12.

http://www.multistrada.ducati.com/jspducatimultistrada/techspecs.jsp

minor - 7500 (glorified oil change)
major - 15000 (belts)

[M.Brane]

 Change your own belts, and save big $$$$. It's not that hard for anyone who has reasonable mechanical skill, and the required audio equipment. Valve adjustments are not as bad as most think, but then again you need to be reasonably skilled in tedious mechanical procedures, and be able to keep track of what you're doing. No interruptions can be tolerated. The parts/tools can be bought for less than the cost of having someone do it for you once so if you do it twice you've paid for it, and learned a valuable skill.

 Don't think you can get away with being lax on the belt replacement. Very bad things ($$$$) can happen if a belt jumps a single tooth.

 I'd own one myself, but the price of admission is about $10K too rich for my budget.

[Mr Sunshine]

 Change your own belts, and save big $$$$. It's not that hard for anyone who has reasonable mechanical skill, and the required audio equipment. Valve adjustments are not as bad as most think, but then again you need to be reasonably skilled in tedious mechanical procedures, and be able to keep track of what you're doing. No interruptions can be tolerated. The parts/tools can be bought for less than the cost of having someone do it for you once so if you do it twice you've paid for it, and learned a valuable skill.

 Don't think you can get away with being lax on the belt replacement. Very bad things ($$$$) can happen if a belt jumps a single tooth.

 I'd own one myself, but the price of admission is about $10K too rich for my budget.

There is a need for a computer in these services so it makes it pretty difficult for the average shade tree to do the work.  The computer is not available unless you are an authorized Ducati shop.

[Mr. Whippy]

There is a need for a computer in these services so it makes it pretty difficult for the average shade tree to do the work.  The computer is not available unless you are an authorized Ducati shop.

Don't know if they make the chip/software for the new MTS, but technoresearch makes a tool that allows me to do all the necessary computer work on my 04 Multistrada.  Worth looking at the website I guess:


http://www.technoresearch.com/

[M.Brane]

There is a need for a computer in these services so it makes it pretty difficult for the average shade tree to do the work.  The computer is not available unless you are an authorized Ducati shop.

 Yeah you need a computer to run the audio app that measures the frequency of the belt resonance when you adjust the tension, but why else? Did they do some BS with the new ECU that it needs to be reset with some proprietary software you can't buy? In that case I take it back: I don't want a MTS1200.

[mugwump58]

What? The resonance of the belt.... ick

[M.Brane]

What? The resonance of the belt.... ick

 It's actually very accurate, and pretty simple for an audio guy like myself. 110hz for a Desmoquattro IIRC.

[Mr Sunshine]

Don't know if they make the chip/software for the new MTS, but technoresearch makes a tool that allows me to do all the necessary computer work on my 04 Multistrada.  Worth looking at the website I guess:


http://www.technoresearch.com/

Yes they change to a Mitsubushi ECU which doesn't have the support which your ECU does.

[Mr Sunshine]

 Yeah you need a computer to run the audio app that measures the frequency of the belt resonance when you adjust the tension, but why else? Did they do some BS with the new ECU that it needs to be reset with some proprietary software you can't buy? In that case I take it back: I don't want a MTS1200.

Yes they did....and there are more than 1 ECU...something like 6 in the bike.

Setting up the belts and doing the valves is just work that can be accomplished with hand tools.  Fiddeling with the locked down electronics isn't possible without the right expensive tool.

[mugwump58]

 It's actually very accurate, and pretty simple for an audio guy like myself. 110hz for a Desmoquattro IIRC.