Ducati ST or Multistrada

[tpr]

Hi

Need some advice.
I have possibility to fulfill long-term dream and buy the Ducati.
Only thing I cannot decide which model it should be ST or Multistrada. I can't enable the brand new bike to myself so I'd stick for used MTS 620 or slightly more used ST.
Which one should I prefere?

Thanking in advance

[tpr]

Mainly everyday commuting ca 2x30 km on highway + longer trips during summer vacation.
Longer trips with luggage and passenger.

[GilaMonster]

While I have done 500 miles days on my MTS 620, I don't think I would want to do them sequentially.  The ST would probably give you more wind protection.

IMHO, iffn you are planning to ride any two up, go the 1000 (or 1100).  The 620 is great one up, but I would guess it would labor with the additional weight.  YRMV

[atypical1]

+ 1 on the 1k MTS or the ST for longer high speed trips.

I have the MTS 1k and love it for the riding that I do which is mostly canyon stuff and some longish tours (longest on her is 2k miles) solo and some smaller (500 miles or less) weekend trips two up. My disclaimer is that all of my touring is back road stuff because there just isn't much wind protection provided. If you were going to do a lot of slab work then I would choose the ST. I don't think you can go wrong either way.

[marc11]

If the MTS 1100S came with ABS it would be hard for me not to trade in my ST4s on it.  There is just something about that bike in black that call to me.

[Nugroho]

Hm.. type of road on which you will be riding would be important consideration points. In Indonesia where bikes can not enter into the toll road, quite often riding on non smooth asphal road, even flood some time in the raining season, I will defenetely choose Multi.  But for high way use I will go for ST. However I guess it would be to compare Multi 1000 (1100) rather than Multi 620with ST which is also use 1k engine.

[Desmo Demon]

I'd recommend a 2001 or 2002 ST2 (larger engine bolts and they worked out any electrical issues that the '98-'00 may have had). These have the nearly indestructable 2V engine, maintenance is cheaper than the other ST bikes, they are easy to work on if you opt to do it yourself, and they typically sell for a little less than their 3V and 4V counterparts.

I love my ST2. I bought it new (in 2000), and have logged over 24k miles on it. It is an excellent bike, and, if I had to drop down to owning only one bike, that would probably be the one.....it just seems to be capable of "doing it all".

[STI-51]

With a set of clip-ons on an MTS, just about any advantage the ST might have had is mitigated.  Also, with its nakedness, the MTS is much easier to perform simple maintenance tasks such as oil changes.  Search and read up about all the fun ST owners have taking off the fairings!

[Thor]

I had a chance to ride both this last year.  I would take the Multistrada if I used the bike like you will be using it.  I would lean slightly more towards the ST if I only took it out on weekends and for long trips.

The Multistrada struck me as the perfect City/Canyon bike.  The wind protection is less on the Multi, but up to about 85 MPH it didn't bother me that much.

My opinion is that the Multistrada is for riding, the ST is for posing if you are not using it for what it was designed - high speed corner strafing.  I liked them both, but the Multistrada was so comfortable and capable for real world riding, it made me wonder why more manufacturers can't make bikes like this.

[marc11]

So all of us who purchased an ST prior to the MTS being available or who use it as a daily, weekend and long haul mile munchers are posers?  

[Giallo Strada]

I ride a Multi 620 and use it primarely for commuting and riding the twisties on the weekend.  However, I have ridden it on week-long trips and it was great.  It had plenty of power and I never felt that it had any trouble hauling me and my gear for several hundred miles daily.  

I think that if you want a bike that covers all of the bases pretty well, go with the Multi.  I love the ST and have pondered buying one, but for me, the Multi's in-town and small twisty road capabilities outweigh the ST's long distance highway superiority.

[st ryder]

...My opinion is that the Multistrada is for riding, the ST is for posing if you are not using it for what it was designed - high speed corner strafing...

I don't think the ST, which stands for Sport Touring, was designed for "high speed corner strafing" as you put it. My guess is this "design" intention is for the superbike and sport models. If there's any posing going on, it's the MTS and "adventure" riding.

That the MTS will handle better in tighter corners and around town seems to be becoming more evident. That type of riding does not represent the vast majority of riding I do. I live in an area where there are large distances to travel to get to some nice sweeping roads, and I don't use it to commute to work in heavy traffic. For the longer, sporting rides I do, the ST is better by virtue of its better fairing, and ergos IMO. Though looks are subjective, the ST has much nicer lines IMO. All the time one might save on not having to remove body panels for service, (I do this maybe twice a year) is saved with much faster cleanups after a "dirty" ride. Though there is much said about the MTS and city riding, I don't hear much said about riding an oil/air cooled bike in the middle of summer in a city traffic jam. When this scenario happens, I'm glad I have water cooling.

I don't think I'm a poser: I ride my ST almost daily, (weather allowing) for little rec rides, and mostly for longer, day trips. I have the ability to go cross country or cross town as I find once you get use to the gearing etc, the ST handles *very* well in town if you're not into "hooligan" riding. I looked at both as well, but, the traditional, sleek lines, excellent wind protection, ie I mean NO buffeting (for me anyway) sporty handling, 3v motor re nice blend of 2 & 4v benefits sold me on the ST. I have no regrets, and see no MTS in my future.

[STI-51]

I meant to post this earlier but forgot, I wanted to show a pic so one could visualize how the clip-ons reduce wind buffeting.  The difference from stock is amazing and slabbin' it is actually bearable now.  It's also better for your back to be in a sport position.

Also, regarding poseurs, it's not the bike it's the person riding it.  If an ST is being used for its intended purposes, then it is not a poseur bike.  Conversely, if it's being used to hang out at Starbucks, well...  The same generally goes for all bikes.

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[jed]

I love my multi but I don't look forward to slabbing it to work 65 miles each way when I go.  I've tried the zero gravity, MRA, DP Max Protection, and 04 stock screens.  The MRA is flatter than stock so gives you the naked feel. The other screens don't do much more than alter the position of the buffeting for me.  I just picked up an 06 stock screen and hope it will be a good compimise.  If that doesn't work I'll probably switch back to the MRA just for the clean airflow at speed.

[JonS]

 I have wanted to buy a Ducati for years, but these days I am past the time when I would enjoy a true sportbike for very long. Originally I was going to buy an ST3, but the unexpected hasppened. My wife andd I decided to move to the Utah desert. Ok, plan B. I wanted a bike that would be great on twisty paved roads, but could also do dirt and gravel roads easily. In October I bought a new 2004 MTS1000. I thought I would be buying used, but Ducati had a bunch of new, 2004 and 2005 Multis. Mine was $9,000. That I couldn't resist.
In the 800 miles I've ridden so far, I have fallen in love with this bike. It is so competent and easy to ride! I am usually going faster than I think, especially in the twisties. I installed a Zero Gravity Double Bubble wind shield and that make it much more pleasent on the freeway. In all honesty, I have never felt any fatigue riding this bike. The riding position is very similar to a dirt bike, which suits me perfectly. Here is the object of my affection.

[Desmo Demon]

Search and read up about all the fun ST owners have taking off the fairings!

But...without the fairings, the ST may look just as ugly as a Multistrada.    

My opinion is that the Multistrada is for riding, the ST is for posing if you are not using it for what it was designed - high speed corner strafing.  I liked them both, but the Multistrada was so comfortable and capable for real world riding, it made me wonder why more manufacturers can't make bikes like this.

Hmmmm.......I have easily logged over 700-mile days and it was quite comfortable on the ST2.....even when I did the 725 miles in 11.5 hours, less than six months after braking my right femur in three places. I also believe that Gary Egan has set long-distance records on both the ST4 and Multi, so they are both very capable bikes for the long-haul.


On the other hand, I can really carve the crap out of some mountain twisties on it, too...

http://members.aol.com/TBoling125/st2_scrapes.html



For an idea of what the ST bikes are capable of....here's a couple of pics (neither is me, though)...



and another...

[atypical1]

But...without the fairings, the ST may look just as ugly as a Multistrada.    

hey now...it is hard enough defending Duc ownership to everyone else. No room for in-fighting here too!  

[marc11]

 Search and read up about all the fun ST owners have taking off the fairings!

No idea what is meant with that comment?  I can have both sides mid and lower fairings off and back on in 15 mintues, on post 2004 models the mid and lower can come off as one unit, about 8 screws and it pops right off.

For basic service, like an oil change, no plastic has to be removed.  For major services like belts and valve checks, the side plastics are off and the tank can be raised in just a few minutes.  It the older gen that had this issue, not the newer ST's.

[STI-51]

No idea what is meant with that comment?  It the older gen that had this issue, not the newer ST's.

Well, you just answered the question so apparently you did.

Back when I was considering an ST, I often read of people having trouble removing and putting back on the fairings, something to do with the configuration of the fasteners if I recall correctly.  But like anything else, it's easy for those who have done it frequently and are used to it.  My RC-51 was a PITA too but not so much because of the fasteners (they were typical Allen wrench bolts) but b/c both side fairings had to come off just to change the oil.  Then putting them back on always resulted in some sort of scratch or knick unless painstakingly careful.

[Desmo Demon]

I often read of people having trouble removing and putting back on the fairings, something to do with the configuration of the fasteners if I recall correctly.  

I believe the original comment was made due to the fact that to safely remove the side fairings, it is best to remove the headlight fairing first (along with the mirrors and dash panels). This is because the headlight fairing overlaps the side fairings. To access/change the battery, it is not required to remove the complete side fairing to get to it, but it lessens the chance of damage from prying and pulling if you don't pull the headlight fairing......From what I recall, it is the same for all ST bikes, even the newer ones (as the side fairings are the same from '97-present).

I'll be the first to get in line to say that the design of the fairings was a complete screw-up on the bike, and I was still amazed to see that they didn't change this when they redesigned the headlight fairing to the newer style (at least the bikes got better lighting than the pre-'02 STs).