WHY!!! must the Multistrada be so unreliable!

[Silverbird]

This has got to be the best streetbike of all time but most every review I find that put in through the ringer has if falling to pieces before the test is over. What's going to happen after 20 or 30,000 miles?!

 


My question is, what's the next best thing?

[Lawn Dart]

LMAO!  You say this...and I know this too...and yet I still go out and buy a Duc!  

Heck, one of my best friends had a Multi (MTS1000) grenade the motor at a track day.  

Riding isn't about perfection...it's about passion.  And it makes us do very, very stupid things.  

[Dan]

Next best thing?

How about a KTM SMT?  An absolutely hilarious bike to ride, it's like having a little devil on your shoulder.  An outstanding bike.

Or a Triumph Tiger 1050?  Not ridden one of these, but I've known a couple of blokes that really like them.

I know one guy with a Multistrada, he thinks it's the best bike ever - but he is pretty well loaded, and just takes it to the dealer for everything.  

[SalsaShark]

My question is, what's the next best thing?

Well, the longer my Multi stays in the shop , the more I start to look around. I'm starting to think that I need to be back on a Triumph. As for the next best thing? I guess it's all about what you want to do.

For me, it's looking like the Sprint GT is the front runner with a DR650 joining the mix sometime in the future.

[SalsaShark]

I've had my fill of 'character'.

I believe I used this term on Saturday when I was out looking for a replacement bike.  

[expatbrit]

My KTM did the same. I think I got a lemon.

So far, so good with the Mutley.

[Attack Pug]

The new 1200 Tiger

[atadaskew]

Well, the longer my Multi stays in the shop , the more I start to look around. I'm starting to think that I need to be back on a Triumph. As for the next best thing? I guess it's all about what you want to do.

 

Can't you Lemon Law the bike?

[SalsaShark]

Can't you Lemon Law the bike?

CO does not cover motorcycles under LL... If I were to go that route, it would be a consumer warranty suite. I don't think I'm at that point yet.

I sent an email to Ducati this morning. I got a response back fairly quickly that felt like a form letter... We'll see if they contact the dealership or me in the next day or so.

[Silverbird]

Wish I could buy 2! One for the shop and one to ride

[falcofred]

I'm on my second Multi, I had a 2004 on which I put 40,000 miles with no real problems other than when caught in the torrential downpour Hurricane Ike at the first Moto GP in Indy and got water inside my instrument panel.
I've got a 2010 1200S Touring now with 21,000+ miles, no failures, well there was the rear brake, but it's been replaced under warranty.
I'd by a third in a second, nothing makes me smile that that bike does.

[Silverbird]

Well that's good to hear. I'm seriously down to buy one of these bikes. Can anyone else talk me out of it?

[expatbrit]

Well that's good to hear. I'm seriously down to buy one of these bikes. Can anyone else talk me out of it?

I don't think I'd even try to talk you out of it. I went around and around looking for a new bike, and the Mutley won out. I only have 8K on mine, but it's been issue free (unlike either my Sprint -- though those were minor issues -- or KTM SM, where I definitely got a used lemon bike). Comfortable, powerful, capable, and incredibly versatile. Worth the price of admission for me, for sure.

[Orson]

Italian bikes, as imperfect as they are, provide a canvas for an artist to explore his color palette in order to fully express his passion...

as opposed to the sad owner of a clinically perfect bike. What does he do with all his spare time but forlornly stare at four, beige-colored walls. So sad  

Like Van Gogh cutting off his ear...an artist must suffer for his passion or else his life is an empty vessel  

[Rogue]

Like Van Gogh cutting off his ear...an artist must suffer for his passion or else his life is an empty vessel  

 

That's a lot of BS Orson but nice try.  I do like Italian bikes myself.  Someday I will own one.

[JonS]

Italian bikes, as imperfect as they are, provide a canvas for an artist to explore his color palette in order to fully express his passion...

as opposed to the sad owner of a clinically perfect bike. What does he do with all his spare time but forlornly stare at four, beige-colored walls. So sad  

Like Van Gogh cutting off his ear...an artist must suffer for his passion or else his life is an empty vessel  

  It's a sickness and I've got it.  

[Baz]

Italian bikes are like Italian cars, everyone oogles and adores them.

Everyone that is, who does not get to pay the repair bills.

[Rogue]

Well, if you do the service yourself you only pay for parts.

I'm not defending unreliability or low quality parts that fail early.  Truth be told I've had that happen on my Buell, but thankfully never for parts that require the bike to get me home.  Having said that, I've never had any failures on my Hondas, Suzukis, or Kawasaki.  Not once.  

[Cablebandit]

Soul  

[caddydaddy]

Soul  

I thought y'all bought Eyetalian bikes to pick up chicks?  

[atadaskew]

  Having said that, I've never had any failures on my Hondas, Suzukis, or Kawasaki.  Not once.  

My St4s has been bullet proof. As were my Harley Dyna, Honda Valkyrie.
My Duc 800SS was not...

I've had major issues with my previous Wing 1800, 1200, Kawi ZX10 (1990?), ZX11, KLR 650, Suzi TL1000, VFR 750.

[volleykinginnc]

I've heard several of my friends mention that their Ducs are "bullet proof".  Weird thing is when you start prying them they mention all kinds of things that may not be major enough to keep them off the bike but are certainly not perfect.  I have a ST4S and has the following things wrong (again not enough to park it but still)
Clutch squeels
Brakes squeels
throttle lock doesn't work
hesitates when starting
in the rain sometimes it will blow a relay
will cut out for 3-5 seconds for no particular reason
tachometer jumps erratically sometimes
shock adjuster doesn't seem to do anything when turned
fuel gauge/light is off--light blinks when there's still 2 gallons left
shakes and quivers at anything below 5K rpm
With all of that said there's still nothing like getting on it.....it bucks and bellows and feels like it wants to throw you off and go find chicks.

[SalsaShark]

With all of that said there's still nothing like getting on it.....it bucks and bellows and feels like it wants to throw you off and go find chicks.

then why are you trying to sell it?!  

 

[volleykinginnc]

sell it?  I can't give it away.

[falcofred]

Clutch squeels = Ducati Dry Clutch, this is Ducati character, I miss it on my new Multistrada  

Brakes squeels = clean rotors with sanding paper, clean and lube pins that pads float on, it should go away.

throttle lock doesn't work = The ST4 doesn't come with a throttle lock, this is some after market product, don't blame Ducati

hesitates when starting = Yes, they all do that, but they do start. There is a kit to install beefier cables that is supposed to help, shouldn' have to modify though.

 in the rain sometimes it will blow a relay= Dielectric Grease, which realy is blowing? once you know relay system apply dielectric grease to all connections.

will cut out for 3-5 seconds for no particular reason = Italian Character again.

tachometer jumps erratically sometimes It's a Ducati, there isn't even a redline on the tack, who looks at the tack? Look where you're going.

shock adjuster doesn't seem to do anything when turned ST4 has Olins suspension correct? How many miles have you put on since 2002? Have you ever had the shock or forks serviced?

fuel gauge/light is off--light blinks when there's still 2 gallons left = Better optimistic then pesimistic, again it's Italian character

shakes and quivers at anything below 5K rpm = Yes this is true, the Ducati 90 degree L motor runs best above 5K, this is a performance machine, give it the berries!

With all of that said there's still nothing like getting on it.....it bucks and bellows and feels like it wants to throw you off and go find chicks. Hell Yea!

Seriously, Ducati has made major steps in the right direction concerning Quality, the newer the Ducati, the better it is. I remember when all Ducati's had spring loaded side stands.

[County Tar]

I've had major issues with my previous Wing 1800, 1200, Kawi ZX10 (1990?), ZX11, KLR 650, Suzi TL1000, VFR 750.

To what do you attribute this run of bad luck?  

[atadaskew]

then why are you trying to sell it?!  

 

I think you are tawkin' about my bike...

I'm asking myself that question now too.  Nothing made in the ST world compares to it IMO, and they really don't make bikes like this anymore.  Closest would be Triumph's GT.

But, I may need to make room in the garage..  Or not.
Posted on: January 27, 2012, 01:43:50 PM

To what do you attribute this run of bad luck?  

Lack of quality from the mfgs?

Hondas - afflicted by poor electrics (VFR, Wing 1200), poor frames and overheating (Wing 1800)
Suzi TL - frames, electrics, clutch, cooling system, fuel tank...
Kawis - electrics, soft cams, fuel tank (in the KLR)
Duc 800SS - electrics, fuel tank.

Only the St4s, Harley Dyna and Honda Valk were bulletproof.  No issues at all on those bikes.

p.s. my st4s is a 2003, the 2002 had ECU problems resulting in hard starting, stalling etc.  Fixed by getting the DP ECU

[volleykinginnc]

Seriously, Ducati has made major steps in the right direction concerning Quality, the newer the Ducati, the better it is. I remember when all Ducati's had spring loaded side stands.

That's some good stuff there....the most troubling is the 3-5 second stall out....really strange....if I'm going 45 or more it will come back on after only dropping maybe 10 mph....anything less than that I'm on the side of the road and restarting.  

[atadaskew]

That's some good stuff there....the most troubling is the 3-5 second stall out....really strange....if I'm going 45 or more it will come back on after only dropping maybe 10 mph....anything less than that I'm on the side of the road and restarting.  

Ask here:

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/st2_owners/

It is the best site for Ducati St owners.  I think it's your ECU, they had a bad batch in 2002, but you will get more information on the site.

[Mike-H]

Maybe I'm cursing myself, but .....(touch wood ) I've had no problems at all with my 900ss....maybe because it's an FE.....I don't know, but it runs like a (swiss) clock....now the chiropractor bills are another story ....but I still love to ride it....

[MisterSmooth]

The solution is so obvious.  It's like the secret to happy ownership of an old Jaguar.  Buy two Italian motorbikes.

Thus, when one of them is in the shop, you have the other to ride.

Right now, for instance, my Mille has been in the shop for two weeks awaiting a simple gasket.  It was apparently shipped to the US from Italy as cargo...on that cruise ship that sank off Giglio.  

But that gave me an excuse to ride the Guzzi today.    



As an aside, has anyone else noticed that Orson has backed up the Le Mans with a Thruxton and a nice old Mille?  Shoot, at least one of those bikes has to be running at any one time.    

[atadaskew]

The solution is so obvious.  It's like the secret to happy ownership of an old Jaguar.  Buy two Italian motorbikes.

Thus, when one of them is in the shop, you have the other to ride.


As an aside, has anyone else noticed that Orson has backed up the Le Mans with a Thruxton and a nice old Mille?  Shoot, at least one of those bikes has to be running at any one time.    

I don't know if that Thairumph counts...

Plus doesn't he keep them in different garages across this planet?

[Orson]

I have to give kudos to Triumph, the Thruxton has run flawlessly in almost 8 years of ownership.

Of course, I only get to ride it about 1000 miles per year, but still  

[Mike-H]

That's infinitely better then no miles per year

[atadaskew]

I've heard several of my friends mention that their Ducs are "bullet proof".  Weird thing is when you start prying them they mention all kinds of things that may not be major enough to keep them off the bike but are certainly not perfect.  I have a ST4S and has the following things wrong (again not enough to park it but still)
Clutch squeels
Brakes squeels
throttle lock doesn't work
hesitates when starting
in the rain sometimes it will blow a relay
will cut out for 3-5 seconds for no particular reason
tachometer jumps erratically sometimes
shock adjuster doesn't seem to do anything when turned
fuel gauge/light is off--light blinks when there's still 2 gallons left
shakes and quivers at anything below 5K rpm
With all of that said there's still nothing like getting on it.....it bucks and bellows and feels like it wants to throw you off and go find chicks.

I just took a ride on mine this morning and it made me decide to keep it.  It is fantastic.  Compared to yours:

1/ My clutch does not squeal.  25K on original clutch.  I've heard others do this - cured by cleaning out the clutch pack.  And not slipping it .  To prevent this I lowered my gearing/sprockets from 15/38 (stock) to 14/40.  Makes it much more rideable and easier on the clutch.
2/  Brakes do not squeal - maybe you need to clean yours?
3/Hesitates when starting - make sure you have a clean and solid ground from your ECU
4/Don't have any rain/relay issues.  Maybe use dieletric grease on all the contacts?
5/Tach jumps erratically - suggests a possible sensor/ECU issue.  Which ties into:
6/Will cut out for 3-5 seconds.  2002 St4 bikes had a bad batch of ECUs.  
7/Yeah, all the gas gauges are pessimstic!  Can't help you on that one.  Mine also comes on w/ 2 gallons left out of 5.8
8/Shakes and quivers below 5K - mine does not do this.  It is liquid smooth above 3.5K rpms.  Sounds like the throttle bodies need adjusting, or just a decent tune up.  I can cruise slowly around town, or haul a$$ in the twisties.  It does of course prefer the latter!

Good luck!

[volleykinginnc]

awesome bro....post up some pics and enjoy....start saving now for the valve/belt service.

[Silverbird]

Ok so the question is, should I let reliability prevent me from buying a '12 multi?  Or will I even have reliability problems? I can work on it myself but I can't have it stranding me.

[Rogue]

Warranty with 24-hour Towing.  

And a spare motorcycle.  

Or if this thing called reliability is going to keep you up at night, just get another Honda.  

[maddjack]

Both the Ducatis I owned I loved, BUT...... with little niggles . I was always fixing or thinking of fixing something on them. My triumph, I get on it ,ride the piss out of it, for 60K now, VERY, VERY few niggles. I'll stay limey in my Euro choices thankyou.

[expatbrit]

Both the Ducatis I owned I loved, BUT...... with little niggles . I was always fixing or thinking of fixing something on them. My triumph, I get on it ,ride the piss out of it, for 60K now, VERY, VERY few niggles. I'll stay limey in my Euro choices thankyou.

Mmm. I was the reverse, so far. Couple of minor niggles in 20K on the Sprint ST. (This feels like underacheiving) LOVE my 'strada -- but it's under a year old. Biggest niggle is the rear brake isn't great there, but it's MINOR.

[evilted]

My only real complaint with my Multi is the keyless ignition / electronic steering lock:  It's a confidence sapping PoS system that detracts from an otherwise awesome motorcycle, all while serving no real need.  

But if mine ever cuts off while riding like UFO's did on him, and I survive such an episode, it will likely be my last Duc purely as a matter of principle (the principle being that I won't give a company careless enough to risk my life as an unofficial product beta tester another shot at trying to kill me for the sake of them continuing to appear cool and fashionable).

And my '05 Sprint was a rock too.  21k trouble free miles, many of them far from home.

[homonger77]

If your afraid of a few problems you aint Duc material.

[evilted]

Well, if you've read the other MTS1200 related threads, you'd know that some of the posters to this thread have experienced more than "a few problems."

Welcome to the board.  

If your afraid of a few problems you aint Duc material.

[SalsaShark]

If your afraid of a few problems you aint Duc material.

It's not the "few" problems that worry me...

It's the "One" problem that happens over and over despite being serviced and recalled by Ducati numerous times that worry me.

If that doesn't make me duc material, then so be it. I'd rather be out riding...

[Mike-H]

It's not the "few" problems that worry me...

It's the "One" problem that happens over and over despite being serviced and recalled by Ducati numerous times that worry me.

If that doesn't make me duc material, then so be it. I'd rather be out riding...

And that's why riding older stuff is so much better.......no BS electronics......mechanical things can be fixed.......no diagnostic plug ins needed.....

[SummerLove]

And that's why riding older stuff is so much better.......no BS electronics......mechanical things can be fixed.......no diagnostic plug ins needed.....

Instead you go no replacement parts, tracking down used ones on fleabay, sorting through the busted used ones for the good ones.. oh and fucking with the springs and black magic that are carburetors.

[Mike-H]

Instead you go no replacement parts, tracking down used ones on fleabay, sorting through the busted used ones for the good ones.. oh and fucking with the springs and black magic that are carburetors.

I can go along with everything except the black magic stuff....me da was teaching me carb mods & repairs back in the early 60's when I was a wee lad....& now all my neighbors & acquaintances attempting their own restorations show up when they need help.....even some of the shops here where I live call or stop by.....a disappearing skill set unfortunately .....& there's still tons of carbs being used out there  

[fishhuntride]

I have 12,000 miles on my MTS1200S (my first Duc BTW) and I had a few issues early on but all were fixed under warranty and none kept me from riding.  There isn't another bike out there that I'd want as a replacement.  I sold a 2005 Sprint ST and while it was a good bike, I sure as heck don't miss it.  And I tested the SMT before buying the Duc and it was OK fun but, if I wanted to remember what the engine felt like, I could always run my Multistrada in 100hp mode.    

[Bottomdog]

I've got a 2010 1200S Touring now with 21,000+ miles, no failures.
I'd by a third in a second, nothing makes me smile that that bike does.

I've not had one issue and I got my 2011 in November of 2010. ride it daily and year round and it has 12 on er.

[Mike-H]

& some people have the nerve to say Italian bikes aren't addictive......who could believe that