Opinions on the Duc Multi 1200

[Shizoku]

I posted the following in one of the other topic links, but thought I'd post it as a new topic...

After 10 years of riding my ZZR1200 I took the plunge and put money down to reserve the 2013 Gran Tourismo at Pro Italia in Glendale.  I'm not the motorhead that you guys are, but I was looking for a touring bike that still had the 'sport' built in.  

I love my ZZR, but I'm getting older at 54, and even the moderately bent over position is starting to tax my neck and shoulders.  The Duc has the upright position, power, handling, 100 lbs lighter than my ZZR, comfy for my wife on long hauls, and looks great.  

I tend to keep my bikes a long time, 10 years for the ZZR, so I don't mind putting out the money, as this will most likely be my last bike, so prorated, it's not as expensive as one thinks.

I do enjoy hearing opinions on the bike, so far most are pretty favorable.

Dave in Valencia, CA

[Virginian]

Sounds like your right on track! Please post a pic of that beauty when you get her.

Eric

[Orson]

Here's a thread with a review and a few other opinions tossed in

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,71026.0.html

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,58210.0.html

[mlinkibikr]

I just spent a week in the French Alps and Northern Italy riding one. Fantastic machine. The owner had problems with the stock bags - they leak profusely. So he replaced them with a set of Touratech bags. The electronically adjustable mapping / suspension works as advertized - in Sport mode this bike hits big! Notable other accessories you might consider are the comfort seat (all day riding comfort from the Autostrada to the back twisties) and the smoked, taller windscreen. Oh, and yes - the competizione full exhaust system ... of course. It's beautiful, sleek, and not obscenely loud if you leave the plug in it.
Again - what a comfortable bike for all day riding, so easy to ride with excellent handlebar leverage and low rpm torque. I notice that Ducati is going to the Sachs suspension in 2013 - so get a 2012 if you want the cherry Ohlins set up.

Enjoy!

[Mr. Whippy]

I just spent a week in the French Alps and Northern Italy riding one. Fantastic machine. The owner had problems with the stock bags - they leak profusely. So he replaced them with a set of Touratech bags. The electronically adjustable mapping / suspension works as advertized - in Sport mode this bike hits big! Notable other accessories you might consider are the comfort seat (all day riding comfort from the Autostrada to the back twisties) and the smoked, taller windscreen. Oh, and yes - the competizione full exhaust system ... of course. It's beautiful, sleek, and not obscenely loud if you leave the plug in it.
Again - what a comfortable bike for all day riding, so easy to ride with excellent handlebar leverage and low rpm torque. I notice that Ducati is going to the Sachs suspension in 2013 - so get a 2012 if you want the cherry Ohlins set up.

Enjoy!

Some have said that Ducati sort of got burned on Ohlin fork leaks and went with Sachs in the hopes of better seal longevity.

[expatbrit]

Some have said that Ducati sort of got burned on Ohlin fork leaks and went with Sachs in the hopes of better seal longevity.

I think it's the early DES plus the Ohlins aren't robust enough it you use the bike 'as advertised' (ie if you think it's actually an adventure bike!)

There were some issues with reliability in the DES system. I believe it was mostly 2010s. There's some seal leaks (cf Salsashark on here) that seem to be off-road use, and Ohlins just having tighter tolerances.

The Sachs stuff is from their automotive division, so they had the dynamic damping dialed in already, as I understand it.

[falcofred]

I've got a 2010 Touring S with the Ohlins, no problems with suspension at all in 28,900 miles. I've had a problem with the rear brake it's better, but not great, my saddle bags had additional latches installed under warranty. NO regrets, if it were stolen tomorrow I'd buy another as soon as the insurance check arrived.

I'm 6'3", it's comfortable for me, fast, handles great ( I did install stiffer springs for my 215 lb. weight) and has luggage.
You'll love it.

[expatbrit]

I've got a 2010 Touring S with the Ohlins, no problems with suspension at all in 28,900 miles. I've had a problem with the rear brake it's better, but not great, my saddle bags had additional latches installed under warranty. NO regrets, if it were stolen tomorrow I'd buy another as soon as the insurance check arrived.

I'm 6'3", it's comfortable for me, fast, handles great ( I did install stiffer springs for my 215 lb. weight) and has luggage.
You'll love it.

Sometimes, I'm glad to not be the only one. I'm at 17k miles and I've had to replace the clutch slave when it leaked. Similar rear brake experience, and just had the springs done. Much better, though now the front is WAY too stiff and haven't got my sag all set up right yet.

I'd buy the 2012 again. I'd probably buy a 2013 with the skyhook. If I lived elsewhere, I /might/ look at the new 1190 adventure instead, but there's nothing else in the category for me that fits my 6'7 frame.

[Shizoku]

Sounds like your right on track! Please post a pic of that beauty when you get her.

Eric

I spoke with Rick at Pro Italia and he's guessing March of next year for a delivery date...  

Additionally, I'm seeing that BMW has offered up it's new version of the GS1200.
I've always loved that bike, but steered towards the Ducati after reading all the reviews and talking to a friend of mine
who had a 2011, until he hit a deer and totaled it.
Now I'm curious about the new GS.  My main concern is reliability.  Italian vs German?

Dave in Valencia

[Mr. Whippy]

I can't comment on the new Ducatis but my Multistrada (2004) and 996 (2000) have both been stone reliable.  Routine maintenance only (mostly done by me--doubt I'll do the valves on the 996 ever though).

[falconati]

I'd get the Italian (but if you look at my garage, I'm more-than-slightly biased).  The BMW is nicer if you're going to do some light offroading, but otherwise the Ducati is more fun.  Another good option is the RT if you're staying on the road (it won't have the power of the Multi, but is more refined and comfortable).

[cuoco1200gt]

I got a 12 pikes peak , I have had a couple 1200gs ... get the ducati !!!! I usually buy 2 or 3 new bikes a year . The 1200mts is fantastic  bike I think the only bike I have enjoyed more was 2011  speed triple but it just wasnt comfy 2 up . The ducati wont disappoint .

[Shizoku]

I got a 12 pikes peak , I have had a couple 1200gs ... get the ducati !!!! I usually buy 2 or 3 new bikes a year . The 1200mts is fantastic  bike I think the only bike I have enjoyed more was 2011  speed triple but it just wasnt comfy 2 up . The ducati wont disappoint .

Thank you...not that I'm really having second thoughts, but it's reassuring to hear that from someone has owned both.

Dave in Valencia

[expatbrit]

Thank you...not that I'm really having second thoughts, but it's reassuring to hear that from someone has owned both.

Dave in Valencia

Reliability hasn't been the (some of the) Duc's strongest point; there's definitely a couple of places that need attention. (While I say that -- mine, so far, has been good at just over 17k miles). Primarily it's been the electronics and a coolant/porous head issue that seems to be nailing people. If you use it like it's advertised (as an adventure bike) rather than as a tall, upright streetbike (like I ride mine), I hear the Ohlin's seals blow -- what the new Sach's will be like obviously remains to be seen. They're derived from a successful car product line, which bodes well.

Amazing bike to ride though. Amazing.

[Shizoku]

Does anyone know if the Multi can be lowered.
I like having the ability to plant both of my feet flat on the ground.
Straddling the Gran Tourismo at the Long Beach IMS, I found I can get both balls of my feet on the ground, but not flat footed.

Dave in Valencia

[Flyer]

The Duc has the upright position, power, handling, 100 lbs lighter than my ZZR, comfy for my wife on long hauls, and looks great.

Hi Dave.
Your reasoning is (mostly) as mine was when I let my "02 ZZR go for a '10 Touring.
I really miss the Zed, but the Duc truly is "one bike to rule 'em all".
I haven't heard of any lowering mechanisims, but the DP Comfort seat is supposedly 1/2" lower, but I'm fine with my 31" inseam.
No reliability issues in 17K km, beyond a dead battery this summer.
I predict you'll be a happy Californicator.  

Dave in Canada

[falcofred]

Does anyone know if the Multi can be lowered.
I like having the ability to plant both of my feet flat on the ground.
Straddling the Gran Tourismo at the Long Beach IMS, I found I can get both balls of my feet on the ground, but not flat footed.

Dave in Valencia

Dave,
The Multi really doesn't lend itself to lowering in the rear as the shock is bolted directly from the frame to the swing arm. You would have to find a shorter shock absorber.  If anyone has successfully lowered one, they'd post it on this site. http://www.ducati.ms/forums/44-multistrada/
The lower seat will provide some ability to get your feet on the ground.  

[Lawn Dart]

Therein lies the real rub on the Multi12 to me.  It's a big bike.  Very tall and long.  Reminded me of my GS in a lot of ways.

Just depends on what you want.  For my money the HyperStrada is a better fitting bike.

[Shizoku]

Dave,
The Multi really doesn't lend itself to lowering in the rear as the shock is bolted directly from the frame to the swing arm. You would have to find a shorter shock absorber.  If anyone has successfully lowered one, they'd post it on this site. http://www.ducati.ms/forums/44-multistrada/
The lower seat will provide some ability to get your feet on the ground.  

Looks like Sargent makes a seat that lowers the seat height to 32.125", which is a bit more than an inch lower that the Duc's stock seat height.
http://www.sargentcycle.com/ducwsmulti_2010.htm

That should solve the problem, but not sure how the fit/feel would be with the seat's dished contour.

Dave in Valencia

[Mr Sunshine]

Does anyone know if the Multi can be lowered.
I like having the ability to plant both of my feet flat on the ground.
Straddling the Gran Tourismo at the Long Beach IMS, I found I can get both balls of my feet on the ground, but not flat footed.

Dave in Valencia

How long is your inseam?  I have a 29" inseam.  I just recently had my suspension done on my Multi1200S (full redo including valving) and in doing so we lengthen my rear shock with a ride height adjuster so its even taller in the rear.  One foot down is all you need.