Ducati Multistrada Review
by Andrew Dalton on Jul.13, 2011, under Andrew Dalton, Kit Reviews
I now don’t have the Panzer Tractor R1200GS and have my lithe Italian beauty, the Ducati Multistrada. It is a little cracker, goes like stink, and is reasonably comfortable – the long distance comfort was increased greatly by the addition of a CalSci windshield which does not really spoil the looks.
Fuel range is not 200 miles, not if you ride it how it is meant to be ridden, more like 165 miles before petrol station spotting gets a bit panicky.
The chain needs adjusting now, and I am waiting for Aylesbury Ducati to tell me how much the tools to do this supposedly routine bit of maintenance will cost. So, the Beemer has it for practicality but when that beautiful L twin of the Multistrada comes on song, and the force of acceleration in sports mode cracks your head back, I can forgive my Italian filly almost anything.
The Beemer is quick enough, practical and totally predictable. It is better in town with boxes. The Ducati boxes are bloody awful in town – but without the side boxes the Ducati is way more agile. My kids and even my wife think the Multistrada is much cooler and my wife points out that baggy goretex doesn’t enhance the look of the bike so the care bear suit (Aerostich Road Crafter) only comes out when I am going to Court.
The Ducati Multistrada is eyewateringly quick, and I have been caught just staring at my bike. Tragic I know. As I am not sold at all on Beemer quality, and the Ducati is a better motorbike, I have no regrets. Until this weekend, when I have to adjust the bloody chain. Which is concentretic cam. And needs a number of bolts torque set. Aylesbury Ducati have said one of their mechanics will talk me through it once, so it should be okay but it seems a faff. Just put a shaft on it! Then it would be even more Bella.
So do I regret ditching the Beemer? No. I am still starry eyed about the Duc, and the shonky boxes (apparently the original ones are shocking, these ones are just adequate, but the top box is big enough to transport livestock) and that bizarre electronic proximity key is just plain stupid. But the package taken together is just beautiful. And I even have cleaned it at 1300 miles. The real problem is that I am so unused to cleaning bikes that I am not very good at it, so a lot of effort for not a very clean bike but I am sure I’ll get better. I genuinely never cleaned the Beemer in 30,000 miles. Or the one before that at 40,000 miles.
So, Ducati, you have come close to making a perfect bike for me, an everyday rider who uses the bike a lot, and in all weathers. The boxes are a bit rubbish for me, but weren’t really designed for carting about Court files, the electronic key is just plain stupid and a shaft would be an improvement, as the speed, torque and acceleration of this bike means any marginal impact on performance would barelly be noticed. If you do 3,000 miles without wringing the bikes neck in a year the chain adjustment would not be an issue. Am I going on about chains too much? Probably.
About Andrew Dalton
Andrew Dalton is a highly experienced trial lawyer who delights in taking on difficult and demanding motorcycle cases. He has a tough and relentless litigation style and is utterly focussed on getting the best possible outcomes for his clients.
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July 15th, 2011 on 6:04 pm
It is a beatiful looking bike certainly but offers different riding styles than your old GS. I am sure you will get used to getting your hands dirty adjusing the chain
The cleaning is the thing I can’t see the Duc looking good after 30.000 miles if you left it ulless you got someone else to do the cleaning of your Italian beauty. Keep us posted on your progress with it.
July 15th, 2011 on 6:06 pm
dare i say it but can i call you a girl?? You bought this bike months ago – what have you been doing!! oh i remember, you said you’ve been staring starry eyed at it instead of riding it lol! But good to know her performance outweighs her somewhat suspect beauty!
Good write up – will be very interested to see the update on the chain – glad to hear Gigi (is that still her name?) is putting a big smile on your face. The beginning of a true love story lol!
July 16th, 2011 on 3:30 pm
You better get some more clients to pay for all the chains, sprockets and extra servicing on the multistrada lol
July 18th, 2011 on 10:07 am
Just did the chain adjustment on Saturday which sounded a lot more complicated than it actually was. I reckon a new chain and sprockets every 7500 services. The Panzer Tractor was practical, the Duc she is multo bella.
July 18th, 2011 on 10:11 am
Yana, you are a cheeky one. 2100 miles in 7 weeks. Can’t really call it a garage dresser. Dean, I’ll find out how much chains and sprockets are but I thought I had a puncture but luckily it was a problem with the valve cap, but apparently you cannot repair Tyres on the Duc, even if it comes with a Puncture repair kit.
July 18th, 2011 on 10:20 am
Paul, you aren’t joking about how grotty it is adjusting a Scott oiled chain. Off to Wickes for more vinyl gloves. The job itself was pretty easy, despite Ducati’s manual saying it is a dealer job. My dealer said he would do the first one for me with me watching, but I found a really good guide on the Internet. The real issue was my total lack of familiarity with concentric chain adjusters but it was easy to do, just a bit messy.
September 23rd, 2011 on 4:30 pm
Just clocked 4,500 miles on the Ducati, so I am now getting more used to her. I still hate the proximity key and fuel range is realistically 160 miles. She has been out in the type of weather that would drown a fish, so this Ducati definitely works in the rain, and possibly would work under water. I am a lot more delicate with the right hand in the wet on the Ducati but so far she has not put a foot wrong, but I think the knowledge that she can rip your head off at any speed if you give her a handful means |I am more timid than I need to be. If she gets another 500 miles her clutch will have lasted longer than the Panzer tractor. It is horses for courses and the R1200GS is still a fine motorcycle, and I think the GS is more sure footed on wet, greasy roads. Also the GS is less of a handful in traffic and I would rather push my way through traffic on the GS than the Mutley, but as most of my riding is on the open road the point and squirt acceleration of the Dukie is much harder and faster than the GS. I have never been a big fan of traction control but I think the Ducati might need it on greasy roads. Tyre wear is not too bad, the Scott Oiled chain is holding up well, and the only minor gripe is that I can pretty well guarantee a slight pressure drop in the tyres every week. I still don’t rate the side boxes, but everything else (apart from the stoopid key) I love. Unfortunately I think my red Ducati is now a strange shade of dead fly and road dirt brown, maybe red overlaid with ochre? I may even have to clean it this weekend. I found myself behind another Mutley pilot and we had a little bit of a sensible Dad biker tussle – nothing too daft or fast – and those bikes do hussle along. Funnily enough I don’t hunt sports bikes any more, like I was known to do on the GS, because most people know the Mutley can move a bit so the fun of tormenting sports bike riders by having a big lump of melted down Panzer with boxes and a Goretex pilot that can’t be shaken off has now gone.
October 24th, 2011 on 10:03 pm
I was considering one of these as a daily commuter. I’ve no problem with chains/sprockets/clutches etc -happy to do those myself, but what I do like about my GS is the daylight-esque properties of the headlights (at least, after the HID conversion ). I always end up riding in the dark, morning and night, in winter, and I was wondering how you find the lights on the Multi?
October 26th, 2011 on 10:13 am
Rod, I had Hawk auxillary lights fitted – well worth it and they change the shape of the bike into something unusual which I think really helps cars register the bike. I cannot say what the regular headlights are like alone but this set up gives me plenty of light and main beam is plenty bright enough. I had an HID on my GS but do not feel the need to upgrade the Ducati. The Ducati is a fantastic bike but oddly I ride it less than the Beemer because I don’t want to get it dirty. The Beemer went out in anything short of ice. The Ducati is pretty sure footed on wet and greasy roads, but I think the Beemer was more planted. Perhaps I just have new bike syndrome, but I really don’t want to let a British winter loose on the Ducati. As for a daily commuter the Duc is comfortable and without boxes it slides through traffic well. The side boxes look pretty but are wider and hold less than the Beemers. The Beemer is a more relaxed commuter until you hit the open road and then the Duc leaves the Beemer for dead.
October 28th, 2011 on 12:05 am
Nice one – I never thought of that – I suppose I just looked at the MS and thought “nowhere to stick aux lights on that”, but glad to see I was wrong. Test ride in order I think.
On the matter of winter – when I had my beloved 996, I slaked it with AC50 every autumn – it’s the same stuff they use to proof aircraft alloy against corrosion, and it seemed to work pretty well on the Ducati finish.
cheers for the tip on the hawks.
R.
October 28th, 2011 on 9:59 am
I had a call from Hawk – apparently one rider has had a problem with the mountings – I had a look at mine and they seem fine. I am going to get a specialist guy in to clean and winterise the Ducati. When I was despatch riding we used to use chain lube/wax to cover off exposed bits of the bike and WD40 but it makes even a despatch bikes look like a mobile compost heap. I think the guy we use here (actually it’s the first time I will have paid someone to winterproof a bike – the GS didn’t need it or I didn’t care enough) uses that AC 50 stuff.
I am particularly keen on auxillary lights because they make the bike visually wider and look odd to car drivers who might just notice me. Most drivers are okay so I am not going to go into a “all tin box pilots are b*st*rds” type rant but those that need a bit of help seeing me, I am going to try to help.