Mr Fogump. Shame you've unsubscribed, missed this thread as I don't log on that often and been busy burying my mum. Just in case you pop back I like your selection of bikes; good choice the KTM 690 as a "proper" adventure bike. Off to the Alps on mine in a couple of weeks, though still not convinced it's as good as the old XR650R. Both far better than any GS for my idea of adventure biking. The Multi isn't 4 bikes in one as it's crap off road........but it is outstandingly good in the other 3 marketing area's. However if somebody at Ducati HQ wants to let me thrash one of their Multi's I'd be willing to oblige with an adventure trip. (Before anybody chimes in, yes I know a Multi has been down through the Sahara and across Siberia, but if it were me it I'd be on a single cylinder bike).
I was a BMW r1200 GS owner and was going to change up to the new water cooled model but I faltered and changed to a basic Multistrada for a similar price to the BMW as the extra performance proved very desirable (I went to a BMW from sports bikes as my ageing body (wrists in particular) had given up on me so a sit up job was necessary for all but the shortest of journeys. Now after a few months I am thinking for me I might have made a mistake whilst I love the perfomance side of the bike I have found the low speed fuellling makes my bike a nightmare to drive in urban mode in low speed traffic (10-20mph) I find it very difficult to maintain "smooth" progress in low speed traffic and seem to be for ever slipping the clutch or luching forward with too much throttle which comes in quicker than you need resulting in braking and or slipping the clutch. During my research on the various Ducati forums I thought the 2013 model now had "better" low speed fuelling. I know some people will say well what did you expect but for me this isssue does not make progress in town in any way enjoyable, out on the open road smiles all the way in Sports mode. My first track day at Donnington was in the rain but it was still intersting so I now look foreward to a dry day a Donnington to see what it can realy do ? I regretably now have a thought in the back of my mind saying go back to a BMW which I no is not such a fast bike but it is certainly more civilised in slow traffic. I wonder if it is just something not quite right with the set up on my bike ?
This will not help you, but, I commute along the M4 (west) and into the city (east), which means I go right into and through the centre of London. I only take the bike once a week, I am in touring mode all way and the only problem I have is due to the width of the handlebars/mirrors which can restrict filtering. Difference could be style as I will filter and keep moving, I don't sit in traffic. The full race termi helps as well I think.
Maybe see you on the M4 as I commute between junctions 13 and 8/9 ;-) My fuelling is markedly improved with LV full system and CJS remap - not a cheap option though... Nick
You expect a Ducati to be civilised at 10 to 20 mph? Where have you been for the past 30 years or so? It's a 1200cc V-Twin. It doesn't do civilised at these speeds. No Ducati ever has. That's what happens when you suggest that the marque now has something for everyone. It hasn't.
Awww..come on here. My 998S is 101% smoother low down. I absolutely love my Mutley(2010 model), but the low down fueling is crap, as it is on a standard fireblade. It's all due to the EU noise laws IMHO. Fitting a Decat pipe removes the exhaust restrictions as well as that 'orrible Exhaust valve, who's only purpose is to mess up the performance, sorry I meant reduce noise. Fat Ducs (O2 manipulators) finished up the package. My Multi is near perfect, however an expensive trip to CJS is due for mine aswell. Anyone for some pre-tested Fatducs?
Definitely get your bike checked out. I'm 57 and live in London and have absolutely no problem with my 2013 Multi. I've done 3,000 miles in the seven weeks since I took delivery and every one has been an absolute joy. Even in heavy traffic in urban mode.
Interesting, at first I thought my 2010 model wasn't great at low revs but better than my 996R. I've fitted fat ducs but still got the cat (due to be ditched very soon) and I find mine fine for commuting. I don't think any big V twin is gonna be perfect at low speeds but maybe I've adapted but it's no problem and mine stays in sport mode all the time unless it's absolutely pouring down.
just been for Wednesday night ride out and thought about this on the way back. To put an actual figure on it, I was quite comfortable riding at 10mph in first gear, level ground, warm engine, 2000rpm, clutch fully engaged, for as long as I could before I got bored, about 20 seconds but I dont think there would be a problem doing it for much longer. I was in touring (permanently) and have full termi which may be significant. HTH
Guess it's a bit late for you to get to the BMW bash at Garmisch next week. I went to the 2007 Ducati bash at Misano so will be able to compare. There's 90 of us going from the UK in one group alone and expect the enthusiasm to be like Misano but with less red bikes. We're all bike enthusiasts but a few take brand loyalty too far. Variety is the spice of life! Hell, just noticed you're in Aussie.....yeh, much too late to get to Garmisch!!!
Well yes I'm an Aussie but I am hopeing to see the UK for the first time in August this year. Doing a couple of months OS with two weeks of it riding around the Alps on a new LC BMW,hired. I should get a good idea of what your roads are all about, here a short ride is 500 k's but I'm told this is a two week journey in the UK ? Anyway I'm looking forward to getting away, did notice that if I'd planned things a little better I could have made the IOM classics 24th August !
Garmisch P on the roadsigns, for the excellently named Garmisch Partenkirchen (nothing that special about it really - it's just so German and fun to say). There is a road near there which is one of the best I've ever done in 30 years. If you want me to tell you which one it is, let me know (cos I'll have to do a little bit of research). It was non-stop, well-surfaced, quiet swervery.
Thanks for the route offer, but am booked up on ride outs while there (Stelvio etc). If you have the time it would be good to know the road though in case an opportunity arises. On the way there we're using the B500 in the Baden-Baden area which is reported to be good for GSs and Multis. :biggrin:
It's a good road for the Multi, GS's better suited to ploughing the field next to it :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:
Alan, the 500 is a good sweeping road, just be aware that if you do it at the weekend it is both busy and heavily policed. Also be aware that depending on how far down your going through the black forest, its not one continuous road, and changes numbers in a few places. Oh, and when you get to Schlushsee, be sure to stop and have a swim in the lake, its lovely and warm, honest :biggrin::wink:
Oddly enough, i had a test ride on a LC GS yesterday and i'm tempted. Made a cracking sound when spun up..
You would have to develop a thick skin though Paul, the Ducati boys are not slow to take the p**s because they confuse the new '13 water cooled GS with the air cooled tractors that preceded it. It confuses them when I ride my GS with a Ducati jacket and when I use my BMW jacket on the 999S. :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:
