Hi all, I currently ride a honda cbf 1000 mk2 but I'm looking to aquire my first ducati which will be a mk2 multstrada in 3 - 9 months time ( overtime or right bike at right price dependant ). I have ridden a sky hook demo bike and found it fantastic, the only issue for me is that I have a 29 inch inside leg and the only way I can get onto a multi is to leave it on the side stand and use the foot peg as a step up. I know this may put stress on the side stand and weaken it in the long term so is a reinforced side stand available and would the bracket it mounts to also require reinforcing Once I'm on the bike its a little tall for manouvering with my feet but I suspect ( please correct me if I'm wrong here ) that it can be dropped down an inch or two. I believe some of the models have a feature which drops the suspension when the engine is started, I have yet to try and mount or dismount with this feature activated. It will be a weekend toy spending crappy days in a warm dry garage but will get wet ocationaly and will probably do 4-6k miles a year. I have a rough idea of servicing costs but any input on reliability of the new engines, precautionary work required or issues to look for would be welcome. I live in the reading area so if someone is looking down grade or free up some cash I may be interested in a px for my bike + cash your way.
Mine are less and I manage, like you say hardest thing is getting on and off and low speed manoeuvrability is very good with feet on the pegs, u turns a doddle I dont step up on side stand, same as you describe I'm worried it will weaken and break, but if the camber is dodgy I sometimes use to step off. Its just practice...and being willing to have people gawp and nudge each other when you hop on Re lowering, I have mine in urban and softest settings for round town and change on the fly if I'm filtering etc, it makes quite a difference in seat height, but be warmed, it can make getting the stand up and down a faff if the camber isnt great Do it: after all, how often do you get on and off?!
I use the side stand sometimes to get on, I was shown actually by my Dealer, I think the stand is more than capable of the weight, just remember to use front bike to stop bike rolling forward on a slop. I know there was another post regarding ways, and someone said stand more forward so you are cocking your leg over the lower part of the seat. My Dealer also lowered my bike, but I think it really was only a few mm difference. You can buy Boots that have built insoles etc .or some adventure boots with heels all help Agree with Bradders once they are moving very Easy to maneuver, BUT the weight can transfer very quick from one side to the other, and catch you out, and when it goes it goes fast. Personally make sure you got crash bars / bungs, they could save more than they cost in one drop 3 fold. (I have had mine go once so far, I just dumped it on the floor). Many a bigger guys have dropped them than us short asses My inside is 29/30"
Yep good call on front brake, every bike I ever get on I have the brake full on when I swing a leg. But I find the standing forward thing harder for me, it easier to stand where you normally would and have a swing at it over the top.
Similar leg length, you will develop a technique, slight turn in the bars, lean forward towards the tank and get a good swing on, heart goes a bit when I catch the rear bars occasionally :Nailbiting:
Watching Bradders get on is great fun...somewhere on the internet is an even better one with a vertically challenged chap on a GS...involves cowboy riding, some steps and a wheelie, so like Paul's riding...:Kiss:
You will very quickly develop a technique. I still always make sure my bars are turned to the right, and then lean over the tank and voila! When the panniers are on you need to be a bit more careful... even getting off, but you'll have it down pat very quickly Great bike... you won't regret it
Had some spare time on sunday so went for a ride and found myself at ducati aylesbury, they had a 2010 multi outside in the second hand section so I had a go at getting on without using the peg and after a few wobbles found the forward technique works good for me. I was offered a good trade in on my cbf1000 ( £5k ) however the 2010 multi was just under £10k and had just over 10 k miles on it and appeared to have spent its life outside. So good trade in but on a top price, that said it had not been through their workshop and had not been prepped so I was seeing it in its raw form. I've just looked at the website and its now not on there so it may have sold. I would like the later 2012 model which I believe has the twin spark engine and revised adjustable front screen however that is probably out of my price range unless I get one private sale of someone who wants my cbf.
29" leg, getting on not to much of a problem but getting off on the other hand different kettle of fish ?
