So I've always been a bit sniffy about Ducati. Too obvious, style over substance etc etc. Never actually knew what I was talking about, to be fair, but seemed to fall into Aprilia ownership when I passed my bike test 10 years ago. Had a Falco, early Caponord, RSV Factory and most recently a Dorsoduro 1200...and the compulsory chip on the shoulder from having to explain that "yes it's an Italian motorbike, and, no, it's not a Ducati". I even helped set up and grow the Owners' Club. Oh, and had a love affair with Buell for a while: and before you knock them, I rode from the Arctic Circle to the bottom of Argentina on one without a hitch. Those things handle, and the Ulysses could do it all (except break 110mph!). I even liked the looks - go figure. But now for various boring reasons I need a bike that can do big miles comfortably and safely, as well as doing the hooligan thing like a Dorsoduro. Tried lots. And lots. Triumph, BMW, KTM, Aprilia, Guzzi...and within 30 seconds of taking a Multistrada S out I knew all resistance was utterly futile. No point in telling you guys, and I'm not sure I have words to do justice to how brilliant it is anyway. Ordered it on the spot as soon as I got back, and have heard it's just been shipped from Bologna. Nice. So here I am. Deeply sorry for all the rude things I've said about you guys and your bikes over the last decade. Turns out you were right after all... Alastair
Thank you for your honesty Alastair,this is my first ever Ducati,and when you tell people you ride a Ducati they always raise their eyebrows! Anyway,welcome to the forum!!
No one believes me that I own one let alone ridden one Don't let it take you so long next time to lower ones self to being one of us otherwise you snooze you loose Anyway hello and a belated welcome into the mad house of which you will never leave You have a reason now to sniff sniff
@Raiderfan and I are old colleagues. May I recount the tale of our attempted trip to Germany together via the Harwich - Hook ferry a few years ago? We met up on the road to Colchester, him on his Aprilia and me on my BMW GS. Then the Aprilia began to run very badly and soon packed up altogether. Still I had a ferry to catch in Harwich so I had to leave him there, broken down at the side of the road (following the Top Gear practice), in the dark. Sorry about that!
Well, im an aprilia owner, and it doesn't bother me in the slightest. Ive owned mine (rsv4 pre aprc) for just over 3 years, had literally one issue with rocker covers leaking (which was a part update) and had that been done in time it would have been under warranty. I think ive categorically got one of the worst ones from a reliability point of view. Its been to the TT 3 times (1k round trip approximately each time) and never missed a beat (and whenever I get back from the TT the engine really sings - I think it likes to have its legs stretched). If anything most people are pleasantly surprised when I do tell them its been nigh on perfect. Its up for sale at the moment on the bay as I miss my hyper and want something else ducati engined but if it doesn't go then ill happily keep it....gets off soapbox....breaths - welcome to the forum.!
