I've loved the red and white stripes of the Pikes Peak models for ages. Pre DVT my dream bike was a PP Multi. When the DVT model first came out I didn't like the look of it but it rapidly grew on me when I saw the new PP version. When it came to buy one I couldn't afford the PP model, and actually I wasn't fussed because it seemed to me that the top model should have top suspension, in my opinion the semi-active. So it was an easy decision for me: Buy the S model and convert it to a Pikes Peak that would actually be better than the factory version. Mission accomplished!
Pikes Peak isn't an upgrade, it's a different setup entirely. I'd keep the electronic suspension and the normal sized screen any day. If you ride every day then I can't see how the Pikes Peak could even be considered as an option over the S. It's definitely more of a weekend toy with heaps of bling and some of the practicality removed. If I could have room in my garage for an S and a PP then I'd have both, but not one in place of the other .... alternatively I could just throw cash at my S and deck it out in carbon and Termi exhaust and get a short screen, which plenty of people have done.
It's "horses for courses". If you want on-the-fly adjustability then you buy the S, but if you just want superior suspension units then the PP has it. The bulk of the price difference is in the ohlins suspension, and semi-active or not, the ohlins units are just simply better dampers than the Sachs units on the S, and anyone that know anything about suspension won't argue this. At a guess, even though they're not electronically adjustable I would suggest that the Ohlins units probably cost double what the Sachs units cost on the S. It's not an upgrade or a downgrade, it's a different setup which caters for a different set of requirements for some riders.
Again, agree with almost all of it (Except the PP is way overpriced - 6k over base model for some Ohlins ??), however the OP asked Base or "S" ??
For argument sake, lets say that you're paying an extra £1000 for the exhaust, £1500 for the extra carbon, which would leave a balance of £3500 to upgrade from the Sachs to the Ohlins suspension. From past experience I doubt you could buy the forks on their own for £3500, let alone the rear too. Knowing what that stuff costs, it sounds about right to me. For what it's worth, the Sachs units are merely OK for the task at hand. They're not completely adjustable and are not a patch on the Ohlins. You can spend as much on Ohlins suspension as some people will budget for an entire bike.
Yes, but the ones on the PP are not top spec 3500 pound forks, they are mass produced for manufacturers and not individual sales. The termi is merely and end can and there's barely any carbon, sorry but your prices are way off. The PP is a great bike but not 6k better than base IMHO , but anyhow, it's still not what the OP asked so is largely academic.
I agree with what you're saying in that it doesn't appear to be great value, but my prices are actually pretty conservative, and I speak with the benefit of hindsight as I gave serious consideration to upgrading the suspension on my previous bikes as an alternative to buying a Multistrada. I've been through the Ohlins range for one project or another pretty thoroughly over the last two or three years. You're right, they're not top spec but at a £3500 budget (guestimated) they're not likely to be either. The TTX38 on the rear (NOT a mass produced OE item just for manufacturers) is a £1400 unit, you might find it on FLeaBay for £1K but who knows what you'd end up with. The front forks, even at entry-level Ohlins with TiN finish start at £2K. A mate of mine just got a similar set for his Ducati Scrambler and they ended up running to £2500 and at the required spec for a bike as tall and heavy as the Multi are easily £3K, all day any day, and likely more. Prices from Demon Tweaks. Without going nuts but sticking with Ohlins, you could spend something fast approaching £5K to replace front and rear on the Multistrada, very very easily. I know it's not what the OP asked, but in the round it's worth considering where the value sits across the Multistrada range. If anything it highlights the economy of the base model more so.
Again, he wasn't asking about PP !!!! PS, the PP shock is a ttx36, so I tend to take the above figures with a pinch of salt.
To the OP, if you haven't already, my personal opinion is go with the S as it's a more complete bike and the ease of which you'll eventually sell it, will pay you back come the time, try em both, go from there. PPS @Rainman....... If you've paid a grand for a termi end can, and 1500 quid for the meagre bits of carbon on a PP, then you've been well and truly mugged off.
Erm, no. I've done nothing of the sort ... sorry I thought it was a full system which would actually cost more, but I think you'll find the pricing of the other items to be in the ball park, especially when you add "Ducati Added Tax".
The sachs kit is as good as anything with the electronics, as it's the internals that matter not the gold bling. I'd disagree that the forks with electrics would cost a lot less than ohlins, and if you paid £1500 for that carbon you'd need help
I thought the PP is faster because of the striped decals, I knew I shouldn't have purchased this base model...
Well I have put my money down on a 2011S 1 owner bike with 6.5 on the clock. The guy I am buying from was straight about the known clock assemble fault and has booked it in for a replacement with a Ducati main dealer prior to my collection. I have come over from riding a Triumph Tiger 1050 and I was reasonably happy with it in all respects except the power. When I test rode the Multi I was literally blown away with handling, power, and comfort. Can't wait to collect her. :tonguewink:
