I've done a lot of research on the subject, and while there are thousands of complaints and jargon over the height of this bike, there is little to no solution for those of us with a short inseam (29" to be exact). I have spent the extra money for the lower seat and have dropped to the lowest setting "urban". I have done all the swing over, lift over and thicker soled boot tricks. The only two I believe I have failed to perform is the 30 minute yoga exercises and the Eastern Shaolin mind meditation techniques until I levitated. I have purchased lower kits for all my other bikes but there seems to be zero in this category for the 1200 Multi. I understand the electronic suspension may have something to do with this, but for all that's worth, it's not that complicated. I bought my 1200 Multi Strada fully loaded in 2016 and I have 1105 miles on it! That's right one thousand one hundred and one miles, I just got the break-in service about 6 weeks ago. That's almost 2 years later. The last several weeks I have put on just a bit over 400 miles on it and while I'm up everything is paradise, but fast stops, slopped stops, mounting and dismounting have left me ready to get rid of this bike if I can't find a solution to bring it down at-least two more inches. As is now, I am on the tips of my toes with the lower seat and lowest setting. Again, I've done all the tricks, but they don't work riding double, parking on a slopped street and a full load. Does anyone have a mechanical solution? Thanks for any help....
Hello and thanks for writing, I most certainly will go to the newbie section and introduce myself. The technique in this video is quit old (I did this on my bicycles) and dosen't apply if you have a passenger and if you have your bags/boxes on, it has proven to be dangerous in that; you have a good chance of hitting a bag with your leg then throwing you off balance and ultimately onto the pavement. Thanks again..
I’d love a multistrada as my second bike (in addition to the Panigale) but like you I am a hobbit and so I daren't even contemplate it. I have gone down the Scrambler route instead
The Scramblers are a kick, I have one too! The problem is that it's not the tool for touring on/off road for any length of time. My wife has the 2017 900 Multi and does real well with her 32" inseam. Last year we road the Dragons Tail on our Harley's and really enjoyed the trip. However, there were a few in our pack that had Enduros and got to ride into the back country and they had much better stories to tell, so this was our plan this year. I need to be able to make fast stops, park and stop at different slops, mount, dismount etc., without going over. Probably most important is not worrying about it and having confidence at any situation that may arise. I don't want to worry that I can't touch ground when simply high ended a bit or need to touchdown on the low end of a slope. We'll see what others have to say, hopefully a solution can be found.. Thanks again..
I too have a 29" inside leg but I did over 30,000 miles in 4+ years that I owned it. Yes, initially I found it a challenge but I soon got the hang of it ànd learned to be careful getting on and off the bike although sometimes I had to move the bike a bit before doing so because of an adverse camber. Lowered seats didn't really work because there is less padding but the base remains the same width making them effectively wider. When it came to replacement bike time, l tried the new Supersport and the new Multi back to back. The SS won hands down and with the panniers makes a great sports tourer.
Being blunt, I'd get rid. If you're a stumpy it is far easier to play with dropping and adjusting suspensions, heights, when it is not an electronic suspension bike. Then you also come onto the whole whole adventure style for shorties issue and 1105 miles in nearly two years, would suggest it's not your favourite bike either. El's route of perhaps a scrambler 1100 might be a better replacement?
1105=1101 ?? Welcome along PS, why do oompa loompa folk buy bikes that are too big ?? Why not just buy something you fit to start with ?
No. Not really. You can drop te forks a little and also mess with the rear hub by having longer chain and moving the eccentric closer to 3pm but can have negative affects to ground clearance and if the front is too low there’s a risk the front wheel will foul the rad (on other Ducati’s but assume this would be the same). Get a smaller bike or learn to plan your stops. I have a shorter inside leg and manage, just about...
Because for some there is almost no bike, other than learner bikes, that do. I have not found a single bike outside Harley that I can be flat footed on both feet. In fact, every sports bike is the same as the multi, most tourers in the seat are the same as the multi. Just the multi is harder to get on and off, as the rear seat is a lot higher. The thing that does me in te most, though, is trying to get the stand up and down. WhyTF don’t they just add a kicker to it like the enduro?! Life would be so much easier.
Is yours a DVT? Worth noting that it’s a good inch lower in the seat on DVT than older models, so much so lower seat wasn’t needed for me, just standard seat in lower position. Just don’t buy a comfort seat lol
Thanks, I've done all the tricks and then some. While It's not that big of a deal on most occasions, it's simply dangerous in the event you need to make foot assisted corrections, saves etc,. and of course riding double and with a lot of gear is just out.
There's alot of folks that have 30" and less inseams and you would see what I mean if you visit the dozens of Muti-strada forums out there. It the biggest or rather number one complaint on this bike.
I welded a spring-loaded rod on my stand so that obstacle is not an issue. I don't want everyone here to think I'm a pansy, just think a bike of this high caliber would at-least have some type of mechanical option. I too have a Harley "Custom Electra Glide Limited" w/reverse. I can easily throw my leg over and stand about 3/4 flat footed. This is because I had it lowered and put on a lowered saddle. I also have a KLR 650 that was as high as my Multi when I got it, but I put a lowering kit on it, a lower seat and softened the rear suspension and I sit almost flat footed and haven't had any bottoming issue. If I load up, I just stiffen the suspension. I guess I'm going to take it to a custom builder and see what can be done from there. If nothing, I'll live with it. I love the bike to all ends, just an altitude problem that drives me nuts!
I have a 27" inside leg and low seat on my DVT and have no real issues I think the OP is talking about the Enduro - not the standard 1200S - which is even taller....... That one is definately a no go for us Hobbits.... even Wayne may struggle
I agree with you Bradders - why they did not weld on a lug to make putting the stand up and down easier... I use the spring as my kick down point.
So not only do you belittle our short hobbit legs now our feet too... mind you they can be clumpy... and the hair can catch the chain if your not careful.
