Good to hear your positive experiences with your range of Multistradas Steve. There seem to be plenty of 2nd, 3rd time and more owners of the model which to me sounds like Ducati got it so right with the concept and evolved it over the years. I'm on my first one, a 1260s, the last of the V twin variant, intending it to hang onto it for the foreseeable future.
I’m on my first one, purchased a 6 month old 2013 1200s skyhook in 2014 with 1800 miles and loads of warranty from lovely but now ex Ducati dealer. Now on 42000 miles. It’s been pretty reliable. On fuel sender #3, latest variant so hopefully the last one. On gear position sensor #2, not sure what makes that go wonky? tyres, original Scorpions lasted under 4000 miles, I always change as a set. Just to be awkward I absolutely love the feedback and edge grip of them, then replaced with PR3, Angels, PR4(horrible) and latterly PR5(like but not so much feedback). Used absolutely no oil up to 15000 miles, then switched like a teenager!! It was investigated and Ducati agreed to regrind valves on one cylinder as the compression was quite low. I don’t think that has made a huge difference and to this day uses about 500ml per 1000 miles, no matter what riding style. Fitted rad and oil pump guards, bought tail end tidy but looks a faff to fit so still boxed. Recently replaced OE clutch slave cylinder which was knackered with Oberon, lovely quality and feel. Front disc has a slight warp, actually improved a lot after a track day, running Carbon Lorraine HH type pads , great on the road wet or dry, not recommended for track! On 3rd set of heated handlebar grips, 2 changed in and out of warranty foc by Ducati. Great service and much appreciated!! Being short of leg I got a DP low seat, total shit, don’t waste your money, too uncomfortable after a couple of hours, got that sorted at Else made seat www.elsemade.com , superb work and now all day comfy. Got the Skyhook professional set up and now works how it can and should be. Did have a weep from front brake and clutch master cylinders, it only happens on rides making progress?? Changed the M/C tops and that worked for several months. Chain and sprockets: OE shagged at 8000 miles. Again always replace the total kits. Then put DID X , not bad but shagged at 12000 miles, Afam kit put in at 20000 miles, now done 22000 miles with no sign of wear, sprockets still good for a good while yet. I clean the chain with paraffin about 3 to 4 times a year and only use Castrol lube. Navihalter fitted which is practical but its wobbling annoys me! Of course the bike is not perfect , but it is brilliant and I love it to bits. I have test ridden 1200 DVT, but I missed my engine ‘character’ and power delivery, apart from that the DVT is a big improvement ergonomically over mine. Also tried the 950 recently, it was wet roads so couldn’t push too much, not my bike after all, but it was great, loved the feel from those wheel sizes which surprised me. But lacked power and grunt for me. so the solution is simple for me, try to get my engine type into a DVT framed bike???
I used Pro Twins in Surrey, a very nice and more importantly a good communicator as well as very knowledgeable , Aussie chap named Rob.
Great thread as I'm thinking of getting a multi this year. Some test rides after lock down I think. When I googled issues the 1200 frightened me to death, however after reading this I'm a lot more comfortable about looking into it
Great reading these but due to a change in circumstances we had to move house further away from my place of work so needed something that would coupe with the British winters and the Ducati would have suffered so have now brought a Africa Twin which I use as my daily transport Haven’t been on this forum for a while it’s nice to pop back from time to time when finances allow I would love another Ducati in my yet t be built garage
I used mine all year round, apparently when selling it was in excellent condition according to bike dealers. It was garaged and I took care of it, giving it at least a rinse after any poor riding/ road conditions. After 10 years the engine paint just started to need a look at.
Nice thread resurrection! I still say the best all round bike since the 1200 was launched is the Multi. Fast. Comfortable. Easy to ride. Tall but not overly so. Not too bad looking for this type of bike. And skyhook the best semi-active built bar none. Night and day to BMW for sure. I often look at eBay to see if I can grab a bargain… if I get back doing the miles again it’s tough to look last one And they wheelie for fun
I toured France and Spain on my 2010 multistrada S An absolutely perfect bike for big mileage and all day comfort, coupled with being a doddle to ride at speed. Since replaced it with a Monster 1200s and 900ss both fun in their own unique ways
