I've had my Multi for just over a year and in that time I've done a few tweeks and mostly ridden my local routes on weekends. I'd basically treated the Multi like a comfy sport bike. A role it fulfills surprisingly well . I'd gained a repsect for the bike, and really enjoyed it on a Thruxton IAM Skills Days too. It hadn't set my pants on fire so to speak. This past weekend I headed off to Wales for a few days away with my other half and friends. The bike was pretty loaded up so my girly didn't have to carry any luggage (yes, I am a hero ). To be fair, she was on her KTM RC8R. A bike I have also toured on and whilst good, the extra luggage definately impacts the handling as you've expect on a superbike. It's not as easy to "hoon" about on even with manually dialled in preload etc. It was a 4.5 hour run to the accomodation (Lake Vyrnwy Hotel which I absolutely recommend!) and back again. We packed in a decent 4 - 5 hours or so each day in the saddle (thank goodness I'd managed to pick up a Touratech unit - it was fab). So a good leg stretch for the Multi. This was my "Eureka!" moment with this bike . Fully loaded up and being hustled down a decent twisty road (in Touring mode) it was a revelation. Totally planted, easy to lean over and keep there, pacey and just down right fun! I've never had a bike that was so good when carrying luggage. It literally was as if the luggage wasn't there and in no way did it deminish my enjoyment of decent roads. Of course with the luggage off it was even better but it was really the fully loaded ride that impressed me the most. How good are the panniers too! Such a clever mouting system and super convenient. A massive improvement from the BMW K1300S hard luggage, or the Ventura system on the KTM RC8R I'd used previously. Oh and Wales was WET (surprise, surprise). Still loved every minute though. Decent Rukka gear kept me dry and the M9RR's were fantastic, which was another nice surprise given they aren't really meant to do unpaved B-Roads coverded in autumn / tree ditritous and mud
Good to hear that you've gelled further with your Mutley. Set off into Europe, solo or two up with luggage, and it's more of the same over an extended period; day after blissful day
I know that feeling. After I'd chopped in my Bayliss and Scrambler for my Multistrada V4S I wasn't sure if I had done the right thing. Sure it was competent......it was quick, handled well and was comfortable......but it didn't get the heart rate going. It didn't have "character" Then on a trip to Scotland in June one of my pals who has had Multistradas for years, and can ride the wheels of his, asked me what I thought of mine and I told him exactly that. His response was one of surprise and he said I must be riding it wrong. He told me to ride it hard, and just like I used to ride my sports bikes and I'd see a difference. He wasn't wrong. The next day I did exactly as he said and it all made sense. It comes alive at around 7k revs and its an absolute hoot. And now it has character in spades! I love the range of riding it gives me.....from hard sports type riding through to touring/bimbling type riding and everything in-between. I now understand why they are such a popular bike
Yep, I’d go with that. I had my 1260 for two years, but never quite gelled with it. I probably didn’t ride it the way it was intended, if I’m being honest. My V4PP has been spanked from day one, however, and is like a part of me, it all just flows and feels right.
Totally agree - I had a Hypermotard 1100 for 12+ years which was a great bike except for touring (with a Kriega rucksack). Before that a string of sportsbikes. I've had my Multi since May 2023 and have done over 4,500 miles on it over the summer with several trips to Devon and a tour of Wales. The panniers are a godsend and the bike handles brilliantly - like the Hyper on steroids. Having cruise control is another revelation to me
It’s incredible how different it is past 6k revs. It’s super quick and pulls like a train. Apart from the little flat spot on my 2015 DVt
