I rarely believe hype. Generally, I take it with a pinch of salt as it is written by someone whose job it is to separate me from my hard earned cash. When I read the reviews online about the Ducati Multistrada, and watched the numerous video reviews, I soon realised that this bike is not like any other on the road. When Ducati say “it is four bikes in one” they really are telling the truth, although this is a marketing tagline you had better believe it yourself. I have ridden a Suzuki GSX1250FAST for seven years and toured all over the UK and Europe. The bike never missed a beat. It has been a good solid reliable bike, trustworthy, sound. If that is what you want from a bike it is the best thing in the world – I liked it so much I founded a Facebook group which has enthusiastic members from all over the world. They too love the bike. My wife and I had a matching pair! Why did I change if I loved the GSX1250FAST so much? My description sums it up; solid, reliable, sound (dull). I could not use terms like – fun, exciting, awesome to describe the GSX1250FAST. However, a sixty-minute test ride on the Multistrada had me hooked. The Ducati Multistrada holds the road like nothing I have ever ridden before. Wherever you place it on the road, it just goes. In bends, it begs you to open the throttle in the apex and then it glides effortlessly around the most challenging of twisties. It is as much at home on twisty country roads as it is on the motorway and, if you want to eat up some miles on a tour then the Ducati Multistrada will not let you down. Here too the Cruise Control comes into-its-own. Ducati has masterfully combined so much technology into this bike. Skyhook Suspension, Desmondric Variable Timing, ABS, Wheelie Control and Traction Control all of which can be adjusted to suit your personal riding requirements. Put all of these pieces together into one bike and you have a motorbike that should be the prototype for all other bikes. The upright and high riding position, makes you feel like you are in complete command of the road and the bike. The wide bars give good feedback from the road. Within minutes of riding, I was making full lock turns without a second thought. Its 160hp twin engine delivers so much punch that, in Sports Mode, it will take your breath away. The suspension is also adjusted to better suit strong acceleration and cornering. In Urban mode, it is less grunty and smooths out the power delivery for an easier time in the city. In Touring mode you have the full 160hp at your command with the suspension preload softened off a little. Enduro mode lifts the bike up and sets the preload, ABS, Wheelie and Traction Control to a suitable balance for off-road use. The engine is also tuned down to 100hp. On top of the four engine modes you can also adjust the suspension for solo riding, solo with luggage, rider and pillion and rider, pillion and luggage. The ST model has added features. Panniers, cornering headlights, a full stand and there are also other customisations that can be added such as the metal can tops for the hydraulic reservoirs, the carbon fibre front mudguard – and from the enduro pack, the engine bar and front fog\running lights. The running lights combined with the incredibly bright LED head lights really do make your presence known on the road. From my perspective, this is a great all round bike with enough umph to keep even the most ardent petrolhead happy, and enough luggage space to hold all that you could need for a long tour. The tank range is average for a bike of this style, around 200 miles. Of course, this depends upon how heavy handed you are with the throttle. If you have any doubt about the claims that Ducati makes about this bike – try it – you’ll love it! If you don’t then you get to keep hold of your cash to spend on something else. However, you will miss out if you don’t take one for a spin. What have you got to lose?
I rode 200 miles yesterday and was really sad that the day came to an end. Up and over the Pennines from Cheshire, I almost turned left to the Lakes for a short sixty-mile detour!! LOVE THIS BIKE
Check your front pre-load, that is not adjusted by the skyhook system and comes typically with only a quarter turn on it. Should be about 3-5 turns depending on your weight (rule of thumb, 1 turn per 15Kg of rider weight inc kit). Get that right and the handling your experiencing now will feel average compared to what it can be.
I'm chuffed as punch with my multi-enduro; all the features I desire in a modern bike. Coloured dash, corning lights & corning abs with electronic suspension. Certainly makes me giggle sometimes on doing overtakes' plus nigh on 370+ miles range out of 33L tank. It's not overly aggressively fast & with full running lights; a flying UFO at night. I would like a third trip computer setting, as I use one for range, one for measuring a new route then swap it out for when the reserve light comes on. And a night-time side parking light feature that turns off with sun-rise sensor. I got collared filling up my 2litre fuel can the other day (having ran out of fuel less than a mile from petrol station). The new law stipulates the fuel-can must be a minimum of 5-litres & have writing on side to cover containing volatile liquids. Basically the petrol-stations can be fined for allowing illegal cans to be used endangering the public. I like to deliberately empty the fuel tank once a month, to zero down the range completely. But having used my 2-litre spare up, I rode more proactively than I should have.
They are awesome Rev, I'm not considering selling the DVT cause it's a bad bike, more because it's my 3rd Multi and fancy a change, glad you're enjoying it, and whacking on the miles.
I do not have time for religion, i will not be told by any priest, rabbi, etc how to lead my life. However i welcome the reverand and find Peters post unwelcome.
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