Hi; I am looking at buying a 2nd hand Multistrada and wanted to see what your thoughts were. I will be using the bike for touring - I am booked to ride to Morocco at the end on April, so I will be needing the 'touring' extras, so I have naturally been looking at a 1200s Touring I was speaking to a dealer earlier and he suggested that I should not ignore the 1200s(ABS) (He has a pre-reg in stock he want to offload) and that the only 'real' difference in the bike is the Ohlins suspension. He then proceeded in saying that as the Ohlins suspension is an electrical method for changing the suspension (through the dash), it is just the same as manually changing it on the 1200s. As for all the other items (please let me know if I have missed any) Heated grips Centre stand Panniers He says that these can be easily added. So, my questions are... Is he right re:the ohlins? Do I need Ohlins for me type of riding? are there any other items I missed between the two bikes is there something I have not thought of? Thnaks
Hi mate, I had exactly the same thoughts when I bought my bike. Had I been buying new, I would almost certainly have gone for a ABS equipped "base" model and added the extras. In the end I got a very low mileage hybrid of the 1200 Sport and Touring (someone had bought a Sport, then added heated grips and panniers) so I was lucky enough to get the best of all worlds without spending the earth. There is no doubt that the 1200S variants with Ohlins ESA suspension are "better" than the base model, but whether or not you can notice the difference is debatable. But be aware that it is more than just the electronic adjustment - the non ESA models do not have Ohlins at all, so it is a matter of suspension quality as well as the dash based adjustment. Having said that, I don't reckon there's much wrong with the ?Showa non-ESA kit. To be honest the best advise is to ride the pre-registered bike the dealer has and if you like it and can get a very good deal, then buy it. Remember also that you are buying "old" stock, so you should make sure it really is a great deal, otherwise hang on for a 2013 ABS base model (assuming you don't feel the need to have the Ohlins ESA). Not having the Ohlins might be a good thing if you're heading off to Morocco 'cos if your ESA goes on the blink out there you'll have a challenge getting it fixed I would think! Lastly, bear in mind that whatever you save now will be reflected in the price you get when you come to sell; most people want ESA and nearly everyone is starting to look for ABS on bikes, so if you opt for one without this you might find it harder to sell. I had a non-ABS GS before the MTS, and I really didn't want ABS (since they had issues with Servo failures) - but lots of people's first question when I was selling was "it has got ABS hasn't it". So I felt I had to have ABS on the Mutley (and I'm quite glad I did TBH). Your list of accessories to add is right, but again consider if you really want to pay for the Ducati accessories. I would have the OE heated grips for sure, but there are 3rd party options for the centre stand (if you really need it) and the panniers. You can get both cheaper, and arguably better, from other sources such as SW Motech.
My thoughts were that there was less to go wrong, with the base model, my riding set up never relly changes, so i did not think that the adj suspension was worth the risk, i really wanted an ABS model but came across a std base with full panniers so went for that. Other points, unless you have small feet, the centre stand catches, having had heated grips before i have not been impressed, so saved the £250 cost and bought a heated fleece & gloves off ebay for half the cost.
If you are touring get the 1200s Touring. If you are not touring still get the 1200s Touring, it's the best model and you'll get more when you trade it in as they are the most sort after.
Either bike is a good option one up, the suspension on the standard version is a good set up, but used s touring seem plentiful and now a facelift model is out can be had relatively cheap, no half measures, get the s touring if you want to tour imo. I did and its bloody marvellous. Dont let the dealer push you into the deal that suits him unless he is literally giving you the extras, although there was a £1000 accessory deal so maybe he will.
cheers chaps... yeah, I was kinda set on the touring, and he kinda threw me for 6. Along the same lines, is there in benefit or drawback for going with a 1200s Sport and adding the luggage etc...? I find if you ask the dealers that will tell you what they want you to hear.
Cant think of any drawbacks, you are getting some nice looking carbon in exchange for the black plastic on the s touring, but of course can add the panniers and heated grips and centre stand, the stand i find is is handy for lubing the chain if nothing else. The ducati top box is massive, you will need that for touring as well if going two up. One up touring you might get away with a topbox only, i cant say the panniers are massive tbh.
BZH, I have a Touring with the Ohlins suspension. My front forks rattle and despite 3 or 4 visits back to the dealers for re-shimming (including a replacement fork leg for one they gave up on) they haven't been able to eliminate it completely. Not everyone has had this problem and I suspect most are cured by the re-shimming. However, it's something to think about. It's more an irritant than a problem which is a shame as the Ohlins seem to give a plusher ride. Forks aside the rest of the Touring kit is really useful. The heated grips are wonderful; the centre stand dead handy; and the panniers probably a must if you intend to tour seriously (although they spend 99% time in the garage as opposed to the Ducati topbox which is a permanent fixture on the bike). If it was me I might be inclined to go for the 1200S and negotiate a really good deal for the grips, centrestand and panniers. I'd also go for the DP Touring screen as well. The OE screen is crap.
I have the S Touring. The Ohlins are super smooth velvet and can quite easily deceive you to how fast you are actually going... I use them on Sports setting because I like to feel the road beneath me. There have been a few issues with Ohlins blowing fork seals, though if it is still in warranty, not a problem. the forks did rattle but I had them shimmed so all fine now. If you try the 2013 model they no longer use Ohlins and the ride is much harder and sportier if you like that sort of thing... they do work very well. The heated grips are excellent and easy to use. Personally I pondered for a while and got a good deal on a 2011 model S Touring. It pays to shop around.
Thanks for the input chaps... It all makes complete sense to me (albeit more confused ). I guess I will have to see if I can arrange a test ride of both an Ohlins and a non-Ohlins 1200. I guess I gotta get a move on, if I am to ensure that the bike is ready for the Morocco trip. Dawg - phew - glad I am not the only person who thinks like that
I personally when for a 2012 ABS bike with the free £1000 accessory promotion, I got the bike new for £11.5k, I feel in the long run I will have piece of mind because if the electronic suspension goes wrong then it's going to cost big bucks to sort out, we have managed without it for long enough and having ridden both I really can't see much of a difference between the two, certainly not £2000 worth of difference! I paid to have the heated grips installed, I got the top box and sat nav free, all I need to do now is add some panniers.
