Having swapped my 2010 Fireblade with ABS (and 2500 miles) plus a 748SP for my new 2011 Multistrada 1200S Sport with 16500 miles at the start of March, I waited until this month to tax it, seeing as Spring hadn't put in an appearance. On Friday I taxed it for the year, and took it out for the first time today (I thought I'd better as I've never ridden the thing, having done my familiarisation of ;a Skyhook demo model at M&S Newcastle. First impressions: How bad am I after a Winter off the road - threepenny-bit corners, poor positioning on the road, feeble at pulling away at an angle... The Multistrada helped me along immensely. Instead of feeling I had to "make progress" as on the Fireblade, I went out "for a ride" and saw a lot more of the countryside (which is beautiful near me). The upright stance helped a lot, as did the grunt of the engine - I spent most of the time in 3rd - god knows how hard I'll have to go to get into 6th! and the Touring setup was great for the poor road state. I went along the A69 to Brampton, turned off on the Hartside road and intended to cross the watershed into the Allen Valley, to drop in on a friend at Allendale. Honourable intentions went out of the window when the Multi warned me of ICE as I crossed the snowline, and as I haven't got my heated grips activated yet, I froze and abandoned the route to drop down back into Haltwhistle. I'd never have tried the sort of road conditions on the Fireblade, but just felt completely happy on the Ducati. Manoeuvring was easier - less weight on the bars with upright stance, and the seat was oh-so-comfy, although I ran into the pillion seat edge far more readily than on the Honda (where I could slide back so my face was on the tank!). The Fireblade had me riding far more with my goolies against the tank, so the Multistrada was far kinder on my sensitive areas, and the ride was far smoother too, especially on the rougher side roads where the Honda would have tried to bounce me off as it crashed through the potholes-the Ducati just sailed over these. Despite just going out for a tootle (first time this year, and new bike), I found I was travelling at least as fast as on the sports bike,on which I constantly felt I was underperforming. On the Multi, I felt happy to cruise along, yet still felt I could go faster if I wanted to, and actually found myself travelling at least as fast as on the Fireblade, if not quicker. Most of the time I left it in Touring mode, but switched into Sport on the A69, which felt a lot sharper - the suspension setup was OK on the smooth main road but I preferred the softer Touring setup on the rougher side roads. My wife normally waits until she hears me coming before opening the gates and helping me put the bike away - she remarked that she didn't hear me at all until I arrived. Mind, the Fireblade did have an Akrapovic end-can on which sounded nice - but I'm not convinced that the equivalent on the Ducati is worth the hundreds that I'd have to pay. I'll cut things short at this juncture, as this has become a long post. Suffice to say that I prefer this bike - things happen much slower and I've got more time. Perhaps I'm just too old for sports bikes, tho' this one still lets me play at being on one. I'll post again when I've been out another time. Just warming through now!
It's all relative i guess - but the Multi feels bloody quick to me. I know it's quicker than i'll ever be, which is why i gave up on the sports bike thing many years back..
The bike is fantastic, I am currently sat waiting in Moto Rapido whilst my first service is being completed, I find like you that I am happy to cruise and take in my surroundings more on this bike. Can't wait to cover more miles, bought new just after Christmas and have managed 650 miles which isn't bad I suppose, enjoy your bike!!
Just been out again - after getting warm - just for more fun. Yes, it goes much faster than I can, like the Fireblade, but I always felt "obliged" to do something sporty with that, whereas with the Multistrada I can be a sheep, and pretend to be a wolf occasionally ('cos I know it can!)
I am getting anxious now the good weather is looking likely to return. Mine has been off the road for 14 weeks and only half the bits needed have turned up. I really hope VAG inject some life into the Ducati after sales back up (not dissing the dealer network btw) or I will be oot! Guess someone will be along to tell me I'm moaning and should "embrace the experience" shortly?
Factory coolant "ate" the cylinder heads, which showed as an engine leak after the coolant upgrade at around 15k miles. Vertical head has turned up, but no sign of horizontal one yet.
i m a bit obsessed with the pani right now, but the mulit in probably THE bike to have..wait till you take her on longer journeys... fully loaded or just you ... she'll take you everywhere with the greatest ease... i love mine dearly... enjoy!
STILL having fun on it! But on a different note: I keep it on an Optimate, but it seems to crank VERY slowly. Is this a normal function of a big twin, compared to an inline four?
Yeah that's normal, especially at colder ambient temps. There's a lot of friction to overcome and 600cc per piston to drive up and down ;-)
All twins appear to crank very slowly after 4. Much higher peak torque is required to turn those large pistons over compression so the gearing has to be lower. If she is starting OK probably all is well but have it checked by a dealer if you are concerned.
Same here. Just bloody big pistons! Imagine trying to start a big old 600cc single...then double it. It is a bit disconcerting though after years of inline fours. Does anyone know if the Multi has a decompressor?
I remember kick-starting a Matchless 500 donkey's years ago-see what you mean. All the same, I can't rely on the "sounds a bit iffy" feeling to diagnose a weak battery then.
