Quote: but dealers are telling me I can only have a bike for half an hour. Quote Anywhere near Manchester? Ducati Manchester (actually at Sale) will let you have a bike from 10am 'till 6pm no problem. No overnights is there only restriction.
I only took it for 5 minutes! Fair enough, weather was bad so they weren't really allowing test rides. I just wanted to check the low speed handling anyway. Lucky you ST! I must be persona non grata to insurers! The Touring S is probably better VFM over the long run. Easier to shift later as well. I'm not sure what the fuss is about re Ohlins. Sure gold forks look nice. But more ex to repair! Scratches, stone chips etc. Otherwise, its all marketing! Think about it, they are coveted but in GP races. We're not gonna need, infact we don't want that level of performance on the road. ie Real Life. Besides, Showa, Sachs, WP. These are used by race teams as well. Better yet, a lot of the smaller ones (used by Triumph Daytona for eg.) are used in Superstock, closer to production bikes. The best suspension in the world is useless if badly setup. the fact that Ohlins needs to be resprung says it all. I am not impressed with my Ohlins at all. I would definitely go for the DSS if I was you. If like me, you're not used to long travel suspension, particularly coming from a nimble bike like the ST, you will find it hard to get on with the base model. I disagree with all the comments about numb feeling. When poodling around the business park at my dealer'sm I could feel every piece of gravel, but they do not unsettle me. I am aware of the road surface but its nonintrusive. Feedback but control. Funny enough, the bike feels really light because it doesn't lurch and pitch. Will really put that argument to bed when on the open road and braking hard. But give me the DSS anyday. As my dealer's chief rider says, of course you can get the base model to work the same way. But you have to tune it to the road conditions. Why not have it do it for you? Speak to my my dealer Pro Twins at Godstone. Its miles away unless you're in South London, but they're enthusiasts. Just say Lok recommended you. They're not allowing much test rides because of the dreadful weather. Country roads all round. Snow coming on Monday. Not a happy affair. Otherwise, for insurance purposes, they have to state certain conditions. But once you're out with the bike, well, let's just say they don't clock watch. They know you need to get out and stretch the legs of the bike to get the most out of it.
Hi, I brought a standard 2013 MTS a few weeks ago and like you thought long and hard about a 2012 or 2013, read everyones reviews and reports and opted for a base model, factored in all concerns about longevity of components, mainly skyhook and electronic dashes and played safe with standard suspension, I guess its too easy to get sucked in with the must haves when in reality the standard suspension is still bloody good, but has been improved with the progressive spring for 2013. The most important thing for me was the improved engine which I know was an issue for me when I test rode a 2012 MTS twice last year. Skyhook or Ohlins Im sure are superb but the engine was top of my list of improvements along with the lights, screen, improved ABS and a few other tweaks which have improved what was already a fantastic bike. I personally didnt think the savings were significant enough on the 2012 deals around to make me think of it seriously, overall I am happy with my decision and look forward to a good few years of fun.
lets be honest, we only come on here for a moan, what bike wouldnt get slated in some way by someone. in the real world all the strains of mts from 2010 onwards are great bikes.......its evolution not revolution.....yet!
Agree 1000% with the above statement. Answering your question, I had the same dilemma 1 month ago. Should I go for the 2012s or 2013s??? and I was thinking, thinking, thinking.... I did a test ride for both and yes the 2013 is an evolution (as budha is saying) but the 2012s is a great great bike. I had the funds to go for the 2013s but then I thought that if I can get the 2012s for a lot less then you get more 'bike' for less money and this is what I did...I went for the 2012s sport with zero miles. Whatever you decide it is a great bike and the differences between 2012 vs 2013 are there but do not make the 2012 a 'bad' bike.
If your a solo rider, then the Skyhook will be waisted to some degree. The system works best when 2 up tbh. Yes the engine/ ECU ETC is probably better on the 2013 models, but you can always get this re-mapped. Your money, your choice in the end of he day. if you do a search in the Multistrada section of this forum you may find other answers that your looking for or have never even thought of asking...
