Hi all, took my CBT at the ripe age of 54, bought a Honda CB125R and then passed the full bike test last month. Wasn’t looking for a Ducati or anything so large but hey why not! Looking for advice on setting up a Multistrada 1200 to carry a pillion and luggage! Thanks
Welcome mate. I’m 51 and only full licence 5 years ago, so I too came to it late. But better late than never! can’t help on your desired model but when you get it we’ll need pics, preferably with wheelie bins in shot
Welcome along Brian, I understand a top box with back cushion is a popular option with pillion passengers (well it was with mine ) If you’ve not got a bike yet then if you get an ‘s’ model then set up is at the flick of a switch (pillion plus luggage, select, job done)
Welcome to the forum Brian. Lots of variables involved but given that you're fairly new to riding the insurance on a Multistrada is going to be pricey, have you looked into that aspect yet? Great bike (I would say that... ) and ideal for two up touring. As Ackers has said the S variant would be useful for easy, on the fly, suspension adjustment to accommodate pillion and luggage. To box and back rest too. The OEM panniers are decent but you may find that your passengers foot positing with them fitted might be a little compromised, depends how dainty their feet are. The OEM seats aren't great in terms of comfort and grip. The Ducati Performance Touratech rider and pillion seats improve matters no end but are pricey and now only available on the used market. Alternatives do exist, such as getting the seat re-profiled and re-covered by someone who knows what they're doing. Plenty of information on the forum about this. Buying a used Multistrada I'd be rating overall condition and service history (not necessarily by a franchised dealer, there are several good independants around) over reasonable mileage. i.e. a bike with more miles, within reason, but a decent maintenance record and in good condition trumps a lower milage one that's a bit tatty, overly messed and/or with an incomplete service history. Good luck with your search.
Already got the bike, a 1200. It came with panniers, just looking for a top box now. Thanks for the information regarding seats, very helpful.
Apologies, just re read your original post. Another thing to look out for is the operation of the exhaust flapper valve. This might have already been done on yours. Basically it can stick, best solution is to disconnect and wire it open, it's just there as a cheat device for noise regs. You will need to either add a spring to the cable, which fools the servo into thinking that the valve is still connected, or fitting a servo eliminator plug in module. Again plenty of advice on the forum on this.
