Hi, Just joined the forum. Currently on the lookout for a Multistrada - can't quite decide which yet - but 1260 S looks favourite. Never had a Ducati before but realized that the bikes I had been riding for years were starting to look rather dated to say the least. How did I get to this point...? Always had a biggish tourer or similar - almost always Japanese - although test rode a GS a long time ago, indeed owned an 1150GSA 10 or 15 years back but really didn't like them. Too quirky for me and couldn't get that damn boxer through the traffic!! At least not with engine protectors around it. Owned a Honda Varadero from new which I loved (except the top heaviness in town) so I once hired one of the new Africa Twins whilst in the South of France about 4 years ago for a couple of weeks - and that was just awful - not enough power, seat shaped in such away that I was being forced into the tank (not in a nice way!!) A couple of FJR's - used to love my 2002 one, but the newer one ain't got the soul and all the extra weight (electronic this and that) seems to have affected the performance (maybe I'm looking back with rose-tinted glasses) ... anyway that brings me up to date. I don't do the huge commuter miles that I used to do, and can probably get a cheap hack for getting around town on, so I can now consider getting a bike that I need to take proper care of and actually enjoy properly on days off, and that's why I'm in the market for a Multi!!
Welcome to the forum Richard. The Mutley 1260s is a great choice, I would say that though... Sliding into the tank is an issue with the standard seat but can be fixed by having the seat reshaped, by someone who knows that they're doing, or fitting the Touratech Ducati Performance seat. I've done the latter on mine with both rider and pillion seats. They're not available new any more, are expensive even on the used market, but IMHO are well worth the investment. There are numerous other mods that improve the bike, plenty of posts regarding those on here in the Multistrada section; screen spacers, exhaust flapper valve mod, Evotech engine, rad and oil cooler guards to name but a few. Intending to keep mine in the longer term despite the advent of the V4. Test rode one but have the 1260 exactly how I want it now and perfectly happy.
