Putting the Multi to the Test - Tour & Track?

Hello All,

I am a member of the forum for some time now and first registered in order to check all the experiences, rumours and facts behind the multi as I was a potential buyer.

Although some of the things I read could put me off, I decided to follow my desire and get a multi. So, instead of going for the 2013 model I found a new 2012 S model at a great price and so the adventure began.

The main reason I got it was because I bought into the 4-in-1 marketing theme (did not really care for the enduro part) as I wanted a motorbike that I can tour comfortably but also do the odd track day, as I was a big fan of track days in the past but due to work commitments available time became… unavailable… !!!

As I never test rode one, the first impressions were wow!!! Having owned mainly supersport bikes and at one point a BMW GS1200, I was amazed by the character of the multi, the power, the different modes and overall the whole package that Ducati offered.

So the first test was a European trip through France, Italy, Switzerland & Germany. Let me share some pictures:


(Start of trip Euro Tunnel)


(Passo del Maloja Swiss)


(Passo di Stelvio Italy)


(Lots of Multi's in the top of the Stelvio Pass)


(San Valentino alla Muta- Italy, spend a night there in a great hotel with this view... Just perfect)


(Passo Gavia- Italy - a 5km stretch was being prepared for new asphalt and it was fun doing a bit of enduro riding...if you can call it that...!!!)


(Black Forest Germany)

During 14 days, with pillion, topbox, panniers and almost 2500 miles I must admit that I was again amazed of how well the multi behaved in any kind of situation. Either riding via France at a constant speed or going through the numerous passes in the Alps. The capability of switching modes is great and does really work according to the type of road you are riding.

Sport mode was the favourite of course during the mountain rides and for some peculiar reason I liked very much the enduro mode for the cities. Yes I must admit that some time the low rpm throttle response and running was not perfect but I never really got annoyed.

The part that really blew my mind off was the agility of the multi and the ease to change direction and play around in the mountains even 2 up and fully loaded. So this test was not only successful but amazing.

So from my point of view:

Long Distance Touring: Just perfect. 2 up & fully loaded and it was pulling like a train and also embarrassed couple of supersport bikes in the mountains…! Also after a bit of autobahn and at speeds of around 110miles, the multi felt stable. So, great touring bike. Only addition recommended is the touring seats.

Consumption: The best consumption I got was 54.7mpg, worst around 44 mpg in the mountains.

Brakes: Again just perfect. Fully loaded, 2 up I never felt that I was running out of brakes and the diving of the front end under braking never really felt as excessive. Do not use the rear brake so no comment on that.

Tyres: The Scorpions were just perfect. Did there job and no bad comment on them. Behaved perfectly in the twisty parts. Yes better tyres might be out there but I was more than happy with the tyres at this trip.

 

So after that great trip, one day I was browsing the track day organizers websites and there it was… Silverstone Arena GP on the Bank Holiday Monday… Too good to miss so I got myself booked in at the Interns group.

The main reason for selecting this track is because I have been there before a lot of times and the track is fast with nice flowing corners, so it was for me the best track to go with the multi.

I made the decision to not change the Scorpions to my favourite Dunlop Sportsmarts. Main reason is that the tyres seemed to have some more life and the edges were fine and wanted to really test the bike as sold!

So there we go, Silverstone Arena GP, 5 days before the MotoGp race with very nice weather!



I got signed in and then removed mirrors, reg plate and dropped the pressures to 32 psi front and 30 rear.

First couple of sessions were not that good. Played a bit with the sport mode settings and found that the one that fitted me best was the one with pillion & luggage. Also in my mind and only my mind I did not trust the tyres a lot and was trying to find the best position on the multi in order to ride comfortably around the track.

But, going in for the the 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] session and after that I was feeling more and more confident and really enjoyed the day. In the interns group there were approximately 70 riders and got passed only by 10 of them or so in every session (the same ones some really fast guys!)

I did run a good pace and was able to pass some supersport bikes but this does not say a lot. The important part is that I enjoyed it and was able to mix up with supersport bikes and run at a good pace in the Interns.



The multi is very capable even with the scorpions. The available torque is more than enough and some of the 1000cc supersports had problems passing me in the straights. I found that running 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] and 4[SUP]th[/SUP] gear was the best for the flowing parts and got only to 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] in the s sections. Average mpg as expected at 28.4

So, did the multi pass this test also? Of course it did, big time!!!

The only thing I would change in order for the bike to be more stable under braking & accelaration is a set of tyres like the Dunlop Sportsmart and in order to have a better position on the bike would be a set of adjustable foot rests.

Overall, the Multi is a great ride and it does what is promised. I love it, I will keep it and enjoy it as much as I can!

Ride safe guys!!!!

 

To tell you the truth I never get this kind of mpg in UK.

I got that figure twice. Once after passing Mont Blanc going to Milan and another one when I was going from Davos to Zurich.

Both times I was in sport mode and doing approximately 75 to 80 miles per hour in the highway.

Generally I know that when the weather is hotter fuel consumption is better.

 

Nice blog and review from a long term test:

Ducati Multistrada 1200 Hits The Track! - Motorcyclist Magazine Up To Speed - Page 1