My mate and I have both been looking at 2nd hand Multistradas recently as they may come in handy for some future euro tours although I'd need another ride before making up my mind, following a few conversations it would seem we're both under slightly different impressions as to what differences there are between the various models and which are the preferred choice to start looking at. If anything it would be the S models whether they're tour or S , from what I gather instead of carbon fibre bits (S) the tour gets panniers , screen , centre stand and heated grips? and that's the only difference? Kinda makes that carbon fibre on the S seem a little over priced to me. but then the confusion sets it with the yearly differences, so between 2010-2012 were there any overhauls or changes made which aren't obvious to the eye? also what about the pikes peak? I've gotta admit looks wise it's what I'd personally go for but are they simply just a paint job, a screen, a termi slip on and some anodised/black powder coated bits in comparison to the S? remember these are 2012 or below we're considering so changes to 2013 models don't apply. lastly and possibly most importantly I seem to keep seeing mention of extended warranties that people have taken out on the multis and with good reason reading some horror stories (maybe just bad luck) does anybody know the situation if buying a 2nd hand multi and availability of these warranties? If for example they're 2011/2012 machines and still under factory cover are you still ale to buy the additional warranty? appreciate these may all be noob questions but as I'm trying to cover both our situations.
i think the first registered owner has to apply for the 3rd years warranty within the first 18 months of ownwership
Yep, that is about it. The S Touring has heated grips, centre stand, and panniers. The S Sport has carbon air inlets, the little panels behind the air inlet, cam covers, rear hugger, and possibly front mud guard. I think that is it. 2013 is the 'facelift'. There are no major / significant differences between 2010 and 2012, asside from colours. They stopped offering Black, and offered a satin grey instead. The Pikes Peak is essentially an S Sport but with extra bits, and a nice paint job. So yes your pretty much correct. Unicycler is correct, although it might be only the supplying dealer as opposed to only the first owner. There seems to be a little confusion over this. Either way, it can only be purchased within the first 18 months from delivery. You can of course buy warranties from other third party companies though for similar money. Hope that helps.
I have a 2011/12 PP. It's just a pretty Sport with red frame & carbon and the sweet small carbon screen. No other treats except maybe the carbon Termi shorty muffler. I effing adore it. Crushes everything ive ever owned before. I've been riding for 37 years.
Pikes Peak also have Marchesini wheels. Just what difference that actually makes apart more expensive if damaged I dont know. From what adverts would have you believe its quicker/lighter handling.....with those big wide handlebars I doubt its anything you would notice in real terms.
BTW from the cost of parts and repairs alone I think some form of warranty a wise investment. I intend to take the 3rd year out on my purchase as its a long termer
there is a small difference in the frame from 2010 to 2012 - this is important if you for example want to purchase the protection bars - the 2010 2011 are different from the later 2012 model. bugs
Not so. - It's only the new style Pikes Peak (2013) that has the different, lighter wheels as standard.
There is a difference in the seats between 2011 and 2012. The 2012 seat has a different front seat mounting and the pillion seat is shortened to give the rider a little more room to move back.
One important thing I would add is despite lots of horror stories on various web sites they are a very reliable well sorted bike. I really believe a lot of horror stories are over exagerated passed on from person to person. Put it this way, I have been riding with a large group of Multistrada 1200 owners since 2010 and have yet to see one break down. Yes the rear brake is crap, asside from a crap rear brake they are as reliable as any Jap bike. In fact on a tour of Spain last year, the only bike to falter was a 2010 Fireblade. I have noticed some of my friends bikes do run rough at low revs but I think this is a general Ducati issue which is easy sorted with a Termi system which comes with an ecu. My pikes peak has a full race Termi system and not only runs better especially at lower revs but returns better mpg. I would strongly recommend a full Termi system as the Termi can for the Multi does not get rid of the big fat overweight cat and the diference in performance is easy noticeable. Hope this helps... Chris.
I sort of agree with Supercharged. I doubt the failures are over exaggerated. They either fail or not. I do however think that a lot of new owners have come from other brands and have different expectations, so some of the reported issues are nothing more than peoples perceptions of what the bike should be like. The main thing is, remember that only fault and issues get raised. People rarely come on a forum to shout how great their bike is, has no faults, etc. Imo there is still no other bike out there that does what the MTS does, in the way it does it. Regarding the frame changes - any idea what has changed ? Regarding the seat - I thought it was only changed on the 2013 models, not the 2012 ? Maybe the two are linked...
I too have the belief that the rear brake is weak, but when at the weekend, I disabled ABS, I could lock the rear wheel quite easily. Still did not provide much retardation though, the issue could be the high design of the bike means the rear wheel can not provide much traction under braking.
Chainsaw, one of my mates has the non-ABS base model, and his rear brake is pants too. I will shortly be fitting a wavy rear disc - they are the same as the 1098 / 1198 rear discs. I hope that and a decent set of pads will improve things, it certainly did on my ST4S. Just have to get beyond the constant need to bleed it.
FWIW re the rear brake; I'm one of the very few it seems that has a functional rear brake on my Dec' 2011 build PP. Improved greatly by the fitment of HH Freodo "Platinum" pads I might add. Easily hill holds and can pull her up on it's own from about 30k/ph. Weirdly though, she goes "away" like all the others over 60k/ph. So,... Be that as it may, I intend to upgrade it in the next month or so with the Brembo CNC rear caliper (check Motowheels site) & BrakeTech iron disc allied with the HH Ferodo pads. Stay tuned.
MJW, mine works, but will only last a few days on a trip before long pedal travel makes it useless. Having a functional rear brake is essential when riding two up, and helps to make the bike 'sit down' into the turns if your pressing on too. Sometimes I need all the brakes I can get :wink: By contrast, the rear brake on my ST4S ABS was excellent (well didn't disappear), and worked even better when I fitted a 'braking' wavy disc and carbon loraine pads. That had the same caliper and master cylinder as the MTS has. I really don't understand why Ducati stick with the same rear brake arrangement, its never been great all the way back to the 916, yet is essentially the same setup (caliper mounted upside down, master cylinder mounted next to the nice toasty engine). I'm waiting to see the feedback on the 2013 rear brake, see if it is improved any, especially as they are now supposedly electronically linked...
Yes. I'm an avid disciple of the use of the rear brake too! Hence my quest to upgrade mine (at great expense) despite the fact it's reasonable as is. I'll start with the usual heavy hitter solutions (caliper/disc/pads) and work backwards from there if its still shite or no better than OEM. Interesting point re the heat on the master cyl'; I've read it before somewhere although I'm not quite convinced that's (the primary) issue as I rode mine today in ambient heat of 105F (yep, it's an Australian summer) and gave it a good pressing and happy days-AT SPEEDS UNDER 40 mph. So God knows what heat the headers/pipes were emitting (Quat-D's) but it worked perfectly as described above. Over that, it goes away just like every other post describes. Hmmm. I've not de-activated the ABS yet for a sanity check on that however will do to check. Its a journey to sort this but I'm on a mission....
The rear brake on my ST4S was non-existent and if I used it for any time (i.e. Stelvio) the fluid overheated and there was no pedal at all. In contrast the one on my new Multistrada works very well. Putting that in perspective, next to my Explorer the Multi rear brake is useless. I would love to put the Explorer rear brake system on tho the Multi.
