2010 Ducati Multistrada Review

[sarnali2]

Having owned an earlier generation VFR the new one is definately NOT on the list. I must have got a lemon or something because the one I had was a pail 'o shiite, serves me right for buying a Honda. As an aside, I've taken my FLHT up some pretty crappy roads, the only thing stopped us was snow.

On topic here, I'd rather have a Stelvio than the Multi Strada.

[jmdonald]

Originally Posted by sarnali2

Having owned an earlier generation VFR the new one is definately NOT on the list. I must have got a lemon or something because the one I had was a pail 'o shiite, serves me right for buying a Honda. As an aside, I've taken my FLHT up some pretty crappy roads, the only thing stopped us was snow.

On topic here, I'd rather have a Stelvio than the Multi Strada.

I can't say my 2002 VFR was a pile of s but got rid of it after only 2 years because of electrical problems. The setup/ergonomics were good but my personal opinion was the Vtec just wasn't getting it done. I currently have an R1150r and have taken it on many a dirt road without any problems. I don't ride it like the dirt bikes I had as a kid however. It could use a little more legroom but that is the only issue I have. A John Burns review finally sold me on the bike and for an all rounder I have been more than happy. You are right about the Stelvio. I would like to have one of those also. Looking forward to the upcoming BMW Honda test.

[Dr_Sprocket]

Originally Posted by sarnali2

On topic here, I'd rather have a Stelvio than the Multi Strada.

Why? Styling reasons, or no need for all that electronic whizbang gadgetry?

On another note, I'm glad that Ducati upped the maintenance interval. When I was looking to buy my new bike, it was down to the Multistrada and the Uly. They both felt good and sounded good. The Duc had 6500 mile service intervals, and the nearest dealer was 2.5 hours away. The Buell was massively less maintenance-intensive, and the local dealer is twenty minutes down the road. That made my choice pretty easy.

[sarnali2]

Originally Posted by Dr_Sprocket

Why? Styling reasons, or no need for all that electronic whizbang gadgetry?

Mainly styling reasons, plus service intervals and expense, no need for a bunch of gee-wiz extras.. I like Moto Guzzi's and don't care much for Ducati's, not that there's anything wrong with them except that they're too loud with Termi cans and might annoy my neighbors.


My VFR was a '97 with the non variable gear cams. I sold it after a year for the same reason, constant electrical issues. I went through two voltage rectifier/regulators and half a dozen bulbs in 20k miles. The first reg/rec left me stranded on top of Chinook pass, the second one left me stranded in downtown Seattle on I-5 during rush hour. Try pushing a dead bike from the middle of a 6 lane to the shoulder in stop and go traffic. I was fortunate it was still under warranty, as soon as I picked it up from the service dept I rode it around front to the sales dept and traded it in on a 1200S Bandit and never looked back.

[newagetwotone]

Is it weird that i like the looks of the older one better?

[Kenneth_Moore]

Originally Posted by newagetwotone

Is it weird that i like the looks of the older one better?

I saw an original MS "S" model at Bike Week. It had lots of carbon-fiber, Termongonis, etc. The thing I noticed about it, along with other Ducs, is that it just didn't seem to age well. The alloys were corroding, there was seepage around gaskets, even the carbon looked much older than it should have. The styling is ok, except for the bulbous nose. Sort of like three squished water balloons piled up on each other.

[GSXRWolf]

A buddy of mine just ordered the touring model. He's pumped about all the electronic gizmos. Hope it's reliable for him.

Can't wait for a test ride!

[Motormouth]

I had the opportunity to see the 2010 Multistrada last November when it was presented at the EICMA motorshow in Milan. The trip was worth it, if nothing else for the design and finish. As for the rest... "Four bikes in one" is probably marketing hype. "Two and change" is probably a more accurate description: a powerful two-up tourer and an equally capable, agile and safe (latest generation DTC, ABS...) commuter. Stripped of luggage and in its sportiest mode it's bound to be quite a ride on mountain /curvy roads and, -if need be-one could make a guest appearance on a forestry path... carefully. But all that misses the crucial point. What the new Multistrada REALLY does is make a Beemer guy like me curious. Curious to the point of having signed up for a full day test at a local Ducati dealer when the fisrt units arrive in Spain in April. If they manage to "turn" conservative riders like me to their marque (why else offer the MS also in black?) they'll have really made a leap into a broader market with deeper pockets. So... bring on the gizmos! The point is to have 'el all!
PS: To those Stelvio admirers: The bike is at its best when on the stand. In motion, it is found wery wanting I'm sorry to say.

[Kevin_Duke]

Cool to have a Spaniard on our boards! Even cooler that he has a Flying Tigers avatar!

[sarnali2]

Originally Posted by Motormouth

PS: To those Stelvio admirers: The bike is at its best when on the stand. In motion, it is found wery wanting I'm sorry to say.

That's unfortunate, I've never ridden one but I sat on one at the IMS and made motor noises, I guess I'd have to make do with a Tiger or Norge` then.