Multistrada Test Ride

[mytduk]

Both my friend and I rode the new Multistrada at PJs Ducati in Albuquerque. I actually got to ride it twice. It is just awesome. My friend who has a Goldwing, BMW 1100, and a 907 Ducati said he was going to get one. There was a line to ride the Multistrada and they did have a list. Four of the seven Multistradas are sold. They aren't even here.  A father and son combination sold their BMW 1200 GSs to buy these not having ever ridden one.  I pretty much decided I was going to get a Multistrada after the Dealer Intro last Friday night. Test rides were on Saturday. I was very impressed. I have not ridden the 1098/1198 but the Multistrada has that punch in the gut power.

KRJ, you better go ride one but just make sure to leave your wallet at home if you think you might be tempted to buy one and you really shouldn't.

MYTDUK down under in New Mexico.

[KRJ]

  Thanks MytDuc,  I'm actually very happy with My Multi, but I will still have to test drive a new one, just in case!! 

[mytduk]

KRJ be prepared to be wowed. It is everything they say it is and more. Just grab a handful when you are going down the interstate and hold on.

MYTDUK

[J_Slyter]

Well, I finally got to ride the new Multi. Nice bike, but not enough of an improvement over my ST4s to make me want one NOW, which surprised me since I expected I'd have to have one based on what I'd read. While it does have more power than my 996 based ST, I felt it was harder to use sitting up on the multi vs the modest forward lean of my ST. Seemed like I was forcing myself to lean forward when accelerating hard, to feel like I was in the right position, and keep the front end down. It also seemed to vibrate more, but that may be due to the heavy throttlemeister bar ends and grip puppies on my ST, and the fact my bike's engine is broken in. I read posts that said the beak was not as pronounced in person vs as seen in pictures of the bike, but I think the pictures are pretty accurate. Not a fan of the beak, but it wouldn't deter me from buying one. The engine and suspension adjustments are pretty neat though. Sport mode tightens the suspension and gives a nice quick throttle response, while the urban setting seems like it would make it a good city bike. My ST definitely does not like to be in town with the abrupt throttle response and 30-45 mph speed limits. It will be interesting to see how the new Multi does after the excitement dies down. At the end of the day the loaded bike is still a $20K machine and that's a lot for a toy for most people in this economy. Northern CO Ducati said he could get me one in 3-4 weeks if I wanted one, for whatever that is worth. Maybe next year. I'd still prefer an updated ST with the Multi 1200 engine and electronics.