Thinking Ducati
Discussion
Been looking at bikes and the Ducati Multistrada 1200 and Multistrada 950 has caught my eye. Would be up to 5 years old, if it happens.
Any user reviews? Maintenance? Requirements would be an ability to munch miles and an ability to do congested town riding/filtering.
This would be parked in London.... would a Ducati get stolen? Stolen any more than another bike, everything not nailed down tends to get stolen.
Any user reviews? Maintenance? Requirements would be an ability to munch miles and an ability to do congested town riding/filtering.
This would be parked in London.... would a Ducati get stolen? Stolen any more than another bike, everything not nailed down tends to get stolen.
I have a 950 and done over 13000 miles on it over the last few years!
Reliability is good and other than one recall, it’s been good. Maintenance intervals are long for a Ducati, and I have had nothing fail.
Just picked it up the other day after a new front tire and a replaced front brake line (no idea how it got bent) and a replacement fuel sensor.
From that I can see the fuel sensor is a common issue for recent Ducati’s. But other than that the 950 engine has been a bunch of other bikes and doesn’t suffer any major issues.
Riding is simple and easy and it’s light and filtering is very straightforward. I have the full luggage set, but even with the cases on, I can filter fine. Though I would say that the Ducati branded Givi cases aren’t great.
I went for the 950 after watching the MCN comparison review. Performance is close to the 1200 in the real world, but it’s a lighter and simpler at a better price. But it feels good to crack on though. I am no expert rider, but I can keep up with friends on more powerful (but heavier) bikes on the corners.
Only thing I would say is that the 950 was upgraded couple of years ago. It got the updated electronics package and cruise control. Mine doesn’t have the cruise and I miss it. I didn’t think that I would, but wish I have it (do longer riders and plenty of freeway riding). Vibrations can be quite a lot at lower revs, but that’s the nature of that older engine (it doesn’t have the DVT or what ever it’s called in the 1209). But once you get the revs up it smooths out and you get a nice roar when you open the throttle up. It does handle well though!
Thinking of replacing mine now. Been over 3 years and really missing the cruise control. I tend to do 3-4 2500 mile trips per year and really would love cruise. Thinking about the new V4. Who knows, will see how this year turns out. Deliveries happening now at my local dealer, so I am looking at a 4 month wait list anyway.
Reliability is good and other than one recall, it’s been good. Maintenance intervals are long for a Ducati, and I have had nothing fail.
Just picked it up the other day after a new front tire and a replaced front brake line (no idea how it got bent) and a replacement fuel sensor.
From that I can see the fuel sensor is a common issue for recent Ducati’s. But other than that the 950 engine has been a bunch of other bikes and doesn’t suffer any major issues.
Riding is simple and easy and it’s light and filtering is very straightforward. I have the full luggage set, but even with the cases on, I can filter fine. Though I would say that the Ducati branded Givi cases aren’t great.
I went for the 950 after watching the MCN comparison review. Performance is close to the 1200 in the real world, but it’s a lighter and simpler at a better price. But it feels good to crack on though. I am no expert rider, but I can keep up with friends on more powerful (but heavier) bikes on the corners.
Only thing I would say is that the 950 was upgraded couple of years ago. It got the updated electronics package and cruise control. Mine doesn’t have the cruise and I miss it. I didn’t think that I would, but wish I have it (do longer riders and plenty of freeway riding). Vibrations can be quite a lot at lower revs, but that’s the nature of that older engine (it doesn’t have the DVT or what ever it’s called in the 1209). But once you get the revs up it smooths out and you get a nice roar when you open the throttle up. It does handle well though!
Thinking of replacing mine now. Been over 3 years and really missing the cruise control. I tend to do 3-4 2500 mile trips per year and really would love cruise. Thinking about the new V4. Who knows, will see how this year turns out. Deliveries happening now at my local dealer, so I am looking at a 4 month wait list anyway.
For London use, get an old nail. Speaking from experience of having nice bike stolen in London.
Unless you have secure, out of sight parking at both ends of your journey. My city centre parking was secure, manned compound.. I thought my apartment parking was equally secure but suspect security guard not working on the night bikes stolen.
Unless you have secure, out of sight parking at both ends of your journey. My city centre parking was secure, manned compound.. I thought my apartment parking was equally secure but suspect security guard not working on the night bikes stolen.
Early Multi 1200's had the wrong coolant in them from the factory. I had one and it caused quite a bit of damage to the motor, it took 1000's miles to rear it's head. I'm guessing those will all have either died or been resolved now.
Rear brakes need bleeding regularly, I was doing mine every 1000 miles or so, not a big job but annoying.
If you get panniers the early 1200's had to have the panniers modified also with an additional clamp as they wouldn't quite close.
Clutch slave cylinder also gave up, the design wasn't great so upgraded to an aftermarket one which resolved those issues.
It was generally a good bus, I travelled across Europe with the missus on mine, I think as every new model DVT, 1260 etc the issues have been ironed out.
Rear brakes need bleeding regularly, I was doing mine every 1000 miles or so, not a big job but annoying.
If you get panniers the early 1200's had to have the panniers modified also with an additional clamp as they wouldn't quite close.
Clutch slave cylinder also gave up, the design wasn't great so upgraded to an aftermarket one which resolved those issues.
It was generally a good bus, I travelled across Europe with the missus on mine, I think as every new model DVT, 1260 etc the issues have been ironed out.
Lee540 said:
For London use, get an old nail. Speaking from experience of having nice bike stolen in London.
Unless you have secure, out of sight parking at both ends of your journey. My city centre parking was secure, manned compound.. I thought my apartment parking was equally secure but suspect security guard not working on the night bikes stolen.
I’ve had “regular” non-snotter bikes in London for a long while. It’s secure at home. Generally don’t commute into Central London. But I do sometimes leave it parked for several hours on the street in Central London. I’m ok with the risk of parking in London in general. It’s more a question of if a Multistrada would be a riff-raff magnet compared to other >2016 bikes. Unless you have secure, out of sight parking at both ends of your journey. My city centre parking was secure, manned compound.. I thought my apartment parking was equally secure but suspect security guard not working on the night bikes stolen.
Iminquarantine said:
I’ve had “regular” non-snotter bikes in London for a long while. It’s secure at home. Generally don’t commute into Central London. But I do sometimes leave it parked for several hours on the street in Central London. I’m ok with the risk of parking in London in general. It’s more a question of if a Multistrada would be a riff-raff magnet compared to other >2016 bikes.
Not really, I spent the last 3 years and 12000 miles, would have been more if it weren't for Covid commuting Reading to Central London, left it all over the place, just kept a chain and a disc lock in the top box !!!What i would say is its a big bike for crossing London on, I used to regularly go Reading / Central London / Lewisham and with all the changes in the road layouts it was getting harder and harder to make progress on the beast, and is why I suggested the Hyperstrada, the 3 years before thats what i did the same journeys on, and on numerous occasions I though I wish I was back on the Hyper, more nimble, more agile, more responsive (was the 821), no less fun, just as easy to eat miles on and still had a top box.
I'm going shopping for another one as soon as the world starts unwinding.
dibblecorse said:
Not really, I spent the last 3 years and 12000 miles, would have been more if it weren't for Covid commuting Reading to Central London, left it all over the place, just kept a chain and a disc lock in the top box !!!
What i would say is its a big bike for crossing London on, I used to regularly go Reading / Central London / Lewisham and with all the changes in the road layouts it was getting harder and harder to make progress on the beast, and is why I suggested the Hyperstrada, the 3 years before thats what i did the same journeys on, and on numerous occasions I though I wish I was back on the Hyper, more nimble, more agile, more responsive (was the 821), no less fun, just as easy to eat miles on and still had a top box.
I'm going shopping for another one as soon as the world starts unwinding.
I had a sit on a Multistrada 1200 today and now I understand where you are coming from. It is a lot of bike for Central London; maybe too much of a bike for something which has to do both long tours and Central London.What i would say is its a big bike for crossing London on, I used to regularly go Reading / Central London / Lewisham and with all the changes in the road layouts it was getting harder and harder to make progress on the beast, and is why I suggested the Hyperstrada, the 3 years before thats what i did the same journeys on, and on numerous occasions I though I wish I was back on the Hyper, more nimble, more agile, more responsive (was the 821), no less fun, just as easy to eat miles on and still had a top box.
I'm going shopping for another one as soon as the world starts unwinding.
I had a play with the Touring vs Urban rider modes.... the Urban rider mode lowers the suspension but also reduces engine power to 100hp. Is it possible to keep the Urban mode seat height/suspension height, but have the full engine power?
Iminquarantine said:
dibblecorse said:
Not really, I spent the last 3 years and 12000 miles, would have been more if it weren't for Covid commuting Reading to Central London, left it all over the place, just kept a chain and a disc lock in the top box !!!
What i would say is its a big bike for crossing London on, I used to regularly go Reading / Central London / Lewisham and with all the changes in the road layouts it was getting harder and harder to make progress on the beast, and is why I suggested the Hyperstrada, the 3 years before thats what i did the same journeys on, and on numerous occasions I though I wish I was back on the Hyper, more nimble, more agile, more responsive (was the 821), no less fun, just as easy to eat miles on and still had a top box.
I'm going shopping for another one as soon as the world starts unwinding.
I had a sit on a Multistrada 1200 today and now I understand where you are coming from. It is a lot of bike for Central London; maybe too much of a bike for something which has to do both long tours and Central London.What i would say is its a big bike for crossing London on, I used to regularly go Reading / Central London / Lewisham and with all the changes in the road layouts it was getting harder and harder to make progress on the beast, and is why I suggested the Hyperstrada, the 3 years before thats what i did the same journeys on, and on numerous occasions I though I wish I was back on the Hyper, more nimble, more agile, more responsive (was the 821), no less fun, just as easy to eat miles on and still had a top box.
I'm going shopping for another one as soon as the world starts unwinding.
I had a play with the Touring vs Urban rider modes.... the Urban rider mode lowers the suspension but also reduces engine power to 100hp. Is it possible to keep the Urban mode seat height/suspension height, but have the full engine power?
And yes, if you street park it in London its very likely to get nicked unless you chain it down with a boat anchor.
There's a big difference between a 950 & 1200/1260 in terms of performance IMO. The S versions with the Skyhook suspension are miles better to be on as well.
^ The one I sat on was a 1200S with Skyhook suspension. Something must have happened on Urban mode; it was definitely lower.
I’ve never seen the point of reduced engine power modes. I can get to know a bike in a single mode and not use full power when it’s not needed. The lower suspension and lower seat height looks more useful all the time anyway, unless I’m on a dirt road which won’t happen often.
You think it will get nicked more than other bikes?
I’ve never seen the point of reduced engine power modes. I can get to know a bike in a single mode and not use full power when it’s not needed. The lower suspension and lower seat height looks more useful all the time anyway, unless I’m on a dirt road which won’t happen often.
You think it will get nicked more than other bikes?
Edited by Iminquarantine on Tuesday 16th March 16:39
Iminquarantine said:
^ The one I sat on was a 1200S with Skyhook suspension. Something must have happened on Urban mode; it was definitely lower.
You think it will get nicked more than other bikes?
I wouldn't street park a Ducati in London, but then I wouldn't street park a GS or a Street Triple there either!You think it will get nicked more than other bikes?
Besides, you get a bike nicked in London your insurance will go through the roof - if you can even get insurance subsequently.
Edited by Wombat3 on Tuesday 16th March 20:04
Iminquarantine said:
^ I checked it out. MCE is the only reasonably priced one for London at a bit over £500. But the price on a Multistrada 1200 is actually about the same as the much more boring BMW F800GT I have.
MCE do not have the best reputation for paying out when the chips are down. Suggest DYOR.F800 GT, indeed one of the dullest bikes I have ever ridden
(Had one once as a service loaner, happy to give it back!)Wombat3 said:
MCE do not have the best reputation for paying out when the chips are down. Suggest DYOR.
F800 GT, indeed one of the dullest bikes I have ever ridden (Had one once as a service loaner, happy to give it back!)
Hahaha. I like the F800GT. Although I am a person who would go to Myrtle Ave near Heathrow to planespot, or read textbooks for fun. I just think if those Germans bunged an 1100cc IL4 in it instead of the 800cc 90hp donk that extra power would be handy F800 GT, indeed one of the dullest bikes I have ever ridden
(Had one once as a service loaner, happy to give it back!)
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