Been thrown a curve ball ! In the ‘Bikes for Sale’, @messes posted a link to a 2010, 1200 Multistrada S, a model I know very well but had discounted in my short list because I didn’t want to track my road bike. Popped into MR to collect a couple of Multistrada bulbs and Motul 7100 for top up and got chatting in the workshop. Learnt that an existing customer had their 1200 Multistrada refurbished with 1098R cams and some mild tuning and it was suggested that doing something like that with a track focussed gear cluster and major lightening would be an interesting winter project. Mmm, bugger, this really takes my fancy. Just need to cost it out before deciding if it’s a starter although still going to look at a few other alternatives. Andy
A 1200 Multi on track wouldn't be my ideal bike. Having owned one I as much as I loved it, it was a barge of a thing and didn't have anywhere near the finesse of a sportsbike, let alone a modern naked. I asked JHP several times what could be done, and in simple terms it's the wrong bike to try and make something sharper... I'm sure they would have taken my money if I'd have continued down this route, but took their advice.
I have tracked mine and I’d happily take my Multistrada to any short track, confident that I’d be there or there abouts. Not as quick as my Panigale V4 but not far behind. It’s amazing how you can hustle a bike weighing about 180kg with 140rwhp, decent suspension, and track tyres. Andy
Had my 2013 multi on track. Standard apart from Andreani inserts up front. Fried the tires. Great fun. It was a small track though, Blyton park I think? The bike developed a weave at speed though. S1r would run rings around it, though not on your list..
If looking dedicated track imho I’d steer clear of a multi. Having tracked a couple, and at a reasonable pace, it’s a HIIT but very quickly becomes frustrating as the lack of top end (weight and wind) and ground clearance really can inhibit the action
You been on the juice mate? Sacrilege. Go to the back of the class Paul. Andy. Just buy the Triumph and stop fannying about thinking of Multis.
@bradders, I do understand that and accept that there will be limitations but I have neither your experience nor your talent to push to the limit. @Expat Jack, is your curiosity not just a little peeked by the thought of a Multistrada weighing 170kg, 150 rwhp and a bespoke close ratio gear cluster ? I know mine is Andy
you'd go some to get to that weight mate. Most panigales wont be 170 without some serious weight reduction But if that was the direction, early is better, especially skyhook gen 1. More taught, fun, adjustable than the later (up to 2016 MY I've owned) versions
OK so what about an older streetfighter? 1098 lump plenty of power and torque, has to be cheaper only thing missing is all of the electronics.
Also not sure how competitive you want to be. As @Freak mentions in the post above - are electronics important or are you prepared to do the old school: big lean or big power - but not big lean and big power style. I would recommend this, but never used it on track and maybe it is not electronically as good as an IMU equipped and more expensive alternative for hammering it around a track. 'kin fast though ! My new GSX-S1000
My friend has one of these, I finally managed to persuade him to ride the Tuono on roads around Hawes. His face was a picture when he got off, muttering about magic carpet ride and brick wall brakes.
