Hi folks, my name is Lee and I`m considering buying a 2013 multistrada granturismo The bike has a termi exhaust over and above the normal spec and has had 2 owners with just over 8k miles on the clock. It`s running on PR4`s at the moment. I`m looking at some buyers advice please. Whats to go wrong with these bikes and is it worth going for the GT, I do a 2500mile tour in summer solo, camping, or spec up a basic model without the skyhook. I`ve tested a 2015 basic model at my local ducati dealer but have also spotted this GT which I quite fancy. I`m also 6`6" so any big lad mods I can do to the bike I think my knees will be touching the bodywork protecting bars so might have to whip those off. Any tips much appreciated as this`ll be the first Ducati I`ve owned, thats assuming I decide to get it! Thanks Lee Triumph Explorer
Hi lee, welcome. Ask to see if you will get a factory or at least a dealer warranty, the 2013 engine and bike was generally better for reliability but always good to ask. At 15000 (or in 6K miles) it will need a major service which is around 6-800 GBP, maybe ask if they will include part of that in the price ? Apart from that make sure it has a full record and ask the dealer to show you the record from the ducati computer - all bikes should have some kind of history - to see there has been any major repairs.
Yeah, if it doesn't have a FULL dealer service history, walk away. Make sure all the recalls have been done. If possible, contact the former owners and see if they'll tell you why they sold it. Ducati people are a pretty friendly bunch normally. My 2010 Multi has 30K on it now with only one bout of major tantrums (electronic suspension and ECUs at 20K, parts replaced under warranty, I had to pay for labour). They're GREAT bikes but two owners might make me ask questions - there are LOTS out there so take your time and get a minter.
Mine was £1100+ as it needed new pullies? Just a few of us have had that fault. Has it got Ducati heated grips, check they work. Is it the full decat termis kit (ti end can) or just the end can(typically carbon)? If full that's £1700 worth alone. A very common fault is a glowing Neutral LED caused by moisture, typically you notice it more at night. It is easy to see when you have low fuel or high beam on. If you want this fixed its £700+, but the fault doesn't normally progress any further. The were reports that some had the whole dash go, but I could never track these people down. It's a great bike, one of the best.
Thanks for the replies folks the bike is in a Honda/BMW dealer and was part ex`d against a GS triple black, the owner bought it off the same garage about a year ago and used it for touring, it comes with a Zumo GPS, possibly a 550 as well
if they're a non-ducati dealer then even better as its an expensive bike they will want to get rid of since not 4 cyl etc.. and 2013 is now 3 years old, you should at least challenge them on the price to get rid of the bike... find your local ducati dealer and ask if they will do a lookup for you on that bike to see if there are any major items / events on it, they will be glad to help if its going to help their service. I agree on the exhaust - is it the ducati full termi system or just the replacement end pipe and the cat (big box in the middle) is still there ? - the shorty/addon is about 3-400 quid, the full system is nearer 1800.
I've bought a new 2014 GT which now has 12k on the clock. I moved from previous 2 FJRs and use it almost exclusively for touring. I took the plunge after hiring one in the US and I have no regrets. Pro: Lightweight for a tourer and fabulous on the road. Fits me much better than the FJR and less back problems (I'm a very large 6'2"). Wife prefers the MS to the FJR on the back and I find it comfortable. Luggage space is much better than FJR and has not leaked. I was comparing this with the BMW 1600 before the change (ridden both) and this is much better. Also better than a GS. No problem for me with the crash bars. It seems quite quick and it stops well. Cons: Only serious one is chain drive. Probably not as reliable as the FJR, but I've had no problems. There are some minor issues to live with such as the switchgear is fiddly; luggage catches are a pain until you get used to them; it grounds under my weight a bit too easily with any spirited riding 2 up (still miles better than the FJR); I haven't noticed the reduced weather protection at all, false neutrals you get used to and they go away - not a Japanese box; not nice in traffic and the panniers are quite wide. In summary, I like it a lot and I wish I'd done it earlier, as this is biking for fun, rather than just getting somewhere. I had a very slight problem with the front wheel, which has now settled. I don't do mechanics, but they do seem a bit sensitive, so a "relationship" with a decent dealer seems a good idea. I carry about 24 stone plus luggage when touring and you have to be pushing it to grind out. I wouldn't think you need any mods for solo touring and I think there is plenty of space for a big lad. I can't see the point of Termi's on a tourer, but the garage tries to sell them. I use Pirelli Road Angels, which seem fine to me (didn't like them at all when I tried them on FJR). You will have taken note of previous warnings about multiple owners in not many miles. I have a Zumo 660 on. I hated it, even before the back fell off on my way to Wales.
Thanks Arson, a good report on your bike and findings I must admit I like my 660, done about 15k miles navigating with it so it seems to work for me Going to be going up to the garage in the morning for a tyre kick and a ride so anything to keep an eye out for would help
Well had a ride out on the GT It was a full termi system on the bike. The bike was mint with a couple of recalls done a new heated grips but I couldn`t find the button to switch them on! The fuel sender was still an outstanding job to do. I thought the brakes were far worse than the 2015 bike I rode last week and about on par with my TEX with brembo pads. Didn`t seem as flickable as the newer bike either, it had PR3`s fitted with I assume a couple of k miles on them. Apparantly the bloke was loaded and likes to change his bikes! £4700 + my bike, hmmmmmmmm
The brakes need a good bleed. I'll dig out the link and edit it in here. Basically you need to fit bleed nipples at the abs unit under the seat. The rear caliper needs to be removed and inverted for bleeding. You can uprate the front brakes to M4 to make the braking awesome. Note I'll be selling my M4 and hoses for market rates shortly.
Unless it's freezing out there.. He may visit Scotland in the summer (22\23 Aug normally) and may need them.
Good shout regarding the heated grips Did a bit of digging with the supplying dealer and they told me the exhaust isn`t a Ducati part, it`s a decat set of headers, a carbon termi can and the fuelling is done via a power commander. She then told me the local dyno place that has since shut down their dyno was reading wrong on the fuel/air mixture. This dealer has bought the dyno and has had it sorted but is waiting for a booth to be built for it so they can use it. Looks like the exhaust mods have been on at least 4k miles as the bike was serviced in may with 5k miles on it. Not too sure at the moment as the `15 bike had better brakes and seemed to handle better without the skyhook altho the GT fits me better and the gf is giving me a bit of grief over the £4500 lol!
I'd avoid this bike. A power commander is not the best way to go on these engines. Plenty of good bikes out there that aren't in this state.
