Hi all, I just want to see what peoples opinions to ensure my father moves into the right direction. He is currently sitting on an 899 Panigale, which he adores but following personal circumstances an outright sports bike just cant be used due the riding nature and positioning. He is thinking that a Multistrada would be a good compromise being more comfortable and a larger engine meaning less work. Also believes this bike to be more cross a sports tourer so he can still have fun when he feels like it. He has always had sports bikes including every R6 until I come along with the Ducati idea where he had a Hypermotard 796 (until I took it off him) which he loved but wanted more of a tourer, a Hyperstrader 821 which he hated and currently a Panigale. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Only test riding will tell, the multi is quick enough within a few more seconds than a panigale to get you/him/me banned. Sports touring with all the mod con's is were its at imho.
Unfortunately, I am now 60 yrs and don't feel the need of a pure sport bike. The mutley has enough poke, handles, and travels well. It's more entertaining than my previous tigers and current BM RT also.
I am 67 and love the Multistada. I ride mostly in Urban mode now as its smoother and things happen a little slower. My only problem is getting my leg over the back. I am currently looking for a used grab rail assembly for the back that I can cut the rack off and keep mine so I can to put the bike back to standard in the future. Great bike.
In my opinion the Mutley is an upright comfy sports bike (especially the 2010 - 2012 single spark models) that is more than capable of embarrassing sports bikes. That's why I bought one!
Thanks all - no one has raised any concerns I've had with this style of bike so it looks to be a good step. No one has weight is an issue so happy with that, seat is comfy, no wrist acheand the sportiness means you can still lean in corners with ease and not tiptoe it round. Hoping for some good news in the next couple of weeks and I'm sure we will then be on the hunt for one.
One of my top 2 bikes ever ridden and that's from years of sports bikes. When you make the change to this sort of bike, you bang your head against the wall wondering what the hell you were doing on sports bikes. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Speaking as one who's believed for many a year, that ones bottom should be higher than ones wrists when riding . I now at the age of 64 have come to the conclusion I was wrong. Had test rides on a GS, a Triumph Tiger, and a Multi. Got myself a Skyhook in 2013, what a bike, it changed my outlook on riding and found myself smiling each time I went out on it. Then I had a test ride on a DVT and I ordered one straight away. Now this is where I differ from Bradders and a few others, I think the DVT is a far better bike than the twinspark, I'm not up and down the box nearly as much as the 13 bike, you just open the throttle and it pulls like a train, to me the engine is so much smoother than my twinspark which makes it so much nicer to ride (and by that I don't mean tame) and for me another huge plus is the gorgeous induction roar Don't think he'll go wrong but get him to have a test ride.
Yes its a great bike. I do agree with broke though that the DVT is even sportier than the earlier Multis. Maybe not as raw but certainly quicker.
Having had straighline acceleration alongside well sorted single sparks and twin sparks, I can confirm its no slower Just feels it (super smooth and linear delivery)
Great to hear more positive feedback even if being on here will obviously bring somewhat biased views. It sounds as well thought out and great machine; looking at other threads here I am aware of common issues and what needs to be checked. I think now knowing people's personal experiences and common issues if we get good news then a Multi will be purchased soon enough
My first impression when i test rode one was that it wasn't as quick as my 2013 Multi, but Ducati have done some decent work on the engine since last year and the way mine has been set up by JHP its definitely quicker than my 2013 now. And it definitely handles better.
I've owned a lot stuff over the years - several different generations of R1, ZZR1400, Fazer Thou, Firestorm, VFR750 and VFR800, Ducati 916 and before the Multistrada I had an MT-09 Tracer. After 7000 miles on my DVT I have to say that it's felt significantly more civilised than anything else I've listed here and the only thing that should show it a clean set of heals would be the R1 or ZZR1400, but both of which are significantly harder to live with. I've toured to Germany and until very recently been using a lot for my 100 mile per day work commute because it's been fantastic at long journeys. My biggest problem is that I made a choice to lease it and consequently I've run up against my annual mileage very quickly. Last Friday I decided to get something else to compliment the DVT to help me spread the mileage around a bit, and I bought a Yamaha MT-10. The MT-10 is a crazy thing and whilst I've almost got it run in already I keep looking at my DVT sitting in the corner of my garage whilst it waits for a few months to pass before I start using it in earnest again - I'm missing it already. I decided to get the MT-10 because it is a total contrast to the DVT that I can still use every day and has touring potential. There have also been a few occasions where I really got a bit tired of the unrelenting thump of a twin and craved the smooth turbine like power of a 4 cylinder bike but then when I've owned a 4 cylinder I've craved surging torque of a big twin. With both of these I think I've got the best of both worlds but if I was going to do a long trip then it would be the Multi every time. I've had to fettle the MT-10 suspension so it's stiffness didn't kill me whereas the Multi you just get on wind open the throttle until you've emptied the tank, fill it up and keep going without another thought. Out of the two, if I had to choose to keep one then the Multistrada would get my vote every time - even though at the moment the MT-10 has me under it's spell. Come the colder weather MT-10's appeal will diminish significantly.
I dropped my 1098S for the MS back in 2010 and until the recent Goodwood FoS a couple of months back, I hadn't ridden a Sports Bike at all. Did 25 miles each way on my pals '06 Fireblade and whilst I really enjoyed it, I realised why I got off Sports Bikes and onto an 'Adventure Sports Tourer' (or whatever BS designation they are given this year). PS: I'm only 57!
@Rainman interested that you went for an MT-10 I thought it had touring potential too especially with a few accessories such as the taller screen and handguards and at a very competitive price. So I test rode one and quite liked it except it drinks like a dipsomaniac (35 mpg on my test ride) which I thought would severely limit its range and touring ability. How are you finding the fuel consumption? I think Yamaha will be nuts if they don't do a Tracer version. Definitely agree too that I couldn't really see it as an outright replacement for the Multi.
Depends, how many miles does he ride and when he does, what is he riding for? By that I mean is it around town, occasional jaunt down the coast, rides to work, Tours the U.K. regularly or even regular European tours. I've often seen people say my sports bike just isn't cutting it anymore due to a condition but they ride so little I would question if it is good value to spend shed loads for say 1,500 miles a year. What say you op?
The bike is mostly for riding pleasure, a few commutes if the weather is nice and a yearly European trip. Perhaps 1500 - 2500 per year mostly contributed to by the big trip. The Panigale has been used for the last year without any issues, from trips out to a tour of Wales and Ireland; the only issue being the heat of the bike. But due recent changes at the age of 48 he wants something more comfortable and less demanding while still delivering fun. I will be taking the Panigale in safe keeping and hopefully all being well he will come back to it, or if the Multistrada is a keeper he has access to both.
You dont mention size of rider, the multi is a tallish bike. Have a look at the SMT1290 too. Nice ergonomics..
