At 9000 km in a year we have found each other, me and my bike. It was love in first sight but like a Rottweiler he needs a firm hand to handle and precise orders to obey. My bike it´s slightly modified with KN filter and exhaust from ST4 so he is rather loud, right way at my taste. Like many older Ducatis with dry clutch it´s rather heavy and not so good in low speeds under 3000rpm. But that character was what I was looking for and we now have a bond like that disorderly Rottweiler who finally accepted his leader. The problem is this. The bike is old -04 and have 60 000km so it´s need a replacement in future, but with what? I wish Ducati would make a new stylish looking sporttourer with room for two and luggage. Imagine a ST V4 that would bee that GT tourer many longing for. Multistrada say some, but if my bike as like that Rottweiler I compare then the Panigale is the Greyhound, what is Multistrada then? A crossroad between two arts who shouldn’t exist. I have hard time to accept that kind of bikes they are rather odd in designs, those adventure bikes.
Having put in a fair few miles on a friend's Multistrada, my answer to "what is it?" is: "too high, too heavy, too sit-up-and beg". An STV4 could be a fabulous bike, but out of my price range. I also wonder about the service intervals/costs would be compatible with high-mileage touring. What I'd really like is an updated ST twin range, building on the /S variants with modern traction control and other electronic rider aids.
I've got an ST3 as well. I think that they are really good bikes. I've got an ST2 as well, which is also really good. Unfortunately, for us, Ducati only see the Multistrada as their tourer now. I did get one as a loan bike once when another bike was being serviced. Unfortunately, for Ducati, Moto Guzzi do a tourer (V85 TT Travel) at a fraction of the price of a Multistrada, but I can't blame Ducati for that!
I've had the st2 st4 and still have the st3s. My supersport s fits the bill as an addition to the st range perfectly.
