Friday at Bike Week Daytona, FL. I demo rode a brand spankin' new (240 miles) Ducati Multistrada 1200. The model I rode had lightweight bags on it, but otherwise, just off the showroom floor.
I make no secret about it, I love powerful, revvy, well tuned V-Twins. And after the wonderful magazine reviews, I knew I had to have a Multistrada. Even mama said it was OK for me to purchase one, not that she ever would tell me no, she's very cool!
I'll start with my conclusion: Despite my high hopes, I did not like the bike all that much. And I won't be purchasing one. I sure am glad I rode it!
Here is why. First off, it has multiple performance modes. All but "Sport 150HP, max" are really worthless detuning of an already mildly tuned bike. Second, the shift quality is the worst I have ever experienced. Impossible to find neutral, very stiff and wonky action at times. That'd be fine on the track, not fine in traffic. Third, the "sky hook" suspension is electronically adjustable. One person, Two, bags or not. All settings retained an unusual suspension feel. Not really all that compliant and certainly not the feel of a professionally configured suspension. Weird is the only way to describe it. Not bad, just different and slightly harsh.
But, to top it off, the engine is throttle by wire. And, it gives you the response some engineer thinks is right. There is a slight delay and it annoyed me. Clearly, a rapid, full twist resulted in a call down to the engine room "full steam ahead". But the throttle was opened partially at low RPM's and fully after a second or so. Like somebody else was in control. Making 2nd gear, roll on wheelies unlikely without some rider input (pulling on the bars or speed shifting) If you are looking for arm straightening, satisfying, mid-range torque, this bike ain't for you.
The "good" part was that plenty of power was available near it's 11,000 Redline. But you really had to work for it.
The bike could be absolutely perfect with just a few mods. And I'm 100% sure some owners will fix these issues. It's really too bad so many modern bikes are detuned because that is what they think we want.
I make no secret about it, I love powerful, revvy, well tuned V-Twins. And after the wonderful magazine reviews, I knew I had to have a Multistrada. Even mama said it was OK for me to purchase one, not that she ever would tell me no, she's very cool!
I'll start with my conclusion: Despite my high hopes, I did not like the bike all that much. And I won't be purchasing one. I sure am glad I rode it!
Here is why. First off, it has multiple performance modes. All but "Sport 150HP, max" are really worthless detuning of an already mildly tuned bike. Second, the shift quality is the worst I have ever experienced. Impossible to find neutral, very stiff and wonky action at times. That'd be fine on the track, not fine in traffic. Third, the "sky hook" suspension is electronically adjustable. One person, Two, bags or not. All settings retained an unusual suspension feel. Not really all that compliant and certainly not the feel of a professionally configured suspension. Weird is the only way to describe it. Not bad, just different and slightly harsh.
But, to top it off, the engine is throttle by wire. And, it gives you the response some engineer thinks is right. There is a slight delay and it annoyed me. Clearly, a rapid, full twist resulted in a call down to the engine room "full steam ahead". But the throttle was opened partially at low RPM's and fully after a second or so. Like somebody else was in control. Making 2nd gear, roll on wheelies unlikely without some rider input (pulling on the bars or speed shifting) If you are looking for arm straightening, satisfying, mid-range torque, this bike ain't for you.
The "good" part was that plenty of power was available near it's 11,000 Redline. But you really had to work for it.
The bike could be absolutely perfect with just a few mods. And I'm 100% sure some owners will fix these issues. It's really too bad so many modern bikes are detuned because that is what they think we want.
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