I just got a Multi-Boner. 2010 Multistrada pics released.

[Peter]

I like the handle bars, mirrors, good hand guards, easy to clean rims, and many other practical details. The LCDscreen is impressive but speed display needs to be more prominent. I don't care for the front beak, I think it does not need it, and the yellow forks. Also it needs some crash bars. The cases are shit as I mentioned before. This is a giant leap over the old Multiblabla. My congratulations to Ducati. I'd design the three packages so that one them comes with 19" front wheel, crash bars and proper luggage.

[RedSkier]

Personally, I'm with RenoJohn - this is a gorgeous bike. I mean, it's essentially a sexy looking V-Strom, so how could it not be good looking? Most people outside this forum or other V-Strom owners don't share our love of the V-Strom's looks, as near as I can tell.

And like the Strom, it will benefit from aftermarket farkles, if such develop. For example the luggage and different windscreens.

To get the tricked out Touring version is twice as expensive as the Strom, but consider that includes luggage, super trick electronic adjustable Ohlins suspension, 60 more horsepower, less weight, traction control, Brembo brakes. Well, yeah, it's still more expensive but at least you're getting something for the extra money. I've got about $2.5K in luggage, suspension and moderate farkles on my Strom, which is not untypical. So to really make a more even comparison, the Ducati is about $7K to $8K more expensive.

Well no matter, not replacing my Strom any time soon. Always fun to look though.

John

[ib]

60 more horsepower

50 

And also, your best friend should be a good Ducati mechanic 

[RedSkier]

50? ahh, well, I was under the impression that the DL1000 had about 90 horse and had read that the Multistrada was rated at about 150.

Can't speak to how finicky the Ducati might be mechanically, but the point is still well taken. One thing I do love about the Strom is that it's pretty straight forward to work on, provided one has the shop manual and VStrom.info to rely on

[ib]

50? ahh, well, I was under the impression that the DL1000 had about 90 horse and had read that the Multistrada was rated at about 150.

Can't speak to how finicky the Ducati might be mechanically, but the point is still well taken. One thing I do love about the Strom is that it's pretty straight forward to work on, provided one has the shop manual and VStrom.info to rely on

Yep, things seems to stay more or less as they were in the past. On the 50.000 km test in the biggest European bike (monthly) magazine, Ducati have disaster results. Both bikes they had on test in the last 4-5 years were among the worst bikes tested (in terms of reliability and durability).

And IMHO, it is very stupid idea to create so sophisticated touring-enduro bikes. Strom is relatively simple, compared to new Tenere or this Ducati, GS not to mention... Something goes wrong in electronics far away of civilization, help you god.

[Dino]

..... Strom is relatively simple, compared to new Tenere or this Ducati, GS not to mention... Something goes wrong in electronics far away of civilization, help you god.

Imagine trying to use your Yosh box on the road... oh sorry that only applies to the Vstrom 1k, the 650 and Italian bikes don't need any of that nonsense to make them run smoothly 

[ib]

Imagine trying to use your Yosh box on the road... oh sorry that only applies to the Vstrom 1k, the 650 and Italian bikes don't need any of that nonsense to make them run smoothly 

Dino, take morning coffee  Yosh box is used ONCE, and it fixes lean mixture. We are talking here about broken engines and stranded machines of double or triple the Strom price 

[Dino]

Dino, take morning coffee  Yosh box is used ONCE, and it fixes lean mixture. We are talking here about broken engines and stranded machines of double or triple the Strom price 

Seriously though, nobody has picked up on the fact that these new Italian bikes are as (if not more) reliable as the Japanese and require less servicing due to the longer service intervals. The Italian bikes have superior electronic instrumentation and the fuelling is always spot on unlike the Japanese.

The latest Japanese bikes are pretty disappointing on price,service costs and features. Honda and Yamaha have lost the plot IMHO the new VFR is a real disappointment, it rides very well but its got too small a tank range and costs £2k too much. Its so expensive it makes the old VFR look competitive. The Tenere is another hugely expensive bike.

It seems only Suzuki, Triumph and Aprilia are in touch with reality on prices and now even BMW and Ducati seem to be good value against Honda/Yamaha.

[vstrom alan]

Seriously though, nobody has picked up on the fact that these new Italian bikes are as (if not more) reliable as the Japanese

Being a brand new model with significant new features, reliability of this new Ducati is a BIG question. It does appear the Japanese makes have lost their way with new product development. Some people would spend top dollar on a fancy brand name, but others, like V-Strom owners, prefer to spend their dollars on quality product.

JD Powers has earned quite a powerful reputation rating car quality through surveys over the years. From their website, I see they now rate autos, boats, electronics, finance, healthcare, homes, insurance, telecom, travel, and business ratings. When I search motorcycle, it shows me helmet ratings only.

In Europe getting a loaner bike during warranty service is a perk generally not seen here in the U.S.
What could be worse than a $20,000 bike, parked, waiting for parts and repair?

Dino, actually I do guess the new Ducati will be reliable, but this may be wishful thinking. Over the last decades we have seen United States and South Korean car manufacturers improve their product reliability (Even Triumph motorcycles are reliable!), so why not Italy too?

I expect my 2005 V-Strom with 50,000 miles will hold out fine until the Multistrada 1200 proves itself over the course of the next year. I'll post here if I cave in and buy before then! 

[johnofchar]

Can't say it hasn't peaked my interest, just a little. But I'd wait a couple years for teething & the farkle shops to get up to speed.

[ib]

Looks cool, but I don't like the fairing. Bike is really great in both performance & features, but I'm skeptical regarding Ducati. And because I promised myself I'll never again go to any shop for a regular bike service, I'm wondering how difficult is to maintain this bike and what special tools & equipment is needed. I have virtually everything for my Strom, engines for lifetime, so it's very unlikely I'll buy another brand / bike any time soon 

[RedSkier]

I'd have to agree with Ib on this last. I definitely view my Strom as a high performance jeep. It's a do-it-yerselfer type rig. I definitely do not have that feeling about bikes like BMWs and Ducatis. They are marketed as supremely sophisticated technical marvels, and I am inclined to think they are exactly that. Not sure how friendly they would be to a home mechanic, but I don't have an expectation that a home mechanic like me is going to tear one apart and put it back together as readily as something like the Strom. Which is why I'll probably never get rid of my V-Strom.

Having said that, I would absolutely drop the cash on a new Ducati  Multistrada and/or a BMW S1000RR right now if I could and in a few more years when the youngest child is out of university, I am looking forward to doing just that, because frankly, a new, sexy, high maintenance bike is still way cheaper for me than a new, sexy, high maintenance woman and I'm not too proud to say that I'm getting to the stage in life where its gonna be one or the other. And I'm kinda figuring that Ducati and BMW sell a lot of bikes exploiting the hell out of this last point. Good on them...saving a lot of middle aged blokes from the divorce courts.


John

[Dino]

Not sure that many bikes nowadays are really home maintenance friendly because of the electronics, going the same way as cars it seems.

In the UK the Ducatti basic model still has the switchable engine power but without the sophisticated suspension options, at £1500 more than the Tiger its not too bad a price - a whole lot cheaper (and better) than the new VFR1200 

I can only imagine that a Pan Rider would rate the new VFR or an old VFR rider, anyone else would be dissapointed... teh Honda dealers were raving about the low down power.... I said its not bad for a four, not as good low down as a twin or triple, cue disgruntled Honda dealer principal. Was not happy when I pointed out that the electronic dash display was still 5 years behind the Moto Guzzi, Aprilia and Ducatti systems. 

Lets hope suzuki produce another bargain winner when they update the Strom. The Gladius was a leap forward over the SV650 and is a bargain basement street triple alternate (colour options are a bit odd but a great little bike). The faired Bandits are great budget tourers as well so lets hope they get that new strom out soon 

[Preload]

You know I agree with many sentiments of folks points on this thread with the Japanese V Italians.
I think the Italians make gorgeous looking bikes and for sure the electronics look great on the dash compared to the Jap rivals.
What keeps me from the Italian stuff is the all too bad reputation of reliability from years gone by, ok it may or may not be water under a bridge now.

But as much as any bike manufacturer can have issues, the real world difference to me is down to how they react to get that bike back on the road and cure the issue permanently.

The Italians still have a poor back up in getting parts required to their dealer network, in comparison to the Japanese and Euro/ Brits (well "maybe" the Brits) and this to me is where that problem hurts the most.
2+ weeks to get a part  for VOR is not acceptable.

Now having said that, I am not so sure anymore that this is down to the Italian manufacturers, it seems the Italian Postal Service is a mess. So all in all it goes way deeper the harder you look at it.

As reliable as a Strom is, just think about that thought again.
if we didn't have forums like this to anticipate the issues that could still plague us on the road to being stranded. Clutch switch wires loose anyone etc etc

So if your a proud owner of an Italian stallion, I am sure you would be reading a different forum and anticipating what to do when the issue occurs, yeah?

[steve_ic6in6]

Sure looks okay (ish), but, like the Super-Tenere, that price HURTS!

Def. not for Ayman or me: we like to vary the vertical/horizontal planes too much...

[Dino]

You know I agree with many sentiments of folks points on this thread with the Japanese V Italians.
I think the Italians make gorgeous looking bikes and for sure the electronics look great on the dash compared to the Jap rivals.
What keeps me from the Italian stuff is the all too bad reputation of reliability from years gone by, ok it may or may not be water under a bridge now.

The dashboard displays are years ahead of the japs, they are practical, reliable, more informative and the ergonomics are much better ....  think 1990's car vs 2010 car, that's the scale of the difference.

Comments about Italian reliability are as out of date as a Japanese motorcycle dashboard ... My Italian bike and the  many Aprilia owners I know can vouch for 100% reliability, but then in the last 3 years I have owned ridden many bikes: V-strom, VFR 800, two Tigers, suzuki Van Van, GS500 etc etc all 100% reliable

The only bike that has let me down has been a Piaggio Carnaby scooter... broken fuel pump.... bloody italians 
lwas as reliable

[Hydroptere]

If had to change i would have no doubt...
power and torque on twin cam in yet another italian monster


Engine characteristics
Engine – Moto Morini Bialbero CorsaCorta
Cylinders – 2
Layout – 87° V longitudinal
Strokes – 4
Cooling – Liquid cooled
Timing system – Double overhead camshaft
Valves per cylinder – 4
Bore x stroke – 107 x 66 mm / 4,21 x 2,59 inch







Please see Here about attachment useage.

[canadianstrom]

I test rode one yesterday.

damn what a machine! The motor is superb, enough torque down low and throttle transitions were ok ( a little abrupt in sport mode). She absolutely rockets in sport mode. The suspension was great, loved the adjustability, was doing it on the fly no problems. Brakes were very good. The dash had a ton of info and I think I'd get used to it quick enough. The riding position felt like it was custom made for me ( that centre stand is a funny thing behind the left foot though). And it’s just a damn sexy Italian I'd love to mount every morning.
But.. At low speed I felt the steering to be very vague and not enjoyable at all. Maybe I'd get used to it. Over 60 k the thing was like a surgeon's scalpel, precise and so maneuverable. Below 60 k, not so much. Maybe that smaller front tire than I'm used to.
Also the wind blast was worse than the Vstrom and looking at the screen to handle bar clearance you can't go much wider in the narrow part of the wind screen. So not sure what can be done to improve it. Also the panniers aren't really to my liking (flimsy?) but that’s just opinion. Mirrors were too narrow for me.

All in all a great bike but just not the direction I'm looking to go; I'd rather go towards a more dirt worthy bike and I'm waiting on the new Triumph 800 ( or buy a road legal true dirt bike to park beside the strom) . The strada has more of what I really don't need- speed- and less of what I'm looking to improve over the strom- dirt usability , I also would have a hard time taking a 22,000$ bike through rough conditions.