"Life with a Ducati Multistrada" thread in "Motorbike Chat"
So, there's a lot of stuff said about Ducati's, their reliabilty, whether or not they're just a poser's bike etc etc. Well, I thought I'd ...

So, there's a lot of stuff said about Ducati's, their reliabilty, whether or not they're just a poser's bike etc etc. Well, I thought I'd try and document my experiences, good and bad, with my 2003 MTS1000 It might reinforce some people's ideas about them, it might make you think that maybe they're worth a go after all, who knows! So, long post coming up...

The Multi popped up on Bike Trader in March 2007 and being fed up with my ZX6R on the road (too uncomfy, going too fast everywhere etc) I took the plunge. Having limited Ducati knowledge, it was a step into the unknown and the owners club forums were a huge help in sussing things out; www.ducatisportingclub.com & Multistrada.net :: Home .

First ride out, I didn't like it, not a bit! It felt vague and difficult to turn, but after a couple of hours getting out of sportsbike mode and into big bars and sitting upright mode, it all started falling into place. Being as I decided it was worth keeping, I treated it to a big wash and polish...that was a mistake!

When I bought it, the previous owner pointed out that it had had it's clocks changed at one of the early services. What I didn't know was, the early clocks weren't really waterproof and my soaking them with the hose broke another set All the warning lights came on, then went off one at a time as the clocks dried. The left hand indicator stuck on as well, which meant pulling over at the side of the road and pulling the connectors apart so we could carry on the ride. I thought the bike was knackered to begin with, being as the engine light was lit, but with dry clocks after a few miles, it was fine, but missing a neutral light. Clocks are expensive, but luckily I got them through warranty which saved a few pounds. Since then I've never soaked the clocks, but have done some very wet, long rides on it and had no problems It had also had a recall for oil cooler hoses/pipes, so check that's been done if you're buying an early model.

It was due a big service when I bought it and www.cornerspeed.co.uk was the closest service centre. We'd sort of met Neil that runs it before, but didn't know him that well. Anyway, it was booked in to have everything done...cam belts, oil, filter, valve clearances, clutch and brake fluids etc etc. Ducati's are always slated for being horrendous money to service, but that lot, which was a good full days work, cost me £450. Not cheap, but for the man hours, it's comparable with any other bike requiring that much work.

Luckily we did get to know Neil over the next few months as it's been back for some little niggles! I had to take it for it's MOT and the guy at the centre was baffled when he couldn't get the headlight to come on. I tutted and went and tried it with the ignition on, engine running, but...nothing. No headlight, no MOT Quick ride up to Cornerspeed and a little relay was to blame. A 50p part, typical. Luckily he knew exactly what to look for and replaced it there and then so I could go back and get MOT'd.

Over the past year I've slowly added parts to it. First thing was a Givi rack and top case, so we could chuck some kit in them and do a bit of distance. I've used it a couple of times to visit family in Devon and it makes an excellent tourer. After that, it was given a smaller front sprocket, by one tooth, as they're really over geared as standard. It tops out at 138mph on the limiter now, that'll do! Then came the Quat-D full exhaust system, which ditched the Cat and made it feel loads better. It was just set up with the equipment at Cornerspeed, no power commander as yet. It's also had an open clutch cover, to stop the dust build up inside, an aftermarket clutch slave cylinder as the hydraulic clutch is really heavy as standard, a rear seat cowl and some new brake and clutch reservoir caps as the paint's peeled off the originals. The original shock's damping gave up on me recently, so rather than spending money sorting the standard shock, it's had an Ohlins one shoved in it It feels amazing now, with a few little tweaks to get it just right for me, it's turned from being a bit vague and prone to a 'death weave', into the most stable and confidence inspiring bike I've ridden on the road. There's now a DP ECU and a Power Commander waiting to go in it, just to see how good I can have it feeling with some really nice set-up work.

The weaving thing is down to suspension set up and worn tyres. I did dial it out on the standard suspension, before the damping went, so it's not really an issue. It tries to do it when the tyres get squared off, but it's controllable and only a problem round really fast, long corners. They can scrape the original exhaust guard and pegs, so ditching the standard exhaust solved that and lifting the rear ride height a tad. I dare say it'll still do it on a track, but it's been OK on the road since sorting it. Owners that ride two-up a lot have it more than people riding solo.

The next problem I thought was a complete disaster, but as usual it turned out to be nothing! It had drained a good battery down to nothing in a really short time, but as it had been stood and quite cold, I thought nothing of it....until it flat refused to start in a petrol station. Gutted, couldn't believe the unreliable Ducati thing was finally happening. Started pushing it home, and we thought we'd give it a bump on a bit of a hill. You've got to run really quick to get those things turned over, LOL. Once it was running, it was straight to Cornerspeed for a diagnosis. He put it on the bench, found the main earth down to the front of the engine and it was all corroded. Quick clean up and a new bolt and lo and behold, good as new. It's not touched the battery since and starts every time.

Being one of the first Multi's, it still had the terrible side stand, that meant it would fall over if the ground wasn't completely flat. I asked about getting it a new stand and Ducati honoured it, despite it being well out of warranty.

So yes, they can go wrong, but up to now, it's all been easy fixes and stuff you could do on your own if you knew what you were looking for. It's suffered the usual flakey/bubbling engine paint, which looks a bit scabby. The air cooled motor is generally bullet proof and easy maintenance if you like twiddling yourself. They are complete gits to get apart due to the whole bike having to come to bits to get the tank off, which runs the length of the bike, so you have to be patient.

A year and a bit into ownership and there's nothing else out there that tempts me away from it. I've spent some time on Couch's 1100 and don't get on with it at all. It's a very different riding experience, so I don't think I'll 'upgrade' to one of those. He loves it though, so it's all personal preference. Also rode his 1000S when he had it and that was awesome. It had an Arrow system and de cat pipe and a DP ECU. With the Ohlins suspy and that ECU it was an absolute pleasure, really, really lively and gorgeous feeling from the suspension. I reckon mine's about as good as that one now...I'll find out tomorrow when the ECU goes on it.

Anyway, hope this is of some use to anyone thinking about one. I'm sure I've missed stuff, so ask away if there's anything else. Anyone else that's owned/owns one, please chip in with your info too.

This is mine with earlier this year, with most of the mods on show (no ohlins or new side stand on it there);


They're not really 'dual sport' Adventure bikes, but we've taken them on a couple of gentle lanes, just for the hell of it!

---

PB Round The World Guinea Pig Blog

Nice review, I liked it so much I pinched the title

---

TALK TO ME OR THE BUNNY GETS IT!

my hero. -psstt one for the womans lib, I think you're better at this than him indoors.

---

...and out of interest, how many miles does it have on it?

Good write-up.

I like Multistradas but from your experience I would be very wary, not a bike you'd want to rely on as your only transport then.

Cheers guys, glad you like it

Foxy...she's still a baby really, it's only done about 9000 miles. Most of last summer it sat about doing nothing due to my little accident.

Gregor...it does make it sound pretty bad, LOL! They have mostly been minor problems, but I would have been really stuck without a helpful service place just up the road.

---

PB Round The World Guinea Pig Blog

Another good write up, I like the ones done by people who have owned the bike for a decent length of time as its far more complete than the "I took it for a spin up the road and it's dead fast and that" reviews.

---

"Its easier to make a fast bike reliable than a reliable bike fast" Soichiro Honda.

A quick update....seems I've been sold an ECU that's been red keyed to another bike Plugged it in and the bike did absolutely nothing at all. Arse. Oh well, it's still having the PCIII in July when the valve guides are done.

CC's just had the Termignoni kit put on his 1100 and my god, what a difference! It revs like hell and the torque feels unbelieveable. Just took it for a few miles up the road...cracked it open in second to pass a bus and the front just left the ground and shook it's head on landing, wasn't expecting that His is down a tooth on the front sprocket as well. Bloomin' mental thing now, very impressive and shows how well they respond to an exhaust and being set up nicely.

---

PB Round The World Guinea Pig Blog