I dont know why as I have not been previously a fan of this style but this bike is growing on me. Particularly the touring edition. This bike or the new concours 14 may be my next ride.
http://www.ultimatemotorcycling.com/2011-ducati-multistrada-1200-s-preview#

http://www.cycleworld.com/motorcycle_roadtest/ten_best_bikes_2010/best_open_streetbike_ducati_multistrada_1200_s_sport

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/ducati/2010-ducati-multistrada-review-89300.html

ive just picked one of these up and its brilliant!
stick it in 'sport' with '2 up' option to stiffen up the suspenders and it is a flyer!
i firmly believe this is the future of biking, everything adjustable to suit the individual by pressing buttons, like setting up a new mobile phone or computer...simple!

i recommend you get your hands on one and ride it on you favourite road, you will not be disappointed an you may p*ss off a few sport bike riders! :)

Wow, congrats. Jafo let see some pics.

They have a stylish, refined look about them. And, being a Ducati, it probably rides as nice as it looks - maybe better. But, the price tag would keep me away.

Yes 20k is steap for a bike but hell a kawi c14 is 16 now days. I guess if you afford 16 for a toy then 20k isnt far removed. I have to say that ducati's are not that much more expensive compared to jap bikes like they were before.

sorry ive been a bit thin on the ground lately,
heres a pic of the new bike..
its a 2010 Multistrada 1200s sport (acres of carbon fibre!), and it also has some of the touring extras as well!

Concours' MSRP is 15,5k an I'm sure they'd come at least another grand off that price, if not more. For 5k+ cheaper, it'd be tough for me to go with the Duc, despite my love for them. For sportbikes, yes, I'd throw the concept of "cheaper" out the window, but I just don't see the Duc sport-tourer offering 5k more in features/benefits. Just my nickel though.

i agree, its certainly not a 'cheap' bike! but increasingly i find myself wanting the best of 3 worlds, a bike thats fast, handles the tight twisties, and can carry a pillion with some luggage in comfort! this is the first bike ive ever had that can actually perform these 3 requirements individually AND at the same time!!
im not even taking into account claims of 'off road' and track abilities by ducati and the press!
for a bike that does all the above, i think its pretty good value...assuming of course you can afford to buy it in the first place!

I'll be curious to know how much your valve jobs are. We don't have a Ducati service center anywhere close by (closest is about 300 miles away) which was another consideration for me, but I can't imagine it's that hard to service the bikes if you have the right tools and service manual.

Hiya folks,
Yeah I am seriously considering a multistrada myself as the seating position of the zx14 is a little forward for me now that I have half a mechanno set holding my back together these days.

In Australia, they are $31000 on road (the gtr1400 is about $26000)

I went and had a sit on one the other Thursday, comfy and upright, just what I'm looking for. I was considering the gtr, but at 300kg, I can't help but think it's a bit of a barge....... I'm just not ready for a gold wing just yet.

Oh yeah, in other news I rode for the first time since the 24th of october last year. Oh my god, that all familiar rush as I cracked open the throttle and accelerated, 60 80 100 120 140 BRAKE! Awww shit johnno, remember your in a built up area. So I slowed down and headed back home.

If I used the word 'orgasmic' to describe that feeling, it would not be an overstatement.

Only problem is, I won't be riding again any time soon. The minister for war and finance came home and noticed the cbr was not in exactly the same place it was in the morning. She felt the crankcase and discovered it was warm..... I was then subjected to the worst chewing out I have had in a long time.........

The bike keys have now been hidden, as I still do not have proper medical clearance to drive....

Awwwww shiiiiieeettt !

OZ

The minister for war and finance came home and noticed the cbr was not in exactly the same place it was in the morning. She felt the crankcase and discovered it was warm..... I was then subjected to the worst chewing out I have had in a long time.........

Rofl, ya I have one of those too. Great story. Glad you had fun no matter how short.

They say it's better to beg for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission. I guess your testing this theory. I would have done the very same. Cheers. Let us know when she gets over it. Start looking for those keys now, it may take awhile

OH no ozjohnno my MOF did that to me a week before I took her out for the "second" last ride lol I made the mistake of going upstairs to put my gear on thats when she snatched the key & the spare keys and hid them from me, ha ha im not the only one that gets henpecked but yeh that feeling i got to 190 down the back roads as I did I raised my fist in the air and shouted out loud YEH !! ps. I was just about to comment on their price for the C14 was $10k lower than here aswell

* Last updated by: bean07 on 3/10/2011 @ 9:51 PM *

Hey blokes,
I managed to find a low mileage (6000km) second hand multistrada for $25000 so I put a deposit in it.

While I was there I decided to add a couple of extra's, so I added a top-box, 73 liter panniers and a touring screen.
All of this brought it up to a shade over $26k

I want to use the multi for a bit of 'soft roading' too so will add a set of crash bars, radiator, oil cooler and abs sensor guards, GPS and led spotlights (100w and they draw only 0.75A each).

I cannot wait

OZ

On wednesday I'll be riding a multi strada in Italy from rome to sicily for 2 weeks and I'll let you guys know what I think, I'm thinking of getting one myself, going to have to build a big garage.

did a run on the mutley over the wicklow hills after work this evening, scrubbing in the new tyres (pilot road 3), so far very impressed with the tyres, felt slight movement in the front but then i find the front of the mutley light compared to the zx!
overall, its a great bike for those tight twisty mountain roads!

@ozjohnno, best of luck with the multi, you wont be disappointed!

I am so jealous! One day,I have a hard time justifying the price though.

hi hoopie,
the top spec model is pretty expensive but when you look at the package you do get alot!
the standard model is still pretty good and is comparable to the KTM SMT!

more importantly for me anyway is its range is application, from 2 up touring, to back road blasts and even track day fun! this is the first truly all purpose motorcycle ive ever encountered so if you divide the price by 3 (3 bikes in one) it becomes easier to justify! (assuming you can get ur hands on the money in the first place!)

I rode the multistrada today.

I was amazed at how much different the bike felt in the 3 different modes I tried it in (sport, touring, urban) Sport was of course my favourite.

The first time I opened her up in sport mode I screamed in my helmet 'JESUS H POLE DANCING CHRIST'!

here is a pic of the bike (yet to be christened) with the city of Melbournistan in the background

I thought nothing could come close to the ZX14....... I was wrong

OZ

I fell in love on the net. Her 3-Modes;

1. Yourbin = Riding the 600 have we?
2. Shitty = Yes, that was a fill in the blank thing to do. That poo felt warm, I new you were up 2 something.
3. Sport = Just for that tiny incident, no, it wasn't the, honey, I have a headache and you warmed it up any. No, that passion in the garage and in bed are two separate world war 2 keys I have now. Spare me the drama. Go to your room!

Anytime you want to unload that keeper, let me know... It's ain't cash waiting.

nice one ozjohnno! best of luck with it!