Ducati Multistrada 1000DS
Discussion
I had one for about 6 months and 5,000 miles. Pretty cheap to buy, nice to ride, seat horrible on longer distances (at least on pre-2005 bikes). Handles nicely but clutch is very heavy for town work.
Servicing costs are Ducati-sized - 2 year/12,000 service is £500 to £1000 as it needs valve clearances, belts, etc, and there is quite a lot to remove on a multistrada (tank and seat are really fiddly to move). Only buy with fully stamped up service history as with any Ducati, and remember servicing is usually time based (each year) rather than distance (6,000 miles).
My bike had a few problems at the 2 year service (corroded bolts needing cutting off) and the dealer says they spend about 50 hours on it. Luckily only charged me the book value. It was expensive at about that time (9,000 miles) as it needed a big service, front and rear pads, front and rear tyres, new clutch plates (clutch basket would probably last every other plate change without getting too noisy).
I got rid of my for a BMW R1200GS, which I'm sad to say is superior in every way.
Servicing costs are Ducati-sized - 2 year/12,000 service is £500 to £1000 as it needs valve clearances, belts, etc, and there is quite a lot to remove on a multistrada (tank and seat are really fiddly to move). Only buy with fully stamped up service history as with any Ducati, and remember servicing is usually time based (each year) rather than distance (6,000 miles).
My bike had a few problems at the 2 year service (corroded bolts needing cutting off) and the dealer says they spend about 50 hours on it. Luckily only charged me the book value. It was expensive at about that time (9,000 miles) as it needed a big service, front and rear pads, front and rear tyres, new clutch plates (clutch basket would probably last every other plate change without getting too noisy).
I got rid of my for a BMW R1200GS, which I'm sad to say is superior in every way.
Bloody hell - exactly what Clarkey says.
12 months and 7,000 miles.
Great flickable and nimble bike with awful mirrors and a seat that I could never get comfortable on either, although I think the later ones are supposed to be much better.
It developed an electrical problem and whilst Ducati Manchester were great, at the time, it took Italy over a month to get the right parts in, by which time I'd traded mine in for a BMW R1200GS.
12 months and 7,000 miles.
Great flickable and nimble bike with awful mirrors and a seat that I could never get comfortable on either, although I think the later ones are supposed to be much better.
It developed an electrical problem and whilst Ducati Manchester were great, at the time, it took Italy over a month to get the right parts in, by which time I'd traded mine in for a BMW R1200GS.
hiccy said:
You wouldn't rate a Duke for commuting then I guess? I was kinda thinkin of a Monster for daily grind.... servicing is sounding more and more 
Oh yes......Monster definately......best fun you can have with your trousers on..
I only used my Monster 750 for occasional commute, only because it was a toy not transport.
However at the same time my best mate had a Monster 600 which was his only form of transport and used everyday for long commutes, in fact he did 18,000 miles in 16 months on it with no problems whatsoever...until the usual errant driver decided to write it off for him and nearly him as well.
Only problem as such with the Monster is the crap steering lock, but I never found it that much of a problem..
JustTheTip said:
What does the PH collective think of these (balloon - feel free to update with your exploits)? They seem to have fairly good write ups, and I quite like the quirky looks (I know it's like marmite...).
Edited by JustTheTip on Thursday 28th September 16:35
Had mine for a week now and have to say I am pleasantly surprised, it goes far better than I thought it would.
Comfort is good, mine is a 2005 model and seat appears to be fine.
Commuting is better than Tuono, much more flexible and stable. I do 11 miles each way into the City which is a real clutch pumper and it is no worse than the Tuono but no light weight either (clutch that is). Very manouverable.
Good stability on the motorway.
Mirrors are not the best because they vibrate, but having had sports bikes before they are without doubt better than any them.
In a nutshell, I am pleased I made they change as it has surpassed my expectations.
I think a good baromter of how much you like a bike is if you keep wanting to go out for a hoon about, which I do
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