Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes Ducati Multistrada 1000s DS

Does anyone know anyone who has or has had this bike. I really want it but I will be taking it off road. PJ at PJ's NM said that you could take it on dirt roads. It is an extremely comfortable bike.

Click here for a good thread on Advrider.com about the pros and cons of the Multistrada.

I've looked a bit into this bike and came to the conclusion that it's the least dirt worthy ride out of the main entries into the big adventure-tour bikes out there. I would think you could get a similar bike in the V-Strom 1000 for a lot less money than the Multistrada. Looking at the pedigree of the Ducati, it's easy to see why it's more sportbike than adventure bike. When you're famous for making street jewelry, it's only natural your adventure-tour bike is going to lean a lot more towards the street than the dirt.

www.motorcycle-usa.com has a 6 bike adventure-tour comparison in the works, and one test rider posted a report of it over at advrider.com you can read by clicking here. Motorcycle USA says the comparison is coming, but it's not on their website yet.

If your heart's set on a Multistrada, I'd look into the used market for one. These take a good hit on depreciation in the first couple of years. You should be able to get a year old Multistrada with few miles on it for about the same price as a new V-Strom.

I actually test rode the Multistrada at a Duacti Demo Day (my Triumph dealer, like most, also sell Ducatis). I can't honestly tell you how it really handles off-road, but on dry ground the bike almost tears your hands off the bars. It's really quick - especially when compared to my almost leisurely jaunts on my Speedmaster. Honestly, if you want to go Moto-cross style, I'd get a bike for that, but an occasional hop off-road or or gravel fire roads would be fine on this bike.

For what it's worth... just my two cents.

Cycle World did not even include it in their Adventure Tour test. Although it is great bike.
By Ducati's admission it is leaned WAY toward the asphalt side of touring. They did compare the BMW 1200GS, KTM 950 Adventure, Triumph Tiger, and the Suzuki DL1000.
Of course the KTM was 1st, BMW, Suzuki, Triumph. The last two being OK for power line roads but not much more.

Beanache,

Like a few have said, I wouldn't consider this a bike for off-road use. I have a friend who has one (I have not ridden it myself) and the picture he paints is that of an upright Ducati SS with a little more sidewalk climbing capability.

Is that a Bimota DB3 Mantra I see in the picture behind it?

Sal,
Thank you for those excellent links. I really like that ducati and it sounds like it can handle itself on the dirt roads. After reading that article I am going to have to test drive the v-strom. $9000 is much better than $15000.

Thanks everybody for your posts.

Bedouin,
I believe that is a bimota

Paul,

Glad you enjoyed the links. The V-Strom 1000 is a bike I've been looking at to add to my garage. Just window shopping though till I clear enough funds. Should be a good bike for 2up touring, which is what I need.

Hi Paul,
A friend of mine is a Duc MS owner. The only thing I can say about it, is it's a pretty imitation of the ugly/beautiful Triumph Tiger. As far as this class of motocycle: They are all tall and top heavy, with the BMW GS(?) being less so. Overall? There is no comparison to the Tiger. The chain may be a problem in dry, sandy areas, but the TIGER is the way to go.
Jst Ride It Safe,
Dennis

After reading the articles that Derek posted links for, I've decided that I will probably go with the BMW 1200GS. I have found the V-Strom to be an excellent bike after research. I still can't decide. I really don't want a Tiger but will have to test drive one before I make the purchase. I was at the KTM dealership yesterday and I was sitting on the pure offroad 400 EXC. I will test drive this and most likely buy it. I want a true offroader for the desert and I have decided on a KTM. The only problem is the price tag of $7400 for a dirt bike. A freaking spectacular dirt bike but still a dirt bike. This pushes me more toward the V-Strom for my enduro-tourer but I really don't like the way it looks. Since I will be buying both the Enduro tourer and a dirt bike at around the same time, I may have to reassess this entire situation. I still have to get ATVs and horses. I like being single again with no wife to ****** how I spend my money or to waste money on but I don't want to be stupid. I have several months to decide.