Ducati Multistrada 1200 Launch Reports [UPDATED]
![Screen shot 2010 03 02 at 10 thumb.43.40 PM2 Ducati Multistrada 1200 Launch Reports [UPDATED]](http://www.ducatinewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Screen_shot_2010-03-02_at_10.43.40_PM.jpg "Screen shot 2010 03 02 at 10 thumb.43.40 PM2 photo")
The 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 launch event has just concluded in Lanzarote, Canary Islands. Time to summarize the various reports coming in from the motorcycling community. Motorcycle News, admittedly known for its hyperbole, claims “The 2010 Ducati Multistrada is so good, it heralds a new era, moving motorcycle design onto the next stage.” Bold claim. Could it be true? Read on to find out what MCN and others think.
MCN, Ash on Bikes, About.com:Motorcycles, Ultimate Motorcycling and Superbike Planet have all published their first impressions following the launch. Interestingly the theme still seems to be comparison with the BMW R1200G/s. Fair enough, they have ridden the bike and Ducati New Today hasn’t….yet! It nevertheless strikes me that the boxer twin is not really a competitor and anyone who really wants to take a big bike off-road is going to want the 19″ wheel the BMW has and the Ducati lacks. Surely this machine is for older riders who have gotten sick of the sportbike crouch on the 1198 (as Ducati USA has freely admitted) as much as the all rounder crowd who want a multi purpose motorcycle. If that is the case, it is the KTM 990 SMT that is the competitor, not the KTM Adventure. Enough speculation. On to the reports.
Ash on Bikes
![Ducati Multistrada 11 0 thumb2 Ducati Multistrada 1200 Launch Reports [UPDATED]](http://www.ducatinewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Ducati_Multistrada_11_0.jpg "Ducati Multistrada 11 0 thumb2 photo")
Respected journalist Kevin Ash clearly likes the bike so much he struggles to find fault on anything substantive. All the reports seem to speak of the Ducati being transformative in terms of what can be expected of a modern motorcycle.
“The MTS 1200 does exactly what it says on the box. It’s not flawless, but it is a supremely clever and accomplished motorcycle that is more likely to do what Honda had promised of the VFR1200, change motorcycling in the next decade.”
With even more mid-range performance than the 1198 engine on which the Testastretta 11 degree is based, it is no surprise the engine shrugs off the additional weight.
“If you’ve got more than 4,000rpm dialled in, the bike punches forward with shocking force, instant, hard and nonchalantly lifting the front wheel. No boxer twin ever did anything like this…”
Although no superbike, the Multistrada 1200 almost begs comparison with them. Will this be enough sports for a whole bunch of otherwise Ducati Superbike customers?
Stability isn’t quite sports bike, thanks to that longer travel suspension with some 170mm (6.7in) travel at each end, but even at these silly speeds it’s just a bit vague rather than properly wobbly. The feeling starts from about 100mph, but to put it in perspective, this is by far the most accurately tracking bike in the class, it’s just that it begs to be compared with full-on sports bikes.
It does seem, however, that the bike is not perfect from a touring perspective. In addition to the luggage issues, the engine is still no boxer twin down low, needing a few revs on board to run smooth, something all Ducatisti recognize in every model. Perhaps the final production machines will be improved in this respect?
The luggage could be better though. The right pannier is a lot smaller than it looks as there’s a large cut-out to pass the exhaust gases, but the left will easily take a full face helmet, and with the optional larger lids and big topbox you should have enough capacity for typical trips. It feels flimsy though, and on our test bikes the lids fitted poorly, so much so they would definitely leak profusely in the wet.
In the end, the impression is resoundingly positive despite the few drawback mentioned above.
“The MTS 1200 S absolutely rocks. It’s searingly fast, laden with torque, handles superbly, the electronics not only work they’re extremely useful, it’s comfortable, characterful, beautifully made, and one of the most exciting motorcycles you can buy. If you’ve placed an order already… lucky you!”
link: Ash on Bikes
About.com: Motorcycles
![multistrada 1200 volcanic thumb1 Ducati Multistrada 1200 Launch Reports [UPDATED]](http://www.ducatinewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/multistrada_1200_volcanic.jpg "multistrada 1200 volcanic thumb1 photo")
Basem Wasef makes many similar comments to Kevin Ash and indeed MCN. He even starts his review with “Meet Ducati’s groundbreaking new ride”.
Let out the low effort clutch, and the Multistrada’s low weight becomes quickly apparent; in “Touring” mode, thrust is abundant and immediate. In “Sport” mode, it comes with crisper delivery and noticeably (but not dramatically) more insistence, while “Urban” mode is appropriately smooth and predictable.
In a similar vein, Wasef highlights the good handling for the class.
The bike’s lightness is perhaps even more rewarding in turns, where the bike’s front 17 inch wheel flicks effortlessly from side to side, pitching the bike into turns with low handlebar effort.
Although much is made of the ‘Enduro’ mode in the PR materials, the reality is the Ducati is competent on a fire trial but otherwise very Endure ‘Lite’. This probably matters little to most prospective purchasers.
Though its smallish front wheel and relatively low engine clearance might limit its ultimate offroad ability, the Multistrada’s supple and adaptable suspension, light weight, and ample torque make it seem ready for virtually any challenging trail or fire road you might encounter in the wild.
Finally, the Ducati Multistrada 1200 is a gorund breaking bike that is perhaps something that would be expected from Honda rather than a small, niche, Italian manufacturer like Ducati. Bologna is on a roll.
As a niche manufacturer that was once an incidental player in a global market, Ducati’s newly rounded out lineup is now highlited by the Multistrada 1200, a bike so athletic and advanced that it redefines the possibilities of this burgeoning brand.
link: About.com: Motorcycles
MCN
MCN gave the new Ducati 5 stars in its report in the latest print issue. You can see and hear why in the video clip below.
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Ultimate Motorcycling
Like others, Tor Sagen raves about the mid-rsnge power of the 11 degree, 1998 engine.
The detuning of the full on superbike motor involves reducing the degree of valve overlap angle to 11 degrees compared to the full on 41 degrees on the superbike. As the low-end power delivery is more important than the top end on the Multistrada 1200, this was done to provide a rich and meaty midrange that is a lot smoother when shifting up at lower rpm figures.
Sagen found the traction control was too aggressive for his taste on gravel in the Enduro setting but these presets can be customized.
When hitting the gravel, trying to do a few slides, the traction control kicks in way too early, even on level 2. If I were to ride off-road over a longer period, I would head on deeper into the menu and customize the Enduro setting to level 1 or turn traction control off all together. It’s important to know that you can personalize the four different riding modes to your liking. If you find that you have messed up the settings that you liked, you can return to the default settings with a click of a menu button.
In conclusion, Ultimate Motorcycling cautions the BMW to watch out, a new sports tourer is ready to take names.
The 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 S should be every sport touring riding motorcyclist’s dream bike–that’s just how good it’s at the touring bit. There are many different features and modes to play with, but it doesn’t take long to learn how to use them. The instrument panel is packed with easily read information. The capacity both when talking about the engine, load, and capability on all surfaces known to man and ace suspension is truly unrivalled. BMW GS watch out, shaft drive and dealer network may be your only advantages now.
link: Ultimate Motorcycling
Superbike Planet
Jim McDermott argues the new Multistrada 1200 is as an important bike as the 916 was for Ducati and a game changer for the industry.
The Multistrada isn’t just good, isn’t just a Ducati without concessions to “Italian character”. The 2010 Multistrada 1200 S is arguably the most important Ducati introduced since the 916, a game changer not only for the Bolognese manufacturer, but indeed for every company producing motorcycles today.
He concludes that rather than “4 bikes in 1″, the Ducati Multistrada 1200 is a bike that the rider can customize to their exact requirements.
Because ultimately, the Multi S offers something a lot more appealing than “four bikes in one” – it enables a rider to shape it into the bike they want, under almost any given condition…..If the 2010 Multistrada S were a movie, it would be Avatar, (3D of course.) It’s that game changing, and will likely have other manufacturers scrambling to rethink their own flagship bikes.
link: Superbike Planet
From these early reviews I am even more eager to ride the new Ducati. I have my doubts though about the styling. No matter how good this bike is to ride, I don’t feel it is something I could covet like an 888 or even my Monster S4Rs. Time will tell.
What do you think? Are you impressed with the reviews. Are you going to buy a Multistrada 1200? Chime in with your views in the comments section below.
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I started to gather all the launch news and you did it for me.
I don’t care what the thing looks like as long as it will do what they claim. By the looks of this post, it will. I bought the first generation Multistrada with intent to ride it like my DR650. Not the same. First of all most of my riding is commuting. The first time I rode the Multi in the woods it got scratched up by brush. The next time I got a flat. No more off roading, even though it did very well. The other thing is how well these bikes deal with everyday life on gravel, dirt, pothole and speed bump roads. You can blast down a rough country rode with ease. I lost a dog years ago and my wife threatened my life if I didn’t find him. I jumped on a 1982 GS650g Suzuki and rode the roughest pastureland you ever saw looking for that damn dog. I found him asleep in the barn. So when properly motivated you can ride any motorcycle just about anywhere your experience will allow. So lets stop comparing and realize that a SPORT BIKE is designed to race. A TOURING BIKE is designed for interstate travel. A MOTOCROSS/ENDURO BIKE is for dirt duty and a CRUISER, I haven’t found a use for yet. Now take a piece of all those ideas and design a machine that will do a little of all. Jack of all trades and master of none. This is the one. For now anyway. This do it all thing is really getting going. Wait till everyone gets involved. Yamaha sees the light. I’m excited! I can’t wait to get my new 1200 MegaMulti.
92000 USA miles 06 MTS1000ds
Joe, I’m pleased you found the post useful. It is funny that Ducati have essentially re-created the Universal Motorcycle once again. When you describe what you wanted, the answer many years ago was something like a Honda CB750F! I feel another post coming on
Maybe I’m superficial but looks matter to me!
The only issue I keep seeing is clearly confused Journos who keep mentioning Valve Overlap Angle. There is no such thing.
Valve Overlap is a measurement of how far the crankshaft turns while both the Intake and Exhaust valve are open (one is not fully opened yet and the other is not fully closed yet, hence their ‘open time’ is Overlapping). The amount of crankshaft rotation during th eoverlap is measured in degrees (in this case, 11 degrees of rotation out of a total of 360 degrees – a full circle completed, if anyone remembers geometry 101).
Angle has nothing to do with it. Maybe the Journos are confusing this with the Included Valve Angle often mentioned in Tech pieces these days, I don’t know, but it is annoying and makes these testers look like idiots to anyone with even a basic understanding of mechanics.
I can’t wait for my 1200S Touring to arrive – hopefully at the end of this month. With an engineering and design background, I can see and appreciate the focus that Ducati have put into this machine to create a virtuous circle of function, performance and agility – which is what made me order one on faith a year ago. All these tests appear to confirm this and time hangs heavy while the machines work their way over from Bologna…
[...] Multistrada 1200 Check out Ducati Multistrada 1200 photos from the Milan show floor Check out the Ducati Multistrada 1200 Launch Reports Read More Posts on the Ducati Multistrada [...]
[...] Multistrada 1200 Check out Ducati Multistrada 1200 photos from the Milan show floor Check out the Ducati Multistrada 1200 Launch Reports Read More Posts on the Ducati Multistrada [...]
Britain’s MCN magazine compared the SMT and Tiger (as well as the older 1100 Multistrada, Benelli and others), search youtube, and found the SMT to be lighter, more sporty and yet just as capable for long distance touring. In fact, correct me please, but journalist Michael Neeves with MCN did another ‘all-rounder bikes’ comparo, search youtube, and summarised by saying the SMT is truly the world’s best all rounder in that it does everything the sports tourers and other all-rounders do (VFR, BMW GS etc) but with far more sporting capability (was only 2.5 seconds adrift the GSXR 750 in a fast lap around ‘Brands Hatch’ racing circuit). So, the real test is the SMT vs MTS (Multistrada 1200). My guess is that the Multistrada will rightly win acclaim for all of its technological prowess, but that aside, it appears that both the SMT and MTS will accept long distance touring duties in comfort, both will be flickable and easy to ride around town and both will go off road, but not in the true sense of ‘off-road’ that say a BMW GS could, (hence a lesser comparison than the SMT). The deciding factor to best all-rounder will be, which is the better sports bike? After all, the advertising hype of these bikes is that they are being touted as do it all bikes, (they will appeal mainly to the older X-geners who can afford such a bike), but which will still offer the thrill and confidence of a bike with sporting prowess to blast up your favourite set of twisties, without being left behind and all in a comfortable upright package. My guess is the SMT will kick ass in this department and will therefore remain the best all rounder. If not, I’ll sell my SMT and gladly buy the MTS, the only bike until now I would consider a worthy opponent. Yes, the MTS has all the bells and whistles as well as some other functions I love apart from the technology mentioned (heated hand grips, gear indicator, lap timer, press button fuel cap release etc), and yes I have seen it in the flesh and sat atop, very nice. Where I believe the SMT will beat the MTS is it is lighter (Ducati’s definition of ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ weight is somewhat deceptive compared with KTM’s), appears to have shorter front suspension travel for better sports handling and, although its 115 hp is significantly less than the Ducati MTS’s 148hp, this will only be of advantage on the freeway or down the straight on your local racetrack, certainly not through the twisties and real roads. Both have lightweight Marchesini wheels and top spec suspension (Ohlins vs WP). One bike is packed with Technology wizardry, one raw and minimalistic, same same but different. Don’t shoot me if you disagree but please explain why, I’m happy to be proven wrong but only time will tell. I only hope that if the SMT is indeed proven more capable than the MTS for sporting duties that the testing journos say so. God forbid any journo with a reputation to consider would dare say something bad about a newly released Ducati.
Rod, I think you’ve got it spot on. I made a similar point in an earlier post http://www.ducatinewstoday.com/2009/12/who-will-take-on-the-ducati-multistrada-1200/
“The biggest difference appears to be one of emphasis. The KTM is a minimalist approach to the modern take on an all-rounder, bike that is light, punchy and sporty whereas Ducati with the Multistrada 1200 has gone for a technological tour de force with ABS, traction control and electronic suspension adjustment. In reality Ducati has little to fear from KTM, their road bike presence is still nascent but I for one will be checking out the KTM when it arrives in the US.”
Hi Mark, good to hear I’m not the only one to think so. I’m surprised the SMT hasn’t yet arrived in the US, it’s been here in Australia about a year now. I picked up mine late October 2009 after having test ridden just about everything over the previous two years, looking for something sporty yet comfortable and always came up short until the SMT arrived. I’d previously come off sports bikes: 1998 Fireblade, 2000 Honda SP1 (RC51) then 2002 GSXR1000. I’ve already clocked up over 11,000km (about 7000 miles). The SMT really rocks and there are few sports bikes who can stick with me up my favourite set of twisties, especially when the road gets a little rough. If you do pick one up I highly recommend a full Akropovic exhaust system be fitted (sounds better than a Duc), dial in the Sports setting to the front suspenders (5 clicks in) and, although this was a personal choice, I dropped the forks 25mm (1 inch) to make it even more stable at a hot pace. I’ve even done a track day at Eastern Creek raceway in Sydney and only lost time on the litre size sports bikes down the straight. Surprisingly, not many SMTs seem to have been sold here, maybe KTM is still seen as only a dirtbike/motard manufacturer. Is this what you meant by ‘nascent’? My recent trip to Phillip Island for the first round of the World Superbikes saw thousands of bikes but mine was the only SMT in sight. Most people loved what they saw but hadn’t heard of the SMT and couldn’t work out what it was at first glance. Anyway, I digress. I really love my SMT and so did many journalists when it was released last year, except that I’ve lived with mine long enough to know now that it is even more potent once you really get to use its potential over time. Why most journalists do not yet see this bike instead of the GS as the MTS’s main rival is beyond me, I guess short memories and too many bikes to ride in between. Take it easy.