Joined Jan 2015
330 Posts | 1+
London
Anyone considering upgrading to the new Multistrada 1200 S?
- Thread starter HyperstradaHopeful
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- 1200 multistrada upgrading
Just from reading the fj-09 looks good. Naked the fj07 looks sweet.
Too bad the Nuda isn't around anymore - never was in the US.
I think the other Italians are in the game now.
If you want to give up some power the cb500f and x are really nice bikes with a nice kick.
In 2013 - when the strada came out - there wasn't much. There's more choices now.
I have done the transformation.. Gone from my Strada to a Multistrada 1200 S.
The Multi is all the things the Strada is not.
Is comfy in slow speed and high.
Bumps.. what bumps. The suspension is great when you compair the 2 bikes.
I can se the instrumental without taking my eyes from the road.
Turn signal is supereasy to use and works 100 % of the time.
With my hyper 2 times of 10 the indicator did not activate and when i wanted to reset the change engien mapping popped up.
Speed, well that can be 2 ways.. You dont feel the speed the same way, and the Multi is taking the corner way better.
Bad part is, you will drive faster than the speed limits.
Strada 80-90 km/h fells like 120 km/h on the Multi.
2,5 k rev -> and you are good to go. 5k and your flying when you twist the throttle.
Will pick mine up from the first 1000 km service and finaly try the "life" past 6 k rpm mark.
Only "downer" where the priscetag.
All in all.
The new Multistrada is great and i dont regret it for one sec.
The Multi is all the things the Strada is not.
Is comfy in slow speed and high.
Bumps.. what bumps. The suspension is great when you compair the 2 bikes.
I can se the instrumental without taking my eyes from the road.
Turn signal is supereasy to use and works 100 % of the time.
With my hyper 2 times of 10 the indicator did not activate and when i wanted to reset the change engien mapping popped up.
Speed, well that can be 2 ways.. You dont feel the speed the same way, and the Multi is taking the corner way better.
Bad part is, you will drive faster than the speed limits.
Strada 80-90 km/h fells like 120 km/h on the Multi.
2,5 k rev -> and you are good to go. 5k and your flying when you twist the throttle.
Will pick mine up from the first 1000 km service and finaly try the "life" past 6 k rpm mark.
Only "downer" where the priscetag.
All in all.
The new Multistrada is great and i dont regret it for one sec.
Joined May 2015
925 Posts | 9+
Dallas, Texas
Just selected a Hyperstrada over the Multistrada because it is 90% for half the money, since I never have a passenger. Lighter for exploring Forest Service dirt roads too.
Bigger can be better, but not always.
The better comparison is between the R1200GS and Multistrada S.
Bigger can be better, but not always.
The better comparison is between the R1200GS and Multistrada S.
Joined May 2015
925 Posts | 9+
Dallas, Texas
Interesting perspective.
What's an adventure to one may not be an adventure to another. Some it is RTW, others it is backcountry road exploration.
Having been an AMA sanctioned dual sport ride promoter for 9 years, I have a certain perspective on what an adventure bike is as I helped define adventure class dual sport rides.
Even hired Scott Harden, Team USA Dakar, to come teach riders about riding adventure class bikes off-road.
I found that the single most important element in the capability of any large motorcycle to complete a dual sport route was the rider.
What's an adventure to one may not be an adventure to another. Some it is RTW, others it is backcountry road exploration.
Having been an AMA sanctioned dual sport ride promoter for 9 years, I have a certain perspective on what an adventure bike is as I helped define adventure class dual sport rides.
Even hired Scott Harden, Team USA Dakar, to come teach riders about riding adventure class bikes off-road.
I found that the single most important element in the capability of any large motorcycle to complete a dual sport route was the rider.
For me adventure is going where i want to go.
I have no intention to go offroad as a goal. Gravel yes, bad roads yes but never a narrow forest road with boulders and things on the track.
I would have bought a light enduro bike for that.
For me, HyperStrada where the right bike when i got it.
But there where some small things that did not realy "fit" me.
Im 185 cm and 81 kg (without gear) and i had to move my head down and look to se the speedo, if the turn signal actually where flashing.
I use my bik to comute and have fun with on weekend so to be at 4 k rpm (where the Hyper is smooth) was a pain in trafic.
The fork where fixed, so for me when i where having fun on track it where to soft. On comuting, it was to firm and i could not do anything about it.
It was nimble and felt light and Hyper was a blast to ride hard.
With the Multistrada I can go as slow as I want.
Where there where bumbs with the strada there is none with the multi (same road). Twist the throttle and off you go. A bit faster but the strada did that to IF you where in the right rpm range. Multi is just twist and go, no matter the rpm and gear.
Cornering, i felt that i where atacking the corner with Strada, but multi i can atack or simply "ride" the corner faster and with more easy than on strada. (It did feel faster whith Strada, but it is a lot faster wit h Multi without you knowing or feel it)
All in all. Multi is better in all aspect, but it is more expencive to. So one could argue you get what you pay for and Multi is a bike for the road and not a bike you drive in the woods.
(Just like the Strada)
Joined May 2015
268 Posts | 1+
Denver, CO
I ride a hyper and love it, and yes, it's really the rider that makes most of the difference. I guess my point was that they aren't built to handle the same conditions as an adventure bike. (And yes, "adventure" is subjective, but "Adventure bike" is not) For that kind of money, I would personally want a machine I could trust to handle a trip to Patagonia and back. Sorry to side-rail the conversation.
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They're just 2 different types of bikes. They're made by the same company but that's it. If you bought a hyper, thinking it would be a multi, then you bought the wrong bike.
I have no problem going slow or fast with the hyper. I can ride it thousands of miles with no issues. The thing I love abut it is that it's just a big engine strapped to light frame - a direct man/machine connection.
If I wanted to go bigger and heavier, I'd be looking at ktm. If I was oblivious to ugly I'd be looking at the Versys 1000 or a vstrom 1000, or an super 10. Once you get to big heavy mile eaters - strictly road - there's a lot out there. They're not that hard to make and a few pounds here and there makes little difference.
Understand me right: I did not by Hyper thinking it was a Multi.
Going slow was never smooth with hyper, I did not say it was impossible.
Hyper is just a bit more taxing in low speed than with the Multi.
I had a blast on my Hyper, but Multi is so mutch more and refind that for me its a bike i will ceep a long time.
Reviving a thread from the dead thanks to the search function-
I've got a 2013 MTS 1200 S and I'm 90% sure I'm selling it when I get back to the states. For me the Multi is just too tall and too heavy. Comfortable? Yes. Power and suspension? Yes...but. I find that when I go over rail road tracks or can't avoid pot holes there is a very loud "clunk" from the suspension that is very unsettling at least mentally. As far as highway riding-I feel like I'm wasting this bike when I ride from my house to my parents which is 60 miles away and 45 of that is highway. Partly because the OEM tires barely lasted 5000 miles before the center of the rear was down to belts, other part because I'm riding on the highway building up to eventual way too expensive maintenance that is desmo service. Could I do some of the service myself? Probably. But I don't want to touch an $18k bike and void the warranty. Speaking of which, thank God I still have some left to cover the fuel sensor failure that is a regularly occurring issue on these bikes thanks to the design which means it will continue to be a problem well past warranty expiration and cost me $500 to fix each time it fails. I wouldn't have a problem with fixing it myself if it were an SV650, but an $18k motorcycle should not have these sort of design flaws that can be "fixed" by putting a resistor in parallel with the sensor. On top of that, I feel the bike is too tall, too heavy and has a high CoG. I will say it handles amazingly suspension wise, no doubt about that. For my 5'7" self to get on it without kicking the saddlebags takes some serious gymnastic efforts which is an every time I ride it with luggage annoyance.
Bottom line-I don't think the Multi is all it's cracked up to be personally and it seems like I'm one of the few in the overall community but may have found a few other reasonable people see past the shiny exterior and advertisements and evaluate the bike a little more objectively.
I've got a 2013 MTS 1200 S and I'm 90% sure I'm selling it when I get back to the states. For me the Multi is just too tall and too heavy. Comfortable? Yes. Power and suspension? Yes...but. I find that when I go over rail road tracks or can't avoid pot holes there is a very loud "clunk" from the suspension that is very unsettling at least mentally. As far as highway riding-I feel like I'm wasting this bike when I ride from my house to my parents which is 60 miles away and 45 of that is highway. Partly because the OEM tires barely lasted 5000 miles before the center of the rear was down to belts, other part because I'm riding on the highway building up to eventual way too expensive maintenance that is desmo service. Could I do some of the service myself? Probably. But I don't want to touch an $18k bike and void the warranty. Speaking of which, thank God I still have some left to cover the fuel sensor failure that is a regularly occurring issue on these bikes thanks to the design which means it will continue to be a problem well past warranty expiration and cost me $500 to fix each time it fails. I wouldn't have a problem with fixing it myself if it were an SV650, but an $18k motorcycle should not have these sort of design flaws that can be "fixed" by putting a resistor in parallel with the sensor. On top of that, I feel the bike is too tall, too heavy and has a high CoG. I will say it handles amazingly suspension wise, no doubt about that. For my 5'7" self to get on it without kicking the saddlebags takes some serious gymnastic efforts which is an every time I ride it with luggage annoyance.
Bottom line-I don't think the Multi is all it's cracked up to be personally and it seems like I'm one of the few in the overall community but may have found a few other reasonable people see past the shiny exterior and advertisements and evaluate the bike a little more objectively.
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To add to the comparisons. I test rode the 15' MTS and the 15' Hyperstrada back to back on two separate weekends. I went with the Hyperstrada for several reasons. I'm 5'-6" tall and 160lbs. The Hyper felt like it was sized for me better than the MTS. It is a lighter bike and turns very sharp. I had much more confidence at low speed and it is frankly just more fun. I agree with previous comments that the MTS is a better long tour bike if you are only comparing the two. Also for my size the HS seat and bar position is almost perfect whereas the MTS was more of a reach and just felt like it was too big. Complaints on the HS in my first 1,000 miles are the fueling between 3500-5000 rpm and it is not a big bike if you are carrying a passenger often. That is it, even pretty good in medium gravel/dirt roads so far. Otherwise I love it! I have been riding 30 years. Hope this helps.
Those are the exact reasons I'm looking at possibly trading my Multi for a Hyper. I'm also the same dimensions and rarely ride with a passenger. Damn it...back into the circle of indecision I go, good thing it's winter!
I test rode both the Multi and HS before ended up with my 13 HS. I'm 5'10" 165lbs and coming from years of riding dirt bike, the HS felt at home when I test rode it. Don't get me wrong, the Multi felt amazing and comfortable and would make a great long distance sport touring bike. However, I am not sure if I can live it as a daily bike in the summer time for those quick 1hr ride around town.
For now, the HS suits my need for my daily ride in the summer and some short touring day trips. Maybe it is just me but I have no issue keeping the bike smooth under 4k rpm but years of dirt bike enduro riding and trials riding are paying off in smooth throttle control
For now, the HS suits my need for my daily ride in the summer and some short touring day trips. Maybe it is just me but I have no issue keeping the bike smooth under 4k rpm but years of dirt bike enduro riding and trials riding are paying off in smooth throttle control
Joined Sep 2015
109 Posts | 0+
Westminster, CO.
I will throw my 2 cents in here. I have a 14 Hyper and a 14 Multi. Completely different bikes. The Hyper is a light little thing and lots of fun to throw around in the canyons. You have to keep the RPM up to be in the POWER band but I also find it much better in traffic and for going slowly. It is just geared correctly.
On my Multi I went up three teeth in the back and it is still geared a bit too high. It is a pain to ride in traffic. But on the open road it is so comfortable and actually faster and better planted than the Hyper.
When I get frisky on the Hyper it is up over the front end and push push push. On the Multi I am just as fast and totally relaxed.
I love them both and they are both great bikes. But for sheer pleasure in the canyons I still go back to my 94 900SS
Marc
On my Multi I went up three teeth in the back and it is still geared a bit too high. It is a pain to ride in traffic. But on the open road it is so comfortable and actually faster and better planted than the Hyper.
When I get frisky on the Hyper it is up over the front end and push push push. On the Multi I am just as fast and totally relaxed.
I love them both and they are both great bikes. But for sheer pleasure in the canyons I still go back to my 94 900SS
Marc
Joined Jan 2016
10 Posts | 0+
TN
I, too am looking at the Multistrada or Hyperstrada. A friend loaned me his MS 1100S over the summer. I come from a dirt bike background and have never owned a street bike. I can't (don't dare) ride dirt anymore due to a back injury years ago. I've considered cruisers like Triumph but keep coming back to Ducati. The 1100S was a great bike I enjoyed it except it's seat was tall for me. I'm about 5'9" and 185 lbs. I live in a small town and in traffic, getting through the traffic lights, etc, the 1100S was a little bit of a pain. Mostly from being tall I guess. On the back country roads I felt pretty comfortable on it. I didn't like it at all on the interstate. Just too much wind buffeting from the windshield.
So my friend recommended to consider the HS for my needs of quick rides to the store, around town, etc. I assume the HS would be worse on the interstate. If I get a MS, I'd probably get a last years model or a slightly used one. No more than I ride I don't need new. I do love the colors of the Pikes Peak model though.
I know its subjective but how much worse is the HS going to be vs a late model (2013-2015) MS on the interstate?
I'd like to have to one that keeps me out of trouble on the backroads, with my lack of street riding experience. Maybe all the ABS and goodies of the MS are something I need?
My posture on the older model MS was forward leaning a little. OK when accelerating, but uncomfortable when cruising. The posture simulator at cycle-ergo.com shows the newer MS and HS to be more vertical, which I think I'd prefer. And it appears the seat height on the HS is higher than the later model MS, no?
So my friend recommended to consider the HS for my needs of quick rides to the store, around town, etc. I assume the HS would be worse on the interstate. If I get a MS, I'd probably get a last years model or a slightly used one. No more than I ride I don't need new. I do love the colors of the Pikes Peak model though.
I know its subjective but how much worse is the HS going to be vs a late model (2013-2015) MS on the interstate?
I'd like to have to one that keeps me out of trouble on the backroads, with my lack of street riding experience. Maybe all the ABS and goodies of the MS are something I need?
My posture on the older model MS was forward leaning a little. OK when accelerating, but uncomfortable when cruising. The posture simulator at cycle-ergo.com shows the newer MS and HS to be more vertical, which I think I'd prefer. And it appears the seat height on the HS is higher than the later model MS, no?
