So I took the plunge - New Ducati

It has been quite a few years since I starting yearning after a Multistrada, so after much deliberation I finally traded my Hyper in on a 2014 Multi S Touring.
I collected it yesterday

My initial thoughts are probably not going to go down too well, but here goes.

The Multi is in a different class all together, it feels better made, seems to have better quality components, this "feel" comes through on everything from the handlebars to the panniers. The seat is much better, there is far more room on the bike and I like the feel of the seating position as I no longer feel like I am sitting on the tank.

I don't have to say anything about the power, it is in a different league too, but riding the Multi sensibly still delivers fair fuel consumption at about 5.2 litres per 100km.

The biggest difference is the suspension, The Hyper was hard and unforgiving, where the Multi feels smooth and civilised (I have the SkyHook system on mine)

Having said all of the above I will never bad mouth the Hyper, it was fun while it lasted, but to be frank I have had quite enough of my missus moaning and complaining about the passenger seating arrangements

I have not had much of chance to ride the new bike yet, I will take it out over the Easter weekend and report back properly soon

Enjoy your new bike, PomGP. No doubt the MS is a very nice machine. Different type of ride, though, so it's not a direct comparison to a HS. Have fun!

Congrats! The MS is definitely a different machine and does have better suspension, that is why it costs a lot more. You get what you pay for!

I will never own one because it is just too big for me. Thus, that is why I bought the HS. I will never have a passenger either, so the HS fits me perfectly, and I will spend the money on suspension, I always do.

Looking forward to hearing some ride reports, and congrats!

Congrats on your new ride! One of my buddies has a new MS...it's awesome, but it's way more than I'll ever need.

Congrats on the new MultiStrada! Great bike. I had a 2013. For 2 up it's a much better ride.

The new one is getting good reports too. Some Ducati dealers sent sales folks to Spain this past week and all I've talked to had glowing recommendations. Especially around the engine smoothness/power delivery.

None could seriously recommend me from moving away from my 2014 R1200GS if any off-road use was needed/wanted. It was cool they were being honest and not just trying to sell me a MS

No question the Multi is WAY more bike then the Hyper. I wanted one but my legs are a hair to short and my wallet is definitely to short. Enjoy it!!!!!!

I rode both and decided on the hyper for my style of hooligan riding as it just made me grin more. Maybe in a few years i'll move on to a multi, ideally with a Hyper SP as backup!

Gz PomGP on the bike.
I´m going down that road to.
I have a new 2015 model coming my whay next weekend. Cant wait.

I've also sold my hyperstrada and waiting for my new Multistrada 2015.

Congrats to all you new Multi owners.

I've gone in a different direction, and have a BMW S1000XR on order (although I will will not receive it until September).

I'm going to hold on to my HS though, as I enjoy riding this bike very much, and the BMW will not be a good replacement inside Bangkok, or on the shorter, local 'day out' rides.

Rutter said:

I rode both and decided on the hyper for my style of hooligan riding as it just made me grin more. Maybe in a few years i'll move on to a multi, ideally with a Hyper SP as backup!

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This is exactly how I felt after test riding both. The Multi was a too civilised for my riding style and the 1200 just felt a little sluggish by comparison to the 821.

I've ridden loads of big V-Twins over the years and always felt that way about the nature of the way the engine revs up. Being a mostly Inline-4 man, I was kinda shocked at how much taken aback I was by the revvy nature of the 821, else I very much doubt I'd ever have ended up moving away from my beloved Honda's into the world of Ducati!

Jokeshopbeard said:

This is exactly how I felt after test riding both. The Multi was a too civilised for my riding style and the 1200 just felt a little sluggish by comparison to the 821.

I've ridden loads of big V-Twins over the years and always felt that way about the nature of the way the engine revs up. Being a mostly Inline-4 man, I was kinda shocked at how much taken aback I was by the revvy nature of the 821, else I very much doubt I'd ever have ended up moving away from my beloved Honda's into the world of Ducati!

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I agree 100% that the Multi is more civilised, it suits the missus and I much better as we fit on the thing. The riding over here often involves some fair distances in a day, as like the US the towns are far apart and spread out. In fact to give you an idea we rode 200 miles on country roads to our lunch destination on Sunday often we will travel 300 to 400 miles one way on weekend excursion, plus some of the roads are real ******

But I can't agree with a Multi being sluggish, this thing builds speed like a train and is immense fun to ride if you wring it's neck a bit, I admit it is heavier than the Hyper, but it also produces about 40% more torque and 30% more power, but it's not 30% heavier

I must say having now ridden the bike a fair distance I really like it, and so does he missus (thank God)

No doubt the Multi is like comparing a 750 iL to a 3 series; Miati to Lexus, etc. I know it's the touring machine I yearn for when I do 200+ miles; alas, the whole front fascia styling is just a little odd. Sits too high on the sticks. I'm sure it's function meets form but, I would like them to sacrifice a little aero research for cooler styling. Then again, I've seen some killer mod'ed fairings that I could live with. I'm not too short at 5'9" but, I like small- cars or bikes. Just prefer svelte over mass.

Contradicting everything I just said, I WILL own a Diavel. This bike edged out a big Bimmer or Multi for my grown-up touring machine someday. Wifey would climb aboard it's cruiser-in-disguise cloak without reluctance, too. I test drove one before my Strada was delivered. What a beast! Sexy, cool, comfy, angry. Just love the Duc-style cruiser concept. The grin nearly split my helmet when the wheel lifted in 2nd on the group ride with not much effort.

Oh, can we talk about the above post regarding the BMW S1000XR? Very Multi clone. I'd never accuse BMW of copying, but...uncanny likeness.