Ducati Multistrada 1200 - review of a motorcycle ready for all operating modes

Italian motorcyclesDucati motorcycles

The Italian superbike Multistrada 1200 from the legendary company Ducati was first presented to the public at EICMA 2009 in Milan.

The basis for its creation was the popular Ducati 1198 model, which, according to the developers themselves, was completely rethought, modernized and equipped with all conceivable technological innovations used in WSBK and MotoGP motorcycle racing.

Design and equipment

The new motorcycle from Ducati has become absolutely universal and multitasking .

Thus, the manufacturer simultaneously positions its brainchild as a sportbike, a touring and urban all-rounder, as well as an enduro.

This applies to all three variations of the model presented in Milan: basic, sports and touring (1200, 1200 S Sport and 1200 S Touring, respectively).

Traditionally, the special pride of the Ducati brand is the appearance and technical equipment of motorcycles.

The Multistrada 1200 exudes Italian character and charisma that leaves a lasting impression.

Exterior decoration

Bold lines and contrasting body colors emphasize the speed and aggressive nature of the machine, but all this is done with sophistication and taste , demonstrating the evolution of the brand's line of motorcycles.
The bike’s twin headlights are equipped with the latest LED optics, the high windshield has an effective and simple adjustment mechanism, the stylish dashboard is equipped with digital gauges , and small “glove compartments” are located on its sides.

The wide handlebars, narrow tank and elegant seat make the ride comfortable and comfortable.

The wheels on the Multistrada are 17-inch cast wheels, shod with special universal Scorpion Trail tires developed by Pirelli specifically for this model.

Note that this tire is the fastest in the world today and allows you to move at an inclination of 45 degrees .

The Yamaha Virago 400 motorcycle has a low seating position, a small drop-shaped tank, a high handlebar and a large number of chrome elements.

The main advantage of this motorcycle model is that the motorcycle is completely suitable for a beginner.

Technical characteristics of the Ducati Multistrada 1200 S:

• Engine: L-shaped with two cylinders, liquid cooling, volume 1198 cm3
• Bore and stroke: 106.0 mm 67.9 mm
• Compression ratio: 12.5:1
• Gas distribution mechanism: DVT, 8 valves
• Fuel Delivery: Single Stage Fuel Injection
• Clutch: Multi-plate in oil bath with hydraulic drive
• Transmission: six-speed
• Main drive: chain, front sprocket 15, rear sprocket 40
• Frame: Trellis steel frame
• Front suspension: 48 mm inverted fork, 3 levels of compression and spring preload: 170 mm travel
• Rear suspension: Sachs gas shock absorber, three levels of compression and spring preload; stroke—170 mm
• Front brakes: 320 mm discs with Brembo radial monoblock calipers
• Rear Brake: 265mm disc with single piston caliper
• Tires: Pirelli Scorpion Trail II120/70R17; Pirelli Scorpion Trail II190/55R17; curb weight—231.8 kg
• Wheelbase: 1529 mm
• Seat height: 825.5 mm
• Fuel tank capacity: 20 liters
• Colors: red, white
• Warranty: two years

Features of modifications

The basic modification of the Ducati Multistrada 1200 allows the driver to instantly adjust the power and torque of the engine, as well as control traction and adjust the suspension of the machine.

In addition to four riding modes, this feature of the motorcycle allows it to be adjusted to any rider and his individual riding style.

The sports version of the S Sport bike, unlike the “base”, is equipped with an electronically adaptable Öhlins suspension, as well as an ABS system.

In addition, the “S” model has an air intake, side extractors and a rear wing, which are made of carbon fiber , which should emphasize the speed qualities of the sportbike.

The tourist variation S Touring has all the bells and whistles of the first two models, but is also “tailored” for maximum driver comfort.

To do this, it was additionally equipped with heated steering wheel grips , 57-liter side cases and the ability to install a central case in the form of a special mount for it.

If we talk about electronics

Speaking of electronics, the Ducati Multistrada 1200 S is equipped with 1299 Panigale equipment, including an IMU (Inertia Measurement Unit) and a 9.1 M1 anti-lock braking system from Bosch, which takes into account the angle of the motorcycle. The IMU combines the functions of a gyroscope and an accelerometer and corrects the motorcycle's position on the road, taking into account tilt, movement and yaw. This data includes DWC and DCL systems. The DWC system reduces front wheel lift during fast acceleration (reducing torque) and is eight-step adjustable (one being the smallest impact, 8 being the largest). On the road, the front wheel lift control system seems a little too fancy, but it's nice that Ducati engineers are bringing racing technology to the street bikes. The DCL system is a cornering lighting technology. The IMU unit works perfectly in tandem with the Skyhook suspension, as well as ABS. Cruise control is now standard, and heated grips are an optional extra.

Specifications

Even fighter pilots can envy the amount of standard on-board equipment on the Multistrada bike.
factory alarm system has an auto-start function and recognizes the key at a distance of two meters. The option of heated steering grips also adds to the comfort.

ABS, DTS and DES technologies make driving as safe as possible , since these “smart” systems respond faster than the pilot and make corrections, reducing the likelihood of a fall, in dangerous situations.

In 2013, the Italian company updated the Ducati Multistrada 1200 line, adding new technologies to an already “advanced” machine . Overall dimensions remained unchanged after the update:

• Length - 220.0 cm;
• Width - 94.5 cm;
• Height - 131.1 cm;
• Saddle height - 82.5/85.5 cm;
• Wheelbase - 153.0 cm.

The dry weight of the motorcycle is 196, 206 and 217 kilograms for the basic version and the Sport and Touring modifications, respectively.

The fuel tank capacity is standard for all - 20 liters.

The new product of 2013 received a completely new suspension with a DSS system and adapted for driving on any surface, a next-generation Testastretta engine , the latest Bosch-ABS Brembo brakes equipped with ABS, a Ride-By-Wire electric drive for the throttle, as well as proprietary Ducati systems Skyhook and Ducati Traction Control.

Despite the modernization, the motorcycle's front fork (customizable, Marzocch) retained its 25-degree rake, and the frame remained tubular and steel (Trellis type).

The changes did not affect the chassis, the tire size of which is 120/7-17 and 190/55-17 front and rear , respectively.

Multistrada received a new frame and rear suspension swingarm

The standard Ducati Multistrada model receives a new frame and rear suspension swingarm. As a result, not only is the engine positioned higher (the ground clearance is 178 mm), but the steering column angle has also been reduced from 25 degrees to 24. The steering column lock is now also positioned higher by 4 degrees, which improves maneuverability when parking in tight spaces. The wheelbase has not changed and remains 1529 mm.

Unfortunately, we were not able to test all suspension settings, only maximum and standard. But what we saw made us very happy.

Perhaps the most noticeable improvements are in the ergonomics of the Multistrada. The front end has become wider, making the airspace behind the windshield quieter. The seat is available in two versions: height 825 mm and 846 mm. And shorter drivers have the option of lowering the seat height to 840 mm or 800 mm.

The seat width has been reduced by 41 mm. The shape of the fuel tank and seat were changed so that the pilot's knees were more comfortable. The windshield may seem narrow, but it provides excellent protection against turbulent air flow, and is also easy to attach and adjust in height.

After our test drive, we are very pleased with how Ducati has upgraded the 2015 Multistrada. The touring bike retains the authentic sporting characteristics and the DVT engine adds a touch of polish that Ducatis have usually lacked. The bike still corners like it's a sport bike, but it's quieter, smoother, and easier to tune.

Advantages of the Ducati Multistrada 1200 S:

• Engine runs smoother
• Driving fast is a lot of fun
• Improved ergonomics

Disadvantages of the Ducati Multistrada 1200 S:

• S models display could be better
• Front wheel lift control system needs improvement
• Keyless ignition can be a hassle

Advantages and disadvantages

Having such a serious “stuffing”, the Ducati Multistrada 1200 bike has the following advantages over its competitors:

• Selecting the required movement program;
• High-tech systems and components;
• Light weight even when fully equipped;
• Excellent acceleration dynamics;
• Responsiveness and controllability.

Experts say that the only disadvantages of the model are the hard seat and protruding rear-view mirrors .

Some pilots don't quite like the engine and suspension settings, but this is a matter of taste and habit. Otherwise, there are no complaints.

Detailed technical characteristics of the Ducati Multistrada 1200 power unit are presented in the following table.

Display Ducati Multistrada 1200

Display of the Multistrada 1200
The Ducati Multistrada 1200 S is equipped with a large color display that conveys all the operating conditions, while the standard model has a simpler LCD screen. It’s a pity that the screen is not touch-sensitive; its controls are located on the steering wheel. At first the menu seems complicated, but once you understand the principle, everything becomes elementary. Of course, on such an expensive car I would like to see a higher-quality display, rather than mosaic letters and icons. Other nice touches include a 12-volt outlet located next to the display and a USB port under the rear seat.

Estimated cost

Official dealers of the manufacturer are asking 1,690,000 rubles for the 2015 Multistrada 1200 model, and 1,890,000 rubles for its sports version.
The tourist modification is another 100 thousand more expensive .

find and buy a used motorcycle of this series on the secondary car market or on the Internet .

Depending on the generation, year of manufacture, condition and appearance of the bike, its cost can vary significantly .

So, the first ad that came across on the Internet contained the figure 300,000 rubles.

The Honda X 11 model motorcycle does not easily change the impression of bikes; it is addictive.

This enduro is not fast, its priority is power:

Under the influence of the planetary crisis, globalization and deshmonization, more and more anti-crisis and “universal” motorcycles are being born, engine sizes are decreasing and everything is somehow blown away, digitized and electrified. A whole class of motor vehicles appeared: “nitonisho”. In Japanese this means: “At a time when times changed and the river carrying large fish became shallow and now that’s all.” In fact, all manufacturers have entire lines of 125-200 cc “missiles” in store for us from the markets of the East and Asia. Now they are testing us with 300 cc offers. And the market loves it. But it all started completely differently. Those were cool times. Volumes grew, power increased, wheels expanded, forks swelled! (like kidneys swell, and not like drunks - they swelled under the entrance and scattered in all directions...). The Multistrada-1000, released in 2002, weighing 195 kg and looking like a spaceship landing at the Ternopil airport, went through development to a 1200 cc, 189 kg device with two spark plugs per cylinder and an entire valve control system (in addition to the desmodrome). And then in 2015, she suddenly gained weight to 200+ kg and appeared in a 950-cc version. Oh how. If one of the tasks of the Multistrada-620 released in 2005 was to reduce weight, albeit only to 183 kg, then the task of the 2016 Multistrada-950 is only one - to save money. The buyer has become more rational, prudent and does not need a hurricane. Old school motorcyclists don't like these trends. This must be admitted. Therefore, placing your right palm on the throttle handle of your good old 1200 cc horse (don’t forget to lubricate the handle and cable sometimes, then the gas won’t be so tight) let’s turn it sharper. If in first gear, then from idle, and in second somewhere from the middle of the tachometer at a speed of 70-80 km/h, in sport or touring mode, the Multistrada 1200 will show you the sky. Its entire depth. Traction control, with its characteristic Italian accent, will ask: “Sir, do you want to continue your journey on the rear wheel or let’s return to how it was?” This is greetings from hot Italy, from one of the hot Italian guys in the electronics department, who reasonably assumed that the owner of MTS may suddenly have a spontaneous and irresistible desire to make a wheelie. For example, on the other side of the street you noticed two beautiful ladies and decided to greet them from afar. Or the passing rogazzi decided to measure the length of their wheelies. Traction should not interfere with this! Not a bad idea, right? No fools. Everyone understands that you can’t do a wheelie by accident. If you twist the handle THIS way, it means you want Him! And don’t tell me that they couldn’t make a full-fledged anti-village system in 2010. They just didn't want to. Who needs these cheap show-offs? By turning off the traction (to do this, you first need to stop, enter the menu, click on the traction item there, go into it, select “OFF.” and only then...) you will feel that now the engine breathes with the full two cylinders of the L-twin and honestly gives out everything passport 150 hp on the rear wheel(!). Now you are one on one with the engine. Hearts beat to the beat. Let's leave it like that. Having turned off the traction once, the moto will not change your decision every time you turn off the ignition. No "fools". Leave these “protections against fools” of yours to them. Everything is real here. Urban mode with 100 horses, you can turn it on when it’s raining and exactly what’s in the city, because the markings suck. And don’t have to worry about turning on traction through the menu. Because suddenly you want to do a wet anneal from a traffic light? Fortunately, modes can be switched on the fly by only closing the throttle.

I never turn off ABS, this thing is like the Ministry of Emergency Situations - it saves you everywhere and always. No matter what anyone says, no matter how much you train your braking skill and polish the balls on the tank, in an emergency, especially in the wet, you will still instinctively apply the front brake. I don’t understand how Ducati, until 2013, allowed themselves to produce the most powerful Streetfighters from the factory, in which it was impossible to get ABS even as an option. How radical a rider do you have to be to ride a modern, powerful and expensive motorcycle without ABS? A real rebel. And now, by the way, Streets are no longer in the lineup... We digress. Disabling ABS on the Multistrada (also difficult through the menu) is said to help on rough roads, but who do you want to impress with soft alloy wheels and road tires? The bike is an excellent road bike with a comfortable long-travel suspension that allows you to overcome small obstacles, light dirt roads and move relatively comfortably on moderate roads. There are no miracles. Unless, sometimes, in comparison with the big Goose, one can only say that these are two big differences, although they are in the same class. Only Gus sits next to KTM in the first rows in terms of comfort, readiness to cross roads and is stuffed with spokes (which also need to be tightened hehe), and Mult sits on the last row and grins from there with his stupidity, “regular” pecking suspension, alloy wheels , elegant plastic and built-in diode turn signals in fragile protection of hands from the wind. When they were drawing the cartoon, I’m sure there were a lot of emotions, sighs, roars, maybe even someone was fucking nearby. The mot looks just great!

There are individuals who put on rubber with checkers and go out on Multe to the Geese trail. Or they even go there on stock tires. Sometimes they do it even better than Geese - which can simply get their pots stuck between snags or under their own weight. But the mot is not destined for this. It's like racing around a farm in a Ferrari: every mistake can cost you dearly. I occasionally go to the intersection, keeping an eye on the weather forecast and without forcing elements of the “route” that I cannot take in the opposite direction. How then to pull out 220 kg of live weight? If you linger on some obstacle, lose momentum and start slipping, then the engine temperature begins to creep up unpleasantly - this is not at all an indication for off-road use. And if dirt still sticks to the radiator, then it will be a disaster. You can drive up to the water on a dry dirt road, or go down a couple of steps, take a higher-than-average curb, or go deeper into the forest along a path, cross a lawn on the grass, or cross a short nudist beach - this is still possible. And we’ll leave extreme sports and the pampas to light enduro and fans of toothy tires.

About the rear brake, which is sometimes slandered that it supposedly doesn’t work well in the cartoon. In fact, ABS works well. Locking the rear wheel with a small brake disc cleverly fitted into the cantilever wheel hub with a single nut is easy for the Brembo two-piston caliper. But if there was a function to disable the ABS of one rear brake, then yes, that would be a plus. On the other hand, throwing a considerable vehicle into a skid with the rear brake on the asphalt is an intrigue! And you need to have a really good skill so that you can catch the spendthrift without falling apart in case something (or someone) goes wrong. ABS continues to operate during emergency braking while leaning. Although KTM announced back in 12/13 that only now and only they have introduced cornering abs on their new Adventurers - the first ABS (from bosh), which is trained to brake correctly in a turn. Well, I don’t know, it seems like a marketing ploy. Is there a difference? I had several situations when I had to press the front brake as hard as I could, having already fallen into a turn, just hoping for chance and... nothing. By the way, these situations arose due to a leaking fork leg - when turning, the fork begins to dangle and dramatically lose its trajectory.

The front fork has decent travel and ensures a smooth ride and a smooth landing after a wheelie. But she, with all her feathers, strenuously resists the stoppie. With intense deceleration, the muzzle bites deeply. And if you fall into a hole at this moment, you can get a powerful breakdown. And if you constantly jerk the fork in this mode, then, of course, it will leak. What a surprise. Yes, electronic Ohlins flows more often on the cartoon. There was money for Christmas trees, and there will be money for oil seals. Analog sax also flows, but less often. The digital skyhook from Shov is generally a cosmically cool thing. And it also sometimes requires replacement of consumables. This is the norm.

Let's turn to the box. She's on a Ducati from a Ducati. Not from Honda. But everything is the same - the first one is down, the rest are up. For those who sometimes get confused, there is a sticker with gear numbers attached to the box! You’re just driving, driving, driving, and then suddenly bam! Forgot! “After the 3rd, how to switch to the 4th??” I bent down and looked, there was a sticker, yeah... “..2-3-4...” That’s it, it’s clear now! All the cartoons have this sticker on them)) Why then are there no arrows on the right handle indicating which way to turn the throttle?? They would also write in the mirrors something like: “In this window you can see the vehicle following behind you.” And the mirrors, meanwhile, are a masterpiece. Nice to see. Touch. Feel it. Pet. Such a thing... Beautiful! I don’t understand the “glass” in the mirror; it’s plastic, but it’s definitely not glass. The mirror is cast in one piece by a great master and is attached to the steering wheel with a bolt, and only the reflective element itself is adjusted. When dropped on the left side, the mirror unscrews itself without breaking. The right mirror sits on a reverse thread - if it falls on the right side or hits a passing GAZelle, it also unscrews itself! A trifle, but it saves more than 100 euros! If you carefully place the motor on the ground or catch the steering wheel on a branch, then the plastic hand protection mugs with built-in diode turn signals will simply play and are unlikely to break. In more serious incidents, the mugs shatter into fragments (2500 rubles each) and there is a risk of destruction of the turn signal (5-6 rubles). Are available. In Italy. So here's the box. It resembled a crossbike or enduro unit from the very beginning of operation - fuzzy neutral, there is not always a clear click between gears. Here you need to work more actively with your foot and bring the lever to the end. Then there will be no “non-inclusions”, “false neutrals” and other nonsense that is sometimes written about. No special skills. Matter of habit. But after 40 thousand km, yes, one thing happened. Around 35 thousand, a small leak appeared in the clutch hydraulic cylinder (due to the fact that it is located directly on the engine, which is generally natural; its seal gradually becomes sad from constant heating), 1.5/2 tanks leaked over the season brakes. I didn’t worry too much, I just added 5 grams. I didn't understand the reason. I was too lazy to figure it out. Well, it leaks and okay, little things. That day, my colleague and I on the s1000rr decided to do a short drive around the city in “sport” mode. The race was marked by frequent intense acceleration, switching, braking and tail wagging - everything we love). At some point, the leaky clutch cylinder gave way. Mot abruptly abandoned further bullying and stopped shifting, leaving me in 2nd and sometimes 3rd gear. This was quite enough to get to the pit stop on our own and replace parts. The result is a bent shift fork in the box and replacement of the clutch master cylinder with a tuning one. A few days later the pet was on the move again. To everyone’s joy) Another story with a box happened there, “in Sepang”. One fine evening the unexpected awaited me. Marshals in orange suits skillfully chewed up the asphalt in the two outer lanes of the long left turn, after the Third Transport Ring tunnel towards the Entuziastov Highway. Without putting out the cones, treacherously moving their equipment away from the dangerous area, they hid behind the fence with tires and watched the peleton from there, waiting for 23:00. This, by the way, is the time from which the owners of the track officially allow maintenance of the track. Now I know about it, guess from whom... At 22:50 I appeared at the turn. Suspecting nothing, enjoying last year’s smooth asphalt, I moved between the middle rows in a beautiful arc. Suddenly the boat tilted more than usual, hit my boot on the asphalt, the gearbox foot went somewhere, the vestibular apparatus gave a signal - we are losing altitude! Then the brain turned on and shouted: “Damn it, I never thought that I would fall so stupidly because of such a trifle as cut asphalt!” The feeling is the same when you get into an uncomfortable rut in a turn on a cross-country track. Mot begins to chatter, he scours in search of a trajectory. Trying with all my might to catch the tire on something. The solution was on the surface. We need to change the trajectory - give the gas or hit the brakes! But, unfortunately, I was almost pulled off the motorcycle. I’m still holding onto the steering wheel, but I’m clumsily pushing off the asphalt with my left foot, instinctively trying to get up at a speed of 80 km/h. And the spendthrift is trying to move away from me on his own. A moment of confusion, incoordination of the actions of the brain and body, I pull the steering wheel towards myself, instead of leaning on the step with my right foot. The wheel is desperately trying to catch on a vertical section of asphalt, but this is clearly not enough... Fall! Slippery. I take the pieces of plastic with me so that I don’t have to look for them later. The clutch expansion tank is already without a cover... where is it... I turn around behind me - it looks like they are slowing down... the engine starts to rotate... the red light is on on the dashboard... has the engine cover really rubbed off so quickly... hands clenched into fists... it smells of gasoline... if only there was no spark... the central stand opened and bared its teeth at me... you can’t catch up with the bike, otherwise it will be bo-bo... Braking in dense layers of asphalt. All. We've arrived. Quickly on your feet, facing the stream. Box makers are slowing down. Now to the motor, the wheels are spinning, the motor is running. I squeeze the clutch. I pick it up. Dry. Nothing hurts, that's good too. I'm jamming. I'm pushing to the side of the road. After the fall, the motor remained in 3rd gear without a gearbox foot. The optics are intact. Cosmetic damage to the plastic amounted to four zeros... Hidden under the burst plastic of the tank was a black plastic tank that holds up well to impact and slipping. The pump cover is snotty. That's all from damage. Crash resistance... yes! On its own... it will get there! We screw the mirror (it didn’t break!). We cover the clutch reservoir with tape in view of the broken cover. Thank you, a motorcycle brother passing by on a Pimp 1200 helped. I sit down and squeeze the clutch (the fluid remains in the line and the circuit does not become airy). I'm starting it up. Everything is working. A short dialogue with the marshals about their lives, mothers and relatives, exchange of impressions. Autographs for memory. That's it, I'm off. As it turned out, one 3rd gear is quite enough to move around the city. In the full sense of the word, I appreciated the traction of the engine from the bottom. Third gear, smooth operation of the clutch and gas, and the motor quite calmly, without strain, maintains speed from 0 to 120 km/h. in a comfortable speed range. We return to the pits... Our second accident on the TTK did not end so well. Everything was much faster. A moment's inattention, ahead there are two burning stops of a car stopped for no reason. Another second mistake with the brakes and choice of trajectory. Too late. Clap! All. The world froze. The TTC has stopped. The pilot was taken to intensive care by a team of paramedics. The cartoon was evacuated with damage to the right stay and fork cup, a bent radiator and damage to the entire front plastic except the muzzle... The engine, optics and tidy were not damaged. Including thanks to the wide steering wheel. On a five-point scale of paint resistance, I can safely give it a 4+. Cartoon.

Next about the box. In sixth gear, the cartoon can give you an unforgettable trip at speeds of over 250 km/h, and, with some effort, it can give you, your companion and your luggage. Although according to the manual, the speed with the rear case installed should not exceed something like 120 km/h... It is not recommended to repeat this at home and, of course, on public roads. Only on closed tracks. Just like that, take a trunk, a companion, put her in the back seat, drive out to a closed track and try it there. Is there one in every city? It was also interesting to know that 4 thousand revolutions in 6th gear is just about 120 km/h and!!! This is exactly the same as the 2022 Great Water Goose. Unbelievable but true! Two structurally different motorcycles, although of similar engine displacement, in the last sixth gear, at 120 km/h, show the SAME rpm of about 4 thousand! Did you know? The shape and comfort of the seat, the tank, the steering wheel, a monochrome instrument panel that is perfectly readable in any weather and time of day, adjustable in brightness, a height-adjustable windshield (to adjust it, you will have to use both hands to unscrew the thumbs on both sides, raise the glass and screw it back on, and it seems since 2012 - only one hand, and any one at that, and this time the implementation of the windshield adjustment mechanism is simply brilliant in its simplicity, speed and convenience). Everything is chosen so that riding while standing is as comfortable as sitting. In a standing position, you can examine in detail the interior of the KAMAZ cab, which is following a parallel course. The sitting position is also quite comfortable; after all, this is the main position for which motorcycles are created. There is an optional ducati performance seat which is somehow better than the stock one. I don’t know, stock is enough for me. And I don’t enjoy squeezing water out of the optional suede seat with my butt after the rain and constantly driving in a puddle. You can pamper yourself and take such a seat exclusively for dry, short trips, just for aesthetic pleasure. But if this is so, then the back seat should be changed to suede so that it matches the color? But there is no such thing! In general, a problem with seats for those whose ass soul demands only the most beautiful. The stock seat does not absorb moisture and dries very quickly. If you go out into the parking lot after the rain, all the motos around you are wet, but the Cartoon’s seat is already dry - no need to jump around with a rag, sit down and drive. Really miracles! The seat of the second number is elastic and wide, by the way, wider than on the Big Gus. Wind protection for the legs is not provided by the design. On particularly cold journeys, which are so unusual for Italy, sometimes you want to hide behind the mighty plastic and wide glass of some tourer, like the BMW RT. Ehh, old age still creeps up...

If you look closely, you will be surprised to find that behind the “cheeks” of the side plastic there are intentionally left gaps - cracks. Ventilation, aerodynamic or just like that - it’s not clear. The engineers' thoughts remained unsolved. More understandable and effective aerodynamic solutions are, for example, a small air-oil radiator in the beak. And one of the beak nostrils leads to the air intake filter, which is generally expected. And there is another unexpected aerodynamic solution under the front seat. More on this later.

It's time to clarify why the post is called Unisex. This is not because the mot is universal or intended for both boys and girls. Also it is not designed for two boys! And not for two girls either. It is so that you can get sex ANYWHERE! If you are traveling with a companion, you can take her to the most romantic place, be it a five-star hotel, a two-star motel, a private brothel, or a babbling stream in a remote forest. The trip will be enchanting. For example, I rode it with my wife to pick mushrooms. Not that it has any effect... Mushrooms are mushrooms! So don’t be surprised when you come across a cartoon parked in the forest. If you are traveling alone, then sex will be provided to you by a motorcycle. It's not what you're thinking now. Although yes, it’s probably still the case. On the freeways, you can enjoy accelerating from low to low and flying at high speeds. On the grader and dry primer you feel like a conquering hero. On a forest path - a pioneer. On long journeys - a long traveler. You will also always have an excellent view due to the high seating position. And the most important thing! The hottest! This is on serpentine roads and on the track! Here the real devil wakes up in the cartoon. He begins to literally lick every turn. His enthusiasm for corners is somewhere in the middle between the perfect training of the BMW s1000rr and the greed for turns of the Kawasaki Zx10r, which itself falls into the turn and asks to give in to the gas. The sound of the engine is as exciting as the steering process itself. In such conditions, it is better to turn on the traction. In heady euphoria, enjoying the sensations and taking the next turn, you can step over the line, and given the state of our roads and roadsides, you don’t have to be on the line. The red lights, no, no, and will blink, they say, don’t lose your head, friend! The multistrada is quite suitable for our roads if you still want to drive, but are already tired of driving around all the potholes. Yes, the best choice for them is the BMW GS or the KTM Adventure R, which also has a sparkle. Or a quieter option - AfricaTwin. Or something else knitted. But Multistrada copes. The weak point is the soft rims. They often bend. Considering the weight of the motorcycle, the range of capabilities and available speeds, this is an inconvenience, but not the end of the world. You can drown on a highway, you can jump on a moderate road, you can drive quite calmly on a dirt road or a path. This bike is for those who are ready to travel, want a straight, high seat, not a rower, but the past in sports has not yet been forgotten!

In general, MTS is like an ideal lover. She always looks great. You want her all the time. It's easy to go on vacation with her. It doesn't break much. She gives you pleasure anywhere. And he does it professionally. The main thing is that in all these cases it is dry... Yes, yes! When it rains, things don't go so smoothly. Protecting your hands from the wind (with built-in turn signals, to replace which you need to partially disassemble the front trim of the moto!), heated grips and a windshield, of course, help. But they don't protect you from the rain. Therefore, as with your mistress, you should have a lot of rubber products with you on a long journey. And most importantly, don’t forget that glamorous girls, and this one is exactly that, love to travel to the Maldives. But they don’t like to go to Vyazma. It’s one thing to have fun in the shallow sand (tested at the Istra Reservoir, may the green ones forgive me), and another to get into the shit. Especially when it's wet there. Well, that is, she can... But for this, her divine legs need to be changed into pokondovey boots, put on hand protection, at the same time levers and built-in turn signals from SW-Motech, hang up protection for the radiator, front cylinder, abs sensor, pump, install arches, think about replacing cases, mirrors, wheels... In short. People don’t travel to Mongolia with their mistresses! Buy another motorcycle! The crankcase protection is stock. This elegant duralumin lining at the bottom is the protection. At first I thought it was just a design element, but it turned out to be quite a serious thing. Working it out.

As sometimes happens with mistresses, a problem can happen to her. Over time, you will meet more and more often and in the end you will completely fall in love with her. You will run away from your wife to the garage under the pretext of work, important matters, or even business trips. SHE will be waiting for you there, with a set of your things (unfortunately, not all mistresses wash your things), ready for anything. You jump on top of her... and away you go!

Having found my ideal motorcycle, I had a problem (besides the one with the garage) - I could not change it. He (or more correctly, she) completely suits me in everything. Meanwhile, the mileage was approaching 50 thousand km. Not that I'm too fussed about it. But others are fooling around. When buying a fifteen-year-old motorcycle from Japan with a mileage of 20 thousand km, for some reason everyone believes in the indicated figures, because supposedly everything is fair in Japan. And in general, how much of this Japan is there, where can you go there? In my case, owning an MTS is a voluntary long-term test. Unfortunately, after our joint accident, I will not be able to continue it further. I have not seen and do not see now a replacement for him. I'm just afraid for myself. But the new owner continues my mission. The mileage has already reached 50 tkm. The flight is normal.

The light is weak. It is a fact. The distant one hits somewhere into the distance. The neighbor covers a spot of the road somewhere in the middle. The neighbor is actually the middle one. In order to have a close one, you need to install expensive standard Ducati fog lights, made at the Givi factory from ordinary Givi fog lights, but in a different housing - under the Ducati. Only for Multistrada. And the Givi fogs don’t just get up. It is necessary to organize a collective farm and disrupt the harmonious harmony. Tricky! You can feel the Georgian trace.

Italian engineering solutions often have an aesthetic component, and only then a practical one. What is the cost of the rear wheel nut - a traditional Italian solution. Torex 16, I think that’s what it’s called. Perhaps it is sold there at every gas station, but here you can’t find it in every truck tool store and all the same, it will be different. The cantilever mounting of the rear wheel led to an interesting mechanism for tensioning the chain, nothing too complicated, but unusual: you need to remove the rear “mudguard”, loosen two bolts and use a magic wrench to tighten something in the hub, such as an eccentric. Under the soft magical influence of the magic key, the chain stretches before your eyes. There is another sticker on the pendulum. It shows a chain with stars and describes in detail how to tension the chain and how much its slack should be in millimeters and in what place. But how to tighten the desmodrome belts is not indicated anywhere. And to measure their tension, they say there is a special measure and it lies in a secret room at the dealer in a black velvet box. Someone says that this device exists in a single copy and it seems to be a Stradivarius violin.

The presence of a single “glove compartment” in the front plastic is not surprising in volume. But it still exists. You can put a folding multi-tool there, toll road receipts and some... memories. Because it is not lockable. A set of keys and all sorts of small things can fit under the rear seat. Small hooks at the bottom of the tail for hooking the net - very convenient! Neither is on the 2022 Fresh Goose. But both motors have two small Euro-Din “chargers”. At first they were stumped. Yes, they left it there. Although it is possible to use them in the rain, it is doubtful. And in general it’s strange to use them. Okay, I found an adapter from them to a regular cigarette lighter. He exists, let the seeker find! Next, you can plug usb into the cigarette lighter. Great, the universal charger is ready. You can plug anything into USB! And so, we have an additional meter of cord, with several joints, hanging right under the ass. Now what? Shall we put the end under the seat? Shall we stick it with tape along its entire length so that the wind doesn't blow it away? Even so, now do I have to put my phone under the seat to charge it? Or should I install a side case, make a hole in it and stick the wire there? What if it rains? What the #####? …. I heard that these sockets are electrically heated for equipment. Who knows, maybe it exists! At the same time, you can look for a kit for converting the Multistrada into a snowmobile. There is another interesting option - an electric gas tank plug! A quirk - considering its price, but how good it works!.. The 2022 Gus also has a similar thing. Still, it would be better if heated seats were an option rather than a plug. The next detail that haunts me is related to electricity. For some reason, under the seat, where all the electrics and batteries are located, there are two small ventilation ducts. So at first you can’t see them until dirt starts flying out of them under the seat. Little by little, but she’s getting there. Why was it necessary to make two through “tunnels” exactly down to the rear wheel, directly onto the street. Yes, they are small, but they are “behind” the electrics and covered from above. But they are clearly made intentionally and definitely not for water drainage. For what??

The taillight is loose because it is on rubber silent blocks. But the stretched wiring (which sometimes frays in places!) and other such little things are all signs of the Italian electrical school. One day, the ABS inexplicably stopped working. After a long search, it turned out that a wire had frayed somewhere in the wiring. The remote control buttons, which after washing can temporarily take on a life of their own or stop working altogether, are also amusing. (But these are not BMW buttons, which have a lifespan like a firefly). The starter button is also responsible for heated grips (if it is available as an option), but there are no signs about this on the remote control. And when water gets into this button, the heating starts to turn on itself. Glitch? No. In the rain it will turn on itself!

The neutral glitch is another electrical joke. You can stand in neutral, and the display will show the gear number, for example 1 or 2. It may be the other way around - the engine is in gear, on the step, muffled, but the instrument cheerfully shows neutral. You walk up and press the starter. And the moth starts right on the bandwagon!!! I almost lost him in the crowd!

Until 2012, there was no such thing as an emergency light; it was not turned on by any secret combinations. Therefore, for those who like to drive with emergency lights, look for a fresher bike.

Another interesting feature is the steering wheel lock. When you turn off the ignition using a special toggle switch, you need to turn the steering wheel all the way (there are special sensors with springs) and press the toggle switch again. A short cylinder comes out and blocks the steering wheel. And remember the red switch is always in the UP position! Otherwise the battery will run out. The keyless start system with a code - in the sense that there is no key at all, is an awesome thing. You don't have to be afraid to waste your key on a long journey. Assuming you have an electric gas cap). In Gus, if you screwed up the key and you have an electric gas cap, you proudly end your journey. Because the BMW lid is “smart” and opens only in the presence of a key representative next to the motorcycle.

What else. This is the first motorcycle on which I could feel the difference in the clutch operation and understand that the oil had exhausted its service life. Or the brake fluid has taken on water and therefore the brakes are hitting on the second or third braking. Or that the front tires have stopped holding, although the pattern is still there. Or that the engine temperature when driving on the highway is 10-15 degrees higher than usual, the engine pulls a little worse, which means there is a blockage in the cooling system. Perhaps the reason is the use of really high-quality materials. Or maybe she's just alive?

This is how the Multistrada is woven from imperfections and captivating with its decisions. Created by a person with a soul, not a robot. With the amazing sound of the stock exhaust, which, by the way, can be removed with one small bolt) I will miss it. Bye everyone!..

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A motorcycle with family features, the Ducati Multistrada is sure to steal the hearts of superbike lovers. He can turn any trip into a real pleasure. Let's see its impeccable design in our selection.