Wanna buy » Canadian thinking bout Multi for next season, test rides?

[Ould]

Hi all,

I am toying with the idea of a Ducati for next season, hence why I am perusing the forums here. I never thought about the multi before as I really disliked the looks. I am still not sold on the looks but the more I look at it the more I like it and also there aren't many around. I always like to be different when possible. Besides I guess I won't be the one looking at it while I am riding so it doesn't make much difference in the grand scheme. What are others thoughts on the looks?

My previous rides include in order a '97 GSXR 600, 2002 GSXR 750 and a 2002 Honda VFR. As you can see I am leaning away from full on sport bikes. I love the performance and looks of sport bikes but can't handle the ergos anymore. I like to ride up in cottage country here which is about 2 hours from here(Muskoka for you local peeps, great roads up there) and on a sportbike it's hard to even get there without sore everything. The VFR obviously was probably the most comfortable bike I have had but I hated the VTEC on it so I ended up selling it towards the end of last season. The 600 was probably the most fun, could be cause it was my first. Basically I love riding corners and don't care much for straight line speeds. Need to be able to hit the twisties. Am I on the right track here?

To you fellow Canadians out there(there seems quite a few on here which is cool!), do any of the dealers in Ontario let you test ride other than on scheduled demo days? By the time I knew about them this year they were booked solid, I was planning to book the day off for the GPBikes demo ride. Doh! Also which dealer seems to be the best? I find most GTA Cycle shops to not be great, have had bad experiences with a few and most others I have been in don't seem all that friendly. Within driving distance I have 4, GPBikes, Ducati Toronto, Penninsula Imports(Ducati Store? it's very close to me) and Inglis Cycle. I have been in Penninsula as it is around the corner but they didn't seem all that friendly. I was just browsing but no one asked if I needed help or wanted to sit on anything(they had signs on the bikes saying to not sit on the bikes without asking or something along those lines).

Also does anyone here go to York University and park their red Multi between Seneca College and the TEL building on Seneca Lane? I saw your ride there a few times earlier in the summer and is kinda what turned me onto the Multi's. I work at the University. I am always checking out the bikes parked there. I saw a black one this morning on the QEW about 7:30 with all the other bikes heading to Friday the 13th in Dover.

I also looked at Monsters a bit too, also was debating getting a 749 or whatever replaces it next year but think I would get tired of the ergo's again as that was the main reason I sold the GSXR 750. May take a look at that new water cooled Buell too next season, can probably get a demo ride again at their demo day. I rode the 12r one this year and it was nice except the crappy HD motor.

Thanks for any replies,

Kevin

[tim_mckenna 2006 620 (Red)]

Kevin,
That's my Multi you saw on the York U campus. I love the bike. I teach at Seneca and often ride from Otonabee township near Peterborough. (It's only a long way in the car.)

I bought the MTS 620 late last year after an unplanned test ride. I had never thought I would want a low powered bike with such unusual styling...but it was really, really red so, OK, I'll ride it.

Big mistake. I wasn't out of third gear before I had decided to risk the divorce and buy it. I'm not impulsive with bikes. My second bike was a Suzi Katana 750 which I rode for 16 years. I had ridden many, many other bikes but never something I was willing to spend money on until the MTS 620. (I know what you mean about the VFR: VTEC is a good thing only in my Accord.) And I get a discount on Suzukis through a GM employee family program.

The MTS 620 was ...
- a Ducati (which has a feel unlike any other motorcycle)
- really red
- cheap (had 840Km on the clock: 1st owner blew his knee, local Harley shop took it in trade for a low rider)
- plenty fast enough for the street especially with a 14t sprocket
- blessed with sport bike handling and tour bike comfort

With its long travel suspension and stiff trellis frame, the Multistrada rides beautifully on our less than perfect Ontario roads. Sport bikes have better race track handling and more feedback but, on frost heaves, the feedback is a launch off the seat or the bike changing its line through the corner as it jitters over bumps. Once you get used to the Multi, you develop a pretty good feel for what's happening between the tires and the road.

Despite its light weight, the good aerodynamics and stiff frame make it very stable in cross winds or when big trucks blow by. Because of those things, the bike is very flickable in the twisties. It's easy to handle at low speeds and tight, feet up U-turns are no problem. I can even stop and go without putting my feet down.

Have you seen the bike with the hard bags on it? The bags are useful, add more red, and balance out the front fairing -- the bike looks a little less 'front heavy'. I'm still not in love with overall appearance. But from the saddle, the bike looks fine.

I get the bike serviced at GP Bikes in Ajax. They have been quite good and Ken the mechanic is very helpful. Join the http://www.docc.ca/ and GP gives you 15% discount on parts and accessories.

I don't know about test rides at GP. The Harley dealership let us test ride used bikes. I've never ridden a new bike other than during organized demo rides. I've ridden all the Buells during those rides and really wanted one because they were such fun. For me, the Firebolt 900 with the race kit was the best set up. The 12r with the race kit was like driving a big block V8 with a live rear axle -- the power hit very hard, very soon -- it would be too easy to low-side in the rain. I thought the Ulysses would be more practical and comfortable, but it felt too big and heavy in motion. The new 1125R looks like a great 2nd bike (for track days or losing one's license) now that the tractor motor is gone.

I encourage you try the Multistrada. You might be able to find a used 620 -- Ducati discontinued them. If you go for a bigger version, make sure you can find & afford the insurance on a Ducati litre bike.

Tim

[Ould]

Thanks for the response Tim. Although I swear the one I saw at York was the bigger strada, I could of sworn it had a single sided swingarm. But it has been a while seen I have seen it so maybe I am just remembering incorrectly or there is another one that parks there as well as yours. I am still up in the air as to what I want for next season. Guess I will wait until the Ducati, Buell, and other demo days next season and go from there. I definately want a twin this time around I think or maybe a V-4 if Honda comes out with a new VFR that doesn't have bloody crappy VTEC.

Kevin

[Skeandhu 2006 1000S DS (Red)]

Kevin,

I made the switch to the Multi from an F4i... based solely on the magazine & Internet reviews that I've read (all favourable), and after a thorough review of this forum. My first ride on the Multi was as I was driving it home from the dealership! Although I sometimes miss my F4i, I completely enjoy the Multi. I've already done more km this season that I had in the previous seasons 'cause I love riding it so much!

I bought and service my bike with GPBikes and am very happy with them. (I also buy all of my gear from them.) I never really got a good feeling from Downtown Ducati, or Peninsula which both seem to be exotic car dealerships first, and Ducati dealerships second. I've never had my bike serviced from either Downtown or Peninsula, so can't comment on their competency.

Give GPBikes a call to see if you can demo the Multi. They may have access to a demo fleet or one that you can try.

Also if you have a chance, stop by the GTAMotorcycle bike meet on Thursdays @ Lakeshore & Leslie (Tim Hortons, of course!)... I'm usually there and would be able to better answer any questions.

Cheers!
Kevin (too)

[Ould]

Thanks for the reply, Kevin. Just out of curiosity, how much do you pay for insurance and is it as bad as finding insurance for a sportbike? It really shouldn't be but with our corrupted insurance system you never know. The Ducati name itself might set off alarms when spoken.

Thanks for the offer to come down to the meet at Tim's. I work at York U(until 6) and live in Mississauga so it would be tough for me to make it down that way after driving through traffic all the way home. If you switch the meeting spot to the Cawthra/Lakeshore Dairy Cream it would be more likely. I know some of the guys used to meet there from time to time.

Thanks again,

Kevin

[Skeandhu 2006 1000S DS (Red)]

I think the owner kicked the bikes out of Dairy Cream... so I'm not sure if they meet there anymore!

Most of the time we're at Tim's till 10P or later! If you can stop by, you're always welcome.

As for insurance, I went through State Farm who charges by displacement. The most I paid for my F4i was $80-ish/mth, and down to $50-ish/mth when I finally moved my car over to them. The Multi is ~$115/mth. (Clean license, over 25, M2) I haven't really shopped around, so it's possible that there are better deals to be had.

I hope you find a Multi to test ride soon... just keep your checkbook handy!

[Ould]

Thanks again, Kevin. Maybe I will stop by some Thursday night and check out your ride. If I had a bike right now I would likely be there most thursdays. I was with State Farm for my GSXR 750 so I have a broker I could most likely use again. I never switched my car or house over to them though just had the bike with them. I had my VFR through my normal broker who I have my car and house with and it was pretty cheap as it wasn't blacklisted. I think the insurer was Jevco. Wonder if they do Multi's at all.

Anyways I can't likely do anything until about this time next year so I have a long ways to go and research, tire kick etc. I will likely go to the Manufacturers bike show this year and tire kick etc.

Kevin