I’ve completely drunk the Ducati Kool-Aid — the Testastretta 11° engine is just amazing. I’m dead set on a 2010–2012 Multistrada 1200, but insurance prices are ridiculous right now. So, most likely, I’ll end up with a 950 Multi once prices make more sense — and maybe a track bike on the side.
Once the new V2 engine works its way into the market, it'll make the T11 bikes a lot more affordable. That powerplant is so ubiquitous and it's been out for so long, it's become one of their most reliable engines they've ever made. I currently own two bikes with that engine, with close to 35,000 kms between the two and (knock on wood) they've been super-reliable.
Re: smaller displacement bikes
If you're not doing highway and you have easy access to those kinds of roads, rowing through the gears of a sumo would be a great choice. Maybe even a higher displacement sumo like a Duc 698 or KTM/Husky 690/701 if you needed a bit more grunt on the open road. But the key is that over-the-top power-to-weight ratio - 250 lbs of motorcycle paired with 50 hp is just pure, unadulterated fun!
As an owner of a 690 SMCR who trailers it to the gap roughly twice a year, I can definitely confirm that the 690 is amazing on the Gap and other tighter roads like Moonshiners.
Also as an owner of a 690 SMCR who rides it in Ontario, I can definitely confirm that no combination of roads in Southern Ontario are tight enough or banked enough to string together a decent ride. West GTA roads like 3 side rd by Campbellville, side rd 4 by Burlington, Snake rd in Waterdown, Mineral Springs rd in Ancaster or Muskoka roads like Torpitt rd near Severn Bridge, Go Home Lake rd and other Muskoka cottage rds. Your butt is gonna bleed before you get to the fun.
While I agree its a great 2nd bike, its not cheap and the 'value' of having one in Ontario isn't really there. Maybe the 390 SMCR once it hits the used market as a better than the DRZ option for price, but that's years away. That said, I'd never sell mine as long as the Gap is accessible.
I have 3 late model bikes. When I had 1 bike, it was an FJR. Not particularly flickable, but it’s fast, comfortable and as reliable as a hammer.
My second was a Busa, which is remarkably close to an FJR, just faster and slightly less comfortable on long trips. Not flicksble, but as reliable as a hammer.
When decided I needed a smaller bike, I bought a Vstrom - mainly because it was a deal. After riding it for a while, it became my “first bike”. It’s easy to ride, expanded my riding options to include gravel, and while not overly sporty, it’s solid in the twisties. Now it’s my “first”. Sold the Busa, the FJR has been gathering dust for a while. Vstroms are as reliable as a hammer. Maintenance is easy, parts cheep, huge selection of reasonsbly priced farkles.
And when I park at a restaurants, Its not a chick magnet. The good thing? Unlike a DUC, BMW or KTM it doesn’t attract boys.
Samesies. I put 40,000km trouble-free on my 1200S Ducati Multistrada and it's one of the few bikes I truly miss and would happily buy another. It's by far the one with the most character and the only one that I felt that there was something special about it (likely that every piece is truly designed and finished with detail from the mirrors to the grips, etc). To not want one because of internet crying would be a pity.
The 1200 MS was a mind-bogglingly beautiful successor to the original ugly-duckling Multi. So surprised they kept the same moniker, it was truly a ground-up redesign in terms of aesthetics.
Almost the exact opposite story to the current Monster... what the heck happened there?!?
The 1200 MS was a mind-bogglingly beautiful successor to the original ugly-duckling Multi. So surprised they kept the same moniker, it was truly a ground-up redesign in terms of aesthetics.
Almost the exact opposite story to the current Monster... what the heck happened there?!?
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