DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1000 (2004 - 2009) Review

Version: DS

Year: 2005

Nice machine, unique look. Good performance, exceptional balance and handing.

Buying experience: Dealer bought

Version: S

Year: 2006

Annual servicing cost: £30

The Bad: The engine casings will get dirty. Once I made the mistake of trying to use product while warm all the dirt neatly fused into it, ughhh. Trim pieces like the center stand assist arm and the Öhlins rear reservoir bracket will fail like clockwork. The tank will swell and requires expert Duc techs to make a bracket to deal with it for service intervals. The rear brake is a joke.Now then, I love the styling. I have the later seat and I'm a lightweight guy so it never bothered me. You have to get it warmed up to really feel right whereas my Tiger800 ABS feels pretty much the same from the time you turn the key. This bike is a dancer, folks. I've owned more powerful and faster bikes (Triumph Triples 955/1050) but I've no complaints as to the power plant and it has that fantastic two-valve rubber-band torque going on and the suspension and handling is in another league. When I really need a pick-me-up I throw a leg over Bella for an hour or two.

Buying experience: Private sale $5,250 in 2018. Worth every penny.

Version: 1000 ds

Year: 2004

Annual servicing cost: £200

what an absolute hoot to ride. it makes enough power in all the right places, the suspension and brakes are also very good... my biggest complaint is the seat, even with the upgraded gel seat after a couple of hours it feels like your back at school getting the cane.

Buying experience: bought privately, the bike was not perfect and needed a bit of work, but the price reflected this. (2023) a really nice example, 10k miles, will set you back £2500 or something needing a service and a bit of tlc as little as £1500. only worth buying at the bottom end if you are confident you can spot the problems and fix them yourself.

Year: 2004

Sporty, reliable, and comfortable.

Version: Black one.

Year: 2006

Annual servicing cost: £250

it just feels like a larger, more comfortable monster(i think its a lot better). you could go to a track with it, tour the Eiffel, or commute with it.if the front of the bike had a different design, it would definitely be 1000X as successful as it is now. minus the desgin, its just a great machine.

Buying experience: 2ndhand. 33k kms

Version: 1000 DS

Year: 2005

Annual servicing cost: £200

I'd absolutely recommend this bike if you find one that's been taken care of like mine.

Buying experience: Privately, I bought the bike off of a retired Motorcycle cop from Chicago. He had it advertised for $3500 but he accepted my offer of $2700.

Version: DS

Year: 2005

Great multi purpose/all round bike & quite easy to manoeuvre in heavy traffic. Engine gets really warm fast especially in tropical weather conditions. Once the engine over heated the clutch hydraulics will eventually fail.

Buying experience: Got a used one, from a friend.

Version: DS

Year: 2005

Annual servicing cost: £450

Excellent hybrid between a touring bike and a bike for when you feel like you want to play.

Buying experience: I bought privately. Two dealerships went over the bike before purchase to make sure it was in good condition and for the price I paid and the aftermarket mods done, I got a steal. Best bike purchase I've ever made.

recently purchased my own mts 1000 ds on an 06 reg with just 8000 miles on the clock and its everything i could ask for and more, being lanky the positioning is great for me the seats not too bad after 100 miles ive had enough though. engine is lovely more than enough grunt for the road and the handling is sublime even on this standard model. this is my second big bike and the finish and quality of compionents for the money is great a real find just make sure you get onw with history!!!! enjoy!

I bought my 1100 6 months ago and use it for commuting with the occasinal longer trip (LeMans in 3 weeks). Nice bike, very well put together, strong motor but gearbox is a weak point. Can be clunky and neutral is non-existent until it has warmed up (but if it wasn't quirky it wouldn't be a Ducati, would it?). Looks great from behind, not so good from the front (where have I heard that berore?)

Since purchasing my Multistrada 1000S DS a couple of months ago I have been very impressed by the whole package. Previous bike was a Yamaha Faser 600 (2000) which was my first big bike. I always thought the Faser was a good if not slightly dull do it all. But the MStrada is of a different class. Everything feels solid and is finished to a very high standard. The Ohlins forks and shocks and top notch, making the ride responsive and highly customisable (I am 6'2" and big boned! I also carry my lady on the back who is not big boned, but a quick adjustment of the pre-load and we are ready to rock). The brakes are excellent and handling is sharp (front end feels a little twitchy/light sometimes but that is probably due to front suspension setup requiring a tweak to come into line with the rear adjustments I have made - suspension settings have a steep learning curve!). The engine has plenty of Ducati grunt too! Test ride it and you will fall in love with this ugly duckling... Strengths: Suspension, Engine, Handling, Brakes, Looks (trust me, they grow on you!), Exclusivity and the sound of a L-twin! Weaknesses: Ducati Service and accessories are not cheap!!

Shit-hot! Strengths: Comfortable riding position, excellent brakes and acceleration, great poise and balance. Weaknesses: Still getting to grips with the looks.

I've always admired Ducatis, and had (and still have) a mint, 1997 900 Superlight in the garage when I first went looking at Ducati's ugly duckling. The test ride totally sold me on the comfy upright riding position but still with near superbike handling, the grunty 1000 twin spark engine was everything I expected too, plenty of go and that fabulous Ducati thunder. What I didn't spot on the 20min test spin was the arse crunchingly painful seat! I actually bought the demonstrator with just over 800 miles on the clock and two days later fitted the factory gel seat along with a few other goodies. Since buying the bike I've done just over 1800 miles and apart from the seat (even the gel seat is nasty after 100 miles)I can honesty say that I love the bike and yes, even as a rookie fast road rider, have had my knee down in total safety - how many big trailies can you do that on? Strengths: Grunty V twin, mega handling, image and unusual, attention grabbing styling. Weaknesses: Standard of finish (dry rides only if you want to keep it mint!) and that horrible seat!

I had the bike fitted with the DP luggage comfort screen & comfort seat which has made the bike really useable for me. I have also fitted a number of carbon fibre bits such as a hugger. One of the best bits that I have fitted is an after marker clutch slave cylinder which has improved the action of the clutch considerably. I have done most types of riding on it (excluding track days)and like it's name says it is a bike for all roads. Strengths: The fun factor. It's different from the main stream bikes. It's a Ducati. Weaknesses: Quality of finish needs plenty of TLC comfort with standard seat/screen heavy clutch as standard.