DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1200S (2010 - 2014) Review

As said the ride quality is great, brakes are good as well pulls me up straight and hardly any intervention from the abs

Love the L twin it sounds fantastic I have owned a couple of Honda v4s over the years which I loved but this sounds so raw even with the standard exhaust on it

Quality of paint work vert good but as said electrics poor. The fuel tank gauge intermittently dropped to zero new sender fitted. Head lamps went intermittent due the connectors on the relay burning out had to rewire these. Then the heated grips stopped working and at over 200 quid a set I fitted oxford ones at 55 quid. Now the the gear change indicator goes up and down the gears whilst mechanical in 6th and when the neutral light flashes on the bike lurches engine management choose a different fuel map

Service it myself so parts cost only

Hardly use the panniers, but when I did it got mine and the wife's kit in them no problem. The top box is great and water proof and used when I go out. Best suspension I have ever had on a bike. When the heated grips worked where good. Windscreen is good never considered a different one. Handling very good

Can't explain how good this bike is to ride. Power, performance, suspension, handling and breaks are all incredible. Stock seat seems to push you towards the tank a bit, but I did four hours on it in a day and - other than that being a tad annoying - had zero discomfort after stepping off it (unlike the Tiger I had before it).

The stuff of dreams. It can be as steady or as mental as you want it to.

I went from a Tiger 800 to this, and it feels like stepping off Ryan Air and getting onto Concorde. Quality through and through. There is no comparison between the two bikes.I've only recently bought it, so have no idea on reliability. However it's such an incredible thing to ride, I think I'd forgive it to the odd mechanical blip.

Bought it second hand, 20k miles, 1-owner, full dealer history for £6.7k. That is a lot of bike for that money. So, great value. Haven't had to have work done on it yet, however my mechanic owns Ducati's so I'm expecting it to be OK. Maybe. Lol.

Rider modes, semi-active suspension, amazing looking back wheel (got Michellin Road 5's on...the best tyres IMO), heated grips (hold down the ignition button to turn these on...bit weird but hey ho). Lacking cruise on these early models but no biggie for me.

Superb front brembo brakes, rear now adjusted properly can lock, but does gives good stopping stability.

Pulls like a train, mine now has 37k on it and it's so strong, torque is amazing pulls in any gear, but likes 2500rpm to work smoothly.

No brake downs, heated grips, to be replaced don't work. I've changed pads chain and sprockets, tyres pilot 6, which so far are superb lots of confidence, just starting to show some squaring off. Oil and filter is easy, air filter ok. Plugs a bit of a phaff.

Oil,filter, plugs, air filter all easily maintained personally.

Came with Ducati standard panniers, which are so easy to attach. And give great protection, I've managed to drop it once, when just filled the tank and not ridden for a month and it got away from me, so the rear pannier and bar weights saved any damage, bar for scuffs on both!

Rider modes are very useful for changing engine characteristics but suspension changes are hard to detect. Brembo brakes are good, but not as impressive as the Brembos on my 2011 Speed Triple, and the exhaust heats up the rear brake fluid as the master cylinder sits too close to it, so the rear brake is weak. The girlfriend always prefers the Multi, which offers all day long pillion comfort. As an all-rounder, it's very hard to beat.

Quite civilised for a big twin at town speeds. The 1198s i had threw tantrums in traffic. Acceleration is surreal for this kind of bike, even with a passenger. Gearbox can be a little vague and you need to be firm to avoid false neutrals.

The bike has comfortably been the most reliable Duke I've owned, although it did, like the others, refuse to start at the traffic lights (I cut the engine at red lights here in Saudi to prevent overheating). The bike has lived through some very humid weather on the Gulf coast and shows no signs of corrosion anywhere. The only niggle is the plasticky handguards, which break easily.

Just did the 24k major (belts, valve clearances etc) and it came to around £500 all in at the Ducati dealer in Bahrain. Ducati parts aren't cheap so get on the web and join owners' groups on social media to save a bob or two.

For the year, the equipment is very impressive. Love the rider modes and the keyless start. The bike doesn't feel fussy about tyres, although I'm still feeling my way into a Michelin Pilot Power 2ct.

Ride quality at softest Skyhook setting is endelessly sublime, and makes every trip a delight, but the thing still handles beautifully. Brakes - rear is a pain to bleed, front feels spongy even after hours of bleeding air, but has plenty of power.

All over the place. Huge torque but clattery and unpredictable (surging) below 3k needing precise throttle control, but the throttle on mine stuck at small openings so it made it a massive pain in the arse, Spraying liberal amounts of grease around the throttle bodies made it so much better, but it's still a bit of a pain at low speeds without a lot of clutch slipping. The other side is the maasive torque, ridiculously instant kick in the arse from the tiniest throitte opening (in sport), and the sweet, soft-vibration, anguid way it fluffs along when you just want to cover some miles in 100 Low mode. So much more visceral and enjoyable than any >2 cylinder bike.

I want to put 5, as it's not yet left me stranded; however, I've had to replace things like HT leads and the mid-box exhaust, plus things like the endless bleeding of brakes, the non-functioning neutral light, and sticky thottle making it horrible to ride unless fully open. Those thing stopped me from connecting with the bike, but after two years (and fixed those issues to a greater or lesser extent) I love it. It has a check engine light on at the moment, but as it's still running I ignore it.

Desmo is a constant reminder to make every ride count. no wonder the new V4 has 36k mile intervals and doesn't use belts or desmo.

The ABS and TC provide so much confidence and anxiety redicution when it's bucketing down. The headlights are astounding, The suspension is so incredibly soft, yet hold the bike's attitude so well that single gear, smooth riding is often the quickest way from a-b. The panniers (Touring model) carry enough for a week's food shopping and detach/attach very quickly. The dash is clear (although I still prefer a dial for revs). Heated grips have never worked for me, and it it had onoly done 21k miles when I got it. Neutral light only works when the engine is cold.

Front brake brilliant Back brake keeps getting air in the system

Loads of power & torque Not great fuel efficiency but who cares with that amount of power

Gear selector broke Fuel gauge failed Exhaust valve ceased

Not with dealer Local bike garage with ex Ducati mechanic

Great heated grips Very expensive hard luggage

Brakes are excellent and in touring setting prevent front dive which is really confidence inspiring. Touring setting with 150 Hi setting is simply fantastic all around. Sport setting good for super smooth roads, otherwise it just feels harsh. Touring better for most back road and fwy conditions.

Have a 2014 so great torque and HP, not the dreaded and incurable mid-range bog of the 2015-17's. My friend has a 1260S. Mine handles better due to the shorter WB and feels better in the mid-range, though his is stronger on top slightly. Frankly, I prefer the character of the 13-14's vs the more boring/sanitized feel of the later models. TBD on the V4 -- will know soon on that one.

No issues whatsoever. Valve service at 15,000 miles is absurdly expensive, but overall worth it due to the joy the MTS provides for riding very fast and very comfortably.

Bought mine GT used, at about 35 cents on the dollar so it was an AMAZING value. New, not so much. Huge depreciation, but unbeatable as a 3-5 year old used bike -- just make sure to get one with less than 8,000 miles or one that's had the $2,000 valve/belt service done. Lots of used ones for sale with 12-14,000 miles....I wonder why....

Electronic suspension make traditionally set up bike seem "quaint" in comparison. Love love love the Skyhook -- transforms riding with an incredible blend of performance and comfort.

At speed, the bike is sublime, it can do a bit of everything (well) and stop quickly. Low speed handling is good, but I am very aware of the height of the bike. It can be a little snatchy at low speeds, but I am unsure as to the cause of this (chain, fuelling, something else), the internet has too many opinions. I was always sceptical of ABS until I had to use it anger. My wife and I can go over 150 miles, before needing a break.

It's brilliant, especially in sport mode. There is more than enough power, but it never feels like it's going to break free from your control. The V-twin is brilliant and much more engaging than an inline 4. My Honda Blackbird had the same peak power, but was much 'steadier' and not as engaging.

Overall, I am very happy with the bike, my only quibbles would be surface corrosion on the brake banjos and under the seat. Otherwise, the plastics, electronics, seat, and anodised parts are all 'as new' after four years. I have only given it 4/5 because the fuel gauge float had to be replaced (free of charge) and the remote key got damp which caused temporary issues.

I've not had the bike long enough for a service. Apparently the chain and sprockets need to be changed every 10k miles. That's around £350 at the main dealer. The valve service interval is 15k miles and I'm happy with that.

I bought the GT version, with the large panniers, top box, engine bars and spot lights. For two-up touring, it's a good choice. The only item I have added to the bike is the Ducati SatNav for touring. I can't think of any other additions the bike needs. I also have the Termignoni silencer which adds a nice rasp in Sport mode.

ride quality very good rear brake useless

engine lumpy low down

both forks seals went at 7300 miles £380 to fix

at 15000miles service cost £820

love the electronics