Intro and thoughts on R12R vs MTS (Ducati in general)

[Rocketair]

Hi all, I don't post much but have gotten a ton of valuable info from this board, so a big thank you to all the posters.

I've been riding for about 20 years now - about to turn 38, and got my first bike when i left for college, because i couldn't afford even the crappiest car that could get me cross country - 1983 Virago 750, with 2k miles for $800 - i still laugh about how i tried to talk the guy down another $15, and he said "Son, just take the deal."

After lots of hard work and some good luck, i am now in a position to be able to have the garage i always wanted. For me it works out that 5 bikes is the max I can realistically ride enough to keep them all in use (i ride to work 70% of days, and ride canyons or track 99% of weekends.) So although the 07 R1200R is my #1 bike for commuting and trips (and was my first BMW), i've been lusting over the new Multistrada, because as much as i love the R, it's just lacking a bit in power for me. Not in any reasonable way, i just love to go fast and be comfortable - and would love another 30+ hp on an overall similar bike.

So i test drove one the weekend, and the same thing happened that always happens to me when I test a Ducati:

Test Monster S4R - Buy Speed Triple
Test Multistrada 1100 - Buy R1200R
Test 1198S - Buy S1000RR
Test Multistrada 1200 - lose interest in owning Multistrada 1200, appreciate what i have in the R12R.

But the thing that makes me question my sanity, is after every test i have the same thought... "What a hunk of crap." Which is ironic because i generally enjoy riding motorcycles that are hunks of crap, just not paying 20k for them. I'm no big BMW guy overall, i just freaking love motorcycles - almost any motorcycle I get to ride on from a YZ80 to a Goldwing gives me a grinning moment of "hehe, not my thing but damn this is fun."

BMW cars are not my style, but it's easy to appreciate the quality and what makes them special to other people. Same with just about every reasonably high end brand of vehicle. But wow, I guess i just don't get Ducatis at all, and on paper the new multistrada was my dream replacement for the R12R, but it definitely isn't happening.

Which makes my life easier - because i don't know how i could watch someone drive off after i sold them the bike that answers the question everyone asks when they see my garage - which one would you keep if you could only have one?

[blueviewlaguna]

The Sept 2010 issue of MC news tested the Multistrada 1200S and was pretty critical of it. The ABS was terrible, increasing the stopping distances from 114 (ABS off) to 158 feet (ABS on) from 60 mph. The fuel injection metering was found to hesitate and surge below 4000 rpm. Sounds like a good concept in need of a better execution.

[TT RDHS]

Try out the KTM SMT...
One of those would make my R12R and my Superduke, both obsolete.



Although...
I think I'll just keep what I have for a while longer.

[Kieran R1200R]

You guys make me laugh!
The R12's torque is 115nm@6,500rpm try and find a motor that equals that?
While your 150hp rear wheel bike is trying to get its power down to the ground I'll just nip up the inside of you.
Also try and find one that has the same luggage carrying capability, and one you don't have to stop to oil the chain.

[Rocketair]

You guys make me laugh!
The R12's torque is 115nm@6,500rpm try and find a motor that equals that?
While your 150hp rear wheel bike is trying to get its power down to the ground I'll just nip up the inside of you.
Also try and find one that has the same luggage carrying capability, and one you don't have to stop to oil the chain.

I'll avoid debating the likelihood of the that happening!

However, completely agree that the torque is amazing, and the luggage and shaft drive are about unrivaled in the class. I'm not saying the R12R needs it, or it's underpowered, but with its wheelbase and weight distribution, another 20-30 hp would be nothing but a plus to me. I have a hard time imagining it being tough to lay that power down to the road. I haven't experienced many other bikes of its kind that are as easy to control while staying at the edge of the engine's performance capabilities.

Obviously, getting that kind of power boost from the 1200 boxer as it is and remain close to the same price is not realistic (could maybe hope for 10hp) so i'm not advocating that it should!

[ka5ysy]

Go find a S1000RR. Put it in "rain" mode to keep things safe. Snap on the throttle and hang on ! That bike will get your attention if you can fit the peg setup


Or... lets wait for the new slant 6 and see where that goes !

[Rocketair]

Go find a S1000RR. Put it in "rain" mode to keep things safe. Snap on the throttle and hang on ! That bike will get your attention if you can fit the peg setup


Or... lets wait for the new slant 6 and see where that goes !

Yep, the S1000RR is pretty much all i ride on the weekends these days. After a couple days on it, i put it in race mode and haven't taken it off since for street or track. I'd bet most people do that, it really covers everything safety-wise, and is still pretty restrictive.

It is the first bike I've ever owned that months later i still don't have some irrational desire for extra power - I'm sure many people have said this in the past about many motorcycles, but i just don;t see how you add more power to that wheelbase - it seems like the peak of the power evolution, at least for HP. I could see the torque numbers coming up as 100RR isn't all that different from any of the japanese liter bikes until 10k RPM, from 10-14 it's just another world. Really, it would be unridable without traction control, you can't keep the front wheel down and be aggressive with the throttle with that wheelbase and 193hp. It is a little annoying though because you can't get those nice long power glides with the front wheel hovering a couple inches off ground. it shuts you down pretty quick.

[Tr250Tom]

"...after every test i have the same thought... "What a hunk of crap." "

Hmmm...I don't get that at all. I've been on BMWs for a long time, but I just ordered a Monster 1100 as my second bike. There are times when I don't want to lug the shaft drive around, don't need the hard luggage, and I want to make some interesting sounds...

My BMW is like my marriage: stable, solid, and able to go the distance. Now I just want an Italian girlfriend on the side for fun.

Cheers.

[lewellen]

The Sept 2010 issue of MC news tested the Multistrada 1200S and was pretty critical of it. The ABS was terrible, increasing the stopping distances from 114 (ABS off) to 158 feet (ABS on) from 60 mph. The fuel injection metering was found to hesitate and surge below 4000 rpm. Sounds like a good concept in need of a better execution.

A friend rode his previous-generation Multistrada up from southeastern Cal to visit, so I had a chance to ride that and my R1200R back-to-back.

I really liked the previous-generation 'Strada - it felt like my old KLR650 but with lots more "hoorah!" when rolling on the throttle. Would I trade it for the R12R? No ... for a lot of reasons ... but it could be a fun stablemate to have around.

In any case, I thought the MCN article was great - I can now go ahead and try to get a deal on last year's 'Strada and not feel I'm missing the latest and greatest. :-)

Good roads,
- Lewellen

[Rocketair]

"...after every test i have the same thought... "What a hunk of crap." "

Hmmm...I don't get that at all. I've been on BMWs for a long time, but I just ordered a Monster 1100 as my second bike. There are times when I don't want to lug the shaft drive around, don't need the hard luggage, and I want to make some interesting sounds...

My BMW is like my marriage: stable, solid, and able to go the distance. Now I just want an Italian girlfriend on the side for fun.

Cheers.

I totally understand what you are saying, and I'm not saying it's anything more than a "feel" type of opinion, or even valid for anyone else but myself (obviously Ducati sells plenty of bikes and peopel are very happy with them!) I prefer riding my speed triple in the canyons over the R12R for the same reasons you bring up (aside from the girlfriend part, I'll take Italian over British any day...) However, for some reason the value of the Ducati's i've driven eludes me - they truly feel like they aren't that well made to me. That is what is so strange to me, as whether a motorcycle speaks to me or not, it's price/value ratio is usually pretty easy to appreciate - of course taking into account the different expectations one would have for Japanese vs European bikes.

[Tr250Tom]

Rocketair,

No offense taken. we all have our specialized tastes, and after a year or two of ownership our bikes relect it.

My take on Ducatis: what you buy from the dealer is not a finished bike. It's geared ridiculously tall and choked with a miserablely lean fuel injection map in order to pass Euro3/EPA emissions and noise tests. Have you tried one with a 14 tooth front sprocket ($35 mod) plus a Termignoni exhaust with a "race" ECU ($$$)? It's night and day.

I like Triumphs too, though I find them even heavier than comparable BMW's. A Ducati Monster is just a V-twin engine with wheels, a seat, handlebars, and a fuel tank. I wouldn't ride it cross-country, but it has its place.

Cheers, Tom