Any news on a Multistrada redesign?

[potomacduc]

For those interested in the Multi, the rumors now (from attendees at the dealer show) are that the only change for 09 will be a new paintjob.  The MTS will be available in the pearlescent white offered on the 848.  The new model (rumored to be called Strada Aperta and to be more dirt-oriented) will likely be unveiled at the Milan show this fall and go on sale next fall as a 2010 model. 

There is much debate on multistrada.net as to what direction the Multi should go.  I say leave the dirt to BMW and KTM.  According to a poll on multistrada.net, most current owners agree with me by a bout a 2:1 margin.  In my opinion, the Multi is the best lightweight sport-touring bike on the road.  It looks great from about 270 degrees.  Yeah, the front is a bit a different, but it grows on you and if you ride more than sit and stare at your bike you will quickly forget about it.  Besides, if you want to sit and stare, just sit behind it 

I really don't understand why it has to be an either/proposition with the MTS.  The Hypermotard shares the majority of its parts with the MTS, so theyhave proven the modular concept works.  If Ducati must chase BMW's tail, release the MTS in three guises: The Hypermotard as the full on sport Multi, a revamped version of the current model as the "GT-Grand Touring" version and a more dirt-worthy version with a bash plate, crash guards, less plastic and a big front wheel.  It shouldn't take much to develop in that direction and Ducati would be able to shift production in the direction of demand.

What would I like to see out of the new Multi GT? First, a tad bit more power.  The 1100 offers no real power gain over the 1000 DS; dyno runs show the two engines to be apretty close.  The 1100 actually loses a little bit of top end hp but most say it is smoother and a tad stringer on the bottom.  I'd like to see a legit 95 rwhp stock.  If that takes making a 1200 or resurrecting the desmotre, fine.

Second, rework the front end.  The front end is the one styling mis-step for the Multi.  Fix that and the bike would be an unqualified beauty.  A bit more wind protection would also be welcome.  Third, drop a few pounds.  This will be the hardest task.  The MTS1000DS had a dry weight of about 445#s.  The 1100 got heavier somehow.  I'd like to see a dry weight closer to 425#s. 

Finally, leave everything else in tact: the upright riding position, the ability to carry attractive sidebags and carry a lot on the back seat, the great handling etc.

I won't be looking to replace my MTS for a few years, but if Ducati does not have a sport-touring option and only offers a GS copy, I might look elsewhere.       

[mitt]

For those interested in the Multi, the rumors now (from attendees at the dealer show) are that the only change for 09 will be a new paintjob.  The MTS will be available in the pearlescent white offered on the 848.  The new model (rumored to be called Strada Aperta and to be more dirt-oriented) will likely be unveiled at the Milan show this fall and go on sale next fall as a 2010 model. 

There is much debate on multistrada.net as to what direction the Multi should go.  I say leave the dirt to BMW and KTM.  According to a poll on multistrada.net, most current owners agree with me by a bout a 2:1 margin.  In my opinion, the Multi is the best lightweight sport-touring bike on the road.  It looks great from about 270 degrees.  Yeah, the front is a bit a different, but it grows on you and if you ride more than sit and stare at your bike you will quickly forget about it.  Besides, if you want to sit and stare, just sit behind it 

I really don't understand why it has to be an either/proposition with the MTS.  The Hypermotard shares the majority of its parts with the MTS, so theyhave proven the modular concept works.  If Ducati must chase BMW's tail, release the MTS in three guises: The Hypermotard as the full on sport Multi, a revamped version of the current model as the "GT-Grand Touring" version and a more dirt-worthy version with a bash plate, crash guards, less plastic and a big front wheel.  It shouldn't take much to develop in that direction and Ducati would be able to shift production in the direction of demand.

What would I like to see out of the new Multi GT? First, a tad bit more power.  The 1100 offers no real power gain over the 1000 DS; dyno runs show the two engines to be apretty close.  The 1100 actually loses a little bit of top end hp but most say it is smoother and a tad stringer on the bottom.  I'd like to see a legit 95 rwhp stock.  If that takes making a 1200 or resurrecting the desmotre, fine.

Second, rework the front end.  The front end is the one styling mis-step for the Multi.  Fix that and the bike would be an unqualified beauty.  A bit more wind protection would also be welcome.  Third, drop a few pounds.  This will be the hardest task.  The MTS1000DS had a dry weight of about 445#s.  The 1100 got heavier somehow.  I'd like to see a dry weight closer to 425#s. 

Finally, leave everything else in tact: the upright riding position, the ability to carry attractive sidebags and carry a lot on the back seat, the great handling etc.

I won't be looking to replace my MTS for a few years, but if Ducati does not have a sport-touring option and only offers a GS copy, I might look elsewhere.       

That seems like a logical offer from Ducati:

1 - hypermotard - full sport version
2 - mts - pretty much like the current model
3 - mtsgs - a little more offroad protection

All 3 models share same platform, and bolt-ons make the difference.

mitt

[Le Pirate]

That seems like a logical offer from Ducati:

1 - hypermotard - full sport version
2 - mts - pretty much like the current model
3 - mtsgs - a little more offroad protection

All 3 models share same platform, and bolt-ons make the difference.

mitt

I like it.

[Popeye the Sailor]

Just a +1 that if I wanted something not just fun on a street, but a fairly serious offroad capable machine, I'd look at KTM and BMW. Nothing against Ducati, but sometimes it's better to go with the tried and true.

[superjohn]

I keep thinking I'd like to get something more "ADV" to ride longer distances on, but then every time I see sand on the road I pucker, so I think I'd be happier with a detuned 1198 powered  ST series.

[mitt]

Just a +1 that if I wanted something not just fun on a street, but a fairly serious offroad capable machine, I'd look at KTM and BMW. Nothing against Ducati, but sometimes it's better to go with the tried and true.

You could argue that Ducati is more tried and true in real ADV bikes than some of the other brands - elefant dakar!



mitt

[potomacduc]

I've been pushing the 3 bike solution on multistrada.net, so I'm definitely with you on that.  Actually, they could keep it at two bikes, but if they must join the crowd and jump on the "Long Way Round" bandwagon, then do it by addition.

As for Ducati's success off-road, remember that it was a technically a Cagiva and that side of the company directed the development and ran the race team.  Cagiva was a dirt bike company at the time and they won more than one Euro MX title.  Yes, they were Duc engines, but the bike was developed by Cagiva and the competition bikes were very different from the production bikes.  Also, it was 20 years ago and Ducati has done little off-road worth mentioning before or since.  The Scrambler of the 70s sold "ok" in the US because people were buying anyting on two wheels.  Compared to the sales potential for that type of bike, it didn't sell well.  I don't think many would argue that it was a good example of a scrambler-type motorcycle (too heavy) or that it is a "classic" Duc.  The E900 was the natural extension of the Elefant and they did not sell well.  The Gran Canyon shifted more towards the street and it did sell better, I believe because of this street bias.  It's success was largely held back by timing; it was released as the Castiglioni Brothers were divesting themselves of Ducati and TPG was coming in.  It was eventually replaced by a similar model with Suzuki power. 

Ducati is not an off-road company.  They sold a few Scramblers during the 1970s dual-purpose craze and their engines had some success (as Cagivas) in rally racing when they were owned by a company who made dirtbikes.  That's not what I would call a "heritage of off-road motorcycling".

Still, I guess in the end money talks so if Ducati thinks they can make money by selling a dirty bike, go for it, but please don't completely eliminate sport-touring bikes from your line-up and please produce a sport-touring worthy successor to the current Multi.

[DucatiScott]

Has anybody seen/heard anything about a possible 2010 redesign from the Milan show?

[Spidey]

I won't be looking to replace my MTS for a few years, but if Ducati does not have a sport-touring option and only offers a GS copy, I might look elsewhere.       

This might help a bit.  The Ducati marketing director was asked point blank at World President's Meeting about the future of the Multi and whether the redesigned Multi would try to compete with the GS.  He said it would be absolutely the worst thing Ducati could do with the Multi.  Without giving too much detail, he said to expect a major rehaul of the Multi as the next bike.  They've gone through the SBK line (1098), now the monster (696, 1100, streetfighter) and they'll turn to the Multi next.  It'll take a coupla years, so that's either 2010 or 2011.  The looks will get a major reworking, but they're going to stick with the basic Multi formula.  I'll check my notes when I get home to see if I missed any specifics.

In other news, he also said that they were no plans for a Ducati V4 engine before 2012, which is the furthest ahead they're planning products for right now.

[swerdna]

Thanks for the update, Spidey.

Keep the ergos. Fix the look of the front end.