Opinions on Ducati MTS DS1100S

Where does this post belong? I dunno for sure, but I would like opinions from 6th G owners. I have a 2004 6th G. I have spent some time and $$$ exploiting the sport potential of this bike, BUT I just fell into a bunch of money. I have always lusted after the Ducati MTS DS1100S. I have ridden one and it's fun, but anyone here in a position to give me a long-aterm comparo?

 

first off---you suck...................secondly... what do you want the bike for? evaluate that if its strickly sport aspect and no long range riding... then go with the duc.. but I personally would stick with the VFR its more of a comfort thing for me not just loyalty

 

I think the multistrada is conceptually a great bike, if not a liitle odd looking when the front wheel is off set. but as a sport bike very capable on twisty roads.

check out this link;

Ducati Multistrada 1100 - webBikeWorld

the 'S" model with the Ohlins front and rear is the way to go. look into a Termigoni exhaust as well (this may require an EPROM chip change also?).

which colour do you like?

Red is traditional and fast looking, but white is pretty cool too.

 

Dude. That is the single-most unresponsive, unhelpful post I have ever read on this or any other forum. Have you ridden the MTS? For a long time? If not, STFU and post on a different thread.

 

Yeh, I like the S model. That's the one I rode. The reality is that my VFR is so refined and smooth it is unbelievable. But my test ride on the MTS gave me more of a thrill - more torque, more style, more visceral fun, more TORQUE, better suspension. My question is, in the long run, which bike is better for SPORT-touring? Money is not a consideration - it's purely fun and ultility! BTW, I REALLY enjoy my VFR. It's great. But only a fool would stick with a Honda VFR simply because it a Honda VFR . . . .

 

have a buddy that has one, can put you in contact if you are serious.

Highlights:
awesome road bike, esp for longer/sweeping type roads
ugly as sin
generally reliable (see below)

Lowlights
plastic tank has vacuum/crush/shrinkage issues
known fault in fuel gauge resistor - never reads accurate

 

The MTS is ugly, eh? But looks are overrated. The VFR ain't that pretty. I see you own a 999S. I think the 999 is the best looking Ducati ever. Better looking than the 748/996 and WAAAAY better looking than the Yamaha-ish 1098. The 749/999 is way cool. Terblanche was a genius!

 

Good lord dude....you need counseling if you think that the 999 is better looking than the 748/996 AND 1098. Are you off your meds or what? You sound very sensitive to responses other than "exactly" what you want to hear. Remember, you asked.

I have never ridden a MulitStrada, but sat on a few.....they sure are not pretty in person. True looks are not all that matter, but you do have to look at it each day! Are you in the market for a dualpurpose? You looking at GS's as well? How about the KTM Adventure? Looks are not great, but they kinda grow on ya.

Good luck in your search. Try and test ride one if you can.

 

one in the newre ducs i like 999 .. better than 1098.. but i like the old school 916's perosnaly thoug im an aprilia guy.. i like everythig they have and have ridden a touno falco rsv-r and futura.. all have merits falco is about vfr ride position touno more upright and futura fully faired more upright still handles great.... ( if imma get a NEW DUC) look at the Hypermotard or Streetfighter taken both out.. and well streetfighter is geared really well for the street awsome bike.. and well the motard.. i would do NOTHING but get in trouble on that bike it is crazy 1098 motor in a dirtbike basicly awsome toy.


to the TOPIC at hand... i know a few people with MTS.. WAIT 1 more year.. if you saw the spy foto for the replament it looks really cool... and they great long distance bikes i know a guy that does 500mile a day rides for like 4 days on em.. through the twisties

 

if i had to compare them back to back i would say that the Multistrada is a SPORTS tourer and the VFR is a sports TOURER.

having said that, you can make the VFR more sporty and you can make the multistrada more tour-ing.

FYI , i also heard that they were some complaints about seat confort from extended rides on the MTS. sounds like a job for sargent/corbin.

 

Yeh, I really like the industrial look of the 749/999. I know I am in the minority on that, but the 1098 doesn't do anything special for me. Maybe I have a thing for ugly bikes.

As for the MTS, I have test ridden one. It was a blast!. But how would the MTS be to live with day-in and day-out? That's the question.

Oh, and I got ticked at crusty mainly because I don't like being told I "suck". I am funny that way . . . .

 

I'll venture a guess that Crusty was making that comment in jest, since you stated you fell into some money. I was going to tell you I'm your long lost cousin, but I'll take another guess that your not looking to be humored.

Back to your regularly scheduled program...

 

My dad owns a silver 2005 1000. He loves it but when he rides my 5th gen he says my bike is better on the twisties. He loves the torque on his, which is significantly greater than the VFR. He had termis, a DP gel seat, hand guards, and a center stand installed. He changed the seat because he thought the stocker was uncomfortable after about 30 miles into a ride.

The minuses that I've seen with this bike are:

-$800 6k mile service. 2 valves needed adjusting.
-Motor leaks some oil (not on the ground but on the motor).
-Very upright seating position (compared to the VFR).
-The gas tank is problematic, it takes practice to be able to fill it up completely; my dad has to shake it and keep on adding little by little.
-Clutch makes a noise when you accelerate off the line (may just be my dad's).
-Requires much more maintenance than a Japanese bike (just look at the maintenance schedule).
-Significantly less comfortable than my VFR. Make sure your knees fit well around the tank and the mini fairings.
-It doesn't feel like the gears go in as smoothly as the VFR.
-The rubber piece around the shifter has required replacment once already will need to be changed again soon (it wears very easily).
-Crappy design, in the sense that my dad had to take the bike in to have the aftermarket seat installed since one has to almost dismantle a great portion of the bike just to take the stock seat off.
-Rear wheel removal requires two special tools that have to be shipped from Italy if not in stock at a local dealer.
-Mini fairing removal is tedious and there is a high potential for breaking something due to the not-so-great quality of the craftsmanship. Instead of using screws and bolts, some pieces are held together by plugs.
-The manual doesn't show you how to do anything. For any kind of maintenance, it tells you to take your bike to a Duc shop. It doesn't even tell you how to adjust the chain.

(These are all problems that my VFR does not have, so I don't think I'm being to nitpicky)

The pros are:

-Awesome torque.
-Gets a lot of looks (oddly enough, many find it vey interesting- more than my VFR).
-Good suspension (fully adjustable).
-Brembo brakes.
-The lockable storage compartment in one of the fairings.

I disagree with those who have stated that the MS is sportier than the VFR. I find the VFR much sportier in seating position, clip ons vs. handlebar, and style. My dad and I frequently do 100 + mile rides on the weekends and his bike has performed flawlessly.

 

Nephew Pilskin, is that you?

If Crusty was kidding me, I apologize for being a knee-jerk, short-fuse a-hole. I don't hang here enough to know very many personalities. Sorry about that.

 

my apologies if I got your dander up Alaska....I said you suck in jest.. and it sounded more like I was funnin' you in my head.... If you got the money from losing someone close to you , my sincere condolances, I have been in that position before and it sucks trying to explain to people why you got a chunk of change......

now to answer you second question(actually your first) I guess what I was saying is do what makes you happy... the MTS gets great reviews and it has more horsepower it seems like you still want the best of both worlds both bikes "do the same thing" (sport/tour). One just does it Italian style and one does it Sushi style... go with the one thats gonna make you happier/content etc.....

Good luck on your decision,

CR

 

I've got a 6th gen VFR and a MTS 1000

I sometimes ask myself why ... however here's my 2 cents worth
The VFR is quicker, more reliable more comfortable and cheaper to run. My wife prefers it as pillion. It will simply work everyday- it's the logical choice.

The MTS feels sometimes feels quicker (it isn't). It is however fun to ride and will do the distance (just don't trust the fuel gauge) provided you have the gel seat. It's the emotional choice.

The residuals on the MTS are awful - you could however cut a great deal on a pre-owned one - maybe keep both :biggrin:

 

Four Bikes in One

Depending on how much money you fell into

MOTORCYCLING - BIKES: The Multistrada 1200 Has Arrived - SPEEDtv.com

Four-bikes-in-one with four Riding Modes: Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro

 

Oooh, YEOW! Unfortunately, I already "spent" the money. I bought a set of CZ wheels and Galfer rotors for the VFR and put the rest in my retirement fund.

 

Even though you've already spent the money and aren't looking to buy a Multistrada anymore, I'd like to revise my previous highly-critical post by adding the text below:

Because my bike is in the shop due to a DIY valve check/adjustment gone wrong, I have been relegated to using my dad's Multi for the past two weeks. I've put about 400-500 miles in that time, and let me start by apologizing for my previous highly-critical post. I, as many others, am a creature of comfort and routine; therefore, when I would use the Multi from time to time, it was sparingly and for short rides. This did not allow me to understand the true nature of this beast, but now that I've been using it a lot more, I can say that I know it better.

Let me start by saying that this bike is FUN!! It begs you to have fun with it, and it's dual sport ergos and torquey motor are more than happy to oblige. It feels like a dual sport: it's tall, the seating postion is reminiscent of one, and its maneuverability is too. But, this bike would be no good on the dirt: it's too heavy and too powerful. Where it shines is on the city streets, highways, and for some (although not me, just yet) on the twisties. I haven't gotten comfortable with this bike on the twisties because I'm used to the sport bike ergos of my VFR. The Multi is better ridden like a dual sport, and I don't have much experience with that riding style. But in non-twisty situations, this thing is great. I've never gotten a motorcycle wheel up in the air, but the Multi's front tire is really easy to get up. I only got it up a foot (maybe), but I'm sure most of you could wheelie the crap out of this thing.

It's comfortable: since my dad changed out the stock seat with a DP gel seat, the difference is huge. The stock seat was very uncomfortable, but the gel seat is great for all day riding. Furthermore, I've been told that I'm a tall person, and this bike's seating position and foot peg position are perfect for me. Since the VFR is more sporty, the ergos are les comfortable for taller people, but the Multi was made for taller folks. Also, the suspension is made for heavier folks also. The suspension is stock and at 185 #, the ride is responsive and comfortable.

The power is truly what makes this bike stand out. It's immediate and plentiful. The copious amount of torque supplied by the motor allows for easy passing and freeway merges. 6th gear is not even necessary unless you're in the 90s and want to be under 5k rpms; otherwise, stay in 5th.

It still has little quirks that make me hesitate having one over my Honda, such as the fuel light turning on with 2 gallons left and 120 miles on the trip odometer, the very hard clutch lever, and the high cost of Ducati maintenance; but I'm seriously considering buying this bike off my pops, should the VFR not be as great as I remember it when I get it back.

 

Dude welcome to the vtwin convert family...