Wanna buy » Test road a 2007 Multi 1100S-somethings got to be wrong

[pbsaz 2007 1100S (Black)]

Yesterday I went to the Ducati dealership to test ride the GT1000 and Multi 1100S back to back. I love the looks of the GT1000 but, on paper at least, appreciate the specs of the Multi. First I road the GT1000. Very nice on a Los Angeles freeway terrific up the smooth part of Angeles Crest, unsettling on a rougher road especially in the twisties. Wanted to love it but couldn't as it comes equipped from the factory.

Next up was the Multi 1100S on the same route. Figured if I didn't fall in love with the GT perhaps this was the one. Two things I can't explain at all. The clutch effort was way higher on the Multi and the engine ran extremely rough with lots of vibration. It reminded me more of my short ride on a KLR some time ago than any of the three Ducs I've owned in the past. There were about 900 miles on both bikes so absent there being something wrong with the Multi I can't explain how there could be such a huge difference in the clutch and motor.

As for my ride, the Multi was not as nice on the Freeway since the wind was directed right at my helmet. I understand this is an easy fix so no problem. Off to the Crest and it was clear that the Multi S is a great handler both on the smooth and rough road surfaces. This part I loved a lot. Turn is is way easier but it should be since you have so much more leverage on the bars and of course the Ohlins are spectacular.

At the end of my test rides I had to conclude that I didn't love either bike. I asked the dealer to have the Multi checked out to see if there is a problem. I haven't heard back. I told him if they could combine the best of both bikes that would be something I could fall in love with. He took me into the service area and there was a highly customized GT1000 with Ohlin's front and rear, custom paint, Staintune exhaust and lots and lots of other nice parts. I wanted it. Problem is their solution put the cost of a GT1000 to over $20K. Yikes, a bike that I was quoted $10,600 OTD suddenly shot up by $10 grand. Unfortunately even being completely impulsive when it comes to buying cars and bikes I can't even begin to justify the cost.

Oh yeah, I forgot. What's with bike manufacturers these days? Neither seat was comfortable. The GT1000 is plush but it's angled towards the tank so I had to constantly shift my butt back to avoid unnecessary roughness. As for the Multi, what kind of wood do they use in that plank. Again, both are fixable but why is this even necessary?

Looks like no new Duati for me. I even asked about just doing the suspension and was quoted an additional $6K for that. Any chance Ducati will do a GT1000S? Seems like the only way to make it for a reasonable price. I just sold my BMW R1200RT so I'd really like to find something that will get me back on the road.

Philip

[lotus54 - Moderator]

There is definitely something wrong with the Multi if it vibrated more than the GT1000.
yeah, it will shake if you open the throttle way up under 3k rpm or so, but other than that is should be pretty darn good.

Depending on your height there can be several options for screens. I like the DP Max performance the best so far- I'm 5'10".

I find the stock seat just fine, it seems pretty firm, but if you just keep those muscled flexing ever so often it will still feel fine at 700+ miles.
But perhaps that is just me.

I haven't ridden the GT1000, I like they way they look though.


Mark

[Robert C 2007 1100S (Red)]

Well Philip, there are a lot of nice Airheads out there at reasonable prices. Don't know why that Multi was rough. Mine has been smooth since day one (3500 and up). I have an '81 R100RT and I find the Multi to be slightly smoother at cruising speeds. They both have their sweet spots though, with slightly different quality of vibration. Perhaps that one needed some fine tuning. Maybe you can find another one to test ride? I find the seat okay for 300 mile days, but might want to use the Airhawk on multiple days. Good luck in your search.

Bob

[Habanero 2006 1000S DS]

I'm almost to 10,000 miles on my new Multi, I can't believe how much smoother it has gotten in the last 1000 miles or so....silky, buttery smooth.

[trevor 2012 1200S (Matte Chrome)]

Hi all

I tested a new 1100 with 200ks on the clock and found the same with the vibration, real bad. I too said to the dealer he should check it out. I put it down to a new bike??? (all stock bits on the bike) yet have riden another with more ks and found it good

Regards


Trevor

[Alpo 2006 620 (Yellow)]

Could the vibration be more perceived than actual? I took a 620 out last Saturday, ('06 w/800 miles), and immediately noticed the gauge cluster shook like a Buell w/ moderate to hard acceleration from under 3k rpm, but the actual vibration felt was not intrusive at all.

[Scrambles 2006 1000 DS (Red)]

There is definitely something wrong with the Multi if it vibrated more than the GT1000.
yeah, it will shake if you open the throttle way up under 3k rpm or so, but other than that is should be pretty darn good.

I've ridden a sport 1000 and vibration was not noticeably different from my Multi. My Multi got a lot smoother after it broke in, too.

[pbsaz 2007 1100S (Black)]

Thanks for your responses. I agree there should be no difference between the GT1000 and the multi in terms of vibration. I appreciate what's being said about being under 3k RPM but that wasn't the issue. I do believe there was a problem with this bike. Given that both have a wet clutch any comments on why the Mult's clutch was way stiffer?

[pbsaz 2007 1100S (Black)]

Well there was something wrong with the Multi. It had never been serviced and shouln't have been out as a Demo in that condition. Long story short I put my deposit down on a black 1100S and I'll be picking it up tomorrow. Woohoo!

[tigertim955]

Awww.........I love a happy ending. Good luck and have fun ! Congradulations on the new bike.

[ducatist2 2007 1100S (Red)]

Nearly 2,000 miles on my 1100S and it definitely vibrates more than my ST2 did, but I think that is somewhat typical of air cooled engines in general (least wise my experience with air cooled singles and twins). I think the aluminum bar on the 1100S may actually transmit more vibration due to greater stiffness. I'm going to try inserting some lead sheets into the bar to see what effect that has. I haven't seen any heavy bar ends that will work with the thicker aluminum bars. I rode 435 miles on Saturday and my hands were tingling big time at the end of the ride. I still love the bike, but am going to start seriously working on reducing the felt vibes. I'll also have the dealer check the throttle synch when I take it in for the replacement panel (please be this weekend!).

Chuck

[Scrambles 2006 1000 DS (Red)]

Hey pbsaz, let us know how you like your new bike!

BTW, you should have got red, it's faster....