Test rode one again today at lunch and damn that's a sweet bike!
Other than being expensive - what's the catch?

No catch just $$$$$$$$$

That's a Ferrari on 2 wheel, unless you have high $$$$ for maintenance dont look at it.:D

:cheers:

That's a Ferrari on 2 wheel, unless you have high $$$$ for maintenance dont look at it.:D

:cheers:

Too late for that. Been looking for a long time. And test ridden it twice :)

If you got the $$$$$$ go for it, I would

Test rode one again today at lunch and damn that's a sweet bike!
Other than being expensive - what's the catch?
there's a "catch" when the price is too good to be true. that price ain't too good! so afaik, there's no catch. there are only two questions: do you have the stomach to suck up the cost of admission? do you love it enough to bear the cost of maintenance, which is getting less and less painful, or so they say.

[channeling Mr Wales]

well? do ya, punk? :devil:

there's a "catch" when the price is too good to be true. that price ain't too good! so afaik, there's no catch. there are only two questions: do you have the stomach to suck up the cost of admission? do you love it enough to bear the cost of maintenance, which is getting less and less painful, or so they say.

[channeling Mr Wales]

well? do ya, punk? :devil:


Well said kevrider, well said.

I like them too. There are a ton of new advances with the new model. Water cooling, electronics, ergos, accessories. They are great bikes no doubt.

The previous iteration was a pretty good bike as well. There was even a 650 for awhile. I understand the air cooled motors did require more frequent maintenance, valve check/adjust, etc. However an older model can be had for about the price of a Versys. ;)

The new 1200 is about the same weight as a Verys, with probaby twice the horsepower. I do like the 4-mode ECU, very cool. I really like Ducs but have never owned one. I call them motorcycle exotica.

I could see myself riding one but would have to sell some other toys. I also really like the F800GS. 'Strada more street, bimmer more dirt worthy, neither a dual sport. Unfortunately both are at least twice the cost of a Versys, and for a used one, maybe more than three times. Hmmm. Are they two to three times the bike? I dunno. If you got the $$ ride what makes you happy. They aren't any more than a harley, right?

Thanks for your input, everyone. If I somehow get the $$ situation figured out, I'll definitely take the plunge. Maybe there will be used 1200's soon :)

Martin,
The Diavel will be available soon. It looks interesting too. Maybe should wait and test ride it before taking the plunge.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mWIXWX-XDI

OMG!!!! I am in LUST!!!!!!!

What I liked about that video is that there wasn't ONE other vehicle ANYWHERE on the road...downtown, freeway, countryside. Reminded me of alien abduction - where did everyone go? heh....

Multistrada-WOW!....Maintenance-OW!

Multistrada-WOW!....Maintenance-OW!

Can you elaborate on that? The MS1200 requires maintenance every 15,000 miles. What's OW about that?

When you get the MS, you should let me ride it and I'll report back here! :p

When you get the MS, you should let me ride it and I'll report back here! :p

Ya! Me too, just for a balanced perspective from different views, of course!:D
In the interest of a thorough unbiased review!:D

When you get the MS, you should let me ride it and I'll report back here! :p

Hah of course! But the harsh reality is that it probably won't happen anytime soon. Wife's car just broke down (as you know) and getting a new will hurt the wallet a bit :( Damn 4-wheelers!

Well, that gives us time to wait and test ride the Diavel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mWIXWX-XDI

OMG!!!! I am in LUST!!!!!!!

but I think that thing is ugly....looks like a Monster mated with a V-Rod....not for me! :cheers:

So I am having a blast on my favorite set of twisty roads and pull over to take a rest , and a guy pulls up and he's on a Ducati V-4 Desmocedici...We talk a little and I notice an oil leak on his engine... I don't tell him anything..But he tells me his Ducati cost $75,000 ...He also asked me what kind of bike am I rideing and I say it's a Versys... He says A WHAT?????:confused:

but I think that thing is ugly....looks like a Monster mated with a V-Rod....not for me! :cheers:

Glad someone said it!

but I think that thing is ugly....looks like a Monster mated with a V-Rod....not for me! :cheers:

I thought the same thing, although upon further reflection decided more like the spawn of a Monster that mated with the offspring of a V-Rod and an XR1200 (mostly because of the pipes, though). This isn't necessarily bad: those models are the ones I find most intriguing from their respective manufacturers.

I think we got off topic a bit :)

I think we got off topic a bit :)

We get off topic a lot but usually all in good fun, like real life

Maintenance on my Ducati Monster was not any more then anything else I had. Go for it.

You know.... I think of this from time to time, to keep me motivated. With all the squids having a blast on their Fireblade (bought on credit), while I'm studying every Friday night.

I'll be able to afford whichever bike I want, fairly soon (outside of a Desmo...a waste...). And, with "junior" surgeons working 80+ hrs/week as a norm - squeezing every ounce of enjoyment will be necessary from limited riding time.

Would I want a Multistada? No.
And, here's my reasoning:
I bought the Versys as an all-'rounder. The Multi serves the same purpose, but with better features across the board. True.
Do I need those features, or just want them? I think.... just want.
- the Versys goes everywhere and does the same things, without the features
- I can't see what's written on the tank when I'm riding
- the better features won't make me a better rider
Since I don't NEED them, why do I want them? For myself, or to brag about it?
- do I want to depend on praise/jealousy from others to keep me happy?
What do I automatically think when I see a guy on a Ducati?
- that he's a snob, and I could ride it better (though I can't)
- he would think the exact same about me
Pushing the bike to it's limits so I NEED the features, would I be satisfied?
- maybe
- I can't ride that that well, anyway
- I certainly don't want to learn to ride that well on a Ducati
- I'd only end up babying it

The Duc is an awesome machine. As is the Versys, if you take the branding out of consideration.
I think we all agree on that. We all absolutely LOVE our bikes.
So, let's disregard the sticker on the tank:
The Versys is just as "foreign" as the Duc. No one I meet knows what it is.
They both have complicated motors. They both have interesting frames and cool swingarms. They're both upright but sporty.
But, they are what they are.
I can't jump it. Too expensive to bash it through the treeline. Too heavy to pick through a technical trials course. Gravel and dirt roads are reasonable... but not incredibly rewarding (for ME).
Other people have different experiences/opinions. Personally, I LOVE the bike, and as such, I find myself babying it. I think that's what I'm tired of.

So, given the choice - when I could afford whichever consumer item I could choose... I'd rather have mid-level motorcycles, reasonably suited for particular purposes that don't require babying. Things that I could ride the p!ss out of, becoming a better rider in the process.

Given the choice, I'd rather have multiple bikes at the same cost.... a cheap tank of a two-stroke for adventures, a comfortable tourer, and a little cafe'd b!tch of a street machine for "those days". The tourer taking up the bulk of the initial cost. The cafe fulfilling my need to turn things with wrenches and smell like fork oil.




And.... after all of that..... years later, as a grumpy old neckbeard..... I think I'll come back to my spunky ol' Versys.
Maybe there'll be better aftermarket parts by then. Lol.

That's my opinion. Not a lot of point in talking about it. But, I guess that's what the forum discussion thing is for.

Besides, taking this on an adventure with knobbies would be infinitely more fun:

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t196/84CrapJ7/719418036_8nnSe-XL.jpg

I like the way you think...

:exactly:

BTW, the dizzeldorf thing is butt fook ugly.

You know.... I think of this from time to time, to keep me motivated. With all the squids having a blast on their Fireblade (bought on credit), while I'm studying every Friday night.

I'll be able to afford whichever bike I want, fairly soon (outside of a Desmo...a waste...). And, with "junior" surgeons working 80+ hrs/week as a norm - squeezing every ounce of enjoyment will be necessary from limited riding time.

Would I want a Multistada? No.
And, here's my reasoning:
I bought the Versys as an all-'rounder. The Multi serves the same purpose, but with better features across the board. True.
Do I need those features, or just want them? I think.... just want.
- the Versys goes everywhere and does the same things, without the features
- I can't see what's written on the tank when I'm riding
- the better features won't make me a better rider
Since I don't NEED them, why do I want them? For myself, or to brag about it?
- do I want to depend on praise/jealousy from others to keep me happy?
What do I automatically think when I see a guy on a Ducati?
- that he's a snob, and I could ride it better (though I can't)
- he would think the exact same about me
Pushing the bike to it's limits so I NEED the features, would I be satisfied?
- maybe
- I can't ride that that well, anyway
- I certainly don't want to learn to ride that well on a Ducati
- I'd only end up babying it

The Duc is an awesome machine. As is the Versys, if you take the branding out of consideration.
I think we all agree on that. We all absolutely LOVE our bikes.
So, let's disregard the sticker on the tank:
The Versys is just as "foreign" as the Duc. No one I meet knows what it is.
They both have complicated motors. They both have interesting frames and cool swingarms. They're both upright but sporty.
But, they are what they are.
I can't jump it. Too expensive to bash it through the treeline. Too heavy to pick through a technical trials course. Gravel and dirt roads are reasonable... but not incredibly rewarding (for ME).
Other people have different experiences/opinions. Personally, I LOVE the bike, and as such, I find myself babying it. I think that's what I'm tired of.

So, given the choice - when I could afford whichever consumer item I could choose... I'd rather have mid-level motorcycles, reasonably suited for particular purposes that don't require babying. Things that I could ride the p!ss out of, becoming a better rider in the process.

Given the choice, I'd rather have multiple bikes at the same cost.... a cheap tank of a two-stroke for adventures, a comfortable tourer, and a little cafe'd b!tch of a street machine for "those days". The tourer taking up the bulk of the initial cost. The cafe fulfilling my need to turn things with wrenches and smell like fork oil.




And.... after all of that..... years later, as a grumpy old neckbeard..... I think I'll come back to my spunky ol' Versys.
Maybe there'll be better aftermarket parts by then. Lol.

That's my opinion. Not a lot of point in talking about it. But, I guess that's what the forum discussion thing is for.

You know.... I think of this from time to time, to keep me motivated. With all the squids having a blast on their Fireblade (bought on credit), while I'm studying every Friday night.

I'll be able to afford whichever bike I want, fairly soon (outside of a Desmo...a waste...). And, with "junior" surgeons working 80+ hrs/week as a norm - squeezing every ounce of enjoyment will be necessary from limited riding time.

Would I want a Multistada? No.
And, here's my reasoning:
I bought the Versys as an all-'rounder. The Multi serves the same purpose, but with better features across the board. True.
Do I need those features, or just want them? I think.... just want.
- the Versys goes everywhere and does the same things, without the features
- I can't see what's written on the tank when I'm riding
- the better features won't make me a better rider
Since I don't NEED them, why do I want them? For myself, or to brag about it?
- do I want to depend on praise/jealousy from others to keep me happy?
What do I automatically think when I see a guy on a Ducati?
- that he's a snob, and I could ride it better (though I can't)
- he would think the exact same about me
Pushing the bike to it's limits so I NEED the features, would I be satisfied?
- maybe
- I can't ride that that well, anyway
- I certainly don't want to learn to ride that well on a Ducati
- I'd only end up babying it

The Duc is an awesome machine. As is the Versys, if you take the branding out of consideration.
I think we all agree on that. We all absolutely LOVE our bikes.
So, let's disregard the sticker on the tank:
The Versys is just as "foreign" as the Duc. No one I meet knows what it is.
They both have complicated motors. They both have interesting frames and cool swingarms. They're both upright but sporty.
But, they are what they are.
I can't jump it. Too expensive to bash it through the treeline. Too heavy to pick through a technical trials course. Gravel and dirt roads are reasonable... but not incredibly rewarding (for ME).
Other people have different experiences/opinions. Personally, I LOVE the bike, and as such, I find myself babying it. I think that's what I'm tired of.

So, given the choice - when I could afford whichever consumer item I could choose... I'd rather have mid-level motorcycles, reasonably suited for particular purposes that don't require babying. Things that I could ride the p!ss out of, becoming a better rider in the process.

Given the choice, I'd rather have multiple bikes at the same cost.... a cheap tank of a two-stroke for adventures, a comfortable tourer, and a little cafe'd b!tch of a street machine for "those days". The tourer taking up the bulk of the initial cost. The cafe fulfilling my need to turn things with wrenches and smell like fork oil.




And.... after all of that..... years later, as a grumpy old neckbeard..... I think I'll come back to my spunky ol' Versys.
Maybe there'll be better aftermarket parts by then. Lol.

That's my opinion. Not a lot of point in talking about it. But, I guess that's what the forum discussion thing is for.

Stunning! Boys, we truly Have a "Thinking Man" here. I'm not sure I could add a thing, and that's a first! :D

My compliments! (I can identify with the "grumpy old neckbeard" thing, Ha ha!)

V-Zee

BTW, the dizzeldorf thing is butt fook ugly.

Agreed! :D
I think that's why I like it. I feel a burning desire in cockles of my heart (maybe the sub-cockles...lol) to inflict catastrophic failure in the steering neck region.

I want to sink it down to the frame in a sandy, washed-out, post-hurricane fire road somewhere in rural Georgia. Then, watch it fly through the air and wrap elegantly around a scraggly old pine tree, after gunning the motor and falling off the back.
Think of the giggles!



Edit:
Not sure I deserve it, but thanks for the compliments.
No offense to the OP or the Duc fans intended.

Here's the thing - I really don't care about the Ducati name, nor the fancy electronics. It's just the best thing I've ever test-ridden so far.
I LOVE the engine and the ergonomics, and how it handles. It's basically a Versys - but more comfortable and twice the power.
Is there anything else with the same power and comfort as a Ducati Multistrada 1200 out there that's cheaper?

Here's what I'm looking for:
- Something sturdy that I can commute with year-round - no matter what weather
- Something more powerful/faster than the Versys - maybe 130 HP or more
- I'll stay on paved roads for 99.9999% of the time, so off-road capabilities are not needed.
- Upright riding position
- Not ugly

Bikes I've already tried and didn't like: Kaw Z1000, Duc Hypermotard, BMW1200 GS


What would you guys recommend?

Here's the thing - I really don't care about the Ducati name, nor the fancy electronics. It's just the best thing I've ever test-ridden so far.
I LOVE the engine and the ergonomics, and how it handles. It's basically a Versys - but more comfortable and twice the power.
Is there anything else with the same power and comfort as a Ducati Multistrada 1200 out there that's cheaper?

Here's what I'm looking for:
- Something sturdy that I can commute with year-round - no matter what weather
- Something more powerful/faster than the Versys - maybe 130 HP or more
- I'll stay on paved roads for 99.9999% of the time, so off-road capabilities are not needed.
- Upright riding position
- Not ugly

Bikes I've already tried and didn't like: Kaw Z1000, Duc Hypermotard, BMW1200 GS


What would you guys recommend?
How about the 2011 Ninja 1000?

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/157/8300/Motorcycle-Article/2011-Kawasaki-Ninja-1000-First-Ride.aspx

Or the 2011 Honda CB1000R?
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2011models/2011-Honda-CB1000R.htm

I saw both bikes today at the International Motorcyle show in San Mateo. They are a bit small for me - I am 6'5" with a 36" inseam, but both bikes are interesting and would meet your needs for more horsepower.

I test rode the Multi 1200 and it was very nice. I also test rode a 2010 BMW GS 1200 - also very nice - a bit more smooth but slightly less power. Both bikes are just pricey enough to keep me from buying one.

Here's the thing - I really don't care about the Ducati name, nor the fancy electronics. It's just the best thing I've ever test-ridden so far.
I LOVE the engine and the ergonomics, and how it handles. It's basically a Versys - but more comfortable and twice the power.
Is there anything else with the same power and comfort as a Ducati Multistrada 1200 out there that's cheaper?


What would you guys recommend?

It sounds like you found it with the Ducati. Perhaps the Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom? I have limited saddle time on one (once!). A friend let me ride his about 20 miles down the freeway and it was nice enough, felt like it would be a good commuter and mile eater. He had aftermarket exhaust and it had a nice "almost" Ducati sound.:D

There are so many variables with bike choices. It boils down to a personal choice with what moves you. If your heart is set on that Duc and it fits all the variables with budget, insurance, etc etc... I hate that second guess feeling!:teetertooter:

Good luck

Here's the thing - I really don't care about the Ducati name, nor the fancy electronics. It's just the best thing I've ever test-ridden so far.
I LOVE the engine and the ergonomics, and how it handles. It's basically a Versys - but more comfortable and twice the power.
Is there anything else with the same power and comfort as a Ducati Multistrada 1200 out there that's cheaper?

Here's what I'm looking for:
- Something sturdy that I can commute with year-round - no matter what weather
- Something more powerful/faster than the Versys - maybe 130 HP or more
- I'll stay on paved roads for 99.9999% of the time, so off-road capabilities are not needed.
- Upright riding position
- Not ugly

Bikes I've already tried and didn't like: Kaw Z1000, Duc Hypermotard, BMW1200 GS


What would you guys recommend?

Tiger 1050? Doesn't have the snort of the Ducati, but I honestly don't know if there's any other upright in the MTS power range. Most with that amount of juice are superbikes or big sport-tourers (FJR, Concours 14, upcoming Trophy presumably). You could try a Buell 1125 CR, Super Duke, Speed Triple, or the aforementioned Ninja 1000 or CB1000R. The first three are a lot like the Z1000, so may strike out anyway.

Hmm yeah the Triumph Tiger looks worth a test ride... cool thanks!

KTM 990 SMT $15K here in Canada but supposed to be a helluva ride.

How about the 2011 Ninja 1000?

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/157/8300/Motorcycle-Article/2011-Kawasaki-Ninja-1000-First-Ride.aspx

Oh that's looking pretty sweet! But is this a z1000 with a new name? Looks like it's almost identical? But it looks better and seems more comfortable (more upright seat?)

I too took advantage of a recent Ducati Demo Day and can't seem to get the new Multistrada out of my head also. The fun factor for that ride is awesome.

However, it is nearly a complete redesign fresh off the CADs. The complexity of the machine gives some very nice features - when they work. Fumbling around on some related forums gives me the impression that the low serial #s are definitely worth avoiding at this point. Seems that your Wife's need for a replacement car is providential.

For the moment, I will continue to wait until Bologna works out some the electronic issues owners are experiencing. Regardless of warranty coverage, nothing would piss me off more than to drop that kinda dough on something that would leave me stranded.

Got nothing to lose since I'm loving my Versys every ride. . . and wouldn't hesitate to take her across the continent.