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.