Any "Ducati-isti" here?
 

:D:o:D:o

Have a lead on a local Multistrada 620 that is very well-priced. Anyone have first-hand experience with THIS bike?

It's been a number of years since I've spent much time on a bike and this one strikes me as a perfect re-entry machine.

Thoughts??

Ciao.

Not a bad bike but you will soon grow tired of it. Take a good look at all the components on the bike if anything will need replaced. Some Ducati parts are hard to find and when you do find them or they are available at the dealer you will have to wait for a long time.
The 620's differ a little bit than the larger brothers. I think that model may have non-adjustable suspension and have a wet clutch. Not a bad bike but I'd look for something a little bigger.
Also, if you plan on keeping her for a while you must think about maintenance. Valve adjustments and belt replacement every 12,000 miles. For a 2 valver it will cost you a few hundred bucks at the dealer.

They are called two wheel Ferraris.....I guess the service costs are along those lines too.

Tom W

Why would I soon tire of the bike?

The 12K mile valve adjustment and belt replacement is not a big deal as it will take me a LOOOONG time to cover 12,000 miles on a motorcycle!

My only concern is that non-adjustable suspension might be an issue.

The desmo cyl head design creates an intoxicating sound indeed.

The desmo valves are fascinating.

First engine I heard of was the mb f1 engines of the thirties.

Tom W

There are a handful of reasons why I am interested in this bike. The upright seating position is taylor-made for me as my back hurts after 45 minutes in the saddle of a true sportbike, less if the bike has clip-on bars.

I am attracted to the 620 instead of the 1100 b/c this is potentially a re-entry machine. Plus, you can really rev the hell outta the 620 to hear that wonderful sound. An inexperienced or re-entry rider would get in a lot of trouble very quickly riding an 1100 that hard!

I'd love another Ducati. Had a '67 450(single cylinder) some 25 years ago. Quite a thumper. The front wheel would literally bounce slightly off the ground sitting idling at a stop light:cool:

I predict you will soon tire of the bike because you will be looking for more power. They are a great entry-level bike not only to the new rider but for someone wanting a piece of Ducati action.

How long will it take you to cover 12k? That is about 2 seasons for me. The belts will deteriorate over a long time.

In my opinion, the smaller displacement Ducatis (and some larger ones) lack the true Ducati feel. 620's have a wet clutch and will lack the clatter of the bigger bikes. (some like it some don't)

Don't get me wrong, they are supposed to be a fantastic bike but they lack soul. Trust me, after no more than 2 seasons you will be looking to get into something bigger.

Fair enough, you could be right. To my mind, the 65 HP (roughly) that the 620 makes is plenty to keep me interested for a few years. I have always liked smaller engine bikes as I like to have to really wring out the motor.

Particularly one that sounds as good as a Ducati - any Ducati!! ;-) ;-)

It would take me three years to cover 12K miles - would have no problem shelling out the maintenance costs for belts & valve adj on 3 yr intervals.

The price on this thing is good enough that even if I do tire of it in a couple years and want to buy your 900SS ;-) ;-) it would be fine.

I also saw a KLR 650 for sale near my office. Now that would be a fun all-purpose bike too - I think those have something of a cult following. Then again, so do most bikes.

It is a good choice, especially for a re-entry bike. About the only possible downside is seat height. I don't know the specification of the multi-strada, but this class of bike generally sits pretty high, so isn't a great match for folks of shorter stature. Make sure you can flat-foot it, or close enough.

Ignore the guy that says you'll outgrow it, 65HP is plenty for a motorcycle (says the guy with a 145HP bike...). It's enough power without being excessive. Permits you to focus on cornering and braking skills rather than just grinning insanely at the acceleration and then madly trying to haul it down from speed before you die. :eek:

If the deal doesn't work out, the little Suzuki Vstrom is a very similar bike. Likely less expensive to own and generally comes out a bit ahead in comparison tests I've read. The vstrom has such strong demand that used examples are hard to find and sell almost instantly.

- JimY

How tall are you? What kind of riding do you want to do?
 

I like your sensibility in choosing a bike of modest HP for your first (or first in a long time) bike. A skillful rider on a 620 monster can embarass many a newbie on a litre-bike, although that could be said about most bikes, and a newbie has NO business on a 100+ hp machine (I call 'em organ donors). I own a 2003 Ducati ST4s. It has 0-60 in 3 seconds power but it doesn't due anything I don't ask - very predictable, and does everything well. It's like my 560SEC on the freeway and like a 997 Porsche in the twisties. Ducati makes all their bikes fun and responsive. I would go sit on lots of bikes to see what really fits you and ride as many different makes you can. Sportbikes run the gamut from pretty good to unf87cking believeable - almost 200mph, quarter mile in the high 9s fast. To me, those are like a bigblock chevy powered golfcart.

I am a shade over 6'2".

Riding will run the gamut from quick commute into the office to mountain back-road driving to an occasional dirt road (not off-road per se...)

I have brief rides on a VMax and a 'Busa in recent memory. NO NEED for a bike like that. First of all I can't wind out the motor the way I'd want to. Second, if you don't have 25 straight years of riding experience you don't need to be on a bike like that.

I can go as fast as I want to go on a 600....

Sounds like the multistrada is a fine choice, then. And, as someone else mentioned, don't overlook the V-strom. Another couple of really cool bikes are the Triumphs - The 675 Street Triple and the 1050 Tiger. I used to have a Speed Triple 955 and that was very fun; engine sounds like the outboard boat motor from hell. You should carefully consider how resellable your choice is, hard to sell a dog.

Carleton we are waiting....

I don't know much of anything about motorcycles. However, a close friend of mine has this bike. He had the......?1000 version and thought it was too much. I have ridden the bike and it is fairly easy to ride with two observations, which I think were made above--if you are going to off-road it at all, you better be 6'2"+. At six feet, I could not flat-foot the bike (I am also pretty light:D). The other thing is that the front shock is not adjustable and if you are used to KTM'S or other street/trail touring bikes, you will be in for a suprise when you clear that first log or try to put it hard into a trail bank.