Ducati Multistrada 1200S Service Manual
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| Ducati Multistrada 1200S Service Manual |
Ducati Multistrada MTS Service Manual
Not that long ago, Ducati wouldn't have built a bike like this. As a complete all arounder, the Multistrada 1200S has features not automatically associated with the Bologna brand; stuff like being very easy and practical to live with, and having lots of comfort. It can even boast a light clutch lever, mirrors that work, and a useful steering lock.
Perhaps most amazing of all though, is that the 1200 is electronically multi-adjustable. All are signs that Ducati has thought very carefully about the whole of the Multistrada's design, considering just about everything. Of course being a Duke, you can also take for granted the 1200 has plenty of style, exciting performance, and character. In fact so sorted is it, I'd stick my neck out and say it's the most impressive bike I've ridden in 2010 - and there's more than a handful of others I could also rave about.
The well-built and nicely finished Multistrada is an utterly brilliant bike that you just want to ride and ride - a go anywhere, anytime type bike. It has even more versatility than BMW's R1200GS, and is lighter, easier, more advanced and refined.I wasn't surprised to discover the Ducati suited me; versatile tools like this one usually do. But just how much I warmed to it was the real shock. Save one aspect of the Italian bike, which I'll come to later because there's too much else to praise it for, I found it a thoroughly intoxicating machine. In some ways it's a wonder I've found time to write this test, so keen was I to be out and about riding it. I've already clocked up 750 miles travelling the roads of Gloucestershire and Wiltshire in just four days, and I'm likely to double that by the time I return the 1200 after my ten day stint with it.There are effectively three versions of the bike. The 1200S Sport which I've tested here, and the S touring (complete with panniers heated grips, and a few less of the S's features like the carbon bodywork) which has the same ?14,416 on the road price. For ?11,116 you can have the lower specification base model, which has the option of ABS for an additional ?700.Such is the demand for the Multistrada, especially the two higher spec models, you may have to wait a while before you can get one at your local dealers. The cheaper version is more freely available.
Ducati MTS 1200 Workshop Manual
Taking there's a waiting list for the S models came as no surprise to me. I myself fell for this one on the very first day of riding it. Though getting its wheels turning did involve a half hour delay while all its electronic options were explained to me. Via the Ducati's indicator cancel switch, there are four separate modes to choose from - Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro. Each has a pre-set power (level and delivery), interruption, and traction control settings, though there's also a chance to alter the clever Ohlins suspension more specifically via tuneable electronic preload, compression and damping adjusters. There are also some pre-ordained settings you can select to cope with the extra weight of pillions, or luggage, or both. Now I'm going to leave it there for a while, as I'm sure just like I was when it was all being explained to me, you're getting a bit flummoxed by it all, and would prefer to get on the with the business of Taking about what the Multistrada feels like to ride!Well let me tell you, riding the big V-twin is both straightforward and stimulating. It'll be bit of a bind for a while if you're quite short in the leg like me though. Until you've loaded yourself onto the broad seat and compressed the interruption, it remains at its lofty 850mm elevation making it tricky to swing your leg over both it, and the rack arrangement that sits behind. In time this becomes less of an issue, and if it doesn't then the aftermarket 25mm lower version (one of many official accessories that are available) will help.
Ducati Multistrada Manual
Within seconds of your hands and feet meeting nicely-sited wide, high bars and none too high footrests, you're given an impression of the relaxed nature of this Ducati. Keyless ignition (and steering lock) continues the feeling of ease and convenience, though the typical light taps and rattles from the engine at tick-over dent the otherwise advanced air of the bike a little. A VFR owner might be tempted to call the AA! Having ridden lots of 1198 sportsbikes, the engine of which the Multistrada has a retuned version of, I'm used to all the clattering so my own phone remained unused. And just a few miles on the 1200 proved the big V-twin motor was very much alive and well. With the Touring mode selected, which gives a maximum of 150 bhp, but with a slighter slower throttle response than the Sport setting, there's sufficient of meaty surge available whenever you need it. More than enough power and torque exists in the midrange, and after choosing this setting more than any other thanks to its usability and good behaviour, I still rarely needed to rev the motor above this zone.Some might prefer the Urban setting at times thanks to its appreciably softer delivery and 100bhp peak output, but I myself thought the Touring mode was more than well-mannered, and especially good for overtaking and making traffic history. The slick gearbox doesn't need its ratios swapping much for doing this sort of thing either.Take the rpm higher though, and there's no doubt the 1198 is a very, very strong motor.
A glance at the speedo will often reveal a much higher figure than you'd anticipate.There's rarely need to worry about that though. Like virtually all other Ducatis, the Multistrada's chassis is more than up to the task of dealing with speed. It's just as adept at walking pace as it is at going fast; as indeed are the excellent Pirelli Scorpion Trail tyres. There's a light, predictable and manageable feel to the bike at all times, with the at-the-touch-of-button adjustability of the interruption dealing very well with just about every road surface and rider preference. It's a fantastic system that makes you wonder how you ever coped with screwdrivers and peeled knuckles.
If you want, you can tailor one of the preset four modes to suit your most preferred interruption (as well as the power and traction control) settings at any time.Its general brilliance does however highlight one inadequacy in the electronics package for me personally.
