Name: Ducati Multistrada 1000 S (2004 - 2007)
Item: Ducati Multistrada 1000 S (2004 - 2007)
Rating: 8
Author: Visordown

I have to say I’m a bit of a Multistrada fan. It’s one of those strange bikes that, initially, I just wanted to hate but since it has really grown on me. I remember when it was first launched in late 2002. There was a big ceremony, lots of talk about a bike that can go on any roads – which is where it gets its name from, Multistrada literally means many roads in Italian – and then they pulled the sheet off and revealed the bike…

Well to be truthful the reaction was more one of shock than anything else because the Multistrada looks like nothing else. Except possibly a Dyson upright hoover. Ducati is known for producing iconic machines such as the 916, Monster, Supermono and now it pulls the cover back on something that looks like the result of a night of taboo sex between a Cyberman and a supermoto. But then I got a chance to ride one.

And here is the big problem that faces Ducati. Because when you get a chance to ride a Multistrada you’ll realise what a blinding bike it actually is. Talk about an image crisis, which is probably why the bike hasn’t sold as well in the UK as the rest of Europe.

Over here we are still very image led when it comes to bikes. In Europe the Multistrada is a massive hit, and was Ducati’s fastest selling bike ever in its first year of production, where as in the UK we still snapped up Ducati’s sportsbikes rather than its more practical machines.

So why is this? Well in Europe the biking culture is a bit different. In the UK biking is more of a leisure activity than a way of life. Hence the reason image bikes such as sportsbike are the big sellers. In Europe things like Yamaha TDMs, BMW GSs and Suzuki SV650s are the big sellers, because they are do it all machines rather than fashion statements. Which is why the Multistrada has been a hit. How can Ducati get over this image crisis? Well one way is to produce a higher specification Multistrada, enter the Multistrada 1000 S DS.

As any good back street special builder knows the best way to trick up a bike is to simply add on some carbon bits and trick suspension. Which is exactly what Ducati has done. The only differences between the higher-specification Multistrada and the base model are the Ohlins forks and shock, carbon front and rear mudguards and some carbon cam-belt covers. That’s your lot, and it will cost you £700 over the standard bike’s £7750 at £8495. So that’s a suspension upgrade and some bling for £700, which actually isn’t that bad really, especially the difference it makes to the look of the bike.

Riding around on this black Multistrada S I couldn’t help but notice the number of heads it turned, far more than I ever remember when I rode a red Multistrada last year. Personally I still don’t like the bike’s front end, but in black with the gold Ohlins forks it looks bloody good. I think it is something to do with the dark colour hiding some of the odder angles, or at least blending them into each other, but whatever it is it works. A simple colour change and splash of gold has taken a bike that looks plain odd to one that looks mean and moody. And it makes you ride accordingly. If you want to ride like an idiot then look no further than the Ducati. But conversely if you want to knock off the commuting miles then its is also more than willing to oblige.

Despite the off-road style of the bike the seat height actually isn’t that high and the bars are quite narrow, which is useful for avoiding car mirrors when filtering. New for 2005 throughout the whole Multistrada range is an extra padded seat, replacing the cripplingly uncomfortable one on previous years, as well as new mirrors with longer stalks and a taller screen. All features aimed at making the bike more practical. Which is a good thought and shows that Ducati listens to its customers. Well it’s almost a nice thought, while the new seat is definitely better with far more padding and the screen helps on long journeys, although it does have a slight sportsbike feel as you still need to duck slightly to get behind it, the mirrors are still next to useless. The problem is they are styled to look good rather than actually work, never mind. And while we are talking practicality whoever placed the ignition barrel needs shooting, it’s far too close to the bars and makes getting the key in a very fiddly operation. But I guess it wouldn’t be a Ducati unless it didn’t have a few minor irritations.

Or a heavy clutch for that matter. Riding though town you can’t but help noticing how heavy the clutch is in on the Multistrada. I usually use just two fingers to operate the clutch but after a half-hour journey on the Multistrada I had to use all four to ease the pain. Ducati do have a lighter clutch system, it uses it on the 620 engined range of bikes, I just wish it would extend it to bigger capacity machines.

Get it out of town and the clutch becomes less of a problem. Although it’s a perfectly capable commuter the Multistrada really excels away from the city streets. The whole philosophy behind the Multistrada is fun and it really is a blast to ride on twisty roads. Every time I ride a Ducati with the air-cooled 1000cc it impresses. From low down the V-twin thumps forward at a surprising rate of knots. Bang the throttle open in first gear and the front wheel will rise, which adds to the fun, but it’s the amount of torque everywhere in the rev range that makes the engine so nice to use. To be fair the gearbox isn’t especially good and has quite a clunky change, but it really isn’t that bad.

To be truthful the S version’s Ohlins suspension doesn’t really make a hell of a difference on the road as Multistradas all have a very unique feel about them. The very upright riding position combined with the 17-inch wheels and slightly longer than normal suspension doesn’t really make it like any other bike around, but it works. And it works really well. I’ve ridden Multistradas on track as well as the road and they are excellent. The flat bars help throwing it around and the Pirelli Scorpion tyres provide excellent levels of wet and dry grip thanks to their large tread pattern.

So what’s stopping people buying the Multistrada? Unfortunately it looks like British snobbery. As an all-rounder the Multistrada is a great bike, it’s just a shame that people can’t see past its ‘unique’ look. I reckon the black colour combined with the gold Ohlins on the S version goes a long way to improving the overall style of the bike. Being a Ducati the service costs are going to be higher than with a Japanese machine, but if you can swallow this, and like the look, I reckon as a practical machine that is a cracking good laugh to ride the Multistrada is well worth a look in.

Is the S version worth the extra cash over the standard? Although the actual differences in feel are negligible and the performance the same I would still go for the S because the extra kudos of the Ohlins badge is worth a bit and on track it will almost certainly prove its worth. If you aren’t that concerned about the Ohlins the standard bike is still a good buy, just make sure you get the 2005 model with the new seat and taller screen as they make a big difference, the mirror stalks aren’t quite so effective!