Hello from cold Washington State

[Numbercruncher]

Greetings Ducati Multistrada enthusiasts!

This spring I get to buy a new bike and had looked at the Aprilia Caponord, Moto Guzzi Stelvio, Ducati Multistrada 950 and 1200/1260.  The Aprilia and Moto Guzzi are pretty much off my list.  The Caponord has been discontinued by Aprilia and seems to have a lot of issues.  Even the dealer I stopped by recommended I buy something else.  The Stelvio is just too tall and heavy.  I don’t feel comfortable on a 600 pound bike where I am tippy toed and that is without luggage on the bike.  So that leaves me with the three Ducatis.

The Multi-1260 means a 25k bike that a dealer won’t likely discount and I don’t want to spend that kind of money on a bike if I can find something I like as well for less money. Enter a new but unsold MTS 1200 or 950.  I rode a 1200 late last summer and really liked the suspension and low seat height but I did notice the dip in the torque curve that everyone was talking about.  At the time, I hadn’t really considered the 950 as I really wanted the TFT display, LED headlight and cruise control.  However the 19” front tire has a lot of appeal as I can probably mount a Heidenau Scout K60 and that will give me some limited ADV capability.  I have no interest in single track but recognize much of the world has a lot of gravel or otherwise unimproved roads and I prefer the 19” wheel with a semi knob for those conditions.  So now I am really interested in the 950 and anxious for the snow to melt so I can test one out.

So it looks like I’ll purchase a new 2016 MTS 950 unless I learn of some glaring fault or after riding one, decide I just don’t like it which I don’t see happening.  I may be able to take the bike on a tour of Europe this summer and riding an Italian Ducati in Italy would be about the coolest thing I can do.  I am starting to have serious pain in the base of each thumb (tendinitis or worse???) and a trip like this needs to happen sooner than later.  So hopefully I’ll join the ranks of the Multi-950 riders and meet some of you on the road in my country or yours.

NC

[Murf46]

Welcome to the forum

[neilb]

Hi Numbercruncher and  to the forum.

A new 2016! The 950 was released last year, 2017.

[MattR]

Welcome to the forum   

[Wassers]

Welcome to the forum Numbercruncher.

I think you've sent some of your cold weather over to the UK. 

I'm in France touring in just 4 weeks time. I'll give you a wave if I see you over there on your way to Italy 

[thenozzle]

  to the forum hope you make the right choice

[briantheb]

Hello and welcome from Scotland (and we’re about to enter the freezer according to the forecasters).
I will have owned my 950 touring (my first Ducati) for 1 year this Friday and did just under 8000 UK miles in 8 months.  I’ve loved every minute of owning this bike, my face splits into a mighty grin when I open the garage door (and there’s several other makes in there) and there’s never been a moments issue, problem or worry with the bike in that time.
I’d heard all the stories about Ducati finish and reliability and therefore took out extended warranty (which must be the best warranty package on any bike) just in case but the bikes never missed a beat and has given me great pleasure.  It has tackled anything I’ve asked of it - up hill down dale, motorway at high speeds 🤫 single track roads, forest tracks, and even where no track really existed.  While doing all that it has returned 57 mpg over this time.
It has a few ‘characteristics’, the clutch and gearbox take a while to settle but the false neutrals do go.  I changed the screen to an MRA with an adjustable foil on it, and there’s a bit of vibes when compared to the 1200.  Front end dives a bit under braking.   It’s incredibly easy to ride in any situation, comfortable enough for all day riding ( once used to it - I have a Corbin on my GS (which never leaves the garage now)), bl***y fast when you want it to be and a doddle to slow ride on. 
All in all, a cracking all rounder and in my opinion the best looking bike on the road.

As for tyres, the OE Pirelli’s are very good and instil confidence in any road/weather condition.  The roads surfaces here are very course to combat our weather and eat tyres but I got just under 6k from the rear and the front showed little wear.
The heated grips are the best I’ve used and though it’s not TFT the screen is easy to read and use.
If you choose the 950 I’m pretty sure you won’t regret it.  Mines a definite keeper. 
Good luck 👍🏻