620 or 1000 or ?

[nostatic]

OK...I'm getting close to pulling the trigger on a different bike. I had settled down on three choices:

Ducati Multistrada

Triumph Daytona 675

Aprilia Falco

Use is commuting 3 times a week, the occasional long distance ride, and some scratching. Lane splitting a necessity.

The Falco would be used as they only made them for a couple of years. This is a dark horse entry as I'm worried about service and part issues, and there aren't a ton of them out there.

The Triumph is sweet, and I get to go sit on one on Tuesday (they are in high demand). I'm a bit worried about the sport bike ergos for around town. My Speed Four ergos are fine *except* for the wide engine/frame/tank which splays my legs out and really has started bothering my hip as of late (very sore after the LV run). The 675 is almost an inch narrower, and it is hella sweet.

Multistrada is an odd duc, but I like odd ducks. I rode a 620 the other day and was impressed with the grunt and flickability. Felt a lot "more" than my old Monster 620, and the position was way better (MTSs fit tall guys well). The sit up and beg position feels like a dirt bike, and people say once you get oriented you can scratch well on the bike.

So I can get a new 620 in my preferred color (yellow) for under $10K OTD. But I wonder if getting a used 1000 is a better idea. My hunch is that for 2 up and longer rides the 1000 is going to be able to handle it without much complaint. It also has upgraded brakes (4 pot brembos v. 2 pot) and more adjustable suspension. Plus if I buy used someone else has taken a hit on depreciation. But, no warranty. The 1000 is also about 30 lbs heavier.

thoughts?

[Don Ro]

A good review of both starting here, page 4:
.
Trading my S for a Multistrada? Talk me out of it!!

[NICKG]

the duc is a great bike...go 1000ds monster if you can(s2 i think)

[Eric Coffey]

Duc Multistrada 1000S DS. No contest IMO. Look for a clean `05 model (if you can find one) to save some $$.

[NICKG]

i have a 1000ss ds, the motor is just so awesome and easy to ride. the torque is amazing...can't go wrong with any of the bikes with the ds motor look at www.ducati.ms www.ducatimonster.org www.rc51.com (us ethe menu to get the duc board)

[Steve Carlton]

Sounds to me like the Multistrada fits your requirements the best. I'm assuming you've ruled out others more similar to it, like the BMW GS, for example. The scratching on the Multistrada is second to none. Don't worry a bit. The first thing I noticed when riding one is how much it likes to be healed over, and hard. I rode an early one, and the seat was hard and got heat from the exhaust. I hear the seat's been softened; dunno about the heat. I have to say this, when I got back on my R1100S, I liked it a lot better. You owe it to yourself to give the boxers a good thrash. Used '04s are a bargain...

I've read some good things about the 620, but I can't help wondering if the lack of power might become more pronounced over time. I also agree with Eric on the 1000s DS. The Ohlins f&r are more than worth the price difference, and are infinitely rebuildable. As they say, "A job worth doing is worth doing right."

The 675 is just in it's first year of production, and Triumph doesn't seem to get their bikes sorted out right away. That riding position will get old on a long trip; dunno if they offer hardbags, either.

The Falco's a great bike; a sleeper. That Rotax engine is a gem. You might want to raise the bars on it, if possible. Dunno about hardbags. The Futura is also worth considering; it suits your requirements better.

Another very dark horse is a Cagiva Gran Canyon. It's got a Ducati 900cc air-cooled engine in it (and hard to get at, I hear)...

(edited to say 900cc)

[motion]

Todd,

Sounds like the Multi 1000 is best for you. The 620 is just too small for a big guy like yourself. Trying to sell the 620 a few years down the road will be difficult, too. Pick up a used 1000 and save a bundle. Should be an awesome bike.

[nostatic]

I sat on an R1100S and it doesn't solve my hip issue...not a particularly narrow tank. So far the 675s seem to be pretty well behaved. There is an active board (www.triumph675.net) and most are enamored. It might fit me like a glove. Or not.

What's somewhat odd is that a number of people have ridden both the 620 and 1000 MTSs and ended up prefering the 620. Not sure if it is the 30lbs lighter or 1 inch lower or what. I'm going to test ride both back-to-back, so that should inform me.

Falcos are a little tough to find. Just missed what looked to be a clean one on eBay...went for $6100. I haven't been able to find a falco to sit on yet though.

[Steve Carlton]

Yep, I'd have to agree the R1100S is a little wide. I meant to include suggesting you try an R1150/1200GS. They're awesome. Shaft drive, ABS, hardbags, and heated grips are great features. They also have 3 yr/36K warranties.

Try to spend an hour or two on a bike with the clipons as low as the 675, and you might find that objectionable. Is hardbags offered for the 675? It's a huge plus for any bike that has them. The Falco's known for putting significant weight on one's wrists.

Funny about folks that prefer the 620. The same thing is happening with the 650 V-Strom vs the 1000.

[vash]

nothing commutes like a liter bike. saves on all that bothersome gear shifting.

[Noah930]

Easy choice: 1000DS. After riding your Speed Four, the 620 will feel like a dog. Actually, I've never ridden a 620 motor, but I did try a '98 900cc Duc (gotta be stronger than the 620, I'm guessing), and even that felt a bit sluggish compared to the YZF600R I was riding at the time. But I tried out a 1000DS Monster last fall, and was pretty impressed. Maybe not the top-end hit of my Yammie, but more powerful down low, and at least the equal (if not greater) in fun-factor as the I-4. I don't know how the 1000DS would match up against your Triumph, but I do know the 620 would be whooped.

[Steve Carlton]

I was talking to Rory, the sales manager at Munroe Motors in SF and brought up the Multistrada issue. Here's some useful info:

- '03s have problems that can't be corrected
- '04s have less trouble that can be sorted out, but you might wind up with occasional stalling that you'd have to live with
- '05s and up are good

He's got an '05 red 1000 demo with 2-300 miles on it that he'll sell for $10K including prep. Also, the warranty starts from the day he sells it...

He agrees the 620 is very popular and great for local stuff, but would recommend opting for the 1000 if you're going more than a little on the open road or with a passenger and possibly luggage. He also said there's a way to improve the stiff clutch pull on the 1000 with a larger bore clutch master cylinder.

[1967 R50/2]

My OP:

Falco: Old at this point and from a company that has a wafer thin dealer network. Not a problem of course....until there is a problem. This probably also results in a thin resale value.

Daytona: Kinda the strange one in this mix as it is the most sporty. You are right to worry about the around town ergos. There is nothing worse than riding a fast bike slow. But on a Speed Four you probably have a taste of that already.

That leaves:

Multistrada: Good looking bike. Decent network and parts. So there you have it!!!

For simple commuting though, you seem to be looking at the high end of the market.

Perhaps you want to try an SV650? I have yet to hear anyone say a bad thing about that bike. The Triumph Bonneville would also make a nice commuter. Both would be alot less money and are easily customized.

[Joeaksa]

Torque is your friend for crusing. Personally I would look at the 1000.

I have a 750 bike right now and looking at putting 900cc (R90S) cylinders and heads on to give it a bit if a boost.

When I was younger I liked to rev as high as they would go. Now as I am getting older can appreciate torque a lot more.

[1967 R50/2]

Originally posted by Joeaksa

I have a 750 bike right now and looking at putting 900cc (R90S) cylinders and heads on to give it a bit if a boost.

Careful! The R90S bottom end was a bit different from the rest of the /6 range, or /5s for that matter. If I recollect the R90S also had the same stroke (and therefore likely the same torque) as the rest of the /6s. It just had bigger slugs among other things.

....So you still may not be wowed by the torque when you are done.

[Joeaksa]

Torque comes from more from the stroke than piston if I am not mistaken, so you are correct about this. These are from an early R90S and fit my engine without mods.

Am thinking of putting a sidehack on the bike in the future, so could use some more oomph however I can get it!

Joe

[Jims5543]

Have you looked at the Monster at all?

Damn this thread!!! I have really been fighting an urge to pull the trigger on a new bike for months now.

Side by side the Monster looks good. It might not have the suspension the MS has.

http://www.floridasportscycleandmarine.com/new_vehicle_compare.asp?sid=09283258X3K29K2006J8I3 9I18JPMQ638R0&veh1=24177&mfg2=9&veh2=24191&go=Go#compare

[1fastredsc]

Could always try something like this
http://videos.streetfire.net/hottestvideos/3/C711A065-2814-438C-B425-D2720DE74888.htm

[Steve Carlton]

While we're on the subject of suggesting stuff that's not on your list... the '06 Yamaha FZ1 is perhaps the best bang for the buck at $9,099...

[Steve Carlton]

Continuing to muddy up the water...



(this is actually a hell of a bike...)