Which Ducati for an old guy?
 

Always wanted an Italian Harley and might have room to squeeze one in the garage soon......Sold a few bikes in the past year, thinned the herd from 22 down to 13.

It would just be a toy, so 8 to 10 yrs old would be OK. I like the sound and want the torque......

Love the looks, but too old for a riding position like the 900 SS. I want weather protection, maybe luggage, and a sport touring riding position.

Had long considered a ST4s, but recently heard it's not that comfortable for a long day in the saddle?

Snooping on bikes for sale on the ADV site, and there are currently 3, 2004 Multistrada 100DS like this one:

ADVrider

Looks like it could be right up my alley. I know service can be more of a headache on some models than others.....I'm OK with changing timing belts and guess I could learn about desmo valve adjusts.....

There seems like some knowledgeable Ducati guys here. I'm open to and advice on the ST4s and Multistrada engine? Thax...

I like the previous generation MS quite a lot but their emphasis is a bit more on sport than touring, IMO, and the weather protection is very minimal.

I've always wanted one but when I test rode it, that was my strong impression. Still love the bike but there you have it. Take one for a ride if possible.

The ds is a great motor. Super torquey and will wheelie the multistrada with ease. The first gen multi had one of the most uncomfortable seats I've ever sat on. I'm sure it can be easily swapped out for an aftermarket one, but that's what's stuck in my mind after riding one for a few days 10 years ago.


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I think "engine-wise", in a 10-year old bike it's really hard to beat the 1000DS motor.

You could get a Multistrada 1000DS or Multistrada 1000DS-DS, which is the 'bits and pieces' special version. (sort of like a 900SS-SP.)


I understand the practicality of a Multistrada but when I see them in person I can't seem to get excited about them. YMMV, though!

Maybe you could also look at a 2004-2007 ST3. I know there's a Colorado pelican on here somewhere that had a ST3 for a while, can't remember who.

Isn't Moto Guzzi the Italian Harley?

I have a square-headlamped 900SS with Helibars. It's like riding a tractor, the riding position. Very upright.

The ST2/ST3/ST4 bikes sound like what you're looking for. Made for longer rides. Wind protection. Able to handle luggage. The only big mechanical issue was flaking rockers on the ST4 motors. I think the 4-valve motors are a lot more fun than the 2-valve motors. Not just in more HP, but also with crisper throttle response. Doesn't that guy who does all the Iron Butts ride an ST4?

Multistrada looks good on paper. Fit the criteria you've listed. But a bit fugly, IMO. And it's got a seat height that's a bit tall for me, personally.

Thanks for all the comments......Very good idea I should ride a few 1st.

Guzzi - I visited the factory this summer.......Stone age in my opinion, Would like another El Dorado 850 someday?

St2/3/4 sounding better:

Ducati ST4 Sport/Tour

The older moto were drive shaft and a dizzy just like a car. Pretty good stuff.

What about a GT1000?

I know their pretty pedestrian, but you can make a monster into a touring bike.

Split the difference and try an ST3!!! And get the bottom end of a 1000DS motor.

:)

Must confess ignorance - Which motor(s) have the demo valve adjust and which don't? Which are air cooled/vs/water cooled? I know the ST4s has the 4 valve and think the ST3 has 3 valves?

All motors had a desmodromic valvetrain, liquid-cooling, and fuel injection. The ST2 had a 2-valve motor (such as from the later 900SS). The ST3 had a 3-valve motor (and two spark plugs per cylinder), and the ST4 had a 4-valve motor taken from the 916.

fwiw my ST2 was not a particularly comfortable bike for my knees, back, or wrists. The Multistrada is a brilliant bike and way more comfortable to ride for those with some miles on the odometer. Just need to make sure valve guides have been done on the older ones.

I love the 1000/1100DS MS but there is no discernible wind or weather protection, is there?

And a good ducati forum would be? Looks like many choices.

Thax for all the tips, I'm learning........

ducati.ms, but the mods are total nazis. I left because it was so bad.

Could you quantify that a little, please ?

They have rules. I guess I broke them a few times. Anything I did was completely innocuous. My posts were deleted. Also, I had been a member for something like 10 years and had lots of posts that were magically wiped out and I became a new user. Then, I couldn't post anything in the classifieds section because I didn't have enough posts. It was all just a huge pain in the ass.

I remember the latest rule breaking: In a tech thread on the subject of Hypermotards, I off-handedly put out the word that I was looking for a motor. They deleted my post. Nazis, I tell ya!