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Looking to maybe replace my Multistrada [Update: Got a Ninja 1000]

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kamikazekyle

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I found a good deal on a fully farkled used 2006 Multistrada in December, purchasing it for some touring from time to time, but with the ability to treat it like a sport when I take off the luggage. Even after fixing and dialing in the suspension (took me a while to realize it was messed up that bad as I attributed it to getting used to a new bike), sticking on a Laminar touring windscreen, and a set of higher handlebars to solve the "slouch" with the prior low handlebars, I'm not sure I'm meshing with the bike. The Laminar windscreen plus lip fixes the airflow issues at higher speeds, but kinda makes the bike look even more ugly duckling than it was stock. The Multi has been ported, tuned, and otherwise modified so it does put out a decent bit over 100 HP and 100 ft-lb torque, as a reference. More than I'd ever really need, frankly.

So before I head off on a 3-4,000 mile trip this summer and dump the money on a full service and clutch pack, I'd like to see if there might be anything else out there that'd suit my needs better. I already have a 250cc daily driver that's spoiled me on agility and mileage, though I'm not exactly fixed on good mileage on the possible Multi replacement.

So I guess something with a decent enough torque to get me and luggage around (sometimes 2-up with luggae) and with a decent bit of agility. If I wind up camping, my luggage can get a bit heavy. Naked or faired, I don't care so long as it has smooth or even airflow. After riding a standard for longer distances and comparing it to the slight lean of my CBR250, I prefer the slight forward lean at speed or a streetfighter-like setup. I'm also not really looking for a big supersport tourer like a ST1300 or VFR or a dedicated touring bike like a Goldwing -- basically something that I can take the bags off and treat it as a sport/streetfighter, and every so often pop the luggage on and do several light/medium touring days.

I've done some research, and candidates seem to be a CB1000R, FZ-1, FZ-8, or Z1000. Maybe a Ninja 1000. Most seem a bit overkill, but I dunno if a twin like in a Ninja 650 would have enough guts for 2 up plus luggage. Perhaps a F800ST or F800R, but I'm a bit leery on long term service costs and access to dealerships. The NT700V seems a touch overpriced for what you get, and the NC700X is a bit underpowered I'd think (and it doesn't look well for 2-up). Newer Ducati's just seem really freaking expensive.

Anyway, lot of text, sorry about that. Anyone have any input? Aside from my friend with a FZ8 (brand new 2011 for $7k; less than a used 2011 locally), everyone else I know has pure supersports are Harleys and I missed the demo days, so I don't have any saddle time with the above bikes.
 
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+1 on a vstrom 1000. It's not a bad sport tourer with decent tires and maybe a new rear shock.

It sounds like you need/want something that's a bit more touring than sport.

In my experience the streetfighers have little or no wind protection, and are great around town but terrible for sitting on for 5+ hours at a time.
 
In typically ATG fashion I will recommend the bike you already discounted, try a VFR800.
Or a lotus, so you can track it.
 
satyajitmenon said:
Have you thought about a VStrom 1000? Or even the VStrom 650 if you want smaller engine capacity.
Click to expand...

A friend of mine had one of those. Said fueling was an issue with that bike, especially on the freeway. Probably something that could be figured out with aftermarket so that might not be an issue for you.
 
Thanks for the replies, all. A Vstrom has sorta crossed my mind back before I happened across the Multi. I am basically looking for a sport bike that I can do some touring here and there without too much trouble, vice a touring bike with sportiness. Ironically, something with a non-standard riding position. I figured that would be good for the touring aspects, but find that it's pretty much the same to my back/muscles as a lightly forward position (ala my CBR250) and I feel like I have more bike control with a slight forward lean. Kinda weird. I'm not bothered by constant wind or anything, so long as it's even. Stock, the Multi's screen for the classic models kinda pushes forcefully just on my shoulders and sorta torques my body. The Laminar screen prevents this by basically taking me out of the wind, but looks a little goofy.

Power wise it's more than I need, but not too much. I've never really had an issue with it being too much power, with the exception of added weight due to displacement and lower mileage.

I'm headed out this weekend on a 600 mile trip and taking the Multi and hitting up some dealerships. If I can get some test rides I"ll try, but I don't think some of these dealers have demo bikes on hand (and I missed the demo days). At minimum I can try my friend's FZ8.

I did take the Multi out and did some more tuning on the suspension. I knew the prior owner had some jacked up fork settings, but didn't think he messed with the rear shock as it was behind some custom rock/debris shielding. When I ripped that out yesterday to get to the shock controls, I found out they were all wonky as well. With the settings the prior owner had, he might as well had purchased a Harley. So with some tuning runs, the bike is a whole helluva lot better. I might play with the handlebar positioning and egros a bit more; if I can get the egros OK the only real reason to get a new bike would be for looks, longer maintenance interval, or water cooling. The latter two would be nice boons since I ride year round and should wind up averaging 10,000 miles a year with the new job schedule.

Greenman, you're right. I messed up the kgm to ft-lb conversion (I had the Euro specs when I wrote the initial post). Stock it puts out around 70 ft-lb. With the mods it should bump it into the 80s, if not hovering at 90 peak. I haven't dynoed it myself, and can't get back in touch with the prior owner who had the dyno post-rebuild and porting.
 
Looking around, I shifted my focus by a bit, and the three primary choices are the FZ-1, GSX1250FA, and the Ninja 1000. Secondaries would be a VStrom or an F800ST. Again, this assumes I even go as far to replace the Multi.

The Ninja 1000 seems like the top contender and has all I'm looking for, plus clipons which I like over standard bars. I doubt I spend enough time in the top end for the FZ-1, and given the time I spend in the low end the GSX1250FA would be a valid choice. Though I might have to get lowered handlebars or something to get a position I like and perhaps change up the suspension to an aftermarket solution.

Insurance, though, is an issue. Despite being in the same performance categories, the FZ-1 or Bandit would only run me about $800/yr to insure with good limits and full coverage, while the Ninja would run $2000/yr for the same coverage with Progressive. Puts a dampener on the purchase, especially when my Ducati only runs $200 for full coverage, and my CBR even less. But, I still have to sit on all the above bikes to get an idea anyway.
 
Welp, I still have the Multi, but purchased a 2012 Ninja 1000 in Kawasaki Green. It's exactly the type of motorcycle I was looking for when I originally purchased the Multi, and had I bothered to look into the Ninja 1000 when I was shopping last year I never woulda touched the Multi. A little preload tweaking since I'm a featherweight and I should be golden. I still can't get over how well it handles and how light it feels for such a heavy bike, not to mention the freakishly smooth torque curve all through the RPM range. And unlike the Multi, it's perfectly at home putzing around the inner city traffic at 10 MPH as it is bombing the interstate or hitting up mountain curves. Riding with a very aggressive position or nearly upright are perfect options. Within 2 hours of purchase, I was scrubbing in the tires on the Blue Ridge Parkway for a four hour ride. The next day I was heading home with 5 hours of saddle time on a mix of awesome country road through old growth forest with zero traffic, and a spot of an hour on the interstate. All in less discomfort and pain than the Multi.

Aside from popping on some frame sliders and figuring out if I want a permanent luggage rack attached, about the only other change I'd make in the near term would be some different grips. They're hard as rocks and I might as well be gripping bare tubes, though I've never liked the stock grips on any moto. Maybe a SpeedoDRD if they make one for the Ninja 1000. Speedometer errors annoy the hell outta me. The seat is a wildcard -- it's tacky and firm so I don't slide around like on my Multi or somewhat less so on the CBR (so I like that from the seat), but being so tacky yields monkey butt for long rides. I might look into a Seargent which is supposedly cupped to prevent sliding too far forward, but I think it uses memory foam. I hate memory foam for motorcycle seats as I like to move all over the seat.

Anyway, I couldn't trade the Multi in to the dealership. They didn't wanna touch anything before the 2010 model despite all the mods and the good condition of the bike. On the flip side, the only charge from the dealership was the $299 freight and assembly fee which was negated when they reduced the price of the bike below MSRP. No processing fees or anything else from the dealer -- just local taxes. I'll pay the state DMV tax when I register the vehicle next week for permanent plates. Around here I'd be paying $1k or more in freight, assembly, and random dealer fees so I'm glad I took my friend's advice and went to his dealer.

I'll probably try to private sell the Multi since that's about the only way I'll get decent money for it. Thankfully the insurance on the Multi is nearly as cheap as my CBR250, and it's so old I barely pay anything on taxes (yearly state registration is more expensive). I might even keep it for random rec rides and such or even turn it into a project bike for a naked conversion. Someone converted his early generation multi in a pure naked streetfighter, so I might do that as keeping ahold of it is cheap sans the premium for Ducati labor and parts (ie: I'm looking at $400-$600 minimum for a valve adjust).

Now to hunt around for an insurnace agency that doesn't classify the Ninja 1000 as a liter+ superbike. My rates with progressive are exactly the same as if I bought a ZX-14. Progressive is $2000 a year, Geico more, but AMIG already has quoted me 1/2 that and I should be able to get even lower with State Farm, if what I've read is still holding true. Though my rates are still about 33% higher than my friends simply because of where I live :/
 
state farm will be your friend on the bike, its only displacement based. You have to have a car with them to get a bike though them though.
 
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