| Author | Message | ||
     Jon |
I've been getting terrific feedback on Sacborg regarding my consideration of the Uly or Multistrada as my next ride. It's a toss up on paper till I ride 'em both next week. Think I might toss the KTM 950 in there too. The Uly has the benefit for me of the association of the good folks at a local dealer out here who are all great Buell fans and just good people. Plus I got a tremendous incentive from that dealer when I won a huge discount voucher at our last ASBN meeting. It's a $1,000 discount which gives the Uly an edge financially. Both the Uly and the Multi come highly regarded by Reg Kittrelle who leans slightly Multi-ward for personal reasons. Reading Reg's review of the Uly was entertaining and very helpful. Too bad he doesn't come here much, he's the real deal. So tell me Uly owners and Multi owners, or educated bystanders. WHich way would you go? Not trying to make drama here, but give me your thoughts, Chingaderos!  | ||
| Hughlysses |
Hi Jon, I just got my 2007 Uly a couple of weeks ago, and happened to sit on a new MS yesterday. I really like the Multistradas and seriously considered one before the Ulysses was released in 2005. I really like the way the bike looks, and of course it's a Ducati which means a lot to some of us and not so much to others. One good thing I've noticed is that Ducati says the maintenance intervals have been doubled for the 2007 bikes. I'd assume they finally improved the valve collets or purchased the rights to the ones that have been marketed as aftermarket replacements for a few years. Still, the maintenance requirements are going to be higher for the Duc with valve adjustments, chain maintenance, and occasional cam belt replacements. I have absolutely no personal experience with Ducatis (well, I did by a cap and a t-shirt for a friend yesterday), but I have read horror stories about long wait times for parts, and it seems some of the MS's have had some significant electrical problems. Reading here, you'll get a very good idea of the occasional Ulysses problems. If you've got a good, enthusiastic dealer close by, I can't imagine you having any significant issues with owning a Uly. The three bikes you're considering pretty much cover the range of bikes in this category. The KTM is VERY dirt-oriented, the Uly is competent on rough roads and dirt roads, while the Multistrada is pretty much a paved roads only bike. I'd think what you intend to do with the bike would play a big part in your decision. I've only got ~300 miles on my Ulysses yet, but it's living up to my expectations. Let us know what you get. | ||
| Rocketman |
Jon, the Multistrada gets a new style for 2007 - and 1100cc. I'd wait until then before making a choice if you really are considering a Multi. Rocket | ||
| Regkittrelle |
Jon... multistrada.net will give you further perspective | ||
| Jimidan |
As far as the "horror stories" about Ducati parts ordering, I have a Buell and a Ducati. I order parts for both bikes form the dealerships in Lexington< KY, which just happen to be next door to each other. The Buell parts generally take a week to get in, if there are no backorder issues. My Buells are 1996's so it may take longer for some parts...if I can get them at all. The Ducati parts take between a 10 days to 2 weeks to get here for a 2001 bike. I talked with the Ducati parts guy about the relative times for delivery, as they also sell Hondas, Yammy's, Triumphs, and he said that often times Ducatis were delivered faster than the Japanese bikes' parts. jimidan | ||
| Chasespeed |
I never really had any major problems getting parts for my 748...though, there was that one incident, when replacing a clutch lever..90 bucks from Ducati... Lockhart Philips.. 13... That was probably the major thing... Oh yeah, the Collets offered by Martin Brickwood Perf, they say something liek 16k-18k miles before maintnance.. they arent cheap, but they are well worth it... Anyway, I havent ridden a Uly, NOR a Multi.. But, I would say..based on experience from both brands... The Duc will do what it does SUPREMELY well.. The Uly will probably have a lower maint cost, and will chew tires up... Really, the main thing between the 2 that woudl sway ME, the 6th gear on the Duc..lower highway rpm... Other than that, I would go with the Uly... My unwanted unwelcome 2 cents Chase | ||
| M2nc |
I have 17,000+ on my Uly and did not want the Multi because of the extra expense and I preferred the looks of the Uly to the Multi. I also wanted to ride off pavement so the Multi would not fit my needs. Off road the Uly is generally rated third behind the KTM950 and the R1200GS. Though in one test both fore mentioned bikes went down in mud while the Ulysses rider stayed upright. Off road the Ulysses has surprised many. The bikes have proven to be capable on dirt roads and larger trails. I have personally had mine over sand dunes and two-rut grown over trails with sand washouts in the middle of steep hills. I can say from experience that my Uly climbs sandy hills quite well. Its fun pointing the front end in the right direction up a steep hill and having the rear kick out as it rooster tails sand out the back. On pavement my Uly has impressed me too. Its handling is quick, almost too quick with its Buell geometry and tall wide bars. The bike is a perfect Urban machine with this flick ability and commanding view. The motor is great for this duty also, with just off idle power that is every tractable when behind slower cars. I have ridden with sport bikes and kept up on the curviest of roads. Last weekend I road with a GSX-R1000, RC51, Daytona 675, GSX-R1300. I was able to stay up with the crowd no problems. Toward the end of the ride I would not get on it hard on the straights because the Busa was slowing me down in the curves so I would let them get a big lead on the straights and run them back down on the curves. Touring the Uly does quite well too. I have ridden to ten states so far with my longest day being 720 miles. That 14 hours trip was from Indiana to coastal North Carolina where I detoured at the Kentucky / West Virginia line and rode for five hours on two-lane mountain roads, some that would shame even the mighty Dragon. I would love to have a sixth gear on the Uly. Even so the Uly revs at 3000rpm at 60mph and 4000mph at 80mph. The bike gets very good gas mileage for its size motor too. I average 45mpg around town and regularly get over 50mpg on the road. My best tank average is 62.5mpg. I love my Uly but I am a fan of motorcycles. For my riding style and needs the Uly has been the best choice and I have never regretted it. There are many great motorcycles out there today. You just have to find the one that fits your wants and needs the best. I think Hughlysses hit the nail on the head. What do you want to do with the bike. Also not to through a kink into your list but if you never plan to ride on dirt, then you should consider the new Tiger too. It is less expensive than either the Uly or the Multi and has that great 1055 Triple!! I hope this helps. | ||
| Buellerthanyou |
I've ridden a Uly on a trip of about 200 miles (fully loaded) with some of it dirt road, and a little bit of fooling around in a parking lot. I've also test ridden a Multistrada on two different occasions for a total of probably 30-40 miles (none on dirt). I've owned 3 Buells and 1 Ducati (a Monster) and really like both brands. The Duc was not a maintenance headache at all, though service was pricier. The Buells have been flawless except for rockerbox gaskets on my old X1. Of the two, I would own the Uly over the Multistrada. The Multistrada seat was very uncomfortable to me and the riding position was not quite "right". The Uly seat was like a La-Z-Boy in comparison. Also, the Uly luggage will hold everything you can see around you right now; it's HUGE! It's also great fun to throw around in a parking lot, Battletrax-style; it really handles! The only flaw (somewhat remedied with the new seat) is the height of the Uly for some people (not me, I'm 6'1") and the limited steering lock in the dirt (from what I've read, anyway). Ride both and decide for yourself, you won't go wrong if you pick what fits you the best. HellBuelly J "Do not meddle in the affairs of Buells, for they are subtle and quick to wheelie!" --J RR1000 Tolkien | ||
| Jon |
Great viewpoints here. The feedback is appreciated. | ||
| Ryker77 |
keep it coming! Sold my x1 and after looking and comparing lots of bikes. Its the Uly, Multistrada that are tops on my list. Next up would be BMW's or the ST2/3/4 |
