Supporters Tackle Posted May 18 Supporters Share Posted May 18 Hey guys, been riding intermittently since I was 15, had all the jap brands in various shapes & sizes, but never paid much attention to the Italian stuff.......... Until now 🤔 I know there are many bikers on here, & a few of you ride Italian kit, today at a chance meeting I was offered an almost pristine 2003 Ducati multistrada 1000ds, 27k on the clock, for £2k. Yep, I've started to check out reviews, all of which seem positive at the mo, but I'm also pretty cynical when it comes to anyone who likes to flap their attention seeking chops on YouTube, so wondered if anybody here has experience with this model or its more recent siblings ? Thanks in advance 👍 Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporters rocketdogbert Posted May 18 Supporters Share Posted May 18 Sorry dude, no recent experience. But the two things I know about that era Duke, it must be regularly serviced, way more than the Japanese equivalent, and that service is expensive. Rogerborg and Tackle 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tactical Pith Helmet Posted May 18 Share Posted May 18 From memory of most of the older design Dukes from that era had the same probs that they always had - crap electrics, poor finish, flimsy plastics. The multistrada was a bit of a change in Dukes attitude to quality though. More modern design that shook off a few of the old problems. I know that SS models of that era still ate reg/recs and had a general aversion to water. A colleagues 900SL went through black boxes quicker than it wore out the tyres. The newer designed bikes had a far better reputation but still need regular maintenance as said above. A mate was told by Massimo Tamburini himself that regular oil changes were the key to long engine life in Dukes. They don't stand neglect. I'd be interested in it. But then I have an Italian bike in my garage already. It's worth the odd issue for the riding experience alone IMHO. You have a lot of fun for your money there if its been looked after. Rogerborg and Tackle 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EDcase Posted May 19 Share Posted May 19 @Baiok has one though not sure of year. Tackle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporters Rogerborg Posted May 19 Supporters Share Posted May 19 Sorry, nothing specific about that model, I won't touch Eyetalian because of the love-it-on-the-road, hate-it-in-the-workshop relationship that owners seem to have. (If you liked that video, check out the chap's channel which, unlike Eyetalian bikes or airsoft guns, is an exemplar of quality control.) Tackle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skara Posted May 19 Share Posted May 19 Never rode one, but if it's like the Monster, it tends to shake itself apart very quickly. Tackle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skullchewer Posted May 19 Share Posted May 19 (edited) Akin to that girl you brought home from the club that time; Fun to ride, but way too high maintenance. Edited May 19 by Skullchewer Shamal and Tackle 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporters Tackle Posted May 20 Author Supporters Share Posted May 20 22 hours ago, Skullchewer said: Akin to that girl you brought home from the club that time; Fun to ride, but way too high maintenance. Wish I had your wisdom 30 years ago, I only 'kin married her 😭. Seriously though guys, thanks for the advice so far, yeah I knew about ducati's issues back in the 80's/90's, chocolate head studs that didn't like riding from cold etc, they were definitely meant for owners with deeper pockets when it came to servicing but I'm told this particular engine became the "go to" lump in the millennium, & this model was detuned so actually less stress than the other models that shared the poweplant. But as well as getting as much positive info on the bike model, I'm approaching it the way I do when I'm buying a rif, studying the owner as much as what he's selling, in this case he's just got the latest incarnation of the multistrada, so as a brand he's had no major issues, plus he has a very well looked after HD bobber, & a classic Honda vf750, again well looked after 👍 As for what I'm considering, it's got new mot, no advisories, New back tyre, full Duke luggage & some other bits, all of which add up to quite a lot of £. & the biggest plus, I've got the missus backing 😳, never saw that coming lol. Skullchewer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skullchewer Posted May 20 Share Posted May 20 With that history I'd say it's worth a punt, mate. Tackle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tactical Pith Helmet Posted May 20 Share Posted May 20 If it's any omen, my wife fell in love with my v-twin tourer immediately. She never quite got the cafe racers funnily enough... Tackle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
concretesnail Posted May 21 Share Posted May 21 8 hours ago, Tackle said: ..... & the biggest plus, I've got the missus backing 😳, never saw that coming lol. Buy it. Buy it now. Tackle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporters Rogerborg Posted May 21 Supporters Share Posted May 21 Agreed, actually. We're not on a rehearsal, and it's not like it's going to lose much value even if it ends up as a garage queen. Tackle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davegolf Posted May 21 Share Posted May 21 I was looking at these as a basis for a stripped back build, love the Ducati soundtrack. From my research they didn’t have any more or less issues than any other bike, the engine is pretty solid as it’s a de-tuned 996 lump I believe. Tackle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baiok Posted May 21 Share Posted May 21 No personal experience on the 1000Ds but my old 1200 Multistrada did nearly 90k miles witout any major issues.. With that mileage and that price, it sounds like a very good deal, its not uncommon to see those engines reaching 100k if well maintained Rogerborg and Tackle 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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