
Ducati Multistrada 1200 Review
"Brilliant bike, but budget for maintenance or walk away."
Used Buyer Review
The Multistrada 1200 is genuinely one of the most capable motorcycles ever built, but buying one used demands serious due diligence. That Testastretta 11° engine is brilliant — flexible, muscular, characterful in ways Japanese twins simply aren't — but the electronics suite was cutting-edge for its era, and aging sensors plus dodgy throttle bodies can turn a bargain into a money pit fast. Always check the service history obsessively. Desmo services aren't cheap, and skipped intervals show up eventually. The riding experience itself is hard to fault. Four riding modes, semi-active suspension, and that torquey V-twin make it genuinely comfortable on a 400-mile day yet properly exciting when you want it. Early examples (2010-2012) had throttle snatch issues that software updates largely fixed. Later S variants with Skyhook suspension are worth the premium if budget allows. Avoid anything with unknown history or evidence of a drop — the fairing repairs alone will break your heart financially.
Pros
Cons
You hate dealership bills and unknown service history
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