After engaging brain ( a rare and difficult operation) i think KeefyB is right re the extra weight, plumbing etc of the testastretta motor spoiling the multistada (but i'd still like to have a go on one though) they did get the 996 in the Monster S4R

Gotta say that Multistrada's really are multifunctional as it made a brilliant windsurfer with the weather we had up here yesterday.:lol:

[Edited on 25-6-2004 by BDG]

Ian,you are spot on about the MTS handling.On nadgery stuff its the quickest thing out there.As the pace quickens it can get a little flighty.I guess most of it is down to me.
Firstly,I like a firm rear end,(dont we all!) so I've wound the damping almost to the max.Ive also upped the preload a fair bit to give me some more ground clearance.The trade off is that the bike can get a bit twitchy and nervous.I guess the Mez3 tyres I'm running on it dont help either.The secret seems to be the slow in,fast out method of cornering.It works for me.Overall I'm well chuffed with the bike and never fail to get off it with a silly grin on my face.:D
As regards to 900 motor v. 1000DS,
My wife owns an '02 M900 ie.The last part of a ride usually ends up in a bit of a race along the local bypass.The 900 seems to have a little more bottom end (4-6000 rpm),then the DS takes over after that.The midrange on the DS is a lot stronger.The bike is bog standard apart from the airbox restrictors removed.:)