MS convert ?
 

I'm looking to change my 900 SS ie, probably for a MS or a Monster and had the chance to test ride a MS on Saturday.
What did I think ?
Well, it really was a very enjoyable bike to ride. First thing I noticed was how different the engine felt to my 900, the 1000 was smoother, had better pick up etc. I was in Abergele, North Wales and there is just about every type of road nearby. On the A55 dual carriageway it was very comfotable and relaxed, although the fairing wasn't as effective as I expected it to be. Then onto smooth sweeping A roads, again very easy to ride, but when the going got quicker things tended to feel a bit remote with not nuch feedback (compared to the SS) Finally onto twisty, bumpy B road, changed direction with ease and treated the bumps like they weren't there, would easily out run the SS on this road, which bounces and clatters all over the place. Only problem I had was a tendancy to lock the back wheel going into corners (even without the back brake) probably due to the high COG and what felt like a front end weight bias (especially on the brakes).
Did I enjoy myself ? Enormously.
Would I swap my SS for one ? Probably.
Would I have one rather than a Monster ? my big question and I really don't know.

What made you chose (or not chose) a Multistrada?:puzzled:

If I hadnt been able to modify my 998 to suit my new shape :o I'd have gone for an MS rather than a Monnie, just looks so different to most bikes, even tho I had trouble getting both feet flat on the ground. When are they gonna bring out a testastretta version? :devil:

New shape ?:puzzled:

Hi Steve,how do you manage to be on-line all day? Haven't you got anything to do?

I've told you before,buy a 998 before you are completly senile!!!!:lol:

Hi Steve,

Had a Monster 750, Good Bike. Now have a MultiStrada, also a Good Bike. For what it's worth I think the main difference is the MS is better suited to the longer Journeys, Motorways etc. Around the twisties I had a little bit more fun on the MS but this may be due to the 1000DS engine (which is smooth) as much as anything else.

Catdui

:cool:

Catdui - I suspect you're right, the Ms would be better most of the time. Now then, red, black or silver ?

BB - It must be so hard having to work for a living !
998 - can you get classic insurance on them these days:lol:

RED!

Catdui
:cool:

At least they don't do them in yellow!!!

Looks like you'll have to buy some new leathers,probably black with a baggy arse!!! I know how much you like "old uns" & classics!!!:P

Aah the old'uns. You just can't beat a good Darmah.:bouncy:

[quote]Originally posted by Catdui
RED!

I do like the red one - the red frame is a nice touch as opposed to black on the silver or black ones, trouble is my riding gear would match the silver or black, bugger !:flame:

Just done 2700 miles round France, Monaco Grand Prix etc on my MS. Last time I did the same trip was on a 996s and it nearly put me of biking for good. Found the MS to be a pretty good all rounder it was excellent on the twistys but lost out on the faster sections where my mates Gsxr1000 and ZX12r would romp off into the distance. But as I was in charge of sorting the route out there was a lot more Alpine passes than fast straight bits! I have not regretted the change at all.

The bike really does need the Comfort seat and higher screen though, I was cursing the fact that the week before the trip I actually had a comfort seat in my hands and did not buy it! Another plus point was both my mates came back with rear tyres worn through to canvass whilst mine looked like it would do the same trip again easily.

On the generally poor roads we have in this country the MS can pretty much keep up with anything, you just have to ride it pretty hard though. I find this more fun than having to be ever so cautious with the throttle and holding back all the time for fear of being spat off the latest 1000cc bikes.

Buy one!

Thanks Martin - just about sums it up. I noticed the seat was feeling a bit hard after only an hour. Why do they make a comfortable bike and then put a hard seat on it? Still, at least it can be swapped.:sing:

I test rode one and its such a bloody good laugh to ride for something with not a lot of power but you can use 100% of it and just wrting its neck.

Hopefully good for clocking miles, but amazing fun for back roads and commuting without being crippled in traffic.

Time will tell if i've mase the right choice but i've got a couple of long trips planned for it.

Keefyb's the man to ask as he's had his for a year and loves it, helped convert me

I heard that the 2004 models have differant seat padding after feedback from long distance riders.
I have to say tho,mine has not been a problem for me.I swear the seat is getting softer the more I ride it.( Or my @rse is getting tougher!:lol: )

That's a good point, I'd say the seat on my SS is more comfortable now than when it was new.:sing: