Ducati Multistrada 1260S Two Year 8,000 Mile Long Term Review 

“What’d you get us?” Whoops gotta go riding again! On another note, the incredible versatility of loading up all the panniers and adjusting the suspension with a press of a button for a week long trip down the coast, to then being able to quickly strip them off is a huge plus for this one bike quiver. It can be a commuting / tour utility rig - to urban assault motard machine in minutes. Hands down one of the best, and most dynamic production motos made in the last decade. I might be a bit biased though! 😎

In two years and 18,000 miles on my 1260S. I had the fuel sender fail at 14000 miles leaving me to complete a circuit of Ireland without a fuel gauge. I had the battery fail at 18000 miles stranding me in a gas station, the battery fault first manifested itself a few thousand miles before as suspension faults and various suspension warning lights. The 18000 mile service cost £1000. My local Ducati dealer i wouldn’t trust to change a lightbulb, luckily there’s a trustworthy one a180 miles round trip away. Other than that a great bike and I love it.

As a previous simultaneous owner of a 1200GT multi and a BMW R1200Rt. Two bikes that people compare to see which one the want to chose. I can point out a few differences. 1. The RT has a better ride and the front suspension has amazing ride and response to road stuff. The Ducati has a more precise steering feel and quicker front response. A more accurate feel. Ride quality is very good but the BMW Telelever design is the worlds best for ride quality. The Ducatis front end has more dynamic change capability. 2. Power goes to the Ducati but they are about the same until 5 thousand rpm, then the Ducati starts to roll. 3. Comfort goes to the BMW. More space, room and passenger space. The Ducati is smaller and tighter. More sport then tourer. Both bike benefit from a seat change. Heated seats go to the BMW. The new Multi finally has a heated seat. 4. Drive shaft verses chain and sprockets. BMW has had serious problems with their driveshaft failures. Thousands to repair. A chain and sprocket swap is about $400. No cheap alternative. My first chain and sprocket went out at 13K miles. I expected more miles from the original chain. 5. Saddlebags go to the BMW, they are a quality set. The trunk is nice too. Bigger than the Ducati trunk. I want to say that my Ducati was a GT model and had those huge bags and I could carry more than on my BMW. It is important to note that the saddlebag location on the Ducati mounts the bags further forward on the bike and the passenger sits further forward on the Ducati. This allows better weight distribution when packing and with a passenger, making the bike handle so much better than the BMW. Fully loaded on both bikes with the same camping gear, riding felt much better on the Ducati than the BMW on twisty roads. It didn’t matter much on the highway, the Ducati was not as stable riding on the highway as the BMW but it was ok for a short wheelbase bike with gear. 6. SOUL FACTOR. Ducati wins hands down. No contest. Every time you swing a leg over the Ducati you can’t wait to get going. The sound, the power, the handling, the looks. Oh yeah. Liked my RT, loved my Ducati!

I live on Brazil where everything is more expensive, but i have the money. This is my dream bike, i currently own a g 650 gs 2016 and thinking about this as damn great upgrade.

Had a 2013 I put on 10k miles in a year, no problems what so ever, do the Desmo service myself. Now I just got a 2016 1200S DVT to play with.

I had a 2010 Multi that I put 45,000 miles on. Agreed; it’s a masterpiece. I only had one mechanical issue that Ducati fixed under warranty that was a rare quirk with that first new generation; radiator fluid leaked into crank case. That aside not one single issue ever. I rode that bike hard and it never let me down in all sorts of circumstances. And I believe it may have saved me from severe injury when the traction control kicked in when I hit sand on a tight turn. I’m seriously thinking of selling my R1250GS and going back to do the Duc…I really miss it.

Great review and riding footage! I'm a little biased because I picked up a 950S last month and am loving it! Looking forward to more vids! Pretty slick "forgetting" dinner. Gives you an excuse to ride more!

I really can't wait to get my hands on One of these! I've been after a 1200s for a long time, but now the V4 is in showrooms, the 1260s has dropped in used value, so I think that's the direction I'm heading in.

Sweet review, appreciate hearing opinions after mileage! Nice outro too hah

Great review brother. Traded the 2015 multi you sold me and now in the process of looking for a 2019/20

Hi Jason Yep..I fully agree..the 1260 S is a super fun bike..I get an enourmous amount of pleasure riding it and it is probabl;y the best bike for satisfaction I have ever owned. Mine is a 2019 and I fitted a full Termi system. It does move the torgue band, app 1500 rpm up but the sound is intoxicating. ..so im not sure if sacrifycing torgue for additional power is correct. I have done 13,000km , mainly long trips and the only problem I recently experienced is a vibration from 3500 rpm. but seems to ease off after 6000. It is very noticable. Everything has been checked out. The dealer adjusted the timing belt which was out of spec and whilts it helped, still there. Im curious if anyone else has experienced this problem. Apart from that..its an awesome bike and I find it difficult to justify a bag of cash for the new V4

Yes Thank God I will buy one for myself

Great video - that image you had of the bike with the reflection was amazing !!

I am pulling the trigger this winter on one. So is this more like the V2s or the V4s. I’m looking for a fun sports tourer. And can’t decide between the two. Nice video man, thanks!

Really nice review bro!! Appreciate it!!

I was going to buy the V4 but I’m getting a 1260S instead. V4 has moved away from many things I like about the multistrada

I wish you had covered what it's like maintaining / servicing it on your own or if you bring into a shop. Maintenance is a huge aspect of ownership, needing a computer to reset service lights is a PIA.

Nice pleasant review. Do you think they will make a smaller lighter version with their V2 engine in the near future?

🤣 did get some food 🤣🤣 mcdonald's here you go honey 🤣 awesome. Love the video. Keep them coming

Very nice bike !! I do like it even more at enduro version (sand color) only if I could afford it :) , you enjoy be safe !

Love mine as well

The most pretty Ducati ever made, i don´t like the new 2021 V4.. very ugly

How come its not raining in Seattle its at similar latitude to Ireland? Great review best I’ve seen but the bike stole the show 👍🤭

Great review, thank you! I do have one question: with all that power and size, is it really ok for city/commuter riding? Most of my use will be in and out to work but I’d like to have access to the power for touring. Worried that it might be clunky for day-to-day driving

Hey man nice video. I’m in seattle as well.

Hey man- you mentioned you got a passenger back rest, right? What was that? Can you throw up a link? Preciate it.

Is it too big for daily commute?