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1200S as a track/racebike?

3847 Views 24 Replies 15 Participants Last post by steverparker, Jul 12, 2012

HTR83

Discussion Starter · Jul 10, 2012

Hi guys! First post and not a Ducati owner, yet

But I'm thininking (well, already made up my mind) of buyning a 1200S and use it as a track/racebike! I know the 1199, 1198 or any other Ducati would be better suited, but I want the MST 1200S.
I've just sold my fully speced R1, the race van and all the equipment 'cause I got tired of racing. Also, my ambition outweighed my talent. There was no way I was gonna be the Swedish SBK Champion

I wanna go back to just riding motorcycles for fun again, but I know that it will be a lot of trackdays and no dirt whatsoever. Before I purchase the bike I would like some of your opinions. I've gone through the last 50 pages of the Multistrada section here at ducati.ms but I couldn't find much related to trackdays or racing so I was hoping for some help..

- How well does the Öhlins/DES work at the track? New stiffer springs (more oil?) and then you're ready to go?
- Is the Ducati shift arm required for reversed shifting or can you just flip the rod/lever 180 degrees?
- Same wheels as the 1X98? Easy to find a set of spares on eBay then..
- Are there any rearsets avaible? Can't really imagine how to fit them but.. Are there any?
- If not, have anyone tested theese? 50mm offset sounds like enough ground clearence.
- Best QS, Bazzaz I guess?

For thoose of you how are fast at the track. How well does it handle? I know its not a superbike, but is it good enough for some fun or is it just horrible when driving it fast?
My plan is to buy a touring, mount a GPS and still be in the racegroup

Cheers!
//H

1 - 20 of 25 Posts

Paulie

· #2 · Jul 10, 2012

Search youtube for Multistrada Trackday (How well can the Ducati Multistrada do...) for a look at an MTS chewing up everyone on the track. You might chat with that guy.

As for me, and I'm pretty much a novice at the track, I'd think the MTS is a bit big of a machine to be flicking back and forth and hanging off through the esses - at least compared to some CBRs and GSXRs I've ridden. But then I'm a tall guy (6-4), so I also get pretty cramped on those after a short while.

You may need some mods for the pegs and suspension. Others here will no doubt have more to say.

webman

· #3 · Jul 10, 2012

Why would you want to fit a round peg in a sqaure hole

For track use that is.

Buckeye

· #4 · Jul 10, 2012

HTR83 said:
I know its not a superbike, but is it good enough for some fun or is it just horrible when driving it fast?
My plan is to buy a touring, mount a GPS and still be in the racegroup

Cheers!
//H

Sure you can track it and have fun too. Probably want stiffer springs but that's skill/weight relative. The biggest issue to me is the low pegs which will drag pretty easily. I've moved mine up with the Gilles adjustable pegs but they're still lower than a sportbike. So far...no rearsets but it is a touring bike/hotrod.

If you don't expect it to perform like your R1...it'll be fun and you'll embarrass a lot of dedicated track bikes!

archimedio

· #5 · Jul 10, 2012

Love my Multi, but no, no, and no. Buying one solely for trackdays would make no sense. If you want something upright and a little different for trackdays, look into the new Aprilia Tuono V4R. More power, better handling, better sound and better ergos for a day at the track. And it's a fair bit cheaper.

expatbrit

· #6 · Jul 10, 2012

Paulie said:
Search youtube for Multistrada Trackday (How well can the Ducati Multistrada do...) for a look at an MTS chewing up everyone on the track. You might chat with that guy.

As for me, and I'm pretty much a novice at the track, I'd think the MTS is a bit big of a machine to be flicking back and forth and hanging off through the esses - at least compared to some CBRs and GSXRs I've ridden. But then I'm a tall guy (6-4), so I also get pretty cramped on those after a short while.

You may need some mods for the pegs and suspension. Others here will no doubt have more to say.

I've tracked mine; our local track is pretty damn tight and I'm a novice trackday rider still. (Ah, confidence!).

I don't think I'd use it as a dedicated trackbike. Expensive, and not really ideal -- but certainly very capable. I've gone to mostly using the WR250X since I don't have the added fear of 'OMG HOW MUCH TO FIX', and on what's almost a very little track the light bike is great fun.

Buckeye

· #7 · Jul 10, 2012

expatbrit said:
I don't think I'd use it as a dedicated trackbike.

The first para of the OP made me think he was talking about a dedicated track bike. But, later on he was saying "a lot of track days", which made me think that it wasn't track only. He should probably clear that up to get better feedback!

I'm with you...track only: No. Track periodically: Sure...it would be fun.

My848

· #8 · Jul 10, 2012

HTR83 said:
Hi guys! First post and not a Ducati owner, yet

But I'm thininking (well, already made up my mind) of buyning a 1200S and use it as a track/racebike! I know the 1199, 1198 or any other Ducati would be better suited, but I want the MST 1200S.
I've just sold my fully speced R1, the race van and all the equipment 'cause I got tired of racing. Also, my ambition outweighed my talent. There was no way I was gonna be the Swedish SBK Champion

I wanna go back to just riding motorcycles for fun again, but I know that it will be a lot of trackdays and no dirt whatsoever. Before I purchase the bike I would like some of your opinions. I've gone through the last 50 pages of the Multistrada section here at ducati.ms but I couldn't find much related to trackdays or racing so I was hoping for some help..

- How well does the Öhlins/DES work at the track? New stiffer springs (more oil?) and then you're ready to go?
- Is the Ducati shift arm required for reversed shifting or can you just flip the rod/lever 180 degrees?
- Same wheels as the 1X98? Easy to find a set of spares on eBay then..
- Are there any rearsets avaible? Can't really imagine how to fit them but.. Are there any?
- If not, have anyone tested theese? 50mm offset sounds like enough ground clearence.
- Best QS, Bazzaz I guess?

For thoose of you how are fast at the track. How well does it handle? I know its not a superbike, but is it good enough for some fun or is it just horrible when driving it fast?
My plan is to buy a touring, mount a GPS and still be in the racegroup

Cheers!
//H

Search for fontana and mts1200...AMA track, very fast...guys riding MTS1200...

I've been tempted to take mine to BigWillow...just might next year...the only issue I have is that I would need new tires and need to move the pegs up by an 1"...

HTR83

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 10, 2012 (Edited)

Buckeye said:
The first para of the OP made me think he was talking about a dedicated track bike. But, later on he was saying "a lot of track days", which made me think that it wasn't track only. He should probably clear that up to get better feedback!

I'm with you...track only: No. Track periodically: Sure...it would be fun.

Your right! It's not gonna be a "trackbike". I've been race-only for the last three years and now I'm missing driving just for fun. Driving on the roads, make a road trip and so on.

Racing ( for me) was 50% saving cash for new tires, 40% saving cash for training/racing and 10% actually racing. Even thou I loved it, I got tired of it, lost the spark. I need something new, maybe one day in the future I'll get back to racing.

But for now I need a bike thats good in the streets. Is comfy enough for a 4-5h drive with the Mrs. at the back. And still is fun at the track! One bike for each purpose would be just as good as expensive.. I'm hoping the MST is the compromise that will be good enough? But I'm stuck at the track thing.. Will it work?

I know the MST is good as a everyday-bike. But I have no clue at all on how it is at the track. If (when) I buy one I will probobly average one trackday a week seen over a whole season. If it feels like a Varadero/1300GS/990 Adventure when it comes to handling & brakes it's not the bike for me. But, since every review I've found really seem to like it and are admiring the handling, what are they comparing to? I get the impression, from reading, that the bike might do pretty well at the track?! I'm not expecting the same handling as my fully Öhlins-equipped R1, not even close (best handling bike I've ever driven!). But how good/bad is it compared to a Monster for example?

Now when you know my story, maybe I can get some more help with the other questions in the first post?

//H

*EDIT* Reverse shifting, quickshifter, lifted pegs (50mm enough?) and spare wheels with slicks are the most important mods.

Sent from my iPhone using MO Free

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martinm3j

· #10 · Jul 10, 2012

Buckeye said:
The first para of the OP made me think he was talking about a dedicated track bike. But, later on he was saying "a lot of track days", which made me think that it wasn't track only. He should probably clear that up to get better feedback!

I'm with you...track only: No. Track periodically: Sure...it would be fun.

Ditto. I lust after a Panigale or S1000RR or Aprilia or... for a real track bike, but seriously, once or maybe twice a year - can't justify it. The Multi is quite capable, but if track days got to be more than 10% of it's "mission", I'd probably choose a different bike.

-GREG-

· #11 · Jul 10, 2012

The MTS is a blast on the track. Coming from a track only bike you will have to change your riding style some. I had to. The shifter is not reversible but can be raised some. Ground clearance is the main problem for the MTS on the track. Depending on your weight, you may want to upgrade the rear spring. Im 175 and was able to get the sag set correctly without upgrading to the heavier spring. Here is a link to my trackday ride report.

http://www.ducati.ms/forums/44-multistrada/135511-1003-miles-nyc-barber-motorsports-trackday.html

rocketair

· #12 · Jul 10, 2012

It will be way better than the bikes you listed that's for sure. no comparison to a monster IMO. I can run with the fast group on the Multi, can't imagine doing that on a Monster.

With everything you list it makes a lot of sense - the thing that probably throws everyone off is the tracking it once a week part. That's just a lot of track time to not have a dedicated bike for it (but not judging, just saying why it's a hesitation to recommend.)

Assuming one had to choose a bike outside of the sportbike catagory to ride on a track, my order of preference would be a Tuono RSV4 and then an MTS1200 - so it's very high up there in that respect.

archimedio

· #13 · Jul 11, 2012

For me this issue would be more about tires. I want something very sticky on the track and something great in the wet on my Multi. Regardless of what the brochures say, I don't believe there is a tire that can truly run A group trackday pace safely and also be a good wet weather/sport touring tire. And I can't stand constantly swapping tires out. I was originally thinking that I'd keep Supercorsa SPs on my Multi full time and do track days on it, but I changed my mind and I'm going to leave it set up for year round touring and buy something else for more mental street riding and track days.

amullo

· #14 · Jul 11, 2012 (Edited)

The guy on the youtube clipping along at a good rate is Greg Tracy, a 6 (!) time Pikes peak winner, so not exactly your "average" trackday rider. The bike is a bone stock MTS Pikes peak fitted with Bridgestone BT003 (type 3) tires.

I reckon that if you got a second pair of rims with brakediscs, it would be quite easy to fit those with some trackday tires and ride to and from trackdays. The BT003´s are really good but require tirewarmers. I´d rather fit something like Pirelli Supercorsa SP´s that come stock on the 1198 or a similar DOT approved Silica blend tire.

I rode my 916SPS with "tirewarmer only, cut slicks" rubber (Bridgestone BT002 Pro, BT003 Pro, Supercorsa Pro SC2/3, Power one) on the street for several years and they work fine as long as its moderatly warm, but as soon as it rains or temps drops below 50(10Celcius) your grip decreases dramatically. The reason is that the compound used in proper trackday tires gives best grip at temps over 175F/80C. At those temps the grip and feel is very good, but at "only" 100f/40C where a streettire is at its best, the "slicktire" compounds is still too cold to offer maximum grip.

But I´m planning on getting my MTS out on the track, but with a good streettire like Michellin P3´s and some good brakepads (EBC HH probably). Suspension is a questionmark so far, but atleast i dont need to bruing wrenches! Ill adjust in the pit between sessions using the DES.

On the SPS with tracktires and using tirewarmers, I was progressivly quicker during a session because i was buildning heat and grip into my "slicks". But friends using DOT tires complained that grip decreased after around 15 minutes because they overheated there OEM tires, but they had one lap of warming up and could then enjoy the session fully. Everything is a tradeoff, i was quicker but hauled around the bike with pitstands, tirewarmers and whole crapload of stuff in a trailer. They rode to and from the track.

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SPL

· #15 · Jul 11, 2012

The Tuono V4, as suggested by a few other posters, would be a much better starting point and, since it shares the RSV4's chassis and running gear, you would have a much better chance of getting the aftermarket parts you want (such as rearsets).

If you are doing a lot of track work in the fast group, the MTS isn't the bike for you IMHO. Ground clearance alone would spoil your fun.

The MTS is a great tool for once in a while track day laughs, but for a day a week there are better options.

ZenRider

· #16 · Jul 11, 2012

OP stated that he also wanted to do road trips on his new bike. Doesn't the limited range of the Tuono discourage that possibility? Or has the new V4 improved in that department?

rocketair

· #17 · Jul 11, 2012

ZenRider said:
OP stated that he also wanted to do road trips on his new bike. Doesn't the limited range of the Tuono discourage that possibility? Or has the new V4 improved in that department?

I think we can all agree that the Tuono is probably a 25% or so better track bike that the MTS but the MTS is about 100% better for touring.

What seems to be up for major debate is the range of the MTS - my fuel light goes on consistently at 90-99 miles for any riding that involves curves (including road trips on fun roads) which is roughly what the Tuono seems to do (a little less for the Tuono but close enough to compare.) But clearly people see far more than that from an Multi tank so could just be me/my bike...

archimedio

· #18 · Jul 11, 2012

SPL said:
The Tuono V4, as suggested by a few other posters, would be a much better starting point.

I have a deposit on one right now; just waiting for it to come in.

archimedio

· #19 · Jul 11, 2012

ZenRider said:
OP stated that he also wanted to do road trips on his new bike. Doesn't the limited range of the Tuono discourage that possibility? Or has the new V4 improved in that department?

Super hard seat, high pegs, very firm suspension, little wind protection, poor gas mileage and no panniers. Probably better sport tourer choices out there.

steverparker

· #20 · Jul 11, 2012

2

If you want to do it, go for it.

At barber vintage days last year I got a shot of this multi.

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