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Looking at a 2013 S Touring

4K views 32 replies 16 participants last post by  Pgalligan 
#1 ·
So I'm sort of hot on this low-mileage 2013 S and ready to make the plunge, but I wanted to reach out to see what I may be getting myself into. There's obviously no more warranty on this bike so I"m concerned I"m going to get nailed with some big-ticket repairs.
Do any of you know if this year was problematic? I haven't heard much bad about the pre-DVT engine but there are forums rife with Multi issues for any year. I'm hoping common issues were all addressed under warranty by this time.

What sort of trouble does one get himself into when buying a three year old multi??? It would be my only bike so a serious amount of time in the shop would not be acceptable.
 
#3 ·
there are forums rife with Multi issues for any year.
Keep in mind when you are reading forums that the vast majority of postings are from owners with their problems or gripes looking for advice. Owners don't generally make postings like "hey, I rode 500 miles yesterday and didn't have a single problem".

Myself, I have owned two (a 2011 and 2014). Other than the fuel level sensing unit, I have not had a problem with either bike.
 
#7 ·
I just flipped 24k miles on mine over the weekend. Superb bike. Fuel level sensor replaced twice (now it's "good enough" I suppose), shift return springs recently broke (inside the motor on the other side of the flywheel - pedal went limp, $500 repair), and that's about it. The 15k service sucked massive balls (waaaay more than I thought it would be). I've already bought some Brembo Monobloc M4's to replace the front calipers, so I'm going to be doing that to the bike soon along with some other stuff. I love it, probably hands down one of the best bikes I've ever owned (and number 50 for me, since '85). In sport mode, it's hauls ass. Plus it looks pretty damn good - dat beak, I love it.

 
#8 ·
To sum it up ... I'd buy my 2013 again; no question (25,000 km).

It has been my best bike ever - been riding over 40 years. That is in spite of what has been mentioned above (shifter spring (really?!) and fuel level sender (on order - 1st one)). I really enjoy being able to ride the twisty's with the sport bikes and then enjoy forest service roads they won't go near.

A lemon is always possible but the odds are very small with a 2013/14.
Enjoy thinking on it.
 
#9 ·
So far I'm happy with my 13' MTS GT. Despite the following, 2 recalls, 1 failed fuel level sensor, 1 failed hands free receiver, the rear brake going away completely after 3k miles (needed to be bled), a buzzing sound at 3k RPM (was the center stand spring), and most recently the clutch went away on a road trip across the country (needed to be bled).

It rides amazingly, it's fast, and it's nimble. Two issues that have me wanting a new one, no cruise control on the 13' model, and the variable valve timing on the new one. The prior engine (15' and prior?) is a bit clunky at low speeds. I did purchase a manual throttle lock that does the job of an electronic cruise control, sort of...

Good luck!

cls
 
#10 ·
I've got the same bike in a '14. Had it just a tad over a year and just turned 11k miles on it. I absolutely love it. The seat is not the most comfortable, but what bike seat is? I've taken it through gravel roads, dirt, and a lot of pavement. It simply works (great I might add) on all of them. Just finished a 3,652.9 mile trip on it and it was flawless the entire time. I've recently started teaching MSF BRC classes and I get asked all the time what my dream bike is; I tell them the one I'm riding. Seriously, if I were going to get a new bike it would be the same bike...probably a newer version now I guess. Or, maybe the new BMW S1000XR. That's only because it basically a copy of the Multi. Even looks the same.
 
#11 ·
I have seen a sign at my Ducati dealer referring to 6.5 hours labor on a MS desmo service (9.5 hours for a Panigale!) . So I guess I will be about about $600 before any part is replaced. Likely to be close to $1K for a desmo service. This sucks, I agree!
 
#12 ·
48000 km so far

fuel tank sensor replaced under warranty,

rear DSS sensor replaced under warranty,

front fork seal replaced under warranty,

and spark plug leeds replaced under warranty

none of the above stopped 48000 km of bliss and alot of this was in the back blocks of very rural Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.

I've added a SC project decat, Tuneboy remap with Cruise Control and Quick shifter, 7jurlok wind screen, radiator guard, water pump guard and crash bars.

I've ridden the 15 DVT, think i prefer my 13S.

I've ridden the 12 S, I absolutly prefer my 13S.

just my 2 cents
 
#27 ·
none of the above stopped 48000 km of bliss and alot of this was in the back blocks of very rural Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.
Good on ya! Will say you're a brave man riding such a high tech, black box-driven Italian bike upcountry! Rode my 996 in and around Bangkok, and from Phuket to Bangkok, in the knowledge that if it acted up, I'd know what to look for in the likely suspects department. It's my fourth bike with the 996 mill and its assorted bits.
 
#13 ·
Great feedback guys, thanks.
It's tough, because you hear about all the warranty repair it needs, but in the same breath about it being the best bike ever. MY dealer is a tad far so frequent trips to the dealer, and more importantly, multiple-day repairs, may ruin any positive experience I have with the bike. If the dealer was down the road then I wouldn't feel the same trepidation.
I'm running out of choices though. There simply are no comfortable bikes that aren't overly ADV'ish (like the GS or KTMs), that also handle the twisties well. The multi certain covers all those bases.
Also, I think I like the pre-DVT engine is better at this point only because they are still working out the bugs.

What to do....
 
#14 ·
What work has been done on the bike already? Or did I miss this up top (I'm lazy like that)?

Maybe the big issues that may pop up have already been taken care of.


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#16 ·
1,200 miles on a 14S.
Odometer repair - didn't work from new
water pump cover developed coolant leak
rear brake nearly gone
I think maybe fuel sender starting to get flakey
No regrets, would purchase again
 
#17 ·
I've got a '14GT and love it so far. The fuel tank thing is aggravating but mine isn't near as bad as what I hear from others. Someone mentioned cruise control which the '13s didn't come with but can be added on from TuneBoy and from what I read, it's a pretty decent unit. I want to get it myself but I'm working on paying the bike off first.
 
#18 ·
The TuneBoy cruise control works very well...mostly. I just took a 3652 mile trip and did find some little "glitches" with it. It would periodically, and randomly, have a "twitch". It would cut off and the bike would drop about 5~7 mph in speed and then pick back up. Not sure what the deal was. The fuel mapping is good. The support sucks. And, it says you can clear the Oil Change Reset Indicator...but I can't. I will say; cruise control is the greatest invention ever on a long trip. Simply amazing.
 
#20 ·
I have a December 2013 1200 S Touring, with 16,000km on it.

Things that went wrong - (1) fuel gauge, & (2) ignition switch failed (bike would stop with oil light on - took ages to work out what was going wrong, but a relatively simple fix).

Things I've changed -

(1) offered the GT upgrade for a good price (crash bars, bigger screen, top box)

(2) ProTaper bars, moved my upper body forward slightly, taking pressure off the base of my spine

(3) Rizoma rear indicators (the new exhaust toasted the stock ones), bar ends, mirrors and reservoirs

(4) SC Projects Oval pipes

(5) Sargent saddle

I also added the TuneBoy cruise control. Great bike - the only essential modification for me was changing the saddle. As others have said, it's lumpy at low revs but completely feral if you push it a bit. Fabulous. Oh, and the rear brake isn't too flash, but you can belled off speed with it and it will hold me, with my partner and luggage on a hill - what more do you need?
 
#24 ·
So then the bike wasn't necessarily down, you just rode with it not knowing what was wrong?

I'm a little bit of a monkey on a football type guy but not overly so. I do like leaning forward a bit for the sake of my lower back. That and I think you just get a better feel for the front wheel. I like the posture of the multi relative to other ADV style bikes but I would need to put some distance to, and/or lower, the bars.
 
#26 ·
2013 is amazing - had it since April of 2013. Haven't put too many miles on it, around 3500 miles or so. Had to bring it in for a recall on the suspension for the rear sensor and also the front forks. I know low mileage, but it's a great bike. Besides normal maintenance, it's been perfect for me.
 
#29 ·
I have a 2013 MTS 1200 S that I purchased new in June of 2014. The good: Awesome power, comfortable all day, love the versatility, good for two up rides but also for more "spirited" riding on my own. Heated grips are nice and I was able to add cruise control and quick shift through Tuneboy which added any features that were "lacking".

Now for the bad: I'm on my fourth fuel level sensor and I wonder every time I hop on the bike if today will be the day the damn thing goes out again. The rear brake is damn near useless. I feel like I'm always bleeding it to restore power. Granted, 90% of the time I'm using the front brake but I like to at least have a functional rear brake. Keyless start is about as dumb an idea on a motorcycle as can be imagined. It works without incident about 80-90% of the time. It generally chooses to fail when I'm leaving in a group and people are waiting on me, shaking their head at my $20k msrp ride that requires a special ritual just to start. Wind noise/buffeting has been a major nuisance for me that I have only had limited success in mitigating. Bear in mind my previous ride was a Triumph Speed Triple which, with my Arai helmet, was whisper quiet with unobstructed air.

That's about it. Despite its flaws, I still love the bike and I'd probably buy it again because really, what's out there that's better? Hope that helps.
 
#30 ·
Yes it does, thanks. Especially coming from another Speed Triple rider. I think I have a pretty clear understanding of this bike at this point. I've ridden three different ones so I know I like how it rights. I'm just sort of bugged it has these issues at that price tag. There's really no excuse for that. But, as everyone says, they are livable.

You're right in that there isn't anything really out there. That's why I got the Ninja. I'm a sport-tourer guy through and through, the Sprint GT being one of my favorite all time bikes, though heavy. I really just want a Sprint ST to be re-release but that's not going to happen. That's what drove me towards the Ninja. It's under 550lbs., has luggage and wind protection, and some decent power (especially after a re-flash). It is, however, not very comfortable. Not a good long-distance bike at all. Other than the comfort it's the closest thing to s Sprint ST. The reason I like the multi is, though an ADV style bike, it is the sportiest, and as one poster pointed out, can have the bars dropped for more lean. I do like it's power as well, though the S1000XR has a bit more. The biggest issue is that the dealer is not very close and I would regret the purchase if I had to make frequent trips.
 
#32 ·
To make up for my thread hijack above...

I have a 2013 bought new in 2014 with full Termi system, TuneBoy cruise control & Quickshifter and has been dyno tuned. 54000km on it. Best bike for sure and I do not want to part with it!

Had some WTY issues in the first year that made me wonder if I should keep it, but none of those issues stopped me riding the bike and it's been great since. I think the best thing I did was start getting it serviced at a local tuner (where the dyno was done). They cost me a bit more but their attention to detail and care for the bike is excellent.

The WTY issues I had:
Heated grips failed. I actually suspect that the dealer forgot to reconnect it under the tank after a service. I didn't notice straight away because it wasn't cold. When it happened a second time during winter, I noticed straight away so had a look for myself and found it had not been reconnected.
Rear suspension sensor failed. This is not a cheap part so I would hate to have to pay for it myself. It reverts to hardest suspension settings when this happens so can be uncomfortable to ride but not as bad as some super bikes.
Transmitter in key failed. The thing that pissed me off with this was that it took Ducati Australia at least 4 weeks just to decide whether they would cover it under WTY (at least that's what the dealer claims).
Fuel sensor failed. Seems to be a pretty common issue. I'm expecting it to fail again in the next 12mths. If it does I may not bother fixing it. I have a pretty good feel for how much range I have now so I could revert to the old fashioned way of using the trip meter.

Non-WTY: fork seal needed replacing after about 12,000km. This happened on a 4000km trip, which had a bit of roadworks and dirt road riding.

I would just suggest doing your due diligence on the bike's history and looking for a reputable non-dealer mech with Ducati experience to look after it. I'm lucky in that the mech I'm using now is a highly trained Ducati and MV specialist. He did the training for the Multistrada at the factory in Italy. There was a recall for the throttle which you should make sure was done.

Brilliant bike. The most common thing I hear when I ride with a group of Italian bike nuts here is "fuck that Multistrada goes hard" :D The only advantage they have over me when riding on the road is one they can rarely use - top end power.


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