New (to me) Ducati week

I have read that the seat is not very comfortable, but there are aftermarket alternatives like Corbin or Sargent. Neighbor of mine used to have one just like your picture and rode it all the time.

I personally like this version better than the new water-cooled ones, they seem like a response to the BMW GS and KTM adventure bikes, while the original air-cooled Multistrada is more like the Cagiva Gran Canyon. Just a practical scooter for almost all uses.

To each his own but if I bought what you have, avoid the temptation to put exhaust on it. I have an 851 that will set off car alarms and you can hear it for miles, literally. Sounds great when in the mood for it, not so great coming home at midnight.

 

Great choice! The 1st gen 04-09 'multi 1000/1100 is one of the best all around street bikes ever made imo. That is a very nice looking 1100 "S" wet clutch or "1.1" version.

I'm slightly more partial to the "1.0" 1000cc dry clutch variant. It seems to have just a little more edge to it. But really I'm just splitting hairs.

Its always encouraging to see them bonestock with the reflectors and everything still on there. No one was messing about!

Great 2-up bike. If you still have the wheelie bug (who me?) get ready to laugh inside your helmet for hours.

As tundra states, these are a far better real world bike than the 2010 and newer 1200cc electro-keyless-wonder machine. Those are far too BMW GS-ish in the "more is more better" way of thinking. Owning one of those after they have some miles and a few years under their belt is a fate I don't aspire to.

The stock seat got better in '05. I find it works just fine. Those fancy Ohlins forks are a magic carpet ride however they eat fork seals for breakfast. Get used to that. They seem to go longer between leaking with regular use and by keeping the fork legs clean.

Yes a full exhaust with tuning will really wake it up and shed a crap-ton of weight. No negative other than increased noise and a lighter wallet.

When you have the valve clearance checked again at 15k miles make sure the tech knows what he is doing and checks for excessive valve stem wear. Alternatively if you begin to notice untoward oil consumption before then the guides are prolly the culprit.

From the pic the fuel tank does not seem swollen. Big issue! Maybe its already been replaced and internally coated.

An 08-12 Hypermotard 1100 is essentially an 04-09 Multistrada 1000/1100 in a different suit. My current hooligan machine!
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The current 821/939 Hypermotard and Hyperstrada do nothing for me. However, the original 1100cc bad boy is so faithful to the original concept bike, funky, and cool it would be a tempting purchase. That or the short-lived (in the US anyway) Dorsoduro 1200 would be a great city and tight back road bike.

As for the Ohlins seals, they make a neoprene sleeve that slides onto the male fork slider that is designed to prevent crud and nicks to the polished tube. No pretty titanium nitride gold look though when using those.

 

Awesome all around bikes.

Debating between a multi or hyper myself!