It’s a 2009 VW Jetta Sportswagen TDI, a real gas saver. Umm, diesel fuel saver, really.

It was a lucky [...]]]> We just got a new car. It’s supernice and save gas.

It’s a 2009 VW Jetta Sportswagen TDI, a real gas saver. Umm, diesel fuel saver, really.

It was a lucky find, alright.

On a Saturday afternoon, I managed to demo-ride the new Multistrada 1200 S. The bike wasn’t what I expected as hyped up, heavy, or whichever opinions from my mouth that would negate the new motorcycle. This machine is the sweetest (not one of the sweetest, IT is the SWEETEST) ride of all [...]]]> My heart bleeds Ducati.

On a Saturday afternoon, I managed to demo-ride the new Multistrada 1200 S. The bike wasn’t what I expected as hyped up, heavy, or whichever opinions from my mouth that would negate the new motorcycle. This machine is the sweetest (not one of the sweetest, IT is the SWEETEST) ride of all rides. Quoting like Tolkien wrote on his famous books, this bike is the Motorcycle to Rule All Motorcycles! If you’re a good rider, it’s imperative that you must demo it or, heck, buy it.

Okay, I have list of the sweetest rides I have ridden: Honda Hawk GT650, KTM SuperDuke 990, Ducati Multistrada 1000s (which I have now), Ducati HyperMotard, BMW K1200R, Leo’s Harley Davidson FXDX and KTM SMC 640. I have ridden a lot more bikes but they never do much for me and “Yawn” factor setting were high and I am not going to list them at all. Well, if you ask me which is the worst, the list is short or which is mediocre, the list is long. The worst I’ve ridden was a Harley Davidson Classic Heritage. Possibly the worst of all worst, maybe worst than an Enfield. Okay, Ducati’s new Multistada 1200s is the sweetest of all because it does everything you want it to do for you. It’s a combo of all bikes. Like your favorite smoothie, it’s a mix of my favorite bikes, the craziest D. Hypermotard, the comfy HD FXDX, the 160hp of madness from BMW K1200R, the versatility of the old Multistrada, and the trustworthy of the fabled Honda Hawk GT. Set it to blend it and pour it in a cup, you’ll have the Multistrada 1200s. It’s that awesome!

This bike will be your Swiss Army Knife. Using your left thumb, click and hold the button five second, find a setting that matches the environment you’re at. You’re in NYC, press to Urban then the bike set itself to 100 hp, soften up the rear and front shocks. You’re on a fast sweeping Pacific Coast Highway, press to Sport, the bike growl itself to 150hp, stiffen it’s leg readying to tear the road apart leaving blistering marks. You got a hot woman wanting to go to Vegas on your hot bike as quickly as possible for a weekend of romping, set it to Touring plus two up rider with three hard luggage full of lingeries and sex toys, you two will get there in no time with no complaints. Need to escape a fat-doughnut-eating-highway cop, set it to Enduro and disappear to San Cabos Lucas. Enduro will power down to 100hp and grow long legs.

My experience with this bike is YEOW! Gas it, the rush’s a warp-zone. The seat’s a couch unlike previous Multistrada’s plank seats. The computer dashboard’s an easy read. Starting up the bike is way too easy, keyless, really! Keep your keys in your pocket, walk up to your bike after drinking a espresso and flirting with some hot gal, sit on your bike, push the button and GO! Windscreen’s adjustable, perfect! The bike center of gravity is pure perfection, easily flickable!

Okay okay, I’ll say it… the Ducati Multistrada 1200S is pure perfection!

Great rear-end design! It felt great over [...]]]> Good machine. The Specialized Enduro Expert is alright. I especially love the rear-end and suspension design. Bombed downhill on a very rough and loose terrain. I can feel the rear shock taking a beating then smoothing it out and it made sure that it’ll not rattle my eyeballs out.

Great rear-end design! It felt great over the roughest terrain.

Front fork was a little screw up. Of course, this is a demo bike frequented by multiple user. Told the shop that the fork should be rebuild. Still, it hold well over fast downhill.

Rock Shox Lyrik IS 2-step fork didn't function well, needs rebuild but held up pretty good.

The seat height adjuster controlled via handlebar switch is a wonderful accessory. I have one myself and will intend to use it on my next bike, as long as it fit the frame’s seat post. Stand up pedaling, click the switchgear and the seat goes up to set optimal uphill pedaling power while seated high enough. There’s a steep downhill, stay on saddle, click the switchgear, and seat goes down using your heavy butt. Nifty.

Specialized Adjustable-on-the-fly seat post! NIFTY!!

The front end designed by Specialized is somewhat wonky. I can assume that the stem’s short, 60mm long. Maybe an 80mm stem will solve it. The guy at Mike’s Bike shop in Berkeley said that the most expensive fork, the Fox Talas 36 is a better one since you can set it to a low 135mm travel for better uphill climb. That’s ideal and probably would solve the wonky turning at very low speed.

Would I buy this bike? Probably not only due to it’s front-end design and a tight cockpit. I was sitting up right all the way uphill, not an ideal position. I still have a few demo rides to test out. Will post them on my blog next time.  You could say I could go to Sea Otter and try most of the mountain bikes there but there are too many people and I am not in a mood to be crowded out and lose focus on any of the bike itself.  I got three more bike to test out before buying the right one. As I’ve said on my twitter, “One Bike to Rule All”.  To add, I am so retired from riding the ass-rattling hard tails nowadays. Modern suspension bike are already sorted out. That is, no more bobbing while pedaling up hill.

Anyway, here’s a photo gallery of the bike.