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Ducati Multistrada 1200

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Recall

Ducati Recalls Multistrada for Three Defects

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Before anyone cracks the joke, no Ducati is not recalling the 2010 Multistrada 1200 for it’s bird-beaked appearance. Instead, the Italian manufacturer is recalling the sport-touring motorcycle for some faulty screws in the bike’s center stand and steering head, and also for faulty throttle cable routing that causes the cable to rub against the bike’s radiator. Issuing three separate recalls for these problems, the screw recalls affect all MTS 1200 models, while the center stand issue is related only to the Multistrada 1200 S Touring model.

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Opinion/Editorial

Let’s Hype This Bitch! – 60 Day Wait for the 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200

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Ducati has reported that the first 500 initial pre-orders for the 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 have been filled, and there is now a 60 day waiting period for the new sport-tourer. Citing a strong reception to the Multistrada’s “four-bikes-in-one” capability, Ducati sees an additional 500 units to be sold in the coming months. This last statement seems sort of like a no-brainer, after-all another 500 bikes will be sold eventually, right?

Actually, the entire statement is sort of strange when you consider what 500 pre-sold orders really entails in a markets like the United States & Canada. With a plethora of dealers in these countries, the reality is that this statement amounts to dealerships pre-selling their initial inventory, which consisted of one or two motorcycles. Yes, the Ducati Multistrada 1200 is sold-out for the next two month, but when you ship only 500 units to the entire North American market, you can almost guarantee being sold out on a bike during its release, right?

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News

Ducati Multistrada 1200 Video Recap

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How important is the 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 to the Italian company? Consider this, despite releasing a bevy of new and revised motorcycles for the 2010 model year, only the Multistrada 1200 has seen the Bologna company bend over backwards to market its sport-tourer with a bevy of videos. Part of this is due to the extra pocket change seen in the adventure segment of motorcycling, but an even more important reason for Ducati’s aggressive media push is the need for the Italian brand to stand for something more than just expensive sport bikes.

Before there were Hypermotards and Multistrada 1200’s, Ducati still saw the lion’s share of its sales come from the Monster line, despite the company being better known for its Superbike line. Unlike some other companies, Ducati was fortunate enough to realize that you can’t play in only one market segment, and began looking for new ways to expand it’s product lineup…thus the Multistrada 1200 was born. In an effort to keep up with all the marketing around the beak-nosed bike, we’ve compiled all of the Ducati Multistrada 1200 videos we could find, so sit back, grab a beverage, and enjoy them after the jump.

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News

First Ducati Multistrada 1200 Off the Assembly Line

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Ducati has announced that the first 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 has rolled off the assembly line in Bologna, Italy. The white MTS 1200S with Öhlins suspension got the usual Ducati welcome, with champagne toasts and even a “baptizing” ceremony. The first Multistrada 1200S’s are set to be available by April of this year, while the MTS 1200 base model and ABS version should be out later in in May.

The Multistrada 1200 is an important motorcycle for Ducati as it shows the brand extending its mark beyond the performance bike realm, and into the sport-touring class, which is no easy feat considering the adventure bike/sport-touring king, the BMW GS, is the best selling motorcycle in the world. To help battle the GS, Ducati has made the Multistrada 1200 to have an engine with the longest service intervals in Ducati history: 15,000 miles. Photos of the first production Multistrada 1200 after the jump.

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News

Testastretta 11° Motor Gets 15,000 Service Intervals

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We still have several months before the Ducati Multistrada 1200 is released here in the United States, but Ducati North America has revealed that the cost of owning the $14,995 Multistrada will be even cheaper with the now announced 15,000 mile valve service interval. With the longer mileage between major services, the Multistrada 1200 better positions itself as a touring/adventure option and to compete against the BMW R1200GS.

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Bikes

2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 Unveiled at EICMA

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Ducati held their press meeting today, just before tomorrow’s opening of the EICMA motorcycle show. The biggest announcement of course was the new 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200, which will come in three variants, the: 1200 (base), 1200S, and 1200S Touring. All three variants will feature Ducati’s first ABS setup, and the “S” models will have Ducati’s new electronic suspension (DES). More after the jump.

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Bikes

2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 Photos Leaked

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UPDATE: Click here for Ducati’s official unveiling of the Multistrada 1200 at EICMA.

EICMA must be leaking like a sieve, as this is the third leak we’ve gotten ahead of next week’s show (check for a view of the 2010 Aprilia Shiver 750 & 2010 Aprilia Dorsoduro Factory). This time, we’ve gotten pictures of highly anticipated (or is it hyped?) 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200.

These photos appear to be the first official shots of the new Multistrada 1200, and they show off not only the “S” version with its Öhlins suspension, but also give a good look at the bike with its OEM saddle bags (could this be the “T” touring model that was rumored?). Click after the jump to see what the fuss is all about.

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