Seems more and more dealers are going this route, not having dedicated demo bikes for prospective buyers or erstwhile test pilots to go out and flog without a nanny. Now the circus comes to town, you book your test ride and go out in a group. I've been wanting to try the new Multistrada with the DVT engine and other improvements so I signed up, the salesman assuring me they were going to take us out on a nice long ride along a "sporting route". So I get there for, as they humbly refer to it, "The Ducati Experience" and they gather us together and read the rules: no passing, no sling-shotting (slowing down so you can whack the throttle and see what it feels like...), and two wheels on the ground at all times. There's about 10 of us testing bikes for the 2:00 ride, and they send us out with one lead rider pacing us, and one other employee rider bringing up the rear. The first thing leader dude did was take us directly into a 20 min road construction traffic jam, that he told us was there before we even left the shop. Just an appalling lack of imagination, and as a local, I would never put myself in that position on a motorcycle because there are plenty of other routes that would've avoided it. So I got to find out first hand how much heat the Multi throws up in traffic, which is not Panigale roasty, but not pleasant either. Then we putted along at the speed limit like a bunch of orange vest wearing newbs on 250 Honda Rebels in a learn to ride course. It was excruciating. I know the guy was damned if he did and damned if he didn't and better to frustrate a guy like me than get the whole fleet impounded by the cops or set a pace that results in somebody wadding it on an unfamiliar bike, but jeezuz, how about treating us like adults who have ridden a few times? When I got back the salesman knew I was unimpressed with the "Ducati Experience" group demo ride, so he gave me the new GS Beemer ADV water boxer and I went out and abused that thing like a rented mule until I felt better. He also said he'd call me and let me ride the Multi unescorted when they get a Demo bike in the shop. Here's my very brief impressions: the Multi is lighter, faster, and more comfortable than my aging VFR. By any measure, it is superior, except my VFR is paid for, and as good as modern bikes like the Multi and the GS are, they are not five times better than a VFR, or even twice as good. They're just more refined, more complex, more bells and whistles, and much more money. So if you have 25 grand just kicking around that you don't know what to do with, you should buy one of these bikes. For the rest of us, try being happy with what you have. After getting off those two super-duper bikes, my VFR still felt pretty good. And it's smoother and more like a sport bike, if that does it for you. It does for me.
Wow, I actually felt your pain, what a bunch of Bozo's not avoiding the construction. I sat one one at Laguna and boy, felt very comfortable but 20-25K ...never mind....
The Ducati dealer I ride with just let's you take the bike after getting your info and signing. I've ridden both the 899 and the 1299 Panigale upinthecanyons. Both quite fun, but they'll roast your nuts faster than a campfire. Especially the 1299. I haven't ridden the Multi yet.
