DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1000 (2004 - 2009) Review

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 4.4 out of 5 (4.4/5)
Annual servicing cost: £230
Power: 85 bhp
Seat height: Medium (32.3 in / 820 mm)
Weight: Medium (432 lbs / 196 kg)

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The Ducati Multistrada 1000DS was a bold attempt at tourer/town/sportster hybrid motorcycle and mostly hits the mark. Whacky styling masks a truly versatile motorcycle mixed with Italian style. Low screen, smallish tank and limited performance from the air-cooled two-valve engine are only slight niggles.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
3 out of 5 (3/5)

On face value, the Ducati Multistrada 1000DS shouldn’t work – monster trailie motorcycle dimensions and posture mixed with street brakes and tyres should equal boingy mess – but it does, thanks to clean sheet design and street calibrated suspension. The Ducati Multistrada 1000DS is tall yet assured with zestful steering, although its not quite sharp and sophisticated enough to be a true sportster motorcycle. As a touring motorcycle it’s roomy and pleasant (although the seat’s too thin, screen too low and fuel warning light far too pessimistic). Overall it slaughters other ‘upright’ motorcycles.

Engine

Next up: Reliability
3 out of 5 (3/5)

Air-cooled, two-valve, dual spark (the DS bit) 1000DS engine is Ducati’s proven, run-of-the-mill mainstay of the early noughties. The Multistrada is flexible, friendly and invigorating enough if a little rough in terms of its gearchange and low-rev response. With just 85bhp its no full-on sportsbike powerplant, either, which limits the Ducati Multistrada 1000DS' sporting credentials. A worthy rather than remarkable motorcycle. Upgraded with a 95bhp 1100cc version in 2007 which improves rather than transforms things.

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
3 out of 5 (3/5)

No major problems but regular dealer or specialist servicing is crucial. 

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
4 out of 5 (4/5)

If you like the odd styling of the original Multistrada you're in a minority. Luckily for you this results in used values lower than comparable bikes of the same age. As always with Ducati, low miles and dealer servicing are cruical, walk away from tatty bikes or be prepared for big bills. 

Find a Ducati Multistrada 1000 for sale.

Equipment

3 out of 5 (3/5)

Like most ‘base’ Ducati motorcycles, the true goodies for the Ducati Multistrada only come out of the Ducati Accessories catalogue and even basics like pillion hump and centre stand were extra. That said, the Ducati Multistrada 1000DS' clock pod is neat and there’s the saucy single-sided suspension and underseat pipes.
Accessorised used motorcycles are par for the course.

Specs

Engine size 992cc
Engine type 4v V-twin, 6 gears
Frame type Tubular steel trellis
Fuel capacity 18 litres
Seat height 820mm
Bike weight 196kg
Front suspension None
Rear suspension Preload
Front brake Twin 320mm discs
Rear brake 245mm disc
Front tyre size 120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size 180/55 x 17

Mpg, costs & insurance

Average fuel consumption 34 mpg
Annual road tax £117
Annual service cost £230
New price -
Used price -
Insurance group 15 of 17
How much to insure?
Warranty term Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance

Max power 85 bhp
Max torque 68 ft-lb
Top speed 134 mph
1/4 mile acceleration 12.1 secs
Tank range 160 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

2003: Ducati Multistrada 1000DS Launched in April, available in red or silver.
2003: In October, new all-black Ducati Multistrada 1000DS also becomes available.
2005: Ducati Multistrada 1000S version, with Ohlins forks and shock, introduced.
2006: Flip screen now standard fitment on all Ducati Multistrada 1000DS motorcycles.
2007: Both bikes now gets uprated 1100cc engine.

Other versions

Ducati Multistrada 1000S: Virtually identical, but uses higher spec (and better looking) Ohlins forks and shock front and rear.

Owners' reviews for the DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1000 (2004 - 2009)

14 owners have reviewed their DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1000 (2004 - 2009) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1000 (2004 - 2009)

Summary of owners' reviews

Overall rating: 4.6 out of 5 (4.6/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 4.6 out of 5 (4.6/5)
Engine: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Reliability & build quality: 4.4 out of 5 (4.4/5)
Value vs rivals: 4.2 out of 5 (4.2/5)
Equipment: 3.9 out of 5 (3.9/5)
Annual servicing cost: £230
4 out of 5 Great ride for country/ mountain roads.
08 July 2024 by Ducati Drew

Version: DS

Year: 2005

Nice machine, unique look. Good performance, exceptional balance and handing.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 3 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5

Buying experience: Dealer bought

5 out of 5 Great Great Bike... Equal to my Triumph 955/1050 but real suspension, a bit less motor.
06 July 2023 by KingCast

Version: S

Year: 2006

Annual servicing cost: £30

The Bad: The engine casings will get dirty. Once I made the mistake of trying to use product while warm all the dirt neatly fused into it, ughhh. Trim pieces like the center stand assist arm and the Öhlins rear reservoir bracket will fail like clockwork. The tank will swell and requires expert Duc techs to make a bracket to deal with it for service intervals. The rear brake is a joke.Now then, I love the styling. I have the later seat and I'm a lightweight guy so it never bothered me. You have to get it warmed up to really feel right whereas my Tiger800 ABS feels pretty much the same from the time you turn the key. This bike is a dancer, folks. I've owned more powerful and faster bikes (Triumph Triples 955/1050) but I've no complaints as to the power plant and it has that fantastic two-valve rubber-band torque going on and the suspension and handling is in another league. When I really need a pick-me-up I throw a leg over Bella for an hour or two.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Ride quality on a par with anything. Brakes... the front is decent old-school Brembo, the rear is a joke hence the 4 stars.

Engine 5 out of 5

It doesn't get much better unless you are talking about a Tuono. But those aren't quite as practical.

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 3 out of 5

It ain't cheap folks - clutches go more frequently. The Öhlins seals are lightweight and will go but mine lasted from '06 to '2023 I believe.... I've had mine 5+ years and they started weeping just now.

Equipment 4 out of 5

Nothing fancy but the instrumentation is sharp and timeless, Öhlins on the S model of course.

Buying experience: Private sale $5,250 in 2018. Worth every penny.

4 out of 5 come on its not that ugly and says Ducati on the side of it
06 July 2023 by leigh new inn

Version: 1000 ds

Year: 2004

Annual servicing cost: £200

what an absolute hoot to ride. it makes enough power in all the right places, the suspension and brakes are also very good... my biggest complaint is the seat, even with the upgraded gel seat after a couple of hours it feels like your back at school getting the cane.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

handling is amazing for this style of bike, not far off a full on sports bike. the brakes are superb and more than you need on the road. (if the rear is spongy unbolt it, poke it through the wheel, open the pistons and wedge them open, then bleed it with the nipple facing upwards)

Engine 5 out of 5

this is where Ducati got it spot on. enough power in all the right places to put a big grin on your face. at licence maintaining speeds its plenty quick enough for anyone. loved the comment from another owner about the rattling clutch. i rode mine down to our local car mechanic to book my van in for a service. i left it running outside and walked into his office. he looked up and said "leigh we don't fix bikes"

Reliability & build quality 3 out of 5

like all early 2000 era Ducati's, if you take it out in the rain, it will melt, staying on top of cleaning and wiping with a thin film of oil after use is a must if you dont want corroded engine casings. the electrics are typically Italian (constantly squishing bullet connectors tight again)

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

every one knows Ducati's are expensive to service and maintain if you take them to a dealer. we live 8 miles from Ruthin, where probably the best independent Ducati specialist operates from, but its still about £600 for the big belts and valves service (well worth it he's good at what he does). good mechanical knowledge and experience is worth its weight in gold if you own an old Duc or three. full service diy about £200. 5 out of 5 because its worth it.

Equipment 5 out of 5

everything you need

Buying experience: bought privately, the bike was not perfect and needed a bit of work, but the price reflected this. (2023) a really nice example, 10k miles, will set you back £2500 or something needing a service and a bit of tlc as little as £1500. only worth buying at the bottom end if you are confident you can spot the problems and fix them yourself.

5 out of 5
23 June 2022 by Orangeman47

Year: 2004

Sporty, reliable, and comfortable.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
4 out of 5
21 April 2021 by Multifan

Version: Black one.

Year: 2006

Annual servicing cost: £250

it just feels like a larger, more comfortable monster(i think its a lot better). you could go to a track with it, tour the Eiffel, or commute with it.if the front of the bike had a different design, it would definitely be 1000X as successful as it is now. minus the desgin, its just a great machine.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

the brakes, suspension ,engine are so much fun! i'd come from a Honda 4 cylinder but this is better in every way.

Engine 5 out of 5

Great sound, Torque is amazing, doesnt feel like it slows down higher in the rev range ( as a lot of twins do!). somewhat vibrates (especially low revs) but thats part of the charm i think.the engine feels a bit raw and that makes it really fun to play with. it tops out at around 220km, but this engine makes power exactly when and where you need it for the street.

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

For a Ducati, suprisingly reliable. except for a dead battery (because of the previous owner) it works great. after 15 years the paint still looks great.

Value vs rivals 3 out of 5

Running costs really depend on how much you ride. belts are every 2 years or 20k kms (some people do twice as far with them though).Does like to drink quite a bit of fuel though, the bike loves sporty riding. i average around 14,5ish km/L, which comes up to a range of 290km

Equipment 3 out of 5

There are a few downsides to this model. Fuel tank sensors often fail, or are very pessimistic. i always check my odometer to see when i need to fill up. because the fuel light comes on at 100km already!!thats a definite downside!

Buying experience: 2ndhand. 33k kms

5 out of 5
16 August 2019 by Andre Bosse

Version: 1000 DS

Year: 2005

Annual servicing cost: £200

I'd absolutely recommend this bike if you find one that's been taken care of like mine.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

I've had back surgery, the roughest part for me is getting my leg over the seat. Other than that the ride is good.

Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

I take care of servicing and mechanics myself w/ the help of YouTube videos.

Equipment 4 out of 5

Buying experience: Privately, I bought the bike off of a retired Motorcycle cop from Chicago. He had it advertised for $3500 but he accepted my offer of $2700.

4 out of 5 A unique all round machine
21 June 2018 by Bambang Nuryanto

Version: DS

Year: 2005

Great multi purpose/all round bike & quite easy to manoeuvre in heavy traffic. Engine gets really warm fast especially in tropical weather conditions. Once the engine over heated the clutch hydraulics will eventually fail.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

No complaints in terms of ride quality, but may have issues with shorter riders. Brakes needs to be upgraded, due to lack of responsiveness.

Engine 3 out of 5

Constant annoying rattling sounds, due to the nature of the dry clutch system. Sometimes gets embarrassed during traffic light stops.

Reliability & build quality 3 out of 5

After 25000km, the clutch housing failed & needs to be replaced. Frequent valve adjusting is required. No corrosion was seen, even after owning the bike for 10+ years.

Value vs rivals 3 out of 5

Needs to have a basic mechanic knowledge to reduce the maintenance costs.

Equipment 3 out of 5

Pretty standard or basic features for big bike class. But quite functional.

Buying experience: Got a used one, from a friend.

5 out of 5 The Ducati I waited to Buy - sometimes older is better...
24 July 2015 by GPRaines

Version: DS

Year: 2005

Annual servicing cost: £450

Excellent hybrid between a touring bike and a bike for when you feel like you want to play.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

The front brakes are excellent, even stock. This is typical Ducati quality. The rear brake is a little too soft for liking, always has been, but I've never changed out the rotor and calipers - that's my next upgrade. I use the rear brake when performance riding a fair amount. I like having it there.

Engine 5 out of 5

For what the bike is - it doesn't need to be more but any less and it would suffer. I Think Ducati got this right. I have a 2004 BMW R1150R, which also technically puts out the same horsepower, the comparison in performance from engines (v-twin vs Boxer) is apples and oranges. When I add 60-70 pounds of gear to the ducati - it performs just right as a touring unit. When i add the same weight to the BMW - it really bogs it down noticeably. The powerbands on both bikes are completely different so in some ways it isn't a fair comparison but I view it like this: if I want to ride a performing bike that can tour - it's the ducati. If I want to ride a touring bike that can handle the twisted - the the R1150R.

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Only issues I've encountered over 10 years is having the grounding wiring resoldered for the immobiliser and a garage fall cracking the driver side mirror. Aftermarket mirrors are black, not red like the originals, but with the black handguards it gives it a sharper look and helps with the "awkward" shape from the front.

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Factoring in tyres every 2 seasons and a full service yearly, plus regular oil changes and a new screen, ballpark is somewhere around 4500.00 over 10 years.

Equipment 4 out of 5

Ducati is notorious for nickel and diming every way they can. I oblige sometimes, but the only "Ducati" thing I have on the bike is a tank bag (soon to be retired - it's done well for 10 years but a wolfman bag will be replacing it) and a Ducati hat and small handlebar bag to throw in phone and other small stuff. All other gear is either aftermarket (wolfman luggage) or I don't need it.

Buying experience: I bought privately. Two dealerships went over the bike before purchase to make sure it was in good condition and for the price I paid and the aftermarket mods done, I got a steal. Best bike purchase I've ever made.

5 out of 5 red ducati
12 September 2012 by mmisit

recently purchased my own mts 1000 ds on an 06 reg with just 8000 miles on the clock and its everything i could ask for and more, being lanky the positioning is great for me the seats not too bad after 100 miles ive had enough though. engine is lovely more than enough grunt for the road and the handling is sublime even on this standard model. this is my second big bike and the finish and quality of compionents for the money is great a real find just make sure you get onw with history!!!! enjoy!

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
4 out of 5 Nice legs, shame about the face.
08 May 2007 by jcockrell

I bought my 1100 6 months ago and use it for commuting with the occasinal longer trip (LeMans in 3 weeks). Nice bike, very well put together, strong motor but gearbox is a weak point. Can be clunky and neutral is non-existent until it has warmed up (but if it wasn't quirky it wouldn't be a Ducati, would it?). Looks great from behind, not so good from the front (where have I heard that berore?)

Ride quality & brakes 3 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 3 out of 5
Equipment 3 out of 5
5 out of 5 Swan & Ugly Duckling in one awesome package!
07 July 2006 by vulpine

Since purchasing my Multistrada 1000S DS a couple of months ago I have been very impressed by the whole package. Previous bike was a Yamaha Faser 600 (2000) which was my first big bike. I always thought the Faser was a good if not slightly dull do it all. But the MStrada is of a different class. Everything feels solid and is finished to a very high standard. The Ohlins forks and shocks and top notch, making the ride responsive and highly customisable (I am 6'2" and big boned! I also carry my lady on the back who is not big boned, but a quick adjustment of the pre-load and we are ready to rock). The brakes are excellent and handling is sharp (front end feels a little twitchy/light sometimes but that is probably due to front suspension setup requiring a tweak to come into line with the rear adjustments I have made - suspension settings have a steep learning curve!). The engine has plenty of Ducati grunt too! Test ride it and you will fall in love with this ugly duckling... Strengths: Suspension, Engine, Handling, Brakes, Looks (trust me, they grow on you!), Exclusivity and the sound of a L-twin! Weaknesses: Ducati Service and accessories are not cheap!!

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
5 out of 5 Uprated EPROM, de-cat'd, Carbon Termignonis, radial calipers, wavy discs, Ohlins race dampers etc.
15 August 2005 by Multistrada100DS

Shit-hot! Strengths: Comfortable riding position, excellent brakes and acceleration, great poise and balance. Weaknesses: Still getting to grips with the looks.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
5 out of 5 Multistrada - the rookie's scratcher!
10 April 2005 by sofast1812

I've always admired Ducatis, and had (and still have) a mint, 1997 900 Superlight in the garage when I first went looking at Ducati's ugly duckling. The test ride totally sold me on the comfy upright riding position but still with near superbike handling, the grunty 1000 twin spark engine was everything I expected too, plenty of go and that fabulous Ducati thunder. What I didn't spot on the 20min test spin was the arse crunchingly painful seat! I actually bought the demonstrator with just over 800 miles on the clock and two days later fitted the factory gel seat along with a few other goodies. Since buying the bike I've done just over 1800 miles and apart from the seat (even the gel seat is nasty after 100 miles)I can honesty say that I love the bike and yes, even as a rookie fast road rider, have had my knee down in total safety - how many big trailies can you do that on? Strengths: Grunty V twin, mega handling, image and unusual, attention grabbing styling. Weaknesses: Standard of finish (dry rides only if you want to keep it mint!) and that horrible seat!

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
4 out of 5 Different from the mainstream
18 September 2004 by Rocker66

I had the bike fitted with the DP luggage comfort screen & comfort seat which has made the bike really useable for me. I have also fitted a number of carbon fibre bits such as a hugger. One of the best bits that I have fitted is an after marker clutch slave cylinder which has improved the action of the clutch considerably. I have done most types of riding on it (excluding track days)and like it's name says it is a bike for all roads. Strengths: The fun factor. It's different from the main stream bikes. It's a Ducati. Weaknesses: Quality of finish needs plenty of TLC comfort with standard seat/screen heavy clutch as standard.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
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