Quick Dip
This is for those who just want to know buy or no?
Buy the Multistrada 1200S in India (16.56 lacs ex-Showroom Delhi) if you want to have the thrill of a superbike, a legacy of a great Italian marque, the looks of a spaceship, some of the best safety features out there on a motorcycle, want to go fast on a track and then want to go to Ladakh (with a few modifications, primarily belly pan and dual purpose tyres).
Do not buy this bike if you plan to just ride it the nearest McDonalds (by all means this bike will coerce you to flaunt it everyday) or if prefer the refinement of an inline four. Then your only other option (in the same segment) is the BMW S1000XR which will be a cool 10 odd lacs (!) costlier than this! And you cannot say you own a Ducati. So perhaps you can buy the MTS 1200S and also get a Scrambler and also have some money left over for some cool accessories.
If you have time and sipping some fine coffee, read on.
The Rantings
I am a bit off you know. We were invited to the party pretty darn late by Ducati. The rest of the world had already raised a toast to this fine Italian red wine while we were made to look at its brochures on the internet.
Ok. I have made peace with that. Better late than never.
So a handful (and a bit more) of Indian journalists were stuffed into flights and invited over to the Asian test ride center for Ducati Thailand. If it is someone who knows how to take advantage of the Asian economic boom and low cost labor force its the Europeans (more recently that is), more viz. KTM and Ducati with BMW also well on its way.
For a brand like Ducati it was a big step to start manufacturing outside of its iconic Bologna factory. The place had to be just right the government support, quality workforce and who would have thought a place where you can invite the choicest of international journalists (forgive me that extravagant expression for it includes me too) to ride the masterpieces they produce.
There is still some resistance from the west to Ducatis being produced in Thailand, but just think about this what if they were being manufactured in China with the same quality ethos and checks? Sounds hard to gulp down, isnt it?
This is the third made-in-Thailand Ducati which I had been asked to test ride and review as part of a journalist contingent. The first two being the Monster 1200S and the Scrambler. Wait, was the Hypermotard 821 too made in Thailand that I rode in Bali? Too much going on!
Coming back to the subject at hand, we were flown into Bangkok and then after a short layover, another flight to Chiang Rai from where it was another hour or so by bus to the Golden Triangle, which is the confluence of three countries Laos, Thailand and Myanmar! We were checked into an absolutely stunning Anantara Elephant Camp resort. I could see vast forests and the confluence right from my hotel room with elephants taking a stroll and bathing in the forests below. Truly incredible.
FOR THE FULL REVIEW CLICK HERE
