When it comes to ambition and practicality, adventure motorcycles can seem like they sit right at the center of this discussion. One moment you could be commuting through tight city traffic, the next, you’re hitting the corners through mountain passes. Go further still, and you’ll probably be winding through some trails. All this while, the ADV gives the rider the best ergonomics, the best ride quality, and the most technology to make your journey easier.
All of this, however, comes with one very big caveat. These bikes sit at the top of manufacturers’ lineups. They use the best engines, rugged suspension, top-spec technology, and this combination often pushes prices straight into the sky. ADVs tend to be expensive and reserved for the premium segment when buying new, but the used market can tell a different story.
A lot of ADV owners tend to hold onto their bikes for a short time before the next big thing hits the market. But play your cards right, and you can walk away with a proper gem. Adventure bikes don’t lose their abilities just because a few years have passed, but some do become a shade more affordable than they were when new. We’re going to talk about one such bike in this article, one that delivers far more capability than its price would suggest.
Why Used ADVs Can Be Great Deals
Searching for and buying a used bike can sometimes feel like an Indiana Jones movie. You go through secret doors (someone who knows a seller), you jump over traps (find faulty bikes), slide down waterfalls (test rides), and maybe even wrestle snakes (con jobs?). But when you finally find the right one, you’ve found your crystal skull.
The used ADV market is about the same. The difference lies in the bikes themselves. ADVs are built for endurance. They are expected to travel through some of the harshest roads and in some of the toughest weather conditions without breaking down too often. Another advantage is depreciation. ADVs can fall quite a lot from their original prices within a few years, while they still maintain their capabilities, making them absolute steals on the market.
The Pros And Cons Of Buying Used
One of the main concerns of a pre-owned ADV is that, in many cases, the bike is used exactly as it was intended to be. A lot of them could have seen significant time spent on rough trails, gravel roads, and cross-country trips. This is part of what ADVs are meant to do, but this also means there could be wear on components such as suspension, brakes, or even engine internals. For this, you need to check the bike’s maintenance history.
But there is a sweet spot for buying an old ADV. There is a particular moment in the bike’s life when it becomes extremely appealing on the used market. This happens when the bike is not so old that it starts to feel outdated, but just old enough that its price has depreciated significantly enough from its original highs. This means you’re getting a fairly modern motorcycle for about half the price, and the bike we are about to talk about pretty much meets all of these criteria.
The Motorcycle You Buy Once And Grow Old With
This might be one of the few new bikes that you can learn on, and keep indefinitely.
The 2018 Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro Is Where Capability Meets Affordability
The 1200 Is A Powerhouse Hiding In Plain Sight
The Enduro takes Ducati’s already capable adventure platform from the Multistrada and pushes it further into the dirt. At its heart sits the same 1,198cc Testastretta V-twin that produces 160 horsepower, meaning none of the fun personality from the road-focused bikes has been lost. In fact, the overall verdict is that despite the power on tap, the engine is flexible enough to be just as chirpy off the tarmac as it is on it. While many bikes sacrifice this power for better off-road performance, the Enduro stays true to its energetic personality.
|
Engine Type |
Displacement |
Power |
Torque |
Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Testastretta, V-twin |
1,198cc |
152 HP |
100 LB-FT |
6-speed |
It Is Built For Real Adventure Riding
Where the Enduro variant separates itself from the standard Multistrada is in its hardware. The Enduro is essentially a tougher bike compared to its standard sibling. You get a 19-inch front and a 17-inch rear wheel combo. This perfectly balances its capability between tarmac and trails, along with the longer-travel suspension it gets from the factory. The larger 7.9-gallon fuel tank also adds to its long-range ability, significantly increasing its touring range.
|
Frame Type |
Suspension |
Seat Height |
Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Tubular Steel Trellis Frame |
Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS), semi-active with 7.9 inches of travel |
34.3 inches |
560 LBs |
Technology That Adapts To Any Terrain
Despite its age now, the Enduro remains a perfectly modern motorcycle packed to the brim with electronics. You get multiple riding modes that adjust power delivery. There is adjustable traction control, adjustable ABS, and even electronic suspension settings. Speaking of, the Enduro gets the Ducati Skyhook Suspension Evolution. This is a semi-active unit that automatically adjusts preload and damping based on the ride modes and riding conditions. These functions work in the background, sure, but they all add up to a riding experience only felt on the Ducati Multistrada.
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The most affordable 300+ mile adventure touring bike on this list is priced under $7,000 and is powered by a single-cylinder engine.
Why The 2018 Model Is Such A Bargain
From Premium Explorer To Used-Market Opportunity
When the Multi Enduro first arrived, it was positioned as Ducati’s premium long-distance ADV. The combination of a powerful engine, advanced electronics, and rugged off-road hardware, obviously, elevated its price significantly. Then add in its accessories and optional extras, and that already high base could skyrocket to well over $21,000. Today, a lot of these examples can be found at prices as low as $11,000. In fact, according to Kelley Blue Book, the typical listing price for a 2018 Ducati Multistrada 1200 (Non-Enduro) is $11,588. However, if you look at some more obscure sites, you might even find the Enduro variant for as low as $9,000. Just make sure you do your due diligence before actually buying from places like this.
Why Prices Fell
There are plenty of factors that could explain why prices for the Enduro fell so sharply. For one, Ducati’s previous reputation for expensive maintenance is obviously a deterrent. However, a smart buyer would know that the savings you make from a well-maintained, sharply depreciated bike would offset the maintenance cost fairly easily. The other reason is the perception that new is better. Yes, the latest ADVs have the latest technology, but that doesn’t mean that tech from just five years ago is obsolete. The overall function of the bike still remains unchanged. It is supposed to take you where you go, tech or no tech.
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All of these adventure bikes can be hand for under $11,000
A True Adventure Bargain
When you consider everything the Multi has to offer, its value becomes pretty clear. The used ADV market is full of interesting machines, and it’s not hard to find some of the best of them on sale. For now, however, the Multistrada 1200 Enduro is one of those outliers that’s quietly sitting in the background waiting for its moment to shine. If you are in the market for an ADV and come across this, make sure you take a look. Check its maintenance, take a test ride; who knows? You might just walk away with a steal.
Sources: Ducati, KBB