I was lucky enough to be asked help BIKE magazine and Roland Brown test the V4 Multistrada and a 1250 RT on a nearly 2 week, 2,600 mile test to the Bol D’Od race in the South of France to watch my old mates from Team Bike racing an RC30 in the classic Bol.
Stage one was 150 mile ride down to Bike’s offices in Peterborough on my 1250 GS to pick up the Multi then onto Portsmouth to meet Stan on his T7, overnight ferry and RV with Roland on the RT and Azzy on his KTM 890 duke R the following night in France due to differing time scales and routes.
Over the course of the trip the Multi clocked up 2,300 miles and I probably did 1500 of those miles with needing to take it back to Peterborough to collect my bike. Our route included the boredom of congested British motorways, empty French autoroute but mainly lovely French D roads via the Massiff Central and the Alps. So an excellent all round route with everything thrown in from fast smooth roads, bumpy back roads and some high passes in the Alps.
If I’m honest the RT wasn’t my cup of tea unless I was 2 up with Helga, or riding in crap weather. It does handle surprisingly well for such a big lump and it was hilarious watching Roland who’s an ex racer with far more skill than me throw it around like a toy on small back roads.
You’ll have to read BIKE mag for the full test but here’s my thoughts on the Multi. Stick may be interested as well as he’s just bought one.
Having done 20,000 miles on a 2010 Multi I was very interested in the new V4. The Multi is a riot, 170 Bhp, it feels small and compact but still comfy for me at 6’2” and the suspension was great and coped very well with it loaded up with camping gear for the trip. Lovely gearbox, streets ahead of the agricultural GS crash bang Massey Ferguson inspired box. The engine is smooth, tractable and hell, does it rev. It revs to the red line in top at 155mph. The things a rocket ship to can tour enthusiastically. Ergonomics are good though the headlight is pretty shite. The simplicity of screen adjustment and effectiveness is great. Ducati panniers were just fiddly in comparison to the vario’s.
The tyres were a bit lacking in feel, the OE compound Pirelli scorpian Trail 2’s seems a lot harder wearing than normal Pirelli Scorpian Trail 2’s but as such lacked that bit of feel. Same issue with OE Conti’s on the GS compared to over the counter Conti’s but that’s another discussion.
I absolutely loved the Multi and was convinced I’d be buying one after such an extended test ride. All round I was very impressed with the V4 which was real fun to ride yet still practical. Comfy enough for long days in the saddle on twisty roads and up to 450 miles in a day. Great handling and a very amusing engine. Fabulous all round package. I’m not a GS fan boy, this being my first GS since an old 1100 years ago which I hated. I’ve been a Ducati or KTM rider for the last 20 years.
So back to Peterborough and switching all my gear to the GS. A few miles drudgery stuck behind lorries overtaking each other at 2 mph quicker meant the A1 was a fucking nightmare so off across country via Melton Mowbray and up through the Peak District on some favourite roads I know well. Not quite empty French roads with a bunch over over zealous lunatics. That KTM 890 Duke R is a real weapon.
The GS carried the same load better, steered and braked better. Though it must be said I’ve got better, fresher tyres and Touratech/Tractive suspension on mine as well which does help. The more instant low to mid range grunt and response of the GS made overtakes a bit easier as well. Ducati quick shifter is streets ahead though. GS with the Akra sounds better as well.
So having thought the poxy panzer would be up for sale, it’s subtle charms won me back over when I thought it was a lost cause. Close run thing, would be nice if the GS was a bit quicker on top end though the new version may sort that.
Overall the Multi is brilliant but for the moment the GS stays in my garage.
Stage one was 150 mile ride down to Bike’s offices in Peterborough on my 1250 GS to pick up the Multi then onto Portsmouth to meet Stan on his T7, overnight ferry and RV with Roland on the RT and Azzy on his KTM 890 duke R the following night in France due to differing time scales and routes.
Over the course of the trip the Multi clocked up 2,300 miles and I probably did 1500 of those miles with needing to take it back to Peterborough to collect my bike. Our route included the boredom of congested British motorways, empty French autoroute but mainly lovely French D roads via the Massiff Central and the Alps. So an excellent all round route with everything thrown in from fast smooth roads, bumpy back roads and some high passes in the Alps.
If I’m honest the RT wasn’t my cup of tea unless I was 2 up with Helga, or riding in crap weather. It does handle surprisingly well for such a big lump and it was hilarious watching Roland who’s an ex racer with far more skill than me throw it around like a toy on small back roads.
You’ll have to read BIKE mag for the full test but here’s my thoughts on the Multi. Stick may be interested as well as he’s just bought one.
Having done 20,000 miles on a 2010 Multi I was very interested in the new V4. The Multi is a riot, 170 Bhp, it feels small and compact but still comfy for me at 6’2” and the suspension was great and coped very well with it loaded up with camping gear for the trip. Lovely gearbox, streets ahead of the agricultural GS crash bang Massey Ferguson inspired box. The engine is smooth, tractable and hell, does it rev. It revs to the red line in top at 155mph. The things a rocket ship to can tour enthusiastically. Ergonomics are good though the headlight is pretty shite. The simplicity of screen adjustment and effectiveness is great. Ducati panniers were just fiddly in comparison to the vario’s.
The tyres were a bit lacking in feel, the OE compound Pirelli scorpian Trail 2’s seems a lot harder wearing than normal Pirelli Scorpian Trail 2’s but as such lacked that bit of feel. Same issue with OE Conti’s on the GS compared to over the counter Conti’s but that’s another discussion.
I absolutely loved the Multi and was convinced I’d be buying one after such an extended test ride. All round I was very impressed with the V4 which was real fun to ride yet still practical. Comfy enough for long days in the saddle on twisty roads and up to 450 miles in a day. Great handling and a very amusing engine. Fabulous all round package. I’m not a GS fan boy, this being my first GS since an old 1100 years ago which I hated. I’ve been a Ducati or KTM rider for the last 20 years.
So back to Peterborough and switching all my gear to the GS. A few miles drudgery stuck behind lorries overtaking each other at 2 mph quicker meant the A1 was a fucking nightmare so off across country via Melton Mowbray and up through the Peak District on some favourite roads I know well. Not quite empty French roads with a bunch over over zealous lunatics. That KTM 890 Duke R is a real weapon.
The GS carried the same load better, steered and braked better. Though it must be said I’ve got better, fresher tyres and Touratech/Tractive suspension on mine as well which does help. The more instant low to mid range grunt and response of the GS made overtakes a bit easier as well. Ducati quick shifter is streets ahead though. GS with the Akra sounds better as well.
So having thought the poxy panzer would be up for sale, it’s subtle charms won me back over when I thought it was a lost cause. Close run thing, would be nice if the GS was a bit quicker on top end though the new version may sort that.
Overall the Multi is brilliant but for the moment the GS stays in my garage.
