Multistrada 1200 v's R1200 gs

[Achim]

A mate of mine had a GS and K1300S. He chopped in the GS for a Multi but reckons the Multi is closer to the K rather than the GS. i.e. the Multi is a sports bike on stilts. His pillion (wife) bemoans the loss of the GS and would rather tour on the K than the Multi....He is now chopping in the K for a tourer as the Multi is just not relaxing over distance.
Cheers

I have owned two GSs ('08 and '11). After the TripleBlack was stolen, I test-rode the MTS, the K13S, and a K13GT. The Multi is very flickable but no quicker than either of the K13s. I would have bought the MTS just because I like the looks of it, but in the end bought a used K13GT at a stonking price. Why?
1. Excellent BMW dealer network. Didn't think much of my nearest Ducati dealer (Metropolis), and I didn't gel with the one in West London.
2. Fantastic pillion comfort. The only complaint I got from my pillion on a 2,500m tour through Europe this summer was a comment on the Autobahn, "uh, the wind pressure is getting a bit much up here. Can we slow down a bit?" Oops, that was 145mph on the speedo. All good at 125mph...
3. Super suspension (ESA): I raised the ride height by 3.5cm via new shock brackets. In essence a K13S suspension with a K13GT riding position (very comfy). The last time I went out with a couple of mates (both on MTS), I ended up having to wait for them... (we're all IAM members).
4. Shaft Drive

I don't really miss my GS. The K13 engine is just mental (and better on fuel than the Boxer), and the GT is a vastly underrated bike.

Achim

 

[dfgood]

MTS

What sort of prices are these?

I think as a do everything bike (except off road - and I probably need to get up and down lanes 1% of the time) the Multi is about as good as it gets for now - 150bhp is more than a lot of sports bikes and with full Ohlins I would assume it handles just as well.

Any owners have an update? One of the guys we ride with has one and hates riding within the speed limits as he says the engine just doesn't run right at 30mph - doesn't seem to have a problem as higher speeds though

I have owned 4 GS's and last year decided it was time for a change. I thought if there was anything that the GS lacked it was power so I figured the Multistrada would be the perfect replacement. It wasn't.
There are things you take for granted with a GS ;

1) it usually starts even if left in the garage for a few weeks. With the MTS I had a problem with the exhaust valve which kept getting stuck if the bike was left for even a week. This caused the engine management system to go into "limp home mode" which was a total pain. Fixing it meant taking off the exhaust cover, giving the valve a push and away you go. An annoying nuisance.

2) The panniers on the GS are well constructed, easy to attach and detach and don't leak. The panniers on the MTS are a total disgrace. Poorly designed, cheap plastic, leaky and very difficult to attach and detach.

3) Low speed smoothness. The MTS as pointed out earlier is not good at low speed. It shakes and rattles and chugs at low speed which makes town driving a chore.

All that said the MTS is a fabulously exciting rocketship and maybe with Audi in charge more time will be spent addressing these aspects that turn a bike from a one trick pony to a genuine all rounder.

As for me, I'm shopping for another GS !

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

the MTS is a fabulously exciting rocketship

Thats what ive been missing, despite all the good things, that extra couple of notches of excitement, pick my multistrada up on saturday.

 

[GS TRV]

Thats what ive been missing, despite all the good things, that extra couple of notches of excitement, pick my multistrada up on saturday.

Should have bought a CrossTourer if that's what you wanted

 

[patzx12]

I would have bought the MTS just because I like the looks of it, but in the end bought a used K13GT

I had an 07 K1200GT great owning experience but the clutch and gearbox was a disgrace didn't the designers ride a Hayabusa? The 1600 is better but still not good enough.
I once did a Wedding in Sorrento (from Galway) Black forest, a few laps of the Ring, MotoGP in Assen back to Galway through UK in 3 weeks. Effortless on the GT. That was just one of the marathon trips on the bike.
Its a pity about the transmission if it wasn't for that i would have a K1300GT