multistrada or GS

[davnjud]

I reckon a lot of people will mulling over this choice and it might be good to have a sticky thread where comments are collected. I have found one other good test ride report -
here is the link.
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=240415&highlight=multistrada

I test rode multi today and also the new diavel. the multi has a different seating position - much more super moto perched up high and forward than my GS. It feels lighter, less planted and even with the touring screen I doubt you will get the fairly serene riding experience of a GSA screen with winglets where you seem to be much more in the bike as opposed to perched on it. It accelerates a lot faster than my twin cam 2010 and now the revised software is in place there is no problem with town riding. The dealer said you should think of it more as a sports tourer whereas the Gs is an adventure bike bit I don't quite buy that. I reckon for touring distances the Gs will be more comfortable. In car terms I would say the multi is like a impreza and the Gs like a Jag XF and I know which i would prefer to travel distance in. To me the Gs mirrors, handling, seating position and ride just had a higher quality feel to it and for the sort of riding I do on the GS it is fast enough. there is often a lot more to come if you just keep winding on the throttle whereas with the multi it hits you in the face and you have to back off all the time. I also own a ducati 848 evo and that is a much more satisfying and planted bike to hoon around on than the MTS. For cruising, touring , B roads and distances the Gs suits me better than the MTS. for blasting on dual carriageways and A roads a sports bike feels more exciting than an MTS. I certainly won't be trading my gs for a multi in 2 years time but might be intertested in the water cooled Gs when that comes up. Ducati have tried to make an adventure bike that appeals to sports bike riders but I reckon if you want to make this transition because you are ready to slow down a bit and enjoy a truly different but still highly satisfying riding exerience the gs more fully exploits this difference.

 

[Rasher]

The MTS was the first "Adventure Bike" I tested as I assumed it would be the one I was most likely to want coming from a hypersports bike.

I think it did everything very well, was damn fast and compared the my steed at the time very roomy and comfortable, I think they would be ideal for 75% of the sportsbike brigade.

If comparing to cars I would agree with likening them to an Imprezza, but put the GS as being more like a Range Rover in comparison.

In fact they are ideal competitors to the BMW, I think the jap stuff misses the mark on price and therefore kudo's, Ducati also charge a bloody fortune for servicing and have an iffy reputation with reliability so align nicely with the GS, the Varedero with its reliability and maintain on a shoestring running costs seems too cheap.

I never got as far as a two-up test ride as the MTS was only available new and I wanted to avoid a potential £5k loss if I decided Adventure bikes are not for me, solo though it was a great bike and purely based on a blast around it is a better bike than the GS in every respect - not sure if that would hold true for long term ownership and high mileages.

I think these will appeal much more to those who do not really go far, they will apear at pub bike nights, the Ponderosa etc. but still think those who like to load up and bugger of to Europe for a week or two will still go for the GS for the shaft drive and high mileage capability (if you exclude the FPC / EWS / FD issues that are just taken as part of GS ownership). A case of better the devil you know, the MTS does not look like it is built to do 100k and will probably depreciate badly if averaging more than a handful of pub-runs a year.

Oh and those who go off-road will definately stick with the Adventure, the MTS seemed far more road focussed than the stock GS.

Still in my Lottery win dream garage I would have one alongside the GS / RC30 / 888 / WR / LC350 / RG500 / GSXR1100

 

[Giles]

Well coincidentely I'm booked in for a test ride tomorrow at 10.00. I'm not desperate to change, just fancy a go and the local dealership are having an open day. I'l let you know what i think ....

 

[Wyreflyer]

"Still in my Lottery win dream garage I would have one alongside the GS / RC30 / 888 / WR / LC350 / RG500 / GSXR1100" Oh what a dream, I'd need a warehouse not a garage!

I tested the MTS before I parted with my 1200GS for a new GSA last Aug. I have to say that I was sorely tempted. The speed of the thing is incredible and I found it comfortable and strangely for such a small screen it didn't produce any buffeting at high speed.
That said I still plumped for the GSA, it does everything I want and always puts a grin on my face. I couldn't imagine loading up the MTS for a 1500 mile round trip, whereas the GSA just begs for a blast round Scotland.

 

[mirboo72]

Multi Strada= Buy a sports bike.... Buy a real bike =GS end of..

 

[Mort]

multistrada or GS?


Fecking brilliant idea on a GS site

 

[STUBBS]

i ll stick with the gs

 

[davnjud]

multistrada or GS?


Fecking brilliant idea on a GS site

you remind me of an old boss of mine who said low morale will not be tolerated !

If your viewpoint doesn't stand up to consideration of alternatives you you haven't really got a view.

 

[Lord Snooty]

Hmmmm great idea While we're at it why not have a sticky for....

Stelvio or GS


and


Varadero or GS


and


KTM Adventure or GS


and


Yamaha Tenere or GS


and


Triumph Tiger or GS


and


Aprilia Caponord or GS


and


Suzuki Vstrom or GS


etc etc etc blah blah blah ad nauseum

If you are thinking of buying a GS then there is plenty of info (warts and all) here to help you make a choice....if you are interested in a Multistrada or any of the other alternatives then go to the relevant owners website and do a similar search. Or why not take the bike you fancy out for a test ride and make your own mind up Simples.

 

[davnjud]

If anyon'e ridden a Gs and a Multistrada and is interested in recording their view of the differences between the two bikes why not post in here then a search would pull it up. don't care if it's sticky or not - but it would be nice if people put as much effort into making constructive posts.

 

[Giles]

Well putting aside the forum politics, I took one out today for forty minutes or so. I thought it was a brilliant bike! The motor was fantastic, instant power and and a real rush of speed that I quite miss on the GS. I thought the handling was great too. The MTS holds a line brilliantly, it's tight and sharp; sometimes when i'm tramping on on the BM I have to really concentrate to keep it exactly where I want it, the MTS just sat where I put it, inch perfect.

Nice bike for spirited, hooning. I want one!!

 

[davnjud]

cheers Giles - interesting that we both came down on different sides of the fence. I can see why a spirited rider might want a MTS versus GS for hooning around if it was their only bike but I wonder if it they would still choose it over the GS if it was also needed for longer trips....

 

[Simon_h]

I considered a mts before I got my GSA 4wks ago. Other than depreciation (who would want a 60k mile 2yo mts?), the only factor that put me off is the tortoise and hare scenario....the mts is undenyably faster than the GSA, but you'd have to fill up with fuel twice as often.

 

[Tomcat]

I can see why a spirited rider might want a MTS versus GS for hooning around if it was their only bike but I wonder if it they would still choose it over the GS if it was also needed for longer trips....

Yup, I have

I've only had my Multi since Tuesday, but as Giles has said, it's a real rush after the GS. I don't see why it shouldn't be just as good for touring as my previous GS (had the GS 6 years, 43k miles) - the seat is comfortable, the panniers are capacious, and its a hoot to ride. A couple of friends have had their Multis since last summer and have made several 2-up week long tours between them with no problems - they both love the bike.

My guess from reading Multi forums is that 25-30% of MTS1200 owners previously owned a GS.

 

[Simon_h]

how many miles have got to a full tank? (if you've done a tank yet)

 

[Tomcat]

how many miles have got to a full tank? (if you've done a tank yet)

I've filled up 3 times but not paid too much attention to the mileage - reckon the low fuel light comes on at around 140, but there is at least 4-5 litres in the tank at this point, so another 25+ miles or so. I don't think it's as frugal as the GS, but 140 between fills is fine for me. I'm usually ready for a break, and the chances are that if I'm riding with friends someone will need a fill before 140. It might improve a bit as the engine loosens, but by then I'll be able to take it above 6k rpm so on balance fills at around 130-140 miles seems about right, with 160-170 possible at a pinch.

 

[twizzle]

If anyon'e ridden a Gs and a Multistrada and is interested in recording their view of the differences between the two bikes why not post in here then a search would pull it up. don't care if it's sticky or not - but it would be nice if people put as much effort into making constructive posts.

I've ridden both, i felt like the MTS 1200 was like riding a 150bhp mountain bike very nimble, slim, light, fast and handling well, like a ducati.... in fact it is a very different bike to a GSA.....

Now, its summer, the Pyrenees and the tarmac is sticky...... pass the MTS 1200 please...Now, its a wet motorway and i need to do 500 mile by tea time to get the Ferry... pass the GSA1200....

These bikes are very different in my opinion......

 

[Mutley]

If anyon'e ridden a Gs and a Multistrada and is interested in recording their view of the differences between the two bikes why not post in here then a search would pull it up. don't care if it's sticky or not - but it would be nice if people put as much effort into making constructive posts.

If you'd used the search engine you'd have found everything you need and more

 

[snerkler]

I think a lot of people will be comparing the MTS to the GS/GSA even though they are quite different bikes. There are a lot of GS/GSA owners who could be tempted by the MTS (myself included), so a thread like this is very interesting and could have some useful info.
I've not taken the MTS for a test ride yet as I don't want to be tempted as I can't afford to swap my bike, plus am more than happy with my GSA. However, I did sit on one just over a week ago and found the leg room a little cramped, especially compared to the GSA. How it would feel when you're actually riding it I've no idea But I would be concerned that it might not be so good for my dodgy knee.
The idea of having a 'performance' bike again is very tempting though, and if/when I feel the need to change bikes, and can afford to, I will certainly take the MTS for a test ride

 

[SPL]

Not sure I won't regret this, and I've avoided getting involved with any of these threads on the forum because of the likelihood of getting flamed

Seems like telling anyone that there may be a "better" bike than the one they currently own is like (or maybe worse than) calling their girlfriend ugly

I have an 07 GS (not GSA) which I have covered about 16K miles on - mainly "progressive" road work, both on my own for Sunday blasts and with my wife and luggage around Europe on holiday.

It has been extensively modified, all with the aim of turning it into the best possible fast road mile muncher, and fun steed for hooning on the twisties.
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1681164#post1681164

I think it is a brilliant bike for the road, and I have never really had any desire to take it off road (hence the road tyres, stiffer suspension, etc).

Whenever anyone asked me about it I would say "Don't think a GS is slow and boring - it is a very capable bike, and can show a poorly ridden sports bike a clean pair of heels on anything other than a race track."
If pushed, I would admit that "the things that would improve it for me (making a good bike a great bike) is a bit more power, a bit less weight, improved handling, and a more "exciting" engine character."

Hence the reason I tried a Multistrada - because it had all of the things I like about my GS (comfortable, practical, commanding riding position) PLUS it seemed to address all of the things that I thought could be better.

On the test ride, I loved it, and truly felt it to be the best bike I'd ever ridden in over 25 years and countless bikes, BUT the fueling was shockingly bad, and I said I'd never buy one unless Ducati sorted it out.

I'm happy to say that this has been done, and the fueling is now pretty much perfect (better than my GS was pre power commander).

So, as a fast road bike, capable of covering serious distances in complete comfort, then having a great laugh in the mountains or whatever when you get there, the MTS beats the GS hands down IMHO.

The Ducati is significantly faster, quite a bit lighter, has much sharper handling (even compared to my Wilbers equipped bike) and, for me anyway, it is more comfortable over long distances.

As a full on adventure bike for crossing continents on unmade roads, then I don't believe the MTS is the right answer and you would be better to stick with a GS(A), or maybe even a more dedicated off road machine.

Having said all of this, I have not sold my GS (yet) because my wife loves it so much we've decided to hold on until she's had a chance to try the MTS pillion over longer distances.
Mind you, she loves the GS because it is mega comfortable on the back and the power delivery is so unintimidating that she can sleep on the back even when I'm riding "progressively" - so her criteria for a good bike may not necessarily match mine

I've tried to make my feedback here as balanced as possible, and I'm not trying to start a "My bike's better than yours" debate. But the question was asked and, in my opinion, the MTS is a significantly better ROAD bike than the GS in pretty much every respect.

I genuinely hope that BMW will respond to the MTS and put some serious effort into a new GS that returns it to world beater status. The S1000RR has shown us what they can do when they want to, but the recent revisions to the GS have (IMHO) been a bit lazy - doing just enough to retain the current customer base without trying to move the bike along. If Ducati have given them a kick up the arse which results in a big step to the next model revision, they will have done us all a favour