I had a look at a Multistrada last week, got me thinking, as I like twins if anyone here had tried one out ? as my nearest place is Glasgow.
Multistrada
- Thread starter busy builder
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I test rode the 1200 s touring
Mega quick fantastic handling but not as completes as the GS
I liked it a lot but came to the conclusion that it would soon become a PITA and I would have regretted buying one
The Rich mans GS . Best all rounder bike
Really? I could have saved £2k and got a brand new Multi. I'm sure it's a great bike, but I know that I'd be back on a GS within a few months, if I got one.
I've owned both. Air-cooled GS was replaced by MTS Touring (Ohlins ESA and ride by wire modes) 2 years ago.
I find it hard to say which is "best" - they do different things really. The MTS is essentially a sports bike in an upright frame. It's way quicker and much more agile than my GS was but the GS is much more versatile. I suspect that if you threw the MTS down the road, it would dissolve!
The MTS has been unexpectedly reliable. Heated grips died at 18,000 miles and I had one episode with the keyless fuel cap refusing to open. Otherwise faultless.
I've ridden the WC GS but only briefly. I liked it - clearly more lively/refined that my old one- but not enough to tempt me away from the red side. Interestingly though, I also tried the new MTS with the Sachs Skyhook suspension and twin-spark engine and that couldn't tempt me away from my Ohlins version.
The one thing that I think is an issue on the MTS is the ergonomics. There is no adjustment, so if it doesn't quite suit/fit you you're into after-market bits. I fitted lower pegs and changed the screen for a bigger one, as the weather/wind protection from the OEM one is a joke.
In the real world, on a run or touring, it really just comes down to which you prefer. A well-ridden GS will keep up with almost anything, so the extra pace of the MTS is more about how it feels. Next on my list to try is new new GSA...
I find it hard to say which is "best" - they do different things really. The MTS is essentially a sports bike in an upright frame. It's way quicker and much more agile than my GS was but the GS is much more versatile. I suspect that if you threw the MTS down the road, it would dissolve!
The MTS has been unexpectedly reliable. Heated grips died at 18,000 miles and I had one episode with the keyless fuel cap refusing to open. Otherwise faultless.
I've ridden the WC GS but only briefly. I liked it - clearly more lively/refined that my old one- but not enough to tempt me away from the red side. Interestingly though, I also tried the new MTS with the Sachs Skyhook suspension and twin-spark engine and that couldn't tempt me away from my Ohlins version.
The one thing that I think is an issue on the MTS is the ergonomics. There is no adjustment, so if it doesn't quite suit/fit you you're into after-market bits. I fitted lower pegs and changed the screen for a bigger one, as the weather/wind protection from the OEM one is a joke.
In the real world, on a run or touring, it really just comes down to which you prefer. A well-ridden GS will keep up with almost anything, so the extra pace of the MTS is more about how it feels. Next on my list to try is new new GSA...
Including the servicing yes
I have both, the GS was a bit of a gamble for me as despite being very capable in real world riding, I've always loved my sport bikes but needed something a bit more practical. It took me all of 2 weeks after test riding a MTS and I went out and bought one.
For me at 6ft 1" the MTS perversely is much more comfortable than the GS albeit is set up more like a naked bike as you sit far closer to the dials / handlebars. The pace is outstanding where the GS is pretty wheezy. Then there's the handling... The GS is pretty chuckable for a big bike and certainly holds its own against most bikes but the way the MTS handles is something else, feels like you're on a sport bike and you can hang off it like one and really push it where I found I always ran out of tyre on the GS and felt a bit uncertain when it was cranked right over.
I really wouldn't say they're directly comparable bikes. The GS is an outstanding tourer but the MTS does exactly what it says on the tin and is a true all rounder. I'm chuffed to bits with mine and use it every day to and from work, the wind protection isn't as good as the GS but the plethora of other improvements far more than offsets this.
If you test ride one, and it fits you, you will buy one
For me at 6ft 1" the MTS perversely is much more comfortable than the GS albeit is set up more like a naked bike as you sit far closer to the dials / handlebars. The pace is outstanding where the GS is pretty wheezy. Then there's the handling... The GS is pretty chuckable for a big bike and certainly holds its own against most bikes but the way the MTS handles is something else, feels like you're on a sport bike and you can hang off it like one and really push it where I found I always ran out of tyre on the GS and felt a bit uncertain when it was cranked right over.
I really wouldn't say they're directly comparable bikes. The GS is an outstanding tourer but the MTS does exactly what it says on the tin and is a true all rounder. I'm chuffed to bits with mine and use it every day to and from work, the wind protection isn't as good as the GS but the plethora of other improvements far more than offsets this.
If you test ride one, and it fits you, you will buy one
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