My review of the 14 Ducati Multistrada vs 15 BMW R1200 GS

[Engineer]

i think you're wrong there. i believe the WC has a speed advantage that the TC can't make up. it might be the better bike though

Well my 2013 LC is most definitely quicker than my previous two air-cooled GSes, no shadow of doubt, increased torque too which makes it far nicer two up with luggage pulling out of hairpins in the south of France and more relaxed long distance high speed motorway stuff. The TC was great and I loved it but things have moved on and the LC is just that bit nicer.

 

[Wrinkly]

Wot yer got now Steve ??

Guzzi Stelvio.....It's heavy and only puts out 105bhp...but it's just such a lovely bike to ride.

By no means is it ever going to give you balls out speed and hard acceleration, but don't be fooled, this is a bike that when ridden as it likes to be ridden can cover ground at an alarming rate of knots.

Engine, is super smooth and tractable with beautiful low down grunt and whilst it doesn't fire you out of the corners it certainly blasts you out in a very controlled and predictable manner.

Gearbox..predictable slight clunk into first, but after that it's very slick.

Suspension, is most probably the best I've ever experienced on a bike as big and heavy as this, fully adjustable for pre load and damping both front and rear. lovely over the choppy stuff and keeps it's line through the twisty bits (even fully loaded with camping gear)

Brakes...as good as I've ever experienced.

Overall finish..excellent.

7 mnts and 5k down the road I just love this bike more and more,if you ride it well it just rewards you in so many ways

1500mls around Scotland last September, I was camping and fully loaded, my 3 mates were staying B&B and travelled much lighter. 2x Triumph Explorers, 1x Kawasaki gtr 1400, I never had a problem staying with them.

I think like yourself Giles I've found a bike that's really gotten under my skin. I also think a lot of folks tend to forget. Any bike is only as good as it makes you feel, and if you're lucky enough to find one that after seven months still makes you go into the shed at night and have a look at it before you turn in,and puts a massive smile on your face when your out on it, then you may be close to finding biking nirvana.

Steve

 

[Beemerman59]

For what it's worth, I still haven't been overtaken yet by a 1200LC and that's me on my wheezy old (but Hilltop'd) '08 GSA
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

 

[Giles]

Steve .. All received .. Good for you ..

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

For what it's worth, I still haven't been overtaken yet by a 1200LC and that's me on my wheezy old (but Hilltop'd) '08 GSA
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

And I can claim ive never been overtaken by a Ferrari in my Audi diesel!

WC will spin up to an indicated 140mph pretty quickly. For a GS, thats quick.

 

[eden warrior]

Steve I totally agree with what you have said I think a bike needs character be it bmw or v twin love the multi puts a smile every time I ride it but in town useless rather than try to find the perfect bike bought a 1150 adv a dream to ride love both bikes so really a matter of what an individual wants

 

[Voz]

I can't see myself parting with my 15 GSW, it really is a Swiss Army knife of bikes. I will reserve judgement until I test ride the S1000XR. I put a deposit down on an XR the day I picked up my 15 GS in Nov, should be in Oz in June. Current back orders are pushing out the Jan/Feb 16. I will also test the 15 MTS 1200S although I can't imagine it will fee much different to the 14 MTS 1200S.

I think I will still keep the 15 GS and maybe buy a second smaller city bike like a street triple maybe?

 

[Nutty]

I can't see myself parting with my 15 GSW, it really is a Swiss Army knife of bikes. I will reserve judgement until I test ride the S1000XR. I put a deposit down on an XR the day I picked up my 15 GS in Nov, should be in Oz in June. Current back orders are pushing out the Jan/Feb 16. I will also test the 15 MTS 1200S although I can't imagine it will fee much different to the 14 MTS 1200S.

I think I will still keep the 15 GS and maybe buy a second smaller city bike like a street triple maybe?

Try the S1000R

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

The 675 street triple is a sweet bike, I had one as a loaner and was mighty impressed with the smaller triple, torquey and liked to rev, not bad considering I'd just jumped off my multistrada 1200s

 

[HTB]

Interestingly, after a year with a Pikes Peak Multi, I'm heading back to a new GSA TE, probably in the next week or so before heading off to Corsica and Sardinia. I was going to do the trip on the duke but wasn't getting the same warm fuzzy feeling about it as I used to with my GSA.

I am a great fan of Ducatis - had a Desmosedici until this spring and have 996SPS tucked away, but the MTS just doesn't do the whole package so well, or perhaps inspire such confidence whatever mood you happen to be in. Lovely, lovely, accomplished bike,mthat it is, the MTS takes a bit of work to get comfortable with (in fact, I've found the saddle distinctly uncomfortable and the leg room a little cramped) and I've never really 'gelled' with it. I have really missed my GSAs. Depreciation on the MTS has been near catastrophic, but then what did I expect....

 

[sven]

And I can claim ive never been overtaken by a Ferrari in my Audi diesel!

WC will spin up to an indicated 140mph pretty quickly. For a GS, thats quick.

I was pretty impressed with my LC on the Autobahn last week - it hit 134mph according to the GPS, two-up with expanded panniers, top box and tank bag. That was around 20mph faster than my wheezy old GS MU in 2010

 

[Arsey]

I was pretty impressed with my LC on the Autobahn last week - it hit 134mph according to the GPS, two-up with expanded panniers, top box and tank bag. That was around 20mph faster than my wheezy old GS MU in 2010

My 2006 GSA 1200 hit 135 mph (on GPS) on autobahn solo with panniers and top box !!

 

[pistole]

I did 200 mph.

pfffff

 

[Bigyin]

This thread has made for some interesting reading for me for comparison of the bikes I am interested in (as well as all the corrosion/switchgear/swingarm/gearbox failure ones for the LC GS's )

I am currently looking at getting rid of my 52 plate R1150GS with 54K on it. Lots of winters commuting and its getting tired so time to move on.

Mate has just got an 1190 R KTM a few days ago and is loving it ...... I am not sold on it looks wise ....... my local KTM place doesn't have any, not even a demo bike, and wont till September

I have been out riding a 2013 Multistrada Grantourismo and couldn't quite put my finger on what was bothering me despite enjoying the bike and the way it feels...... its the "revvy" nature explained by a few on here where the bike doesn't like trickling along at low revs and needs a gear lower so will take that into account on next ride with missus pillion. I also need to get used to normal forks again

I also took out a new R1200GS LC from the dealer yesterday and was very impressed by how it felt and handled down my local twisty, bumpy shit covered roads. The clocks are too small for an easy quick glance till I get used to them and the sat nav mount covers half the rev counter (probably just my height although at 6 foot 1 I am not exactly a giant).... back out tomorrow with the missus pillion on that as well

Decisions decisions

 

[Voz]

This thread has made for some interesting reading for me for comparison of the bikes I am interested in (as well as all the corrosion/switchgear/swingarm/gearbox failure ones for the LC GS's )

I am currently looking at getting rid of my 52 plate R1150GS with 54K on it. Lots of winters commuting and its getting tired so time to move on.

Mate has just got an 1190 R KTM a few days ago and is loving it ...... I am not sold on it looks wise ....... my local KTM place doesn't have any, not even a demo bike, and wont till September

I have been out riding a 2013 Multistrada Grantourismo and couldn't quite put my finger on what was bothering me despite enjoying the bike and the way it feels...... its the "revvy" nature explained by a few on here where the bike doesn't like trickling along at low revs and needs a gear lower so will take that into account on next ride with missus pillion. I also need to get used to normal forks again

I also took out a new R1200GS LC from the dealer yesterday and was very impressed by how it felt and handled down my local twisty, bumpy shit covered roads. The clocks are too small for an easy quick glance till I get used to them and the sat nav mount covers half the rev counter (probably just my height although at 6 foot 1 I am not exactly a giant).... back out tomorrow with the missus pillion on that as well

Decisions decisions

The 15 Ducati is apparently reasonably different enogh to the 14 that it is worth a ride.

With all the bikes I have tested in the past 6 months I can honestly say that the 15 GS is a fantastic bike. I ride it every day and it is comfortable, smooth, fast enough and has great handling and vision from the pew.

I did ride the S1000XR as well and found it extremely buzzy, so much so that I have dismissed it as a potential replacement for my GS.

At this stage I am keeping my GS and hopefully will add a Yamaha MT09 to the garage once funds permit.