New Multistrada vs R1200GS

[Binky]

Well, went and test drove the new 1200S Multistrada on Saturday, here’s my views…
It sticks to the road and accelerates like my old Fireblade, the handling is superb and what a great noise, it almost telepathically goes round corners and dodges pot holes…spooky! Filtering and low speed manoeuvres are a joy, much less effort than the GS…its really beautifully balanced but its a much smaller bike than the GS or that’s how it feels.
Seat is OK comfortable but not brilliant about the same as a brand new GS low seat, there is a reasonable amount of vibration through it. The pillion seat has a pretty good amount of storage under it, enough for a lock and a few other bits and pieces plus tool kit.
Windblast and noise compared to the GS is crazy loud. With the windshield on high setting and low seat, air hits you bang on the visor. Im 5 11 and using a System 6 helmet…but the only good thing I can say is little buffeting behind what’s protected and its easy to use on the go.. I will be test riding one with a cruising screen tomorrow.
The panniers look flimsy compared to the varios. The electronics are pretty groovy not 100% sure about the readability of the dash in sun though. Switches easy to use and instinctive.
As for the looks I sort of liked it but I suppose that’s subjective. IMHO I think it would make a great weekend tool for blasting around, autobahns would be very interesting but I think that for a hack down to Switzerland the GS would be the better all rounder. The GS has a much more solid feel and better fuel consumption and you don’t have to think of chains.
Lastly the price…18,500k for a well (but not fully specced) bike is a helluva a lot of cash.
In an ideal world with lots of money: owning an RT and a Multi would be a great solution but as the world is not perfect and I have little funds the GS seems a pretty good cost effective solution.

 

[patzx12]

Did they sort out the low speed roughness.
Agree about the cost why would it be more expensive than the bmw.
Painting stuff red must be costly

 

[rattler]

And it's got a f**king chain

 

[DJ GSA]

And it's got a f**king chain

Lol

 

[dave hendy]

The MS is more like the XR than a GS, have you tried that yet??

 

[Engineer]

The MS is more like the XR than a GS, have you tried that yet??

The MS is a sports bike on stilts just like the XR, comparing a MS with a GS is like comparing apples and pears - but an the end of the day it depends upon what one wants in a bike.

 

[tanneman]

Lastly the price…18,500k for a well (but not fully specced) bike is a helluva a lot of cash..

The MS is a sports bike on stilts just like the XR, comparing a MS with a GS is like comparing apples and pears - but an the end of the day it depends upon what one wants in a bike.

Not at that price it isn't.

 

[stick]

Multi vs GS

Had both at the same time , (twin Cam) sold the Multi as it had no real soul and was carring the worry of Italian electrics plus the fact the local dealer round here is an wnnaker.
Also for me the Multi was no good for touring two up , which is my passion.

 

[DC]

my friend had a MS when they first arrived , the Exhaust collector box rotted with 12 mths and was refused a new one under warranty , the bike had done 9000 miles in all weather and that was against the warranty !!!! WTF ..at least if something goes wrong with a GS ( and it will ) you get a good level of service at BMW

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

Gs is a better tourer all day long. Ive just done 250 miles today on my GS TE riding from The Alps thru switzerland to Freiburg mainly on side roads. Couldnt ask for much more it stick like glue on the corners n pulls from nowhere. Averaging 54mpg and got here today on one tank of juice with 30 miles to spare.

Might try the new multi out of interest having had a 2010 one, the main pull is the crazy performance as the last one i had was flawed genius the screen was awful. it would be very hard to say bye to my GS.

 

[Binky]

Did they sort out the low speed roughness.
Agree about the cost why would it be more expensive than the bmw.
Painting stuff red must be costly

Yup...low speed is pretty smooth and as for red paint...the white paint job is even more expensive!

 

[Binky]

Just ridden it with the touring screen ...still too much wind blast...that's that for the Multi. Rattler is right who wants a chain, seat vibration, wind blast and noise and potentially flimsy build, poor fuel consumption and high servicing costs..but it did go really nicely.

 

[DING-DONG]

panniers look flimsy compared to the varios. .

Well looks as tho ducati are going to be making a recall on the panniers already ! Apparently the rear lug snaps off if you try to remove them from your bike with your clobber in them, a certain dealer was showing a bod how to fit the panniers and snapped the mounting lug straight off.

 

[Daffy]

Just ridden it with the touring screen ...still too much wind blast...that's that for the Multi. Rattler ion is right who wants a chain, seat vibration, wind blast and noise and potentially flimsy build, poor fuel consumption and high servicing costs..but it did go really nicely.

With the exception of the chain comment this could easily apply to a GS.

 

[mrtee43]

With the exception of the chain comment this could easily apply to a GS.

Do you really think the fuel consumption of the GS is poor ? I think it is pretty good actually.

 

[Binky]

Mine's not to bad around 52 at legal speeds and 46ish at "autobahn" so much better than the multi...18k service on the multi is around 800 quid inc vat...that's a wee bit toppy...as for wind blast I've got aPuig touring screen so no real probs there. Nothing gone wrong with 2013 as yet 11000 miles in...but I'm not saying it won't!

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

Tried the new multistrada at the weekend as fancying a change. My take on it.

Screen very good compared to previous version, on a par with GS.
Skyhook is not troubled by potholes like the GS but gets found out in comparison over choppy roads where the gs excells.
It averaged 47 mpg on the test ride and i was not hanging about.
Very nice dash , intuitive electrics, and easy to use digital speedo
Heated grips average like the GS. 3 settings.
Noise - totally intoxicating.
Comfort, this was the dealbreaker, felt like i was in a permanent wedgie after an hour, the seat is a sort of u shape. It was on the standard setting and was ok height wise n peg distance for my 6'2", the bars were wide n flat too.
Performance....where the gs is tailing off this comes into its own. Ballistic and great fun.
Engine a Little bit vibey but ok.
Mirrors very good.

I dont think i will be buying one down to the seat (apparently i was first person to comment and salesperson said i should try high setting) , im also not sure its worth 16k even at todays prices, even though its a fantastic bike. I seriously doubt anyone looking for a performance bike that can do the miles down to the south of france etc will be dissappointed. Its a nice step up from the first incarnation just a shame about that bloody seat.

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

The rear brake on the multi is still virtually non existent, GS has the equal if not possibly better braking setup.

 

[r1happy]

I had a Multi and had the same problem with the seat and rear brake. I had the seat modified to sort the problem. It's basically a comfier sports bike. What swung it for me is the Telelever suspension and the shaft drive.

 

[Troppo]

The XR is a better bike, according to reviews...