Should I try a R1300 GS TE next?

[Martylaa]

So today I've just had a test ride on a bike I thought I would absolutely love, a 2024 Ducati Multistrada V4S Travel & Radar at my local dealers, however I've come away from the test a little underwhelmed. Really enjoyed the pace of the bike and seemed very comfortable but, the bikes does not like low revs and the overall condition of the bike had a lot more scuffs on the frame and trim than I would like for the price I was going to pay, it also had that protective plastic on it that was coming away at the edges in places and just made it look a little bit tatty (imo).

Now I'm wondering whether how a R1300 GS TE will ride, so much so that I've booked in for a test ride today, I'm guessing they would be on a par comfort wise but I'll be interested to see how it picks up pace wise and the fuelling of the bike overall compared to the Multistrada?

For context, I've also been thinking about the KTM Super Adventure's but still wary of the reputation of KTM, and finally I really like the look of the Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello S, but I'm not sure how comfortable that one would be on long long tours...

 

[grantmac]

Go and try it…Only you can decide wahat suits you best and what you feel good with…..

 

[J biker]

Loads more bottom end on the GS, with a very strong mid-range, they do not rev out like four cylinder bikes, it doesnt mean they are slow, far from it.
Comfort? Depends on fit, what you are used to. Previous multi had a horrendous seat ( last of the V2)
The question will be can you accept the gearchange? After that, they are a grower, and just get better and better as you learn to trust the capabilities.
Loads of choice used too. Which means low miles bikes in good condition are easy to find.
Buy from a BMW dealer, to benefit from the approved used warranty. Imo worth the small difference in price.

 

[Martylaa]

Loads more bottom end on the GS, with a very strong mid-range, they do not rev out like four cylinder bikes, it doesnt mean they are slow, far from it.
Comfort? Depends on fit, what you are used to. Previous multi had a horrendous seat ( last of the V2)
The question will be can you accept the gearchange? After that, they are a grower, and just get better and better as you learn to trust the capabilities.
Loads of choice used too. Which means low miles bikes in good condition are easy to find.
Buy from a BMW dealer, to benefit from the approved used warranty. Imo worth the small difference in price.

Is there an issue with the gear changes? I know the r1250 GS wasn't the smoothest at low revs especially on the quickshifter..

 

[J biker]

Is there an issue with the gear changes? I know the r1250 GS wasn't the smoothest at low revs especially on the quickshifter..

I think post 2 sums it up.
For me, all of the positives are greater than the small negative. Gear change should be better. Though it is a lot better than previous bikes..and the huge spread of torque means you dont need to be shifting gears as frequently.

 

[Mr Derek]

It sounds as if the Multi you tried was a bit ropey. Maybe try a different one. The four bikes you are considering are massively different, considering they are aiming at the same market. You really need a decent test ride on all of them. If you want smooth and comfortable, what about a Versys 1100?

 

[Martylaa]

Blimey, just done a insurance quote on the BMW and its coming in at £690 and the compulsory excess is at £1200, compare that with the equivalent Multistrada and that is £500 with £250 compulsory excess, that may swing things massively tbh.
A V4 Pikes Peak only comes in at £600 with £250 compulsory excess...

 

[botus]

Blimey, just done a insurance quote on the BMW and its coming in at £690 and the compulsory excess is at £1200, compare that with the equivalent Multistrada and that is £500 with £250 compulsory excess, that may swing things massively tbh.
A V4 Pikes Peak only comes in at £600 with £250 compulsory excess...

you make a good point - is this just more cottoning on ?

people that buy BMW's either have too much, or are just prepared to spend too much. Are they now being deliberately robbed by an insurance industry that's woken up to who they can best scam ?

 

[roundincircles]

Blimey, just done a insurance quote on the BMW and its coming in at £690 and the compulsory excess is at £1200, compare that with the equivalent Multistrada and that is £500 with £250 compulsory excess, that may swing things massively tbh.
A V4 Pikes Peak only comes in at £600 with £250 compulsory excess...

I found that annual mileage had a big impact on cost......that was last year.......when I dropped the mileage to 6000 miles the cost became OK

 

[Martylaa]

I found that annual mileage had a big impact on cost......that was last year.......when I dropped the mileage to 6000 miles the cost became OK

I set the mileage at 5000 miles on all the quotes tbh, the cost is not too bad for a almost £20k bike, its the excess compulsory that stings, so much that unless I could get that down then I would be uncomfortable buying one for now...

 

[J biker]

Excess. Are you likely to drop it, crash it, or have it stolen?
Then, if you actually ride the bike, GS returns an easy 54mog. Try that on a V4 Ducati. Many dont get over 35 mpg. That mounts up rather quickly for those that put miles in. So real world cost against hypothetical what ifs..
Touring? Keep space for chain lube and factor in maybe extra tools for adjusting the chain. For when, not if it stretches. The OE chains are tat.

Would suggest just buy the one you like most. Motorcycles dont need justification. The Ducati is not the cheap to run option.
Would take the GS all day long over ADV multistrada. Late version Pikes Peak would be a different, though much more expensive proposition.

 

[Martylaa]

Excess. Are you likely to drop it, crash it, or have it stolen?
Then, if you actually ride the bike, GS returns an easy 54mog. Try that on a V4 Ducati. Many dont get over 35 mpg. That mounts up rather quickly for those that put miles in. So real world cost against hypothetical what ifs..
Touring? Keep space for chain lube and factor in maybe extra tools for adjusting the chain. For when, not if it stretches. The OE chains are tat.

Would suggest just buy the one you like most. Motorcycles dont need justification. The Ducati is not the cheap to run option.
Would take the GS all day long over ADV multistrada. Late version Pikes Peak would be a different, though much more expensive proposition.

Who knows about the first part, guess thats why we get insurance on the off chance something happens. I'm going to test ride the BMW tomorrow and go from there, thanks for the info on the mileage, something I never actually thought about...

 

[Wapping]

Should I try a R1300 GS TE next?​

It’s your money and life. Try whatever you like.

 

[jefformston]

Try a different comparison site. I did quotes last week via Gocompare for a R1300GS and had premiums of over £1k and that same £1250 excess. Did the same on the MCN site and got lower premiums & reasonable excess quotes, often with the same underwriter.

As I decided not to go ahead with the purchase of the 1300 and keep my KTM, I unfortunately deleted the quotes from my emails otherwise could have given more specifics.

 

[Martylaa]

Try a different comparison site. I did quotes last week via Gocompare for a R1300GS and had premiums of over £1k and that same £1250 excess. Did the same on the MCN site and got lower premiums & reasonable excess quotes, often with the same underwriter.

As I decided not to go ahead with the purchase of the 1300 and keep my KTM, I unfortunately deleted the quotes from my emails otherwise could have given more specifics.

Yeah, I used MCN comparison website, insurance is a bit of a minefield for bikes the last couple of years.

 

[littleade]

Yeah, I used MCN comparison website, insurance is a bit of a minefield for bikes the last couple of years.

Have you also tried the bike insurer? That's my default site I use each year. Sometimes you'll get a better quote going direct to the insurers website too.

Get the right bike insurance, fast. | The Bike Insurer https://share.google/SKkWmJlQQoHO0tXyj

 

[Martin GSA UK]

Excess. Are you likely to drop it, crash it, or have it stolen?
Then, if you actually ride the bike, GS returns an easy 54mog. Try that on a V4 Ducati. Many dont get over 35 mpg. That mounts up rather quickly for those that put miles in. So real world cost against hypothetical what ifs..
Touring? Keep space for chain lube and factor in maybe extra tools for adjusting the chain. For when, not if it stretches. The OE chains are tat.

Would suggest just buy the one you like most. Motorcycles dont need justification. The Ducati is not the cheap to run option.
Would take the GS all day long over ADV multistrada. Late version Pikes Peak would be a different, though much more expensive proposition.

To be fair, I think the Ducati mpg is the ham-fisted magazine roadtester's numbers. Last month I saw a like for like mpg comparison. On a N. Wales tour, my 1300GSA returned 48mpg, my friend's Pikes Peak was in the low 40s. I would guess, more like a 15%-20% disadvantage. Over 6,000 miles/year, that's about £150/year.

But of course, buy the bike you like the best, not necessarily the one recommended by the BMW GS forum!

 

[autogs]

To be fair, I think the Ducati mpg is the ham-fisted magazine roadtester's numbers. Last month I saw a like for like mpg comparison. On a N. Wales tour, my 1300GSA returned 48mpg, my friend's Pikes Peak was in the low 40s. I would guess, more like a 15%-20% disadvantage. Over 6,000 miles/year, that's about £150/year.

But of course, buy the bike you like the best, not necessarily the one recommended by the BMW GS forum!

Correct on a recent 3k tour of spain/Portugal my 24 pikes peak averaged just under 45 mpg

 

[MartinK]

Definitely try a Mandello/Stelvio
If you like adventure style for comfort then maybe the Stelvio?

What about the Tiger 1200? I just tested one and very nice package. Some good deals too...

 

[Martylaa]

Thanks all, just come back from testing a 2026 BMW R1300GS TE at the local dealers, I have to say I came off that bike ride feeling so much better than the ride on the 2 year old Multi V4S I tested at the weekend. Lovely and smooth, felt more relaxed but instant pace when you turn on the throttle, no low speed chugging like the Multi had and all in all just felt like such a better bike.

Dealer has a couple of nice examples in, a 2024 Triple Black and a ex demo 2026 719 in that lovely blue, both look great but the 2024 version has a BMW top box and is about £3k cheaper than the 719 version.