New Air Cooled DS engines do not measure up - BMW kicks Ducati ass?

[CopperHeadMonster]

It is dissapointing that new DS1100 engine released for the multistrada falls so short when compared to BMW aircooled boxer engines. I know most of you feel that your 620/695/750/800/900/1000 have enough power - yes I agree too. But at high altitude my monster 944 does run out of breath sometimes.. and since my other bike is FJR1300 with massive torque it does feel puny.

While the current air cooled 1000 on a monster is very good, I can only imagine it is barely adequte on a multistrada when loaded with luggage and a pillion.

Here are the stats - see for yourself

DS1000 (992 cc)
* 95HP at 8000rpm
* 69.4 lb-ft (9.6kgm) at 6000 rpm

The NEW DS1100 (1078cc)
* 95HP at 7750rpm
* 75.9 lb-ft (10.5 kgm) at 4750rpm

The BMW Boxer R1200S engine (1170cc)
*122bhp at 8000rpm
*83lb-ft (11.5kgm) at 6800rpm

ok the new DS mill makes good torque doen low but the the BMW revs higher and in the St/RT trim makes 110hp and same 83lbft at lower rpm. I expected more from the new mill given what BMW achieved.

[1fast750ss]

I don't see going too crazy on a MST with a full load of travel gear. I'm guessing you'd be around the 5K rpm mark most of the time. 75 ft-lbs is pretty decent for that. For more, throw on an exhaust and get it to 80 ft-lbs TQ, not to mention an additional 4-5hp and an additional 500rpm's.

Maybe not like the BMW, but then again, it's not. It's in the eye of the beholder.

Personally, gonna be interesting in the SS format, with about 105hp. Though if my name was Mr. Ducati, I'd turn the SS into an A/C 3V 996cc (98mmx66mm), putting 110hp with a rev limit of 10,500rpm's.

[drewogatory]

I feel my Sport is seriously underpowered. Like 20-30 hp under. I'm going to try the high compression piston/cam/flywheel/dyno tune approach. My Sport seems to want to be ridden like a big displacement 70's 2 stroke,but throttle response is sluggish to say the least. If nothing else, a cammy, free spinning motor should "feel" faster, more in line with the Sport classic 'image'.

[OldBaldy]

Modern 4-valve BMW 1200 vs older design 2-valve Duc - I shouldn't wonder the BMW offers more power. The Duc is really only a freshened-up design of a very old motor, while the BMW is much more modern in the cylinder head design. It's not gonna be a fair match.

[NCRick]

What about the whole package. Power to weight, you know? My 900SS has no trouble staying out of the way of my friends R1150 BMW. I would think the stock new DS would fair better than you may imagine when compared to a new BMW 1200. Different bikes.

[ess-ess]

My 900SS has no trouble staying out of the way of my friends R1150 BMW

I have a 900SS and had a R1150RS and can tell you that the SS feels faster 1 up and the BMW feels faster 2 up(in this situation bigger is better).
BUT
The R1200 engine is a truckload more powerful than the R1150 engine (94hp-120hp).

I still prefer to ride a Ducati.

Oh yeah, the price of a common transmission failure on the BMW is close to the price of a 93-94 900SS bought off ebay.
I know it's off topic, but that pain still hurts.

[DukeDesmo]

Originally Posted by OldBaldy

Modern 4-valve BMW 1200 vs older design 2-valve Duc - I shouldn't wonder the BMW offers more power. The Duc is really only a freshened-up design of a very old motor, while the BMW is much more modern in the cylinder head design. It's not gonna be a fair match.

Indeed, surely the BMW engine is the pinnacle of BMW's (highly funded) research into 4-valve technology, the boxer layout may be unconventional but it also offers better cooling than the Ducati layout. IMO the BMW should be compared more to the Ducati testastretta 4-valve designs, in which case I don't think you'll find Ducati lacking.

But the package as a whole is more important and we all know that most Ducatis punch well above their weight and are much more than just the sum total of the parts from which they are made - and I know what I'd rather be riding.

BTW do BMW boxer bikes actually 'ground' the cylinders on full lean - because they certainly look like they would (no such problem on a Ducati).

[geospencer]

I have a BMW R1200GS and a Ducati Paul Smart so I am familiar with both engines. I've never paid much attention to power ratings but from a seat-of-the-pants feel I prefer the Ducati.

[MB4duc]

I fully agree with you NCRick: It's about the entire package because noone can ride the spec sheets anyway!

I'm not sure that I fully agree about the 1000DS engine being a ''very old motor'' as someone mentioned. Yes, it's air cooled. Yes, it's a two valver, but besides that it a modern Testeretta. You can read about it here... http://www.motorcycledaily.com/21october02ducatids.html

Getting back to the thing about the entire package I would rather have a lower weight than more power for my SS1000DS because to me it's all about the balance of the package. So more power is not on my wish list for my bike, and I say this as a former Aprilia RSV1000 owner. That bike had 130hp in standard trim... I would rather have a set of BST wheels for my Ducati...

But the ''lack of power issue'' is a valid one because most of us buy our bikes based on the specs, especially max power. This is limiting sales so much on the SS1000DS that all indications are, that it will be discontinued... I'm so happy that I got mine in time and I like all of the 95 ponies...

Cheers,
Morten

[sfyamr1]

Yes, but: A) A R1200GS is over 80lbs heavier than a Multistrada; and, B) The Beemer's F'in ugly