2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 vs. BMW R1200GS

[admin]

BMW's rugged Twin, the GS (updated for 2010), is arguably still the juggernaut of the adventure-touring segment.

As some evidence of this, for the first half of 2010, BMW reports the GS outsold all other motorcycles worldwide in the 500cc or larger category. Furthermore, for the same period, the mighty GS led the charge in a 23.2% gain in bike sales volume for BMW.

Within BMW the GS also dominates. According to Pieter de Waal, vice president of BMW Motorrad USA, the GS accounts for upwards of 30% of total BMW bike sales around the Big Blue Marble.

The king is still on his global throne.

But in recent years other brands have made attempts to loosen the GS' stranglehold over the on/off-road sector of motorcycling – KTM's dirt bike-inspired 990 Adventure leaps to mind. However, not until this year has any brand attempted to match the German giant's ever-growing array of electronic rider aids available on the GS.

The new Multistrada 1200, now powered by a retuned version of the liquid-cooled 1199cc L-Twin sourced from Ducati's 1198 superbike, has not only gained heaps more power over the previous 1078cc air-cooled Multi, it brings a multitude of e-gizmos.

Although Ducati doesn't tout the new 'Strada as a conqueror of unforgiving backcountry, its MSRP(s), engine performance and rider-manageable electronics package are thinly veiled advances against the GS's profound share of the A-T market.

A duel between the updated-for-2010 GS and new Multistrada seemed inevitable, so, that's just what we did.

More: 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 vs. BMW R1200GS on Motorcycle.com

[SD 999S]

Ducati should call Ewan Mcgregor about making another documentary, that will put the Multi over the top in sales

[Valle]

I own the 2010 Multistrada and I had a BMW. The Ducati is superior in ever possible way.
There are BMW fans who want to be like "It's soooo HEAVY" Charlie and Ewan. who have not owned or even ridden the new Multistrada that still say the BMW is better.

Show me I person who owns or has put some miles on the Multistrada who can say the BMW is the better all around Motorcycle

[sfarson]

Originally Posted by Valle

I own the 2010 Multistrada and I had a BMW. The Ducati is superior in ever possible way.
There are BMW fans who want to be like "It's soooo HEAVY" Charlie and Ewan. who have not owned or even ridden the new Multistrada that still say the BMW is better.

Show me I person who owns or has put some miles on the Multistrada who can say the BMW is the better all around Motorcycle

Would be a close call for me, owning both an MTS12 and 12GSADV. I give the edge to the MTS on the back roads, in the city, in the canyons. But the big roomy GSADV with its 400+ mile tank range, up front protection, shaft drive, low RPM/tractor like grunt, easy maintenance, etc. would have me reaching for its keys on long rides, two up, and off road. Despite the MTS's amazing low weight, I'm reluctant to take it far off road. Not so with the GS... that tractor engine is outstanding off road.

[BestBikingRoads]

I have a gs and also a ducati (albeit a 999s) and I can say that the multistrada is not a serious competitor for the gs riders who ride a bit off road. For me, putting a 1098 engine in a tall bike is not enough to make the ultimate adventure touring bike (didn't Triumph already do that with Tiger?) the 17" wheels, non spoked rims and painted luggage puts me off the multistrada. I might be the only person on this forum who argues against the multistrada but having done over 100,000 miles on various types of GS, I can say that for me, the new yam 1200 is the only serious competitor for the GS. The multistrada is a good bike, but a competitor for the gs it ain't

David

[DucFanDan]

As before, the Multi is the better asphalt bike, the Beemer is the better outback bike.

I'm struggling with this dilemma right now, because I'm moving to the country, living where it's 5 miles of gravel road to get to the nearest asphalt. I'd like to go poking around in out-of-the-way places, yet still enjoy myself when I do get to the curvy asphalt. The bike needs to be a good balance of abilities... my commute will be 5 miles of gravel followed by 30 miles of twisty asphalt. Then there's the weekend rides... 2-up touring to God-knows-where.

I'm still undecided. One thing I do know is that I really don't like the Multi's new Throttle-by-Wire engine controls. The Japanese can't do it reliably (Exhibit A: Toyota), and every other throttle-by-wire vehicle I've driven suffers at least 300-500ms latency between user input and change in engine throttle position. That's intolerable on a motorcycle. I want a physical cable from the handgrip to the throttle bodies. When I roll the grip open, the butterfly better open. When I close it, it had better close.

But... that's just me, an anal-retentive Aerospace Engineer, who's worked on a lot of avionics. I don't trust most electronic systems.

[missin44]

Originally Posted by DucFanDan

As before, the Multi is the better asphalt bike, the Beemer is the better outback bike.

I'm struggling with this dilemma right now, because I'm moving to the country, living where it's 5 miles of gravel road to get to the nearest asphalt. I'd like to go poking around in out-of-the-way places, yet still enjoy myself when I do get to the curvy asphalt. The bike needs to be a good balance of abilities... my commute will be 5 miles of gravel followed by 30 miles of twisty asphalt. Then there's the weekend rides... 2-up touring to God-knows-where.

I'm still undecided. One thing I do know is that I really don't like the Multi's new Throttle-by-Wire engine controls. The Japanese can't do it reliably (Exhibit A: Toyota), and every other throttle-by-wire vehicle I've driven suffers at least 300-500ms latency between user input and change in engine throttle position. That's intolerable on a motorcycle. I want a physical cable from the handgrip to the throttle bodies. When I roll the grip open, the butterfly better open. When I close it, it had better close.

But... that's just me, an anal-retentive Aerospace Engineer, who's worked on a lot of avionics. I don't trust most electronic systems.

I'm in much the same dilemma as you, though the Duc has taken the lead. 2 years ago I looked at the Duc Multi, Beemer and Buell Ulysses. I bought the Buell. I bought the Buell over the Beemer for it road handling, the Beemer while ok did nothing to excite me. The Buell was a seer joy in the turns. The Duc while fun in the turns had nothing on the Buell, I did like the Duc motor but for me the Buell had more comfort and in my opinion better road handling. Additionally the Buell handled the dirt and fire roads with ease, any more I look to a true offroad bike.

Two years later HD gutted every Buell owner when in my opinion they stupidly closed the doors on Buell. I still love the bike but the new Duc beats the Buell in every category except maybe comfort. I can put down 500+ miles in a day easy on the Uly, for me the new Duc has only a couple flaws. I would much prefer a more utilitarian saddle bags and top case. I also do not like the idea of a chain. The price is a bit steep. All that said I have for the most part decided that the Duc fits what I want to do, 80% mountain twisties and 20% dirt and gravel roads.

[flynbulldog]

Originally Posted by DucFanDan

As before, the Multi is the better asphalt bike, the Beemer is the better outback bike.

I'm struggling with this dilemma right now, because I'm moving to the country, living where it's 5 miles of gravel road to get to the nearest asphalt. I'd like to go poking around in out-of-the-way places, yet still enjoy myself when I do get to the curvy asphalt. The bike needs to be a good balance of abilities... my commute will be 5 miles of gravel followed by 30 miles of twisty asphalt. Then there's the weekend rides... 2-up touring to God-knows-where.

I'm still undecided. One thing I do know is that I really don't like the Multi's new Throttle-by-Wire engine controls. The Japanese can't do it reliably (Exhibit A: Toyota), and every other throttle-by-wire vehicle I've driven suffers at least 300-500ms latency between user input and change in engine throttle position. That's intolerable on a motorcycle. I want a physical cable from the handgrip to the throttle bodies. When I roll the grip open, the butterfly better open. When I close it, it had better close.

But... that's just me, an anal-retentive Aerospace Engineer, who's worked on a lot of avionics. I don't trust most electronic systems.

I'm totally with you. I'm also considering an adventure bike as my next purchase and throttle-by-wire is a turn-off , I don't want it! It totally sucks in all the cars I've driven with it and I don't want it on a bike!

I've riden the MTS and like it - I doubt it will have any problem with a five mile stretch of dirt road -
It's those 20 mile back-country unmaintained sections that would have me thinking twice.
The big killer for the Duc - is the poor fueling - I don't think I could put up with it on yet another bike


The Beemer is a heavy beast and that also has me wondering but I do intend to use this bike as a two-up tourer in addition to taking the off-highway passes and shortcuts that are so numerous around my local.

I'm very interested in the Yam but I'm pretty sure that thing is controlled by TBW too...
what to do?

[wforider]

Must consider soft to heavy lay downs, Ducati has a lot to loose

[bmwstrider]

Just rode the S10 saturday. Only 15 minute ride. I thought the TBW was quick, suspension was great, handled good and very comfortable. Nice and quiet ( I like quiet) and shifted very smooth.

I considered my Tiger 1050 better than a GS, and the MTS12 better than the Tiger.

I have a feeling the S10 would be a change the oil and put in gas then ride type of bike, big deal to a DIY guy. The MTS12 I'm getting the feeling you need to drop by the computer at the dealer from time to time and bring your wallet.

Time will tell.