General topics » R1200RS / GS vs Ducati Multistrada 1200S

Hi all. I'm looking for some advice on my possible next purchase...

My budget is £10-£11k. I'm looking for an all rounder, preferably not too heavy with cruise control, quick shifter etc.

I ride approx 95% on road and cover around 8-10k per year usually.

So looking for something that really comfy for touring but also for commuting and weekend blasts.

I've narrowed the search down to the R1200RS or the Multistrada 1200s. I test rode an R1200GS adv, which I loved, but I'm thinking it may be a little to big and catered a bit more for off road. To be honest I don't really want to take an £11k bike off road...I'd be too scared! SO I'm thinking just a nice comfy bike with all the gadgets and maybe a little 250cc bike for off road.

What would everyone go for between the R1200RS and the Multistrada 1200s? Thanks!

Hi Gavbo,

I recently test rode both the Multistrada and the R1200RS back to back, long story short I've ordered an RS.

I've owned several Dukes and still have one so I was expecting the Multi to be "the one" so am used to the little character traits but I was underwhelmed by the Multi it felt rough and unrefined, sure the engine is amazing but it's hard to define but little things like the pillion footpegs aren't sprung loaded so my wife found if she moved her foot the peg folded, I struggled with the riding position which felt very awkward on my arms and my backside seemed low. I checked with the sales guy and confirmed it was all standard so maybe I am a funny shape.

After getting off the Multi, we rode 8 miles to the BMW dealer and rode the RS, I was blown away by torque, the smoothness of the delivery and how unflustered the bike was as speed. My wife commented that she thought I was riding a lot slower on the RS than I did the Multi when in fact the opposite was true.

The instruments on the RS are quite cluttered compared to the crisp, clear tft dash on the Multi and navigating the menus on the Multi seemed more intuitive but I have told myself that it will just require getting used to it.

The other thing to bare in mind with the Multi is servicing costs, a Desmo service is getting on for a grand! It wasn't an issue for me as I am happy spending time inside a Desmo head but if you are looking at dealer servicing they ain't cheap to own.

I pick my RS up in a couple of weeks and am taking it to the South of France for the Bol d'Or so will see if I have made the right choice but I have no regrets so far.

Neither, buy an RS....

Yeah I agree. I do like the dash on the Multi better than the RS, but I think there's more positives with the RS overall. The RS is shaft driven as well. How did you find the quick shift gear changes on each?

I'm going to book teats rides in asap! I've got an MT09 Tracer at the mo. Great bike for the money but had 3 years now so just looking for a change.

Let me know how you get on with the RS on your trip. Enjoy, it sounds brill :-)

Hi Gavbo, I have no experience of the Multistrada so I cant make the comparison you are looking for. However I can confirm that for the style of riding that you have declared here, that the RS really fits that scope very well, its a lovely hybrid of sports and touring set-up with nicely integrated luggage if needed. The display is cluttered (in Style 0) as mentioned by Fugly, but if you adjust to Style 3 you have a much less cluttered display if that is an issue, personally I’m comfortable with all info on Style 0.
Regarding the quick-shift assist, it’s great from 3rd to 6th gear (both up and down the box) but clunky in 1st and 2nd. In reality I rarely feel the need of it at low speed so this “limitation” at the bottom end doesn’t bother me, but I do use it in the higher gears and enjoy the fast and smooth transmission, its especially good when scrubbing off speed into roundabouts or sharp bends where it feels secure to be able to keep a full hand/fingers on the bars.

Zitat von Gavbo26 im Beitrag #4

---

How did you find the quick shift gear changes on each?

---

My recollection is that Motorcycle.com has recently published a review of the Multi as well as a comparison of the Multi and the R-GS, along with three other SUV-type motorcycle models.

The RS was the only non "adventure bike" we tested and we both really liked it, I loved it but Susanne preferred the elevated pillion position but I dislikes the more vague front end feeling (all except Multi), riding position (Multi, Triumph 1200xrt) and significant fore / aft weight transfer (Africa twin) so went with the RS.

I guess I am just too used to 17" front wheels with more weight over them.

Hi Gavbo26, haven't compared the RS to the multi, but really replying to comments about the quickshifter. I find the gear changes smooth between all gears and use it 95% of the time, only using the clutch to pull away/ stop or if I find I am not accelerating between 1st and 2nd in heavy traffic say. It's great for the pillion as well as you don't get headbutted as the power comes off. Works well both under gentle or hard acceleration at high or low revs. Just need to educate yourself to keep the throttle open and constant while upshifting or kept closed while downshifting, don't blip the throttle, the bike does that.

I rented a multistrada for a tour thru Norway...a couple of thousand miles.
The good
great power
great handling
great sound
nice display and controls
The bad
too tall for me.....I like to flat foot it I like to be able to back the bike up from parking spaces, etc
The ;engine is a jack hammer vibration al low RPMs! Engine vibration smooths out between 4000 and 5000 rpms. So to keep the eng vibes down you have to keep your RPMS up at 20 or 30 mph...this is noisy and irritating to me.
The engine is only happy when it's "on the cam" It make you feel that you always have to be in race mode! This make be ok for some....not for me

I like the BMW RS engine as it is MUCH more torquey and docile at low rpms...allowing relaxed touring at low speeds.
The good;
great flexible engine
fast enough
Handles very well
comfortable seat height
exceptional brakes
The bad
peg handle bar locations a bit cramped for all day riding (old guy knees) Corrected by lower peg and 1 inch bar riser

I've not ridden the Multi, but I've ridden with a Multi owner who was having major problems with the keyless ride. It was so bad, that when I was buying the RS, I serious tried to get that off the bike. The BMW guys assured me that the BMW keyless was superior to the Duc, and so far that has been the case.

Yeah and you still need a key on the Multi to open the fuel cap.
Being the kind chap I am I stopped to put some fuel in the Multi on the way back to the dealers, where I realised in his pre-ride instruction he omitted to tell me how to way the bloody thing up after shutting it down! That took a couple of minutes to work out

Hi vtbob, I’ve just ordered a set of lowered pegs from motorrad arriving Wednesday, did you fit for your own, are they straightforward or is it best for a dealer to fit? Thanks in advance. Jules