2013: Multistrada vs R1200GS

Does anyone have experience with either or both? I want brand new, fully loaded of either model.

The intention is to take my wife on three to five day or more weekends/vacations two up. Long rides to different states.

I am experiencing paralysis by analysis.

Any help?

Higgs Boson said:

Does anyone have experience with either or both? I want brand new, fully loaded of either model.

The intention is to take my wife on three to five day or more weekends/vacations two up. Long rides to different states.

I am experiencing paralysis by analysis.

Any help?

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Try this site:

The 10 Best Motorcycles For Carrying A Passenger | RideApart

I bought a 13 mts gt I bought a couple months ago. nearing the 4k miles mark. Absolutely love this bike.

Some of the earlier 2010-11--12 mts had the typical ducati low rpm fueling issue. the new mapping and dual spark ignitiion system have solved that and it's one of the best low rpm ducs I've had.

Plenty of power and yet I can ride it all day long, it handles sublimely in the mountains. Just a great bike.

No experience with that model beemer tho.

Given the cult and length of time surrounding BMW's touring bikes, it's supposed to be the bee's knees. BUT considered the 1190 Adventure?

Hey the KTM might be an option as my Duc store is aquiring the franchise....

Any concerns with a chain driven bike out on the open road? I'd maintain it properly of course but what is the failure rate of a properly maintained chain vs a shaft? I have never owned a shaft bike...

The MTS has a 530 chain, I'm confident I'll get 30k out of the chain.
But that was a consideration, I'd much rather have a shaft drive on a touring bike but none of the shaft drive bikes out there appealed to me. PLUS, the mts handling by all reviews is substantially better than the sport/adventurer tourers out there now.

Higgs Boson said:

Hey the KTM might be an option as my Duc store is aquiring the franchise....

Any concerns with a chain driven bike out on the open road? I'd maintain it properly of course but what is the failure rate of a properly maintained chain vs a shaft? I have never owned a shaft bike...

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I have all three . I currently ride a KTM 1190 R it sits perfectly in the middle of the other two .
All bikes are fantastic . The MTS is fun to ride great two up but limited on the dirt .
The BMW I had was. 2012 GSA1200 so not the water cooled model it was great touring bike better than the MTS but heavy and not the exciting .
I have ridden the new GS it is nice but still sterile .
The KTM has a awesome motor and can do everything well and is a hoot to ride .
My recent trip was a 2500 km ride in three days . This is my favorite bike so far but they are all great in their own ways .

Higgs Boson said:

Hey the KTM might be an option as my Duc store is aquiring the franchise....

Any concerns with a chain driven bike out on the open road? I'd maintain it properly of course but what is the failure rate of a properly maintained chain vs a shaft? I have never owned a shaft bike...

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If a chain bike breaks you can fix it . Shafts on the BMW have been know to fail and it's a bus ride home .

I have a '13 MTS PP and love it. It's light, quick and fun. Also serves as a touring bike. I also considered and rode the new 1200GS, another nice bike but, big. If I were to do any off-road riding I would've gotten the BMW. Although you can take the Multi off-road it's really not set up for it. Small front wheel, etc... I think you could tour the country on the MTS, but if I were going to use it just to tour, I would get the BMW 1600GTL. It's a rolling hide-a-bed that handles better than you would think. The Multi is nice because I comfortably commute, can ride it like a sport-bike and can take it on extended rides. It's just a very light bike for purely the touring category.

bronch said:

I have a '13 MTS PP and love it. It's light, quick and fun. Also serves as a touring bike. I also considered and rode the new 1200GS, another nice bike but, big. If I were to do any off-road riding I would've gotten the BMW. Although you can take the Multi off-road it's really not set up for it. Small front wheel, etc... I think you could tour the country on the MTS, but if I were going to use it just to tour, I would get the BMW 1600GTL. It's a rolling hide-a-bed that handles better than you would think. The Multi is nice because I comfortably commute, can ride it like a sport-bike and can take it on extended rides. It's just a very light bike for purely the touring category.

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Do you feel having the MTS and Pani is redundant at all?

Higgs Boson said:

Do you feel having the MTS and Pani is redundant at all?

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I think that they are a really good complement to each other. It has a very nice motor with a softened throttle response. Obviously, much less aggressive riding position, but you can have fun on it if you want. I just got back from a 700+ mile ride on the MTS and I was ready for more. Last Sunday I did about a 300+ mile ride on the Pani and felt like it was 2500 miles. I love both bikes. Two up is just fine, but you definitely feel it since it's such a light bike though.

bronch said:

I think that they are a really good complement to each other. It has a very nice motor with a softened throttle response. Obviously, much less aggressive riding position, but you can have fun on it if you want. I just got back from a 700+ mile ride on the MTS and I was ready for more. Last Sunday I did about a 300+ mile ride on the Pani and felt like it was 2500 miles. I love both bikes. Two up is just fine, but you definitely feel it since it's such a light bike though.

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I am just worried that the MTS will be all the bike I need and I will want to sell the Pani, lol. That's one reason I want something a lot different!

I guess I just need to ride the options and go from there.

take if from me for any rides over an hour I found myself walking by the pani to get on the mts.

Higgs Boson said:

I am just worried that the MTS will be all the bike I need and I will want to sell the Pani, lol. That's one reason I want something a lot different!

I guess I just need to ride the options and go from there.

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Higgs Boson said:

I am just worried that the MTS will be all the bike I need and I will want to sell the Pani, lol.

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Ha, well you could. Wait 'til you test ride it, I'm telling you the looks are deceiving, it can rail turns. I love sportbikes though and will always have one

the mts is an incredible handling bike and tho it looks really big it's substantially lighter than the new BMW GS and lighter than the old aircooled gs.

bronch said:

Ha, well you could. Wait 'til you test ride it, I'm telling you the looks are deceiving, it can rail turns. I love sportbikes though and will always have one

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Higgs just get the KTM .

wilkson said:

Higgs just get the KTM .

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I'm not sure it is available in the states......

For sure it is you guys are the centre of the universe . Just try one . I prefer the motor the fueling is fantastic it is Multistrada fast and handles as well on dirt as it does on the tar .
It's much cheaper as well .

The new GS all day and every day. It's the standard enduro / tourer the others are still striving to beat. I rode all of the contenders and the GS is fast enough, very comfortable, has a metric .... ton of aftermarket parts, is impeccably built and has just raised the standard again with the latest version. The KTM and MTS are a little faster but that's what sport bikes are for IMHO. I want comfort, versatility, reliability, dealer network no matter where I go and confidence in the bike when I'm miles from home. Plus you can't look like Ewan on a KTM (spit).

IMHO the new GS is anything but sterile. BMW have a tendency to make bikes like that but the new GS ain't one of them.

This is a Ducati forum so you're going to get the majority recommending the MTS because it's a Ducati and the KTM because it's not a BMW. All I'll add is that every review I've read has said the MTS and KTM are a lot of fun and great bikes but the GS is the Gold Standard (oh, just noticed what I did there ).

Get what you like but if it was my money I'd get the GS. Your money will also be safer with a GS as I believe the depreciation isn't as steep as the other two. I wouldn't like to be trying to sell a used KTM in a hurry! I'm still undecided on the best Superbike but the GS is the best enduro / tourer, no doubt (for me, IMHO, YMMV, etc). Mine is due imminently.

Reliability ? The GS is far from that . They are a great tourer no doubt but as a enduro they are not .
Truth is all these bikes are great and all will do the job your after some just better in different areas .
Are you just sticking to the tar or do you intend venture off road as well ?