2010 Ducati Multistrada vs R12R

[philadelphia]

I love my R12R, but I came accross this article on the new Ducati and it looks quite interesting. The article concludes by saying that Ducati is gunning for the BMW GS market, but the bike almost sounds like more of an R12R competitor.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/ducati-moto ... rada-1200/

I am a motorcycle novice compared to most of you on the board and was wondering what you think about this bike? To my untrained eye it appears to offer alot of what the R12R offers and maybe even a little more (as reflected in the cost).

Thoughts?

[Caroanbill]

You would have to say that Ducati has passed BMW in offering those four different riding profiles. Interesting, because all of the base technology (except drive-by-wire) is present in the R1200R. And when you consider how BMW makes ASC available by giving dealers the codes to activate it, bikes are becoming more and more about software options ...

... will we get to the point where the motor, frame and suspension is just a loss-leader for software sales and where "upgrades" to bikes are achieved by downloading new software (in BMW's case, via a dealer, of course )

BUT it's all academic for me unless the software can lower that seat height from 850mm to something I could actually hold up ... oh, and replace the chain drive with a belt or shaft ... and since I'm quite happy with the power delivery and characteristics of my R1200R, and since my Wilbers suspension does exactly what I want, all that adjustment would be superfluous for me ...

NOW - can Ducati produce a tyre that goes from urban to touring to sports compound? I'm wating on that nanotechnology!

[mogu83]

It may or may-not be an issue for you but, check what insurance coverage will cost. Last time I checked it didn't matter what style of bike it was - if it said Ducati on the tank the premium was sky high.

[TAG-Caver]

Yes, it's an interesting machine; I'm waiting to hear more about it once it hits our shores in quantity. Ducati makes some nice motorcycles, but I've read the valve adjustment is painstaking and time consuming. One of the reasons I chose my R1200R is the ease of maintenance. Checking/adjusting valves on these bikes is a breeze compared to most motorcycles.

[dderrig]

I sat on the new 2010 Multistrada at the Seattle Motorcycle show here not to long ago, very comfortable and nice looking with as you say many features I like (ABS etc.). But me likes my roadsterrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..................

[gezerbike]

I wouldn't say it was targeted for RR sales. They without doubt in my mind are going directly after the GS market as well as the Triumph Tiger. They read the press and see the sales numbers. GS top selling BMW world wide. Most owners don't really do offroad riding, maybe some gravel or fire lanes. Macho looking vehichles with great touring capacity. They handle more like sportbikes than dirt bikes. I really think Ducati would like to move in the direction BMW has taken. There is only a limited amount of Superbikes you can sell, and they don't sell too well here. They'd like a little diversity in their line....something the Multistrada didn't give them. This bike will help, but they have a long way to go. They should have never let the Cagiva Gran Canyon concept get away.

[Motorcycle_Girl]

The Ducati is a nice bike but I still like the look of the R1200R better. Price point is similar but I am with the other poster about the insurance. The BMW tends to have a better insurance premiums than a lot of bikes with equivalent engine size and power. Ducati's on the other hand tend to get stung just because of the name. Now if someone was willng to give me one I would not say no...lol

Celeste

[Mollygrubber]

That was one of my top 5 when bike shopping, but for me it had a few things against it:

1) seat height

2) Chain drive

3) Maintenance costs (although Ducati has claimed a 50% reduction in this)

4) That butt-ugly fairing. Catherine Zeta-Jones from the rear, Phyllis Diller from the front.

The handling is said to be superb, especially the 'S' model with the Ohlins.

It was touch and go, but I'm happy with my decision.

My 2 cents.

Peter

[Tarmac]

Im wondering about the maintanace. Pretty hard to go touring if you have to change the belts every 4k.

I know the old Multistrada made a whole lot of noise, i think it was the dry clutch... not sure if I want to hear that all day.

I think the Monster 1100 and sport classic is closer to the R then the multistrada

[motoracer8]

I have a 1000s Multistrada, and a R1200R, I enjoy them both, when I'm by myself I do enjoy the Ducati, my wife would rather ride on the BMW.
The Ducati has alittle sharper steering, the BMW more relaxing to ride. Both have a simular range, The seat is alittle higher on the Ducati, if you are tall the Ducati has alittle more leg room. The luggage offered for the BMW is more user friendly, both have heated grips. I've not had any real issues with either machine. If you have to pay to have the bike serviced then the Ducati can be more expencive. I do my own service work, and in 20,000 miles I've had to change one exhaust shim, but you do have to remove the body work/fuel tank to get to the vertical cylinder, the BMW is much easyer to work on as far as the valves go. Yes there is chain matainance but with o ring chains thats less of a chore than it uesd to be, and there are no splines to lube on the Ducati. I've done 600 mile days on both machines with no issues. If you like farkels race parts and nonsence there is no end to the stuff you can buy for a Ducati. The MTS is not my first Ducati and will probbaly not be my last, and I still own three BMW's.

Ken G.

[motoracer8]

Belt changes are at 12,000, not 4000

Ken G.

[celticus]

Dang near half again as much horse power and less weight cannot be ignored. The pictures in Cycle World make the panniers look somewhat smaller than my R1200R has. Most times I need all of the pannier space I can get. But that power to weight ratio.....
The Ducati also has nicer looking wheels IMO and that single sided swing arm shows the rear one off. The Duck is slightly longer and I don't think I'd like that but there there may be other considerations to take into account in the tight turns.
I like the looks of the Duck. Ease of maintained IS an issue. If we had BMW guys BUT they owned Ducatis and would publish on the internet how to do a 20,000 mile checkup then perhaps all things would be more equal.
I am not acquainted with the internet Ducati community but the BMW community has no peer if you need advise or an argument.

Mark

[bmwk100]

Both of these bikes are definitely on my replacement list if and when I trade in my Triumph Sprint ST. Although I think the Multistrada is built to compete with the GS, it would rarely ever go off road. (I would never ride that bike on dirt or gravel, it is too nice.) Thus, I think it should be in the same category as the R.

The main question with the Multistrada will be if the electronics will be reliable.

[NakedRider]

I saw one of the new Multi's a few weeks ago at my dealer, A&S. To me the front of the bike looks like a bird that got rear-ended by another bird.

That said, my bet is it will be one of the best all-round bikes on the planet. Too many good points to be anything less.

[celticus]

One thing about the Multisrada, You can see them at my BMW dealer. However the dealer does not have a single new BMW for sale. At what point does he cease being a BMW dealer?

Mark

[deilenberger]

One thing about the Multisrada, You can see them at my BMW dealer. However the dealer does not have a single new BMW for sale. At what point does he cease being a BMW dealer?

Mark

Sounds like he already has..

[deilenberger]

Just a FWIW..

New member of our local club came to his first meeting last night, sat next to me.

His wife gave him a Duc for his 50th birthday (we ALL offered to take her if he was tired of her..)

He tried it for a bit - and ended up taking it back to the BMW/Duc dealer and trading it for an R12R. He seems much happier with the R. Can't say that means anything important, but given a choice, some people do pefer the R12R over a Duc.

Question - do any Ducs have ABS? They would be a non-starter for me if they don't.

[celticus]

ABS is an option on the Mutistrada 1200.

Mark

[Tarmac]

Belt changes are at 12,000, not 4000

Ken G.

The 1200 needs service every 7,500 miles, or 12,000Km... not sure which side of the pond your on.

http://www.ducati.com/en/bikes/service/ ... ance.jhtml

[Mollygrubber]

Hmmm... can it be that owning a Ducati could prove cheaper in the long run (10,000km BMW service intervals vs 12,000km Duc.)?



Somehow I think not, especially after 200,000 miles.