Hi! I currently have a BMW R1250GS, which I’m finding a bit heavy as I get older. I’m thinking of trading in the GS for a Multistrada V2 and would be grateful for advice. A friend is warning me that Ducati’s are unreliable and expensive to maintain. I know this used to be the case, but wondered if the newer machines were better.
Thought the same years ago and took the piss out of my touring buddy who bought a 996. Even sorted out a GPS POI file of dealers across Europe for the tour we were doing that year... my Honda VFR broke down with electrical issues His bike is now around 45,000 miles and it's been reliable. If looked after they're no less reliable than other marques, in fact in one group I've toured with it's the BMWs that have the reputation for unreliability. Have been running a 1260 Multistrada for four and a half years and 20,000 miles now and, aside from an oil weep from the seal behind the lower common cam pulley, sorted under warranty, I've had zero issues. Desmo service isn't cheap but show me a large premium bike where the major service with valve check is? At 18,000 miles it's not a regular thing and by then you'll probably be outside of warranty so using a respected independent mechanic can save quite a bit. Mine was £850 or thereabouts but that included; belts, all fluids, spark plugs, oil and air filters etc, all OEM parts. In other words the 'complete works'. Same indi workshop my 996 riding mate uses. Dread to think how much that would have been at a Ducati franchise.
Do your homework, talk to whoever you will be getting the bike serviced by about ownership costs. The high mileage “desmo” service at 18,000 miles, valve shims are checked (and might need replacing) and is a time consuming job which will have a dealer labour charge (and VAT) of about £800 ish. Belt change services at 18,000 miles or 5 years, can be £300 ish. The new V2 is no more reliable or unreliable than any other major manufacturer. Yes, Ducati have a reputation for niggly things like fasteners made of cheese, fragile engine paint and fuel level sender failure but that doesn’t put people off buying the bikes. If you plan to do high mileage and have a small budget, I’d probably suggest you look a Kawasaki or a Suzuki. Andy
Thank you for your swift, comprehensive and encouraging reply! I look forward to trying out the MS V2 in a week.
Welcome to the forum David.You are absolutely normal in finding the GS heavy as you get older. In my eyes lighter smaller bikes can be a lot more fun and make one feel a lot more relaxed when riding.
Good point. He’s a BMW/Triumph trained motorcycle mechanic and a long-term rider, who looks after both my current machines, so there could be a tiny conflict of interest, but I’m sure he only wants the best for me!
I’m looking forward to discovering if the MS V2 actually feels lighter. The GS carries its weight low down, so from my perspective, doesn’t feel much heavier than the Triumph Tiger 900, which is another excellent bike, but not as sophisticated as the GS. After riding with semi-active suspension it was a surprise to ride a bike with forks that dip when you brake. The GS is lovely when you get it rolling, but at very slow speeds it can sometimes catch me out, if you know what I mean! Let me say that my Helite Airvest works as well as I’d hoped! My Triumph Speed Twin is a joy - just like the bikes I owned 50 years ago, but with modern-day reliability and performance; no oil down my trouser leg! My only issue with it is that nowadays I like to have a bit of weather protection.
i'd ignore the mate, loads of people slag ducatis when they are actually repeating pub talk and never owned one met someone at the weekend who just said "dont like ducati" i know people that absolutely hate russian people despite never meeting one
I owned a Multi 950 and a 950s, nearly 30000 miles between the two, and tested a V2 recently which feels pretty much the same despite being 5 kg lighter. These bikes do not feel particularly light, centre of gravity is pretty high , with luggage and panniers they are quite top-heavy. The old MTS 1200 felt lighter and more agile. However, I never had any mechanical issue with them. The Desert X feels lighter but it's too tall for me. In the end I got myself a Multistrada V4, possibly heavier but it feels much much lighter at slow speed and, unlike the GS, you know you have a front wheel.
I’ve had over a dozen GS’s, and stupidly always stayed away from moving to Ducati. But I’m on my third now, soon to be fourth, and haven’t had a single issue.
Might it possibly, by chance, perhaps, maybe be that he doesn’t want to have to come out of his comfort zone to look after your possible new Ducati???
I've an R1150GS adventure with 65k+ miles and a 2017 1200 multistrada enduro with 26k+. Both have had minor problems but nothing worrying or expensive. I had an 2021 R1250 RT which had the exhaust replaced twice under warranty due to the flappy valve failure, it also went on the multistrada but I disconnected it. The desmo service is expensive normally £750 and up however I looked at the service intervals / costs for the Ducati and a new GS up to 36k miles and the Ducati was around £200 more. My v2 is also noticeably more fuel efficient than the new V4 but probably on equal terms with the GS. Only downside is more maintenance with the chain compared to the shaft drive of the GS.
Welcome David, I rode a R1200GS for 4 years and I too wanted wanted something lighter. I was lucky enough to have a loan of a new V2S fo 10 days last Easter and it was great bike to ride, comfortable and engaging with plenty of power and great handling to enjoy the twisty roads. I had actually placed an order for one, but after 6 months of waiting with no delivery date, I was lucky to pick up a 1 month old V4S Sport which is only slightly lighter than the GS but so well balanced it feels like half the weight. Anyway the V2S is a great bike, but I'm so glad I got the V4S, it's much more enjoyable than both the GS and V2S.
BMW's are bloody heavy Motorbikes... Don't ask me how I know, I still own a couple.. R1150/RS -RT.. Compared to my MTS1100S and the 996S they are BUFF's but still a joy tor ride. A totally different breed. No comparison.. just saying,
