Evening All, I'm new to the forum, but have been lurking for a while. I'm going to buy a Multistrada..... I've ridden bikes for years, with Fireblades, VFR's and Blackbirds being my staple. In recent years I've been into C90's and their derivatives. My wife has recently developed a appreciation of motorcycle travel, so last year we bought a CB500X. It's a great bike, but we (I) now want more power. One of the defining factors for this purchase is comfort. The bike needs to do all sorts, and take us anywhere we want to go. The Multistrada showed, on an earlier test ride, that it was more than capable of ticking my boxes. And my wife's. My concern was buying one without first trying the competition. The other bike I like the look of is the 1290 SuperAdventure. Today we rode both, back-to-back-to-back. Starting on the Multistrada, we spent a while on varied roads. The Skyhook suspension's poise, the power delivery and the comfort are clear to see from the off. I rode along chatting to my better half - struggling to really find fault. Swapping to the KTM wasn't such a big step. The seat is higher, and the bike a little larger, but it's well finished and has the same feel of quality. Once on the move, there were more topics to discuss. So, in no particular order, here are the observations: - The KTM has a seat that, even for a 6ft'er keeps you on the balls of your feet. This makes pillion mounting and dismounting (!) a little more difficult, especially on loose ground. - The dash is clearer on the Ducati. The indicator flashers on the KTM dash are too low. The menu's are more intuitive on the Ducati. - The KTM screen vibrates and makes me feel like I'm getting a migraine. - The KTM is actually more agile. I found it turning more easily and it often seemed more surefooted. - The lock barrel on the KTM is encumbered by wires and cables. With the steering on lock, it was actually difficult to turn the key to the steering lock position. - I could reach the rear brake peg easily on the KTM...... - The rider's seat is more comfortable on the Ducati. Wider and more plush. - The KTM had a narrowed pillion seat, which made the vibrations the the pillion grabs more noticeable. - I thought my wife would want the KTM for the heated seats, but she couldn't feel it through her textiles. - The pillion pegs are lower (or the seat higher) on the Ducati, so Mrs B favored the Ducati on this, too. Also, the silencer interfered with my pillion's heal on the KTM. No issue on the Ducati. - The KTM has a more linear, more four cylinder like, power delivery. It's also more powerful, though not much different at lower revs, it seemed. - The luggage on KTM is huge. More like a GS and very utilitarian. Also very wide. The panniers and top box on the MS are more visually pleasing and sporty, in my eyes. - The ride was better on the Ducati in every mode and on every road. - The Ducati has better brakes - or at least, front brakes. - The KTM screen was more difficult to adjust. - The gap under the seat on the Ducati is untidy. - The Ducati seemed sluggish to turn over on the button. - The Ducati makes a lovely noise, even on standard pipes. The KTM was more muted. Swapping back to the MS, there was nothing to note that was better on the KTM. Except the handling. It really does handle very well..... And maybe the power, if I were on my own and in a real hurry. Whether we try the BMW next is another thing. I doubt it. I think we'll just order a Mutley. Ben
Like a fine connoisseur of wine, you have good taste. Although the bmw will do what it says on the tin, its boring & life-less. Dealers should be throwing in free panniers i here for current models. And there is talk of a pikes-peak version mutley coming out in 2016! Can't wait to do the same thing as you & get my new bike under me.
Smc Sheffield £11995 & free panniers ( Dvt, base model ) ...best deal I found, myself & my pillion could take or leave the skyhook suspension to be honest, though when the revised 2016 model details are released in a few weeks, prices of current models may well fall further, that's what I'm hoping for anyway.
I was told my bike is a 2016 model ! However I'm not sure what you would call a revised model ! I don't expect any changes apart from maybe a quickshifter and I'm sure if that's correct it will also be able to be retrofitted to the existing dvt . That's a cheap bike a smc .
Doubt any changes nect year except paint (PP) as bike too new. Maybe a map or two, hopefully a tougher dash...
Good Report:- I was surprised you did not pick up the Screen vibrating on the DVT, at 3-4k very common. If your test bike did not 100% I would like to know I am little surprised with the comments on Turn in, ( I have only ever ridden mine solo though, though sometimes with 25 kg in the top box) and sure footed better on the KTM, but I might add Sky Hook is a powerful tool and can change a lot about the way the DVT rides and turns in, I prefer PR4s on DVT, but I never found my DVT being anything but pretty sure footed in over 5k miles, Especially with PR4s It is hard now days so many great bikes on the market, and certainly a few very desirable it is a tough choice
My screen does not vibrate all [emoji14] The 19" front wheel on the ktm would make it feel sharper but the multi should turn in quicker unless being 2 up turned it into a chopper ! There's so many new bike all great, but none are absolutely perfect not nowadays, they all need some personalisation to suit the rider and a little tinkering to overcome the issues.
I couldn't say that the MS screen wasn't vibrating, just that it never registered if it was.....! The turn-in on the KTM was certainly better, but whether (as you say) it has to do with riding with pillion, I don't know. Also, the suspension was noticably firmer on the KTM. Whilst this may aid comfort, it may not aid turn in, either! Maybe if the suspension was set a little harder. I think the MS turns in well - just the 1290 turns in better and more easily.
I've been looking at the pillion positions for both bikes. The MS sits the pillion further back. Maybe the additional weight, both relatively high and well over the rear axle changes things. I wonder how much full luggage would change things again?!?
I've had the 2010 model since new and it's time to change it. The other week I took out the DVT, KTM 1290 Super Adventure, BMW GS1200 Adventure and the BMW S1000XR. The GS is an under-powered tractor that corners like my Range Rover. The KTM was good, oodels of power, handled well but looks crap. The DVT was OK but lacked power compared to my current one and the riding position wasn't great even after they put the seat in the high position. The S1000XR was really good fun, the up and down quick shifter made life really easy and great for those overtakes when you find there were slightly more cars than originally though. But it is really ugly and had vibration through the handlebars at 70 which I can't live with. so in the end I ordered the DVT plus touring seat and i suspect a quick shifter will follow shortly.
I've got a 1290 SA. Screen doesn't vibrate at all on mine,and it's really easy to adjust,(strictly manually though,no button pressing available) Luggage is small compared to my K1300GT,but like all panniers they take some getting used to.(My ST2 panniers are tiny in comparison,they may be aesthetically pleasing but they are a PITA to get any reasonable amount of stuff in). I'm 6'3"-ish,and like all my bikes with luggage fitted I mount ,(!) the bike off the nearside peg with the side stand down. Brakes on the MS must be incredible then,because I can smoke the front tyre on the Katoom with two fingers. Have to admit I didn't try the MS myself,I wanted something with at least a passing nod towards off-road potential,and the Duke just didn't seem to fit that role...I'm probably wrong and it's just a personal thing. Also,my Katy is a long-term keeper,so it has to fit a multi,(Ha!)-tude of roles. I didn't care for the Beemer...lovely bike,nothing I could put my finger on,just didn't care for it...( Peter Griffin: "it insists upon itself" LOLOLOL) Whatever you choose,I'm sure (a) you'll love it,and (b),at some point I'll wish I had bought one :tearsofjoy:
