As per title really. I have a 2009 BMW GS that’s pretty perfect really, but have hankered for a Multistrada for a while. What am I getting myself into? Anyone done similar, or is anyone looking for a lovely GS? Lovely GS: Lovelystrada: Am I making a terrible mistake?
Depends what you want to do with it.... If its touring the world over all terrain the GS is probably the best as its Cheaper.. easier to service (worldwide) If its hooning around with some long distance European tours the Multi is better...
Had a new GS for a pretty much a year, great bike just a pile of steaming junk rotting away, very different from a multi, that I also owned at the same time. Depending on what Multi you are buying? GS was like riding an arm chair, relaxing, fast pace, great fun when you wanted it to be, very satisfying to ride a tractor so fast and handle so well. Multi can be ridden a faster, more of a naked bike feel though better wind protection, you love a multi, you own a GS, ironic my 2015 has better finish and corroded far less than GS after a year. Multi is a more sportier ride, seating not a comfortable and higher seat height than a factory lowered GS on a low seat, but still low enough for me. you will not be disappointed in a multi, just cost more to run and service.
My GS is a 2009 single cam and I've been happy with it, I know later LC models can be a bother. I'm looking at a 2015 base DVT Multistrada.
It's more the latter Simon, that's why I'm considering indulging myself. I've done some light off-road on the GS but not enough to really panic about the capabilities of a Multi. The Multi doesn't need to be a mud-plugger or a sports bike, just needs to be a comfy two-up bike to get us around Europe without fuss and to be enjoyable for rider and pillion alike. Cruise control is a big draw, and I'm equally happy with Ducati and BMW brands... although my foot is definitely further into the Ducati camp and I find the BMW crowd can be a little bit self-satisfied. I've liked owning a slightly older GS as although every ferry has 40 of the things, most are LC models fresh from the showroom and mine feels a bit more authentic. I'm in no way unhappy with the GS TBH, I just fancy a Multi.
If you do any night driving - would recommend the S - for the headlight... also if you are switching between single / dual person frequent - the Skyhook is exellent... But probably 1.5K more for a 15Plate S than a Base...
Multi faster, easier to ride at warp speed on twisty roads, brakes work far better, and you get good old fashioned dive! Abs won't leave you wondering if you will stop either... If you can stretch to an S, you can set up one of the modes to almost ride like the GS: very soft and wallow and comfortable
The deal I'm offered is a base, and TBH the business of hand-cranking the preload isn't a biggie and I never had cornering lights so I won't miss those anyway. My GS has ABS / TC so I am well-versed in the benefits of those and imagine the DVT to have more mature capabilities in these areas. My prime worries are luggage (as I'm looking @ £1k for a pair of toploading boxes for the sides, and the standard panniers are side loaders, which look pretty but are a funny shape and everything falls out when you open them - like the Vario jobs my GS had when I bought it) and pillion comfort, as I get a funny squeaking from the back seat if she's not happy (has coccyx trouble - which is no trivial thing over a multi-day trip). We had the DVT S for 48 hours last summer and TBH compared to the base it's not that much of a compelling reason to spend the £1500+, which could buy me an ergo rear perch and some metal boxes.
As I said the lights - base is standard the S is LED - nothing to do with the cornering light part of it... but I ride a lot in the dark (nearly all my riding)... Since loosing my Multi I have updated my scrambler with spot lamps to try and get as close to the Multi lights as I can..
Please, please reconsider buying a base model. IMO (for what that is worth) the Skyhook is essential for 2 up riding and makes all sorts of roads 1 up riding far, far more enjoyable. Nowt wrong with side loading panniers if you use the snazy internal bags. Exhaust side holds enough for me and the other side is just that bit bigger for the lady in your life. There was (and hopefully still is) a Ducati passenger comfort seat which as a sufferer pain from my Sacrum (coccyx now surgically removed) is more comfortable. Whatever you buy, hope you enjoy. Andy
I've had electronic suspension for a few years on the GS and on my HP4 and it's alright but I am not wholly sold on the benefits. They still need setting up, they still go off over time and a well-set up conventionally suspended bike will do a pretty good job of keeping the wheels on the ground. Electronic suspension is still reactive to road surface, so you've got an adaptive response to road surface but still a reactive one ... so other than some marginal gains from the Skyhook system I am not too fussed. I know it's well regarded but I'd rather set up the base suspension properly, get some proper boxes (I like camping and top-loading panniers are much easier / will take my Kriega inners. We usually fill the larger pannier with her riding gear inc. lid and she flies out to France / Spain / Switzerland / Italy or wherever and I ride down, that's partly to minimise needless toil on her coccyx too) and a better passenger seat - thanks for the info' on that. I'll look for one of those.
I have the 2015 base suspension model and have recently owned the 2011 rt. RT not a direct comparison but the engine/tranny are very similar. The rt for me was like a Butler ready to take me anywhere with no problems and in comfort. Did a 6500 mile trip to West coast once. Great bike but somewhat boring. Got the Ducati at same time as rt. Took a 4300 mile trip out west on Ducati and found it could tour just as the BMW but more sporty a little less comfort. I don't ride two up but the base suspension is fine. I fiddled with it at first and have left it alone for two years. The lights maybe not as good as Ducati S but I don't ride at night. On maintenance the BMW I did all myself. Cheap and easy. Ducati 18k service at dealer and expensive.
@Fire3500 Can I suggest a BMW 1200RS ? I had a 2012 Multi for a couple of thousand miles last year and during that time I also rode a friends 1200RS for a few hours. For me the BM was streets ahead of the Multi in almost every respect although I appreciate that there are some areas where the Multi outperformed it. Like top speed for example which is pretty irrelevant to most people most of the time. I`m sure plenty on here prefer the Multi which is fair enough but the BM is worth considering .
It's good advice and in actual fact I did @ 200 miles on one I loaned from my local dealer in the Autumn. I was very excited to ride both that and the R1200R as I knew some deals were coming up on the last of the 1200 models. I like BMWs very much, it's not so much a running-away position as a running-to one. I haven't completely ruled out chucking a cover over the GS and just having a crazy summer of love with the Multi (although it would be financially stupid)
Have you tried getting a demo on a Multi to check you like it ? Or alternatively and financially sensible, buy a secondhand Multi now, maybe one that is 4 or 5 years old , see how you get on and if you love it great, if you dont then sell in July and maybe you wont lose anything. Its what I did last year, I think I sold it for about £100 more than I paid.
Yep, I had a 48 borrow of a '17 plate DVT S in the summer and the one I'm looking at now is a 2015 DVT. The initial depreciation would dissuade me from hopping on a new one, otherwise I might even have been tempted by an ex-demo Enduro. The bike I'm looking at is a fairly low mileage one with touring and urban pack fitted, just needs the silver fillets swapping out for red ones on the luggage... and more likely the boxes swapping for more useable top-loading ones from Givi, SW Motech or Touratech - although I've learned I need to be aware of the preload adjuster requiring relocation on the Givi frames and am mindful that Touratech don't list a 2015 > kit. SW Motech I'm not sure whether I like...
