In my Opinion I think there is a big difference between a 2012 Multi and a 2015 DVT, and I rode a BMW 1200RS and I hated it, it was like a barge, and power difference huge, and handling again quite a difference. OR did you mean XS 1000
It was the 1200rs I rode. I`m not saying it was better or worse than a multi, just that I preferred it and felt better on it,but then I like riding Moto Guzzis too so huge power is not a top priority for me. The other thing is that having tried 3 different adventure style bikes I just dont like the riding position regardless of how competent the bike is.
I have owned and extensively ridden both while I lived in South Africa (along with a relative squadron of other bikes over the past 20 years or so) I went from a DL1000 to a Tiger 1050, to a 1200GS, Hypermotard 821 and finally a 1200S Multistrada (with a few others thrown in the mix in between - TL1000R, Fireblade 1000, 2 Fazers, Thruxton 900, Monster 900, 900SS plus others) What came out of this history was essentially that I really like big twins, and not much else, the multi cylinder bikes never lasted long. When I bought the GS1200 I was ready for some mature touring with a bit of gravel roads if and when required, but I quickly realised that the GS was simply too Germanic, it's a great bike, solid and reliable, but also kind of like living with an overweight soulless fraulien, (that is also related to every other Ewan McGregor wannabe coming in the other direction) There are 1000's of GS1200's on the roads in South Africa. It did absolutely nothing for me. I traded it in after only a year's ownership, on the 1200 Multi, which I still ride today. There is simply no comparison. The Multi simply does everything I want from it, I can tour 2 up, can be ridden like a hooligan, or on the back roads for gentle sight seeing (albeit a little lumpy at low speeds) It made me realise just how sterile the GS1200 was. I'm 54 this year, and after 5 years ownership I don't realistically see myself replacing it with anything else, until I absolutely have to. I think it's the best bike I have ever owned, and my missus tends to agree to, it just is more smiles per mile than any other bike has ever been.
Plus 1 for the R1200RS. Well impressed with mine. Got back to Leicestershire from this place in a day without breaking a sweat.
Just do it mate, you'll love the thing My bike has 34 000 kilos on it and it has never missed a beat. It's not without it's faults however. The back brakes are useless, you constantly slide forward on the seat and the heated grips only half work. But I put this down to character If I had never bought that 900SS years ago I would never have become enlightened
Deal done on the Multi. As lovely as the R1200RS is, a great deal presented itself for the base Multistrada and the information here has helped me a lot. Thanks folks.
I was quite surprised by the R1200RS but felt it was a bit down on power. Didn't feel the quickshift on it was as good as the XR.
125 hp but 125 nm of torque so delivers a lot differently to the 1000xr, I traded my XR in for the RS I was that impressed, the quick shifter dose feel slightly less clinical than the XR but again you get used to it soon enough
Ive just changed from a 07 GS Adv to a DVT 1200S and reckon there is no comparison I owned the GSA for 10 years, Europe, Norway, Scotland Devon, Salisbury plain off road, Yorks dales off road, covered over 30K miles on it so its fair to say I liked the bike. However I jumped at the chance to swap to a Multi and no disapointment at all, its everything the GSA was and more, more power, smoother, more agile, so far the only thing is the panniers are harder to load than the GSA's open, throw in variety but thats just practice I reckon. also IMHO there is no comparison between BM's ESA and Ducatis' Skyhook, not only is the Duc system much more adjustable, you can set the bike up as you want, not as some teutonic engineer decides you need ! yes it is "reactive" but its very good at what it does, I had all singing Wilbers suspension on the GSA and I reckon the Skyhook is as good if not better seating, the stock seat is better than stock BM seats, but not as good as the Sargent seats I had but still good enough for a day on the bike. Even my Mrs can tell the difference in handling between the two, and she prefers the Multi just my 2p
I used an XR when my RS was in for its last service. Quick shifter was smoother but I really missed the instant torque of the boxer compared to the IL4. XR is all top end (it has a lot!) so nowhere near as good as the RS (or R) at real world speeds.
