I have a nice bike, a very nice bike - no, it's a really great bike. BMW K1600GT Sport, a year old (had a K1300GT prior to that - the best bike I ever rode without question). The big 6 is smoothness personified. Twist the throttle and she pulls at warp speed, any rev, any gear, any weight. Not so much as a twinge never mind a vibration - silky, smooth and very powerful. It's a great bike but it has its downsides. She be a heavy beast unloaded but fully loaded with luggage nigh on impossible to budge single handed without using engine power. Add a pillion and it can be tricky indeed. When moving the weight falls off and the bike handles extremely well but every stop fully loaded is a very delicate balancing act at zero speed. Then there is the character of the bike; or should I say then there "isn't" the character of the bike. It's just too bloody good at everything it is not easy to love, you know when you just want love the thing warts and all but it has no warts? I do some big tours in Europe. Wife recently passes test so majority of riding will now be done on two bikes. No need then for such a big beast as the K6 so I'll look at something lighter, more fun for a single rider (me) but also has to be a bike that is capable of a two week tour fully loaded with pillion on those odd occasions we will save pennies using one bike on long haul tours. I test rode a GS. Loved it. Quick shifter was really great. Engine was a lot more punchy than I imagined it would be. Bike had really good balance and I got muddy on the test - very muddy. The GS was confidence inspiring in the dirt. But everyone on tour seems to have a bloody GS and in reality I don't do off road so the need just isn't there for a proper off roader. I was going to look at the new KTM 1290 SA but the nearest dealer is like a hundred miles away so thanks but no thanks. Test rode the 14 plate Multi. Wife on the back, very important she nods approval or it just aint happening. First impression was that of a fair bit of vibration in and around the low hanging fruit area - not something I was used to. Some rather strange knocks when trying to pull from low revs. A bit of helmet clanging also, not used to the front end dive. Even though it was not excessive there isn't any at all on the K6. So it took some getting used to. Dropped wife off for coffee and had a "test" on my own. Wow! Wife will have to put up with it. Not as smooth as the GS for sure but on the road much better feedback - and fun. And I love the look of the thing. And it has "character" and lots of it which I do feel is important. So, after some deliberations I ordered a new one. White with tour and urban pack included. She hasn't been "born" as yet but she has been conceived (figuratively speaking of course). Hoping delivery date will be mid April but likely to be may. Excited indeed. Then I come on here and read through the 9 pages of the "2015 launch" thread in which the kind man from MCN asks for questions from owners. Jeez!!! Negativity abounds! Lets hope the new one is better that's all I can say if the comments on there are correct. I'm now wondering if I did do the right thing. It is a Ducati; I have always wanted one; I did expect it to be different. Someone please tell me everything is going to be alright? Long winded post I know but I need reassurance. To be fair the "first ride" reports are excellent from those with better knowledge than I have so that has quelled fears somewhat. What are the main things I should look out for (and please dont say a different kind of bike lol).
You have nothing to worry about. Just enjoy the bike, its an absolute blast and so so easy ( and a huge amount of fun) to ride across Europe. The 2013-on bikes were an improvement on the 2010-12 bikes and i suspect the latest will have ironed out even more of the very minor issues. Nothing is perfect.
Most of the MTS1200 leave the factory with virtually no front preload, which is great if you are 8 stone. No good if you are 16+ with 8+ stone of missus on the back. Get your spanner out and Wang it up.
As far as I've read the 2015 does sort most things out from the previous immaculate conceptions. Totally agree about the brillant engineering of BMW and its sturdy future but for character,...ducati has it! (Best short video from the press testing out the new model on lanzarote ,might want to turn the sound up) I'm waiting for the right moment too book a new one.
On any forum you will get people moaning and complaining, the people that really love the bike just get on and ride it. There will also be tales of woe and disaster, engines failing, corrosion, wind buffeting blah, blah, blah. (I sometimes wonder why people look at buying a particular bike and then bitch and moan that what they really want is shaft drive not chain drive, etc, etc). Even though I've had a bunch of faults with my early 2011 model, Ducati have been very good about sorting them out. Ducati have hopefully learnt their lessons and each new model will improve and the faults will be eliminated (and probably new ones emerge!). It's not a giant BMW tourer, but you already know that. What's the worst that can happen? You decide you don't like it and sell it, maybe you lose a bit of money but at least you've had a new experience. It's still the best bike I've owned, it does everything I want it to, and it does it really well, it has style and character and it's bloody good fun. And I expect I shall be buying a new one next year...
Don't worry about it. ALL bikes have their own forums full of complaining about this or that problem. Its the nature of the beast. There is not a single bike or car out there that hasn't got a forum full of this type of stuff. Many owners don't even use forums at all. There's literally millions of vehicles on the road going round day to day with them just doing what they are supposed to with owners non-the-wiser that there is a "wealth of big issues" about them on the internet. If we look for problems then you are going to find them with everything. Doesn't matter if thats a million quid Buggatti or a 25p toothbrush. Take for example the VW Up! car, JD power survey winner for all round reliability and ownership. Search for problems and bingo I have page after page of gearbox issues, engine issues, radios not working right - etc etc.
To be fair, I agree with moocow: the BMW forums are also full of gripes and niggles. Mostly on the beemers it's the switch gear that goes after a couple of thousand miles. Starters not working. Bike refusing to start when hot or even when left in the sun! Paint falling off engine blocks etc. etc. So yes, plenty there also on that particular premium priced brand. I suppose the shock factor of having all the niggles and gripes laid out in one lovely thread was a bit too much to handle when I was already in squeaky bum mode! I had an idea about the chains looking worn early as the guy at the BMW place told me they had taken a couple of MTS in P ex and had noticed the chains looked in need of some tlc. Anyway, really looking forward to meeting the new gal and having a different kind of fun on her and good to see some more positive stuff about the experience. Cheers for that.
The std chain turns red with a hint of moisture, just the plates, so you may see lots like mine which look terrible but on close inspection are well lubed just grubby on the outside
To be fair some people who post heavily also do the most miles. And with very few exceptions even the negative posters still love the bike.
Like most of the folks on here said, get the bike and enjoy. I bought a new Pani at the end of 2013, reading around sometimes they almost seem to be satans spawn. Personally I absolutely love it, couple of minor niggles at the start JHP sorted (2 minor oil leaks) and it's been happy days since. Thing with gripes is people generally air them, the positive stuff they expect and so you don't get so many 'my bike rocks!' threads. Pretty sure you'll love it, don't worry about the stuff you've read and enjoy.
Forewarned is forearmed and all that and very little is perfect in today's World. I'm still on my 2010 bike which has had plenty of the faults appear and be addressed (including the new cylinder heads) and expect to be so for another 4 years at least, fingers crossed?
You made a good decision! I have owned 2 BMWs (R1100S and a F800GS) and whilst they were both great bikes (especially the R1100S), I reckon the Multi is even better. Love the Multi!!
All bikes irrespective of manufacturer have their problems all I know is my Ducati puts big grin on my face every time I ride it although it is not a multi its still a Duke. They also have a lot of engine breaking hence why the dive at the front end and helmet clanging you will adapt and so will the missus. Not sure on the Multi but the 1199 you can adjust engine breaking and soften it so its not so harsh, I assume most new Ducati's have this ability Enjoy it mate they are awesome bikes to ride.
I ordered my new beast couple of weeks a go. This will be my 3 rd Multistrada. I have owned ds 1000, have now 2011 model 1200 Multi. I just love Ducatis. I have owned Kawa zzr 1400 and gtr 1400.I had plenty of fun and reliable miles, but those in-line 4 motors do not make me smile. I think in-line 4 engines are for cars not for motorcycles. Slowly I have become Ducati lover. I have visited the Borgo Panigale factory and seen where the machines come from. I think motorcycling needs to have feeling and emotion and Ducatis always make me smile. Be aware of falling in D.....
I too was a BMW fan having had 5 over a spell of about 8 years, all in-line 4 or 6. My last one was also a K1600 and it was with some trepidation that I moved to the multistrada 2 years ago. I have the GT version and have been all over Europe on it, the best trip being to Dubrovnik with the wife on the back. Never regretted the change! It is probably the only bike I have ever had where I still smile every time I ride it. So much so that I have just put the deposit down for the new version!! Cannot wait!
Some really terrific replies there. Deffo has put my mind at rest about my decision to move brands and even though I will miss the big six I can just tell I won't be suicidal about it. To be honest I'm not sure I get engine characteristic thing. All my bikes have been sort of the same in terms of feeling. Having said that I never had a twin so maybe that will explain all. What do folk mean by the twin feel as opposed to a four/six cylinder? I did say I wanted a bike with soul and I doubt a brand has as much as Ducati.
