Confused - what to get? Multistrada, GS or something else?
Discussion
Ok, confused and dont know where to look and what to get....
Currently have a Multistrada 950 with 20k miles and its been a good experience overall. Nothing broken and it is fun, but its also a little low in power (114BHP officially, but a lighter bike overall). Usual response is "go on a diet if you want to go faster", which is valid, but the 950 is nice but a little low in torque.
I am tall (6'5") so no small bike options and I do find adventure bikes more comfortable in general. Most of my riding is longer distance stuff recently, so 1500 - 2500 ride trips, but as the world opens up, its likely that I will be doing some limited commuting. But here in California so can filter and weather is good overall. A dusty carpark is about as far as I go off-road!
Was thinking a few options - Multistrada with the bigger engine (v4 would be nice, but they are $27k with luggage here and thats a little too much for my budget), BMW 1200GS (again, expensive brand new at $25k, but plenty nearly new), Triumph Explorer 1200 (depreciate like a stone, so cheap here), KTM 1290 Adventure (oddly, relatively cheap here, but a little too off-roady?) or should I look at something like the Tracer 9GT (smaller, lighter and not more powerful, but all of the electronics and even a quick shifter!) or finally the Harley Davison PanAmerica (sooo many dealers here for obvious reasons).
Oh, and a couple of requirements - must have cruise control (wish I had it on my Multi), a decent screen for wind protection (tall so standard screens rarely work for me), a fuel range of 200 miles on a tank and a price range of up to $20k. I know that doesnt necessarily translate to the UK, but gives you a data point though.
Currently have a Multistrada 950 with 20k miles and its been a good experience overall. Nothing broken and it is fun, but its also a little low in power (114BHP officially, but a lighter bike overall). Usual response is "go on a diet if you want to go faster", which is valid, but the 950 is nice but a little low in torque.
I am tall (6'5") so no small bike options and I do find adventure bikes more comfortable in general. Most of my riding is longer distance stuff recently, so 1500 - 2500 ride trips, but as the world opens up, its likely that I will be doing some limited commuting. But here in California so can filter and weather is good overall. A dusty carpark is about as far as I go off-road!
Was thinking a few options - Multistrada with the bigger engine (v4 would be nice, but they are $27k with luggage here and thats a little too much for my budget), BMW 1200GS (again, expensive brand new at $25k, but plenty nearly new), Triumph Explorer 1200 (depreciate like a stone, so cheap here), KTM 1290 Adventure (oddly, relatively cheap here, but a little too off-roady?) or should I look at something like the Tracer 9GT (smaller, lighter and not more powerful, but all of the electronics and even a quick shifter!) or finally the Harley Davison PanAmerica (sooo many dealers here for obvious reasons).
Oh, and a couple of requirements - must have cruise control (wish I had it on my Multi), a decent screen for wind protection (tall so standard screens rarely work for me), a fuel range of 200 miles on a tank and a price range of up to $20k. I know that doesnt necessarily translate to the UK, but gives you a data point though.
cannedheat said:
Have you tested any of them yet? That said, how prevalent are test rides in California? I’ve read some dealers don’t give any at all.
Riden the GS a few times in the past (only the 1200 model though) both in the UK and the US. Did the Tail of the Dragon on a GS and it was very surprising in its overall performance. Getting test rides isnt a problem here as most dealers do guided 30 minute rides on anything you want almost every saturday, extended ones available with a booking. The only one that wouldnt was the local Honda dealer who insisted that I sign up and do all of the paperwork for an Africa Twin before they would let me even ride it on a 2 mile right-turn only ride. Yeah, they can sod off and Honda is off the list as a result.Not ridden the V4 Multi yet, because of the back-log on the big recall, but my local dealer has one now. Not ridden a KTM but did own a 2011 Explorer for 10k miles. Yes, its top-heavy and heavy overall compared with a GS. But it munched the miles with ease and that triple was fantastic.
Bob_Defly said:
What about the Tiger 900, or the soon to be released new Tiger 1200?
Interesting. I had the first version of the Tiger 800. Nice bike and a quality item. Upgraded to the Explorer 1200 and liked that one more (better wind protection and more power). Might be worth hanging out for the new 1200 but deliveries are unlikely until the end of the year I guess, probably next year. Will keep a look out for the news. The new 900 does look good, and I see they corrected the subframe thing, but might be a little slow from what I am used to. My local dealer is also a Triumph one, but as you can imagine they don’t have many non-Bonnie’s in stock for a test ride. They sell soooo many of them here they must be printing money on each one!
Mr Squarekins said:
Worth trying a R1250 rather than the 1200 perhaps? More power, variable cams. By all accounts, looks decent. There are great video reviews on Youtube. I'm warming to the idea myself.
Decent used buy, pointless buying a brand new one though.
Yeah, plenty lightly used ones available locally so no issue in supply. I watched the reviews of the 1250 and they do say it’s a significant increase in power, so that’s an option. And watched a review the other day where the torque of the GS walked away from a Multi in top gear! Of course drop a few gears and the Multi flies, but it’s the roll on torque that makes it accessible performance! Decent used buy, pointless buying a brand new one though.
I’ll have to try one. Oh and Adventure or not? Was poking around the dealer the other week and the Adventure version is significantly wider. Anyone comment on how it is compared to the normal GS on filtering and low speed stuff?
I think I've ridden all of the current big adventure bikes and I'd have the KTM (S model) over any of them. It's just the most fun, yet still has all the creature comforts you'd expect. The S model isn't too off-road focused at all – in fact it's almost completely road biased. Multi V4 would be my next pick, but like you say it's expensive. GS is also brilliant, the shiftcam motor has an impressive amount of punch and only feels vaguely slow when you put it in the company of the KTM and Ducati.
The KTM has a proper supermoto feel, but is still comfy enough for big trips (if you upgrade the seat).
The KTM has a proper supermoto feel, but is still comfy enough for big trips (if you upgrade the seat).
TimmyWimmyWoo said:
I think I've ridden all of the current big adventure bikes and I'd have the KTM (S model) over any of them. It's just the most fun, yet still has all the creature comforts you'd expect. The S model isn't too off-road focused at all – in fact it's almost completely road biased. Multi V4 would be my next pick, but like you say it's expensive. GS is also brilliant, the shiftcam motor has an impressive amount of punch and only feels vaguely slow when you put it in the company of the KTM and Ducati.
The KTM has a proper supermoto feel, but is still comfy enough for big trips (if you upgrade the seat).
Mmm, good call - a quick check of the local (within 100 miles) KTM dealers shows that none of them have a Super Adventure to test ride. They all have the off-road models, but nothing else. Actually, they do have a ton of 390's but nothing bigger. Either they sold everything or there is no demand for them here. Damn, time to keep looking. But good call on the KTM, its $18k list price here in the US, the 1250GS with the premium pack (cruise and electronic suspension) comes in at $22k. Am I missing something here? Are KTM's really cheaper than the equivalent BMW's?The KTM has a proper supermoto feel, but is still comfy enough for big trips (if you upgrade the seat).
At your height, I would try a Multistrada 1260 Enduro, loads of power plus cruise control. Alternative the Tiger 1200. I think you will find the Tiger 900 a bit small. I have owned the Enduro and liked it, but it was just too tall for me (5'9") so I sold it and bought a GS1250. All good so far..
GG33
If you can get the KTM 1290 GT in the US, it might be ideal. I'm 6'2" with 33" inside leg and the KTM has plenty of room, lots of power, really good hard luggage available and with a 23 litre tank, I can get 180 UK miles/tank if I ride sensibly. Comes with cruise control, heated grips, very effective traction control and ABS and is much cheaper than the BMW/Ducati options.
There is also a heated seat available which is nice on cold mornings and after market taller screens are available.
It's a much more exciting bike to ride than most others, not a dual purpose bike, it's a road bike only. There is also the Adventure S which is slightly taller and has modest off-road pretentions, but I think it's really still a road bike that can ride dirt tracks.
There is also a heated seat available which is nice on cold mornings and after market taller screens are available.
It's a much more exciting bike to ride than most others, not a dual purpose bike, it's a road bike only. There is also the Adventure S which is slightly taller and has modest off-road pretentions, but I think it's really still a road bike that can ride dirt tracks.
off_again said:
Yeah, plenty lightly used ones available locally so no issue in supply. I watched the reviews of the 1250 and they do say it’s a significant increase in power, so that’s an option. And watched a review the other day where the torque of the GS walked away from a Multi in top gear! Of course drop a few gears and the Multi flies, but it’s the roll on torque that makes it accessible performance!
I’ll have to try one. Oh and Adventure or not? Was poking around the dealer the other week and the Adventure version is significantly wider. Anyone comment on how it is compared to the normal GS on filtering and low speed stuff?
1250GS (not adventure). The GSA is wide where you don't want it.I’ll have to try one. Oh and Adventure or not? Was poking around the dealer the other week and the Adventure version is significantly wider. Anyone comment on how it is compared to the normal GS on filtering and low speed stuff?
If you like torque, the 1250GS/A is the daddy. Roll-on, low speed stability, stability at speed through bumpy stuff, and all round ease of use is ahead of the others. Filtering is fine (I do it every day) through London as the handlebars clear regular car wing mirrors. In America, you have loads of space. The GS is not, however, as good at high speed cruising (ie, 80+ mph) compared to the KTM/Multi because of gearing, aero, and top end power where it is down 30hp in comparison. Up to 80mph on broken tarmac and tight twisties, however, the GS absolutely canes the others. The 1250 simply has torque that the others don't have.
spareparts said:
1250GS (not adventure). The GSA is wide where you don't want it.
If you like torque, the 1250GS/A is the daddy. Roll-on, low speed stability, stability at speed through bumpy stuff, and all round ease of use is ahead of the others. Filtering is fine (I do it every day) through London as the handlebars clear regular car wing mirrors. In America, you have loads of space. The GS is not, however, as good at high speed cruising (ie, 80+ mph) compared to the KTM/Multi because of gearing, aero, and top end power where it is down 30hp in comparison. Up to 80mph on broken tarmac and tight twisties, however, the GS absolutely canes the others. The 1250 simply has torque that the others don't have.
Interesting! This is good feedback, thank you.If you like torque, the 1250GS/A is the daddy. Roll-on, low speed stability, stability at speed through bumpy stuff, and all round ease of use is ahead of the others. Filtering is fine (I do it every day) through London as the handlebars clear regular car wing mirrors. In America, you have loads of space. The GS is not, however, as good at high speed cruising (ie, 80+ mph) compared to the KTM/Multi because of gearing, aero, and top end power where it is down 30hp in comparison. Up to 80mph on broken tarmac and tight twisties, however, the GS absolutely canes the others. The 1250 simply has torque that the others don't have.
Good to hear some specific comments and it matches with some reviews that I have seen / read. There are some freeways here that are 70 / 75 / 80 MPH limits, but tend to avoid them as they are dull and efficient only. So good to know about high speed cruising - I suspect its probably no worse than my Multi at the moment. With no cruise control and where the power comes in / gearing on the 950, it can be a bit of challenge. Oh, and being 'larger' I tend to end up being a bit of a sail at best of times anyway. MMmmm, maybe a test ride at the weekend!
spareparts said:
Up to 80mph on broken tarmac and tight twisties, however, the GS absolutely canes the others. The 1250 simply has torque that the others don't have.
That's not quite true is it, the KTM 1290 has immense power for a bike and with it being a twin like the BMW, its power is developed over a broad rev range. A GS (+25Kg heavier, down on power by 35bhp) wouldn't see which way a hard ridden KTM 1290 went, but it's a very different feeling from the BMW. The BMW is lovely bike to ride and I really like the GS, but I'd get bored of it hence I have a KTM which gives you the typical KTM "ready to race" feel, even if it's not a race bike, the eagerness is there whereas the BMW focuses on relaxed cruising, which is what 99% of them are used for.Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff