Multistrada V4 or GS1300?
Discussion
Done 2 years on a GS1250 and about 17000 miles.
Looking to change now and narrowed it down to these two.
If I go GS1300 it will be a Tramuntana model with pretty much everything on it so about £24,500 retail
Ridden this bike and I did like it but also thought it was a bit noisy with gear box whine and the BMW luggage isn't available until next year earliest, which may be an issue as I would rather avoid aftermarket luggage if possible.
All very familiar and I lnow what I'm getting which is a strong offering. Super comfy, great fir touring and you can throw them about far more than you would think.
Not ridden the Ducati yet but did look at them to try and understand the ran¹ge a bit better. Will prob take one out next week.
I like the 4 year warranty, the longer service interval and the bhp but less keen on chain drive, fuel economy, sat nav options.
Pricing seems more erratic too which could be a good thing for discounts but also bad for resale.
The GT looks great apart from I don't like the colour scheme so V4S optioned may be the way to go so i can get red or white.
I'm shorter in the leg so the taller models are probably not going to work fir me.
Any thoughts on the Ducati range in particular as this is a new brand to me. For instance woukd I be better with a GT and suck up the colour scheme or would an.optioned V4S hold value etc just as well?
Any thoughts greatly received.
Looking to change now and narrowed it down to these two.
If I go GS1300 it will be a Tramuntana model with pretty much everything on it so about £24,500 retail
Ridden this bike and I did like it but also thought it was a bit noisy with gear box whine and the BMW luggage isn't available until next year earliest, which may be an issue as I would rather avoid aftermarket luggage if possible.
All very familiar and I lnow what I'm getting which is a strong offering. Super comfy, great fir touring and you can throw them about far more than you would think.
Not ridden the Ducati yet but did look at them to try and understand the ran¹ge a bit better. Will prob take one out next week.
I like the 4 year warranty, the longer service interval and the bhp but less keen on chain drive, fuel economy, sat nav options.
Pricing seems more erratic too which could be a good thing for discounts but also bad for resale.
The GT looks great apart from I don't like the colour scheme so V4S optioned may be the way to go so i can get red or white.
I'm shorter in the leg so the taller models are probably not going to work fir me.
Any thoughts on the Ducati range in particular as this is a new brand to me. For instance woukd I be better with a GT and suck up the colour scheme or would an.optioned V4S hold value etc just as well?
Any thoughts greatly received.
So, this is my thread having just moved from a R1250GS Rallye to a new V4s 3 weeks ago. I’ve done about 300 miles since then.
You’re right about the fuel economy, chain drive and sat nav. The latter is poor so I’m looking at after market options. Pro Twins said to me that about 50% of owners stick with the Ducati app, with the rest getting separate sat navs. A couple of other negatives for me are the hard seat (my ar$e has really suffered!) and the weight of the bike. I suspect it is lighter than the GS but is definitely harder/heavier to move around in the garage. I’m a bit of a short ar$e so care is needed with this!
Positives for me are the build quality - it is beautifully made and feels really solid - a real contrast to the GS. It makes a great noise (all cam chains and induction roar!) and looks amazing! I went for Iceberg White over the red as I preferred that. The quick shifter works really well and, again, is in stark contrast to the GS - it is super smooth.
Although I’m still running the bike in, I can already sense it is going to be quick when given some stick. It doesn’t seem to have nearly as much torque as the GS and doesn’t like being low down the rev range - lots of things shake if the revs are too low and you open the throttle. So, you’re going to be changing gear a lot!
In terms of servicing, Pro Twins said most owners get their bikes serviced each year rather than relying on the long service intervals. As I’m only going to do 3-4,000 miles a year I’ll get an annual service.
In terms of value, I got a £1,500 contribution from Ducati and discount from Pro Twins on the bike as well. I suspect it won’t hold its value as the GS but who knows.
Thanks
Rob
You’re right about the fuel economy, chain drive and sat nav. The latter is poor so I’m looking at after market options. Pro Twins said to me that about 50% of owners stick with the Ducati app, with the rest getting separate sat navs. A couple of other negatives for me are the hard seat (my ar$e has really suffered!) and the weight of the bike. I suspect it is lighter than the GS but is definitely harder/heavier to move around in the garage. I’m a bit of a short ar$e so care is needed with this!
Positives for me are the build quality - it is beautifully made and feels really solid - a real contrast to the GS. It makes a great noise (all cam chains and induction roar!) and looks amazing! I went for Iceberg White over the red as I preferred that. The quick shifter works really well and, again, is in stark contrast to the GS - it is super smooth.
Although I’m still running the bike in, I can already sense it is going to be quick when given some stick. It doesn’t seem to have nearly as much torque as the GS and doesn’t like being low down the rev range - lots of things shake if the revs are too low and you open the throttle. So, you’re going to be changing gear a lot!
In terms of servicing, Pro Twins said most owners get their bikes serviced each year rather than relying on the long service intervals. As I’m only going to do 3-4,000 miles a year I’ll get an annual service.
In terms of value, I got a £1,500 contribution from Ducati and discount from Pro Twins on the bike as well. I suspect it won’t hold its value as the GS but who knows.
Thanks
Rob
Did you test a Tiger 1200 in the end?
In my search in 2020 I discounted the Ducati for chain drive, and it’s ridiculously expensive to buy here; I already throw enough money at our local dealer to keep my 748R on the road.
I’ve tested various flavours of GS for the past 20 years, but first KTM then Triumph were the right choices for me at the time.
Good luck in your decision!
In my search in 2020 I discounted the Ducati for chain drive, and it’s ridiculously expensive to buy here; I already throw enough money at our local dealer to keep my 748R on the road.
I’ve tested various flavours of GS for the past 20 years, but first KTM then Triumph were the right choices for me at the time.
Good luck in your decision!
A bit drunk typing this but hopefully it's all sensible.
I've ridden rhe 1200 tiger znd it's just not for me, too much dive on the front forks, still a bit too vibey for me and I struggled (beyond price) to choose it.
Assuming I like riding the ducati then it will be a straight choice between it and the GS.
Amazing( to me at least) to believe the warranty and servicing is a win to Ducati over BMW but things change.
Whether I can dare to be different John will very much depend on whether I like riding it or not but I do know i won't like the fuel economy
I've ridden rhe 1200 tiger znd it's just not for me, too much dive on the front forks, still a bit too vibey for me and I struggled (beyond price) to choose it.
Assuming I like riding the ducati then it will be a straight choice between it and the GS.
Amazing( to me at least) to believe the warranty and servicing is a win to Ducati over BMW but things change.
Whether I can dare to be different John will very much depend on whether I like riding it or not but I do know i won't like the fuel economy
The Rally & GT versions have allegedly much improved fuel economy vs the older V4 multis. (as they have extra lambdas? more precise fuel control?) As will the new 25 MY updated versions. There is a 2.5K off offer on my24 Multis (which I think includes GT and Rally versions) .
My V4S multi was quite thirsty but it was the cheapest bike I've owned for service costs, though I never needed the big valve check service in my ownership time. Downsides they are big and heavy but handle far better than thier weight implies they should. For sport handling on the 19" front wheel versions swap out the Pirelli oem tyres for something more sporty, Sportsmart TTs if you dont mind short rear tyre life or Dunlop Mutants for longer and better wet road use.
My V4S multi was quite thirsty but it was the cheapest bike I've owned for service costs, though I never needed the big valve check service in my ownership time. Downsides they are big and heavy but handle far better than thier weight implies they should. For sport handling on the 19" front wheel versions swap out the Pirelli oem tyres for something more sporty, Sportsmart TTs if you dont mind short rear tyre life or Dunlop Mutants for longer and better wet road use.
Thats interesting what you day about the fuelling being potentially different between the V4S and the GT etc.
I was keen on the GT until I found out it was only available in that grey colour scheme would have preferred red or white hence why I was looking at V4S and thought I could just option it up to a similar GT.
Hoping to ride a bike on Thursday or Friday this week and I will look into the fuel efficiency side.
Watched a few videos on YT and some claim they were only getting between 106 miles and 140 miles from the 22 litre tank which is a bit pants !!
Shall look more into the GT and see if it's better so glad you mentioned it.
I was keen on the GT until I found out it was only available in that grey colour scheme would have preferred red or white hence why I was looking at V4S and thought I could just option it up to a similar GT.
Hoping to ride a bike on Thursday or Friday this week and I will look into the fuel efficiency side.
Watched a few videos on YT and some claim they were only getting between 106 miles and 140 miles from the 22 litre tank which is a bit pants !!
Shall look more into the GT and see if it's better so glad you mentioned it.
Longy00000 said:
A bit drunk typing this but hopefully it's all sensible.
I've ridden rhe 1200 tiger znd it's just not for me, too much dive on the front forks, still a bit too vibey for me and I struggled (beyond price) to choose it.
The suspension is electronically adjustable front and rear with 4-5 rider modes. Never noticed the front dive that much, even when Italian motorists suddenly perform unannounced U-turns across double white lines 50m ahead I've ridden rhe 1200 tiger znd it's just not for me, too much dive on the front forks, still a bit too vibey for me and I struggled (beyond price) to choose it.
I did mention before the the newer models have revised firing order and timing on their triple engines, so your second comment doesn’t surprise me. Then again, I’m probably about to buy a Moto Guzzi V7, so what do I know about unnecessary vibrations
fredd1e said:
The Rally & GT versions have allegedly much improved fuel economy vs the older V4 multis. (as they have extra lambdas? more precise fuel control?) As will the new 25 MY updated versions.
Longy00000 said:
Thats interesting what you day about the fuelling being potentially different between the V4S and the GT etc.
The Rally and GT have the rear cylinder deactivation and can run at low speeds with it as well, which has been added to the whole range for the MY25 update.Test ride booked for tomorrow (Thursday) morning on a GT with a std seat but in the lower position.
I'm looking forward to it and should prove interesting.
I've always had a sports bike in the garage until I got the GS1250 which was part of a deliberate ploy to help me slow down a bit and not ride quite so enthusiastically as I do have an eye condition which means my eyesight will never be what it was. So...I'm interested to see if having access to more grunt takes me full circle back to where I started or whether I will continue to ride a tad more sedately.
Roll on tomorrow
I'm looking forward to it and should prove interesting.
I've always had a sports bike in the garage until I got the GS1250 which was part of a deliberate ploy to help me slow down a bit and not ride quite so enthusiastically as I do have an eye condition which means my eyesight will never be what it was. So...I'm interested to see if having access to more grunt takes me full circle back to where I started or whether I will continue to ride a tad more sedately.
Roll on tomorrow
Well this was my stead for a while this morning and interesting experience too.
My first V4 and felt more like a V twin than an in line 4 and a little vibey too.
It loves being revved out and I found myself riding much quicker than I woukd on my GS, so very much geared towards the sporting side of things. To keep things nice and smooth i was busier on the gear box too whereas the GS allows one to be a bit lazier in this respect.
Very comfortable but the std seat in the low position still left me a little less sure footed at stand still ( tippy toes !) I know the MY25 bike has the auto preload minimiser like the GS and I would probably need that feature but then the cost to change goes up £2500
The chassis is sublime, it just rides super smooth with a quick and positive turn in and very little dive on the forks. Def a tad more capable than the GS in this respect but not hugely so but enough to notice it.
My thoughts tonight are that the seat height, chain drive and poor economy are not ideal and the biggest negs. Very comfy, nice and quick, 4 Yr warranty are the positives.
The GS , gear box whine can be heard on some bikes, not as pretty as the ducati and the sitting position is more on than IN the bike. However it's faster than my 1250 and not that much slower than the ducati, feels smaller has excellent equipment levels and they're just very very capable, if not always, the most exciting.
Cost to change onto the GS tramuntana with the required spec is about £13k and cost for the Multistrada is also about £13k for a MY24 bike.
The MY 25 bike and this goes up to about £15k
Will be sleeping on it and see what my thoughts are over the weekend and whilst writing when did bikes get so effing expensive???
I've tested both bikes, I had a v4 as a loan bike whilst Ducati was serviced and tried the GS1300 just out of interest. Personally I didn't click with the v4 and I found the 1300 really good fun to ride, I prefer the torquey delivery. Also being medium heigh at best the 1300 with normal suspension but the factory low seat was absolutely spot on. At some point when I get bored with my S1000R I think I'll get one.
Rob
Rob
Longy00000 said:
Will be sleeping on it and see what my thoughts are over the weekend and whilst writing when did bikes get so effing expensive???
Tell me about it, I’m just taking the plunge to join the GS w
ker crew, trading in a ‘22 R nine T in with hardly any miles, and the cost to change is 9 and a half.Wasn’t that long ago I paid that for the whole bike!
Longy00000 said:
Will be sleeping on it and see what my thoughts are over the weekend and whilst writing when did bikes get so effing expensive???
I have recently decided that more buttons and knobs don't equal more thrills anymore. I have a nearly 10 year old GS. I have, like you, tested the V4 and the 1300 with a view to getting one. I just don't see the value in nearly €20k to change. The GS still rides like new (it basically is with 30k km on it), €20k gets you a huge amount of different bikes for different occasions. I would rather have more bikes than one bike. So that's what I am doing. The 2015 GS will remain for a while yet but will be joined by a few, more colourful, older bikes.Bgunn, I totally agree the costs today are a bit nuts. I'm looking at dropping over £13000 plus a 4 year old GS just to get a new bike. Nuts. Just nuts.
And Jonathan I too would love to have a collection of bikes having usually kept a min of 2 and often 3 in the 'fleet' for many years but having completely busted my budget on a 'toy' car a few years ago I agreed with rhe missus that I woukd drop down to just 1 bike so I feel I need to still honour that promise (unfortunately).
I'm starting to think it's going to come down to numbers as I 'think' I would be really happy on either so if a deal was spotted on 1 or the other , then maybe that's the decision....chase the deal.not the bike???
And Jonathan I too would love to have a collection of bikes having usually kept a min of 2 and often 3 in the 'fleet' for many years but having completely busted my budget on a 'toy' car a few years ago I agreed with rhe missus that I woukd drop down to just 1 bike so I feel I need to still honour that promise (unfortunately).
I'm starting to think it's going to come down to numbers as I 'think' I would be really happy on either so if a deal was spotted on 1 or the other , then maybe that's the decision....chase the deal.not the bike???
Yeah it was Boldon in South tyneside both the BMW side and the new ducati side are very accommodating and easy to deal with.
Must say though all the new bikes including triumphs and others all sound pants straight out of the dealership. It takes some doing to make a V4 ducati sound pretty crap but the euro standards have definitely achieved it and my 1250 GS on a Syd exhaust sounds better than the new 1300 on a std exhaust. Progress eh.
Must say though all the new bikes including triumphs and others all sound pants straight out of the dealership. It takes some doing to make a V4 ducati sound pretty crap but the euro standards have definitely achieved it and my 1250 GS on a Syd exhaust sounds better than the new 1300 on a std exhaust. Progress eh.
Little update.
Was swaying towards the beemer and then a used bike popped up at a dealers with an almost perfect spec and a good saving on new.
Made enquiries and was even offered a fair part ex price for mine.
Then I thought I would run an insurance quote through.....jeez.....nearly shat myself.
I'm an old fella (57 yrs) with what seems like a million years of no claims history etc etc
Alarmed bike, garaged, I'm retired so all good and I paid about £270 this year for my GS1250 which I thought was a pizz take compared to previous years.
Anyways
Now I'm not so sure.
I can insure the ducati V4S Full for less than £500!
I was a bit gobsmacked.......why are the 1300 GS so expensive to insure?
Was swaying towards the beemer and then a used bike popped up at a dealers with an almost perfect spec and a good saving on new.
Made enquiries and was even offered a fair part ex price for mine.
Then I thought I would run an insurance quote through.....jeez.....nearly shat myself.
I'm an old fella (57 yrs) with what seems like a million years of no claims history etc etc
Alarmed bike, garaged, I'm retired so all good and I paid about £270 this year for my GS1250 which I thought was a pizz take compared to previous years.
Anyways
Now I'm not so sure.
I can insure the ducati V4S Full for less than £500!
I was a bit gobsmacked.......why are the 1300 GS so expensive to insure?
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