BMW R 1200 GS (K50) versus Ducati Multistrada 1260
BMW R 1200 GS (K50)
Ducati Multistrada 1260
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Competitors
- has neat Wums
- extensive electronic helpers
- significantly more off-road capability than the standard version of the GS
- Powerful engine
- Precise chassis
- Windbreak
- Comfort
- Service
- Price mainly with full equipment
- Nothing to get at low speed
- Off-road capability
Dimensions & Weight
Length : 2.207 mm Height : 1.412 mm
Seat : 850 mm
Weight : 244 (max: 460 ) kg
Length : 2.190 mm Height : 1.495 mm
Seat : 825 mm
Weight : 232 (max: 450 ) kg
Engine
Displacement: 1.170 ccm
Hub: 73 mm
Hole: 101 mm
Cooling: Luft
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 1.261 ccm
Hub: 72 mm
Hole: 106 mm
Cooling: Flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Performance
Performance: 125 HP at 7.700 U/Min
Torque: 125 NM bei 6.500 U/Min Tank contents: 20 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 403 km
Performance: 158 HP at 9.500 U/Min
Torque: 130 NM bei 7.500 U/Min Tank contents: 20 Litre
Consumption: 6 l
Reach: 350 km
Chassis
Bridges, motor supporting (steel) Front suspension:
Telescopic fork 37 mm (travel 190 mm)
Front suspension:
Shock Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 200 mm)
Rear suspension:
Single-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70 R 19
Rear tyres: 170/60 R 17
Tubular space frame (steel) Front suspension:
Upside-down telescopic fork (travel 170 mm) Rear suspension:
Adjustable central strut (travel 170 mm)
Rear suspension:
Single-arm swingarm made of aluminium Tyres at the front: Width: 120 mm, 17 inches
Rear tyres: Width:190 mm, 17 inches
Brakes
Double disc (∅ 305 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 376 mm)
Double disc (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc (∅ 265 mm)
Conclusion - what gets stuck
No, our high expectations were by no means disappointed – not even a bit! The R 1200 GS Rally not only made us very good, but it makes it really difficult for us to find criticisms. Well, it's quite expensive. But quality has a price. And if you look at the prices on the second-hand market, you have to say that gs keeps its value quite long. In addition, it is of course up to everyone to decide whether they really need all the equipment packages. Clearly all do their tasks reliably and well, however, drive up the price again neatly. And already in the basic equipment we have to deal with a mature, great bike!
The Multi is at a crossroads
One has to pay the highest praise to the Ducati engineers that one hardly notices these extra pounds. And yet the multi is at a crossroads. The whole electrics are not only for safety because of the bearish engine, it must be to make the heavy vehicle manageable. The most striking example of this is the electronic parking brake. At the push of a button, the rear brake can be activated to pin the Duc to a hill for a start, thus facilitating uphill start-ups. The Multistrada 1260 S has nice but completely unnecessary things like the backlit switches on board. Impossible for serious use off-road would be the delicate blinkers in the hand protectors, which lead their meaning ad absurdum.
Ducati actually has the most sporty adventure bike in the range with the Multistrada 1260 S, because the competition from BMW or Triumph can't keep up (and probably won't). With her rousing style she won many friends in the Test team and gave us a lot of fun.
On the other hand, it is comfortable enough for the long tour, great to use and well crafted. That she can't get into the terrain – as a gift, she would only lie down next to all the other adventure bikes that were sunk by her riders there in a nod to reality.
The test bike was provided to us by Ducati-Hamburg.
