Ducati Monster 1200 S versus BMW R 1250 GS

Make
Model
Make
Model
Make
Model
Ducati

Ducati Monster 1200 S

Naked
BMW

BMW R 1250 GS

Adventure
Forever young
By chance, we came across the Ducati Monster 1200 S for our test – what luck, as it turned out in retrospect. The monster rocked us hard, to the general joy of Dietmar and me. The short-term monster The planned test drive falls 15 minutes before the start... weiter
Ducati Monster 1200 S
Gallery
A ship will come
That's a problem: If you have the absolute bestseller for Germany in your program, you can't win much. It doesn't get any better than 1st place. What have the BMW engineers improved on the R 1250 GS compared to its predecessor 1200 GS, and where have they tried and tested? ... weiter
BMW R 1250 GS
Gallery

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2014 bis 2020
Built von 2018 bis 2023
RRP 17.490 €
RRP 18.300 €
Ausführliches Test-Video von Motorradtest.de
Ausführliches Test-Video von Motorradtest.de
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Competitors

Pros:
  • Power
  • precise chassis
  • Comfort
  • Assistance Systems
  • Processing
Pros:
  • Motor, powerful and willing to rev
  • Resale value (as seller)
  • Chassis
  • Processing
  • Performance
Cons:
  • Windbreak
Cons:
  • Price (especially for extras)
  • Resale value (as buyer)
  • Seat

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.485 mm
Length : 2.156 mm Height : 1.117 mm
Seat : 795 mm until : 820 mm
Weight : 213 kg
Wheelbase: 1.525 mm
Length : 2.207 mm Height : 1.430 mm
Seat : 850 mm
Weight : 249 (max: 465 ) kg

Engine

Motor design: V 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.198 ccm
Hub: 68 mm
Hole: 106 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Motor design: Boxer 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.254 ccm
Hub: 76 mm
Hole: 102 mm
Cooling: wassergekühlt
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6

Performance

Maximum speed: 255 km/h
Performance: 147 HP at 9.250 U/Min
Torque: 124 NM bei 7.750 U/Min
Tank contents: 18 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 350 km
Maximum speed: 220 km/h
Performance: 136 HP at 7.750 U/Min
Torque: 143 NM bei 6.250 U/Min
Tank contents: 20 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 400 km

Chassis

Frame type:
 Lattice tube (steel)
Rear suspension:
 Mono strut (travel 149 mm)
Rear suspension:
 Single-arm swingarm
Frame type:
 Two-part framework
Front suspension:
 Telelever 37cm (travel 190 mm)
Rear suspension:
 WAD mono strut with paralever (travel 200 mm)
Rear suspension:
 Aluminum cast single-arm swingarm
Tyres at the front: 120/70 R19
Rear tyres: 170/60 R17

Brakes

Front brake
 Double disc (∅ 330 mm) Rear brake
 Disc (∅ 245 mm)
Front brake
 Double disc, 4-piston radial brake calipers (∅ 305 mm) Rear brake
 Single disc brake, double piston floating caliper (∅ 276 mm)

Conclusion - forever young

It is, of course, a toy, one for older children who want to (and can) spend at least 17,290 euros on their gift. Hear my words: Every penny of it is well invested!

Before I forget it: I have now studied the data sheet. The Duc is not only up to date in terms of engine and chassis, but also in terms of assistance systems: series are Wheelie Control, Curve ABS from Bosch, Traction Control, Ride By Wire and three driving modes ...

... not even this prejudice lasts more.

The test bike was provided to us by Ducati Hamburg.

Price / Availability / Colours / Years of Construction

  • Price: €17,290
  • Used (1200s, 3 years old): 9.000€
  • Years built: 1200 since 2014
  • Availability: good
  • Colours: red, grey

One motorcycle, two opinions

And now, with so much light and so little shadow? Buy or not? Dietmar says it's too expensive for him (@Dietmar: Now among us, you won't have two years, at the latest then you've used it). ;) Otherwise, he is enthusiastic about what you can be, for all his objectivity. In any case, the recent revision would be reason enough to pay for the old model.
Of course, I see it differently. The price is an argument at first glance, and BMW is struggling, especially with the extras. But the competition from Ducati or KTM is not much cheaper, so again this does not attract. First of all, it is too big for me, with my slightly short legs I don't even come up reasonably. Apart from that, the GS is just too perfect for me. I like it when my moped has to work, when I actively lead it and always come back a bit strenuous.
If someone told me that I had overlooked the fact that the BMW would have been driving autonomously all the time during the test - I would believe that.

Our thanks to Bergmann and Söhne for the loan of the BMW.

Price / Availability / Colours / Years of Construction

  • Price: from 16.150€. Test bike: 20.870€
  • Used (3 years old): 12,000€
  • Years of construction: since 1987
  • Availability: huge offer
  • Colors: current: black metallic, white (HP design), and black-yellow