Ducati Multistrada 1200 Vs. BMW R 1200 GS
Two wheeler riders in India have it tough. Majority of roads in the country are poor and in many places there are no roads. To negotiate such roads, one needs a tough as nails bike.
Motorcycles such as the Ducati Multistrada 1200 and BMW R 1200 GS are ideal for our country and these two bikes can deal with just about anything thrown at them. Both these bikes are now on sale in India and they may be quite expensive but nothing comes close when you need a bike to conquer tough terrain.
Features Comparison Between Ducati Multistrada 1200 & BMW R 1200 GS
Design
Both the bikes are large, tall and have individualistic streaks running through them. While the Ducati is more sporty and has Italian flair oozing out of every pore, the BMW is mean and all purpose. The Multistrada has a more beaky snout with twin air intake vents under the beautifully crafted headlights, while the GS looks more practical with a conventional headlight cluster. Both bikes have adjustable visors, which is a nice touch as these machines are capable of hurtling down the highway at speeds over 140kph.
Ergonomics
Like its looks, which are space age, the instruments on the Multistrada are digital and there is key less start feature, while the GS has analogue instrumentation. If you are planning a adventure trip in the Himalayas or any other mountainous part of the country, then there are no better bikes than these two toughies as they will keep you fresh after a long stint in the seat with host of features which include knuckle protection, heated grips and reach-adjustable clutch and front brake levers. Even though it is more hi-tech, the Ducati has simpler switches than those on the BMW.
Both the bikes have superb-to-grip fuel tanks, very comfortable seats and lot of space to load extra gear. The panache seen on the Multistrada is missing on the staid looking BMW but the quality levels and the build quality of the BMW is better than the Ducati and that’s saying a lot because the Multistrada is very well put together and has top-notch quality wherever you look.
PowerÂ
The bikes employ distinctive 4-stroke engines, the Ducati’s liquid-cooled 1198.4cc engine is a L-twin while a air and oil-cooled 1170cc horizontally opposed boxer twin does duty on the GS. There is a lot of difference between the power produced by these two engines.
The Ducati is the more powerful as it puts out 150bhp and transfers this power through a 6-speed gearbox to the rear tyre via chain drive. On the other hand, the BMW belts out 110bhp. The gearbox on the Beemer is also six-speed, which drives the rear tire through a shaft drive.
Performance
In city traffic, both bikes putter around without any hiccups thanks to their ample torque with the GS feeling slightly smoother. The Multistrada is more edgy and wants you to drive a little quicker. And this shows in the torque output. While the GS’ 12.23kgm of torque is produced at 6000rpm, the 12.1kgm of the Multistrada is produced at a much higher 7500rpm.
The bikes have hydraulic assisted clutches and the gearshifts are smoother on the BMW compared to the Ducati. The exhaust note of both bikes is very pleasing to the ears, with the Multistrada making a more sporty sound while the GS having a relaxed and smoother sound. Blip the throttle and select the first gear and both bikes gain momentum in a smooth linear fashion, with the Multistrada letting it know that it is more of a sportsbike than a adventure tourer.
Traction control is present on both with the Ducati having no less than eight different settings which depend on the riding modes you select: Sports, touring, urban or enduro. If you want a bike which combines sportiness and adventure capability then go for the Multistrada as it can out run the GS on all kinds of terrain. On the other hand, GS chugs along in a more refined and steady manner.
Sum up & Price
To select a winner in the shoot out is difficult as both these motorcycles have their strengths and weaknesses. The Multistrada has oodles of performance, sportsbike-like handling and good comfort. Of all the bikes sold in India, only the supremely refined GS can challenge it. Both the manufacturers should lower the prices of these brilliant bikes to make them more affordable. The Ducati Multistrada 1200 range starts at Rs 17.40 lakh and goes up to Rs 21.59 lakh, while the BMW R 1200 GS is available for prices ranging between Rs 16.34 lakh-20.5 lakh.
