GS or Multistrada ?

[Indiana44]

I have two BMWs and so am comfortable with the line. Having recently moved to Utah I find myself frequently confronted with some dirt/gravel roads that I would like to explore. I've pretty well convinced myself that I need some sort of "dual use" bike. I am familiar with the GS, but haven't owned one, or even known anyone that has. I have also seen the Multistrada, and I gotta say, that's one sweet ride. At the risk of being inflamatory, anyone have any first or second hand experience that would give a comparison? I appreciate the input.

[ranks]

I own an R1200GS.

I've only seen, and sat on a multistrada.

The mulitstrada seems to be a bit more "fragile".

It sure looks good, but I would stick to roads with it.

I have had my GS off road, and as long as you go slow, it does ok, except for sand/mud.

When I say roads, I don't just mean paved either.

I would think either would do fine for well maintained dirt/gravel roads.

I hope someone here can give a good ride report for one.

[82katana]

The Multi is not really an off road bike. Sure, it will handle the fire trail type rides, but Ducati didn't really build it for dirt. Multistrada, to them, means multi street use. The DS in the name, as is sometimes commonly mistaken, doesn't mean dual-sport. It means dual spark plugs.

The Multi user group that I am on just had a long discussion on the subject. There were people that went both ways but I think the majority were for any off-roading being the non-blacktop road variety and nothing more strenuous than that.

I think it is lighter and smaller than the GS. I have ridden the GS and it seemed REALLY big. I wouldn't want to try and keep it up on a rutted dirt road. On the other hand, I think the lighter Multi would be manageable.

You could probably find a dealer to let you test ride both. Just don't tell them where you are going. :)

Take a look at Mulitstrada.Net. That is the group I am referring to. Lots of good info on the bike.

They are both great bikes. Have fun deciding which to buy. Oh, and don't forget about the Buell Ulysses.

[motorhead]

Had dreams of buying a Multistrada myself ... Signed up on the multistrada message board and asked a few questions ... ???

:( It was an overwhelming opionon the strada "WAS NOT" a dirt bike in the least !! If you want dual purpose a Suzuki V-strom, BMW GS, or KTM were the way to go.

The Multistrada was viewed as a street scraper in wolfs clothing ( Looks dirt bikey, but actually a full blown canyon carver )

Sharing what I found.
Scott

[RaffyK]

Having had a used R1150GS for a short while that I bought to make sure that's what I wanted for the long term, I asked the same question to a friend re the Multistrada (he has one). His response in quotes below.

"..... anyway as to your question, I love my multi and have done many miles on dirt roads. I have quite a lot of dirt riding in the past and owned a KLR 650 recently. like the KLR, all of the bikes you are thinking about are really not "dirt" bikes. way too heavy. along with being heavy is the financial hit when the body parts hit the dirt. if you are thinking about having a bike that you ride from home on pavement and occasionally hitting a dirt road then any of them will work just fine. I frequently use the example of the average SUV one see's on the daily commute. big tires, brush guards on the lights ect. of course they never get off the blacktop. Beemer GS bikes are frequently in this catagory. there is a dirt road that goes between Forresthill and the Wiemar area. last time I was on it, I saw a couple of matching GS bikes, twin and single that were turning around at the end of the pavement. what a waste!
biggest negatives for the beemer in my thoughts is 1. weight 2. that cylinder is right where you want to put your foot when sliding the rear tire.
Plus factor is the shaft drive meaning no chain worries.
KTM is probably the most "dirt" of the trio, with a rather high price tag and what many call the worst seat ever. still a heavy tall machine that works best at higher speeds in open country. Dakar style riding, though many do road trips on it also.
Multi is probably the least dirt, but that is just due to no sump protection from rock impacts and the cast wheels. probably the most fun of all in the twisties of the three, but all are a blast to ride and with the proper tires can embarass many a sportbike rider with Harleys being especially fun to blow off.

For those that say the multi is not any good on dirt due to the 17 inch tires, I remind them about supermoto bikes that race on dirt and pavement w/17's. many GS still have cast wheels and nobody says they cannot do dirt, but for sure a wire spoke wheel can take more abuse off road.
another complaint about the KTM has been the dual fuel tank caps being a pain at gas stops. seems rather minor to me.
all this drivel may not have answered your question, so I will throw out some more to confuse you.
for a Beemer, get an HP-2 for the best big beemer dirt bike. KTM get a 520 or other single. real dirt bikes that are street legal. NO other bike is even close to a KTM single. I love my multi. for me it is the best bike going for my needs and wants. mainly street back country roads with no fear of taking a dirt road detour. especially cool is the S version with Ohlins front and rear. I want a KTM also, especially since I live so close to good dirt riding."
-----
Hope this helps.

BTW, today I bought a 2004 R1150GS Adventure.

[ranks]

I whole hartily agree with Raffy's friend.

The GS WILL do offroad, but at a SLOW pace. It has the suspension travel needed. It IS TALL AND HEAVY for a dirt bike. It is NOT a DIRT BIKE.

Of the above mentioned, the KTM is best for Dirt, but have uncomfy seat, and some claim "unreliablility issues".

The BMW is probably the best "all rounder" for mostly pavement, some dirt roads and a LITTLE off road.

As stated previously, haven't ridden the multistrada, but all that shiney red plastic looked expensive.

If you go off road, you will go down, not if, but when !!

[byke33]

Just bought an 05GS and have a 2001 1150GS and an 05 Multi. The Multi is big fun to ride. It makes you break the law. It is light and agile and with knobbier tires it would handle dirt great. Problem is that when you drop it(and any dirt riding includes dropping it) you are going to have some big $ to repair the plastic.

I would buy a Multi and Suzuki DRZ with knobs and get a comfrot gel seat. Buy 1-2 yrs old on both and you will pay less then a 1-2 year old GS and have the best of both worlds.

Ron

[ronk1200lt]

The GS has ABS and the Multi doesn't. For some that can be a real decision maker. Ron

[dino2000]

The GS is as much a dirt bike as you are willing to make it / ride it. I have put many off-road miles on my 1150GS and even for it's faults, there is no better machine for mixed duty.
It's not light and does not have the suspension of a purpose built "dirt bike", but it was designed and built specifically for double duty.
The question isn't can the GS be ridden in the dirt, it's can you ride it in the dirt.................................

Dino



P.S. the multi is not a dirt bike or even a dirt worthy one

[dmatson]

I have a KTM950 a KLR650 and some real dirt bikes including a plated KTM450EXC. The 950 is the most fun bike I have ever ridden and i have been riding for 42 years. I had one of the first 950's in So Cal and had to live through some of the issues and growing pains with the dealers. The bike has a bad seat but what bike doesn't? One questions is how tall are you and if you have ridden dirt bikes. If you sit on a 950 you will think it is tall and heavy but if you ride one compared to a GS you will think your are on a bike half it's size. I am 5'9" and I have replaced the wheels with 19/17 tubeless just like whats on the GS and it sits lower still with over 9" of travel. The chain is no problem either I have adjusted mine once in 8K miles it is oversized for the bike. I ride with a friend who has a GS1150 and they carry just about the same luggage wise and the two tanks is not really a problem, in fact if you fall and puncture one tank you can just run on the other tank. There are alot of bikes to explore on, take your time and research them on a site like Adventure rider and then go ride them. For the money the KLR is very hard to beat, so many mods for them lots of guys buy a used one just to get used to the dual sport thing. I paid $3500 for mine and it is like new with lots of goodies on it. I had a GS1200 loaned to me for a month and really enjoyed it and would like to add one to the stable when they get the new brake system and the can buss system working better. Have fun.