GS 30 year or the Ducati Multi 1200 S,

[trevor]

Hi all
I have a real dilemma and looking for help, last four bikes have been Ducati’s and I love the feel of them, mainly sport riding but looking for an up right ride now.

The three bikes I’ve been looking at are the Benelli TreK 1130, Ducati Multi 1200 S and the 2010 GS 30year.. I’ve taken all three for a ride and have more then likely put a line through the Benelli (which is the best looking) due to the importer not bring them in to Australia any more and break down issues.(even when testing one)

That leaves the other two; both don’t grab me with the looks so it’s hard to spend a lot of money on not so good looking bikes if you know what I mean.

So riding the bikes, both have good points and not so good areas for my riding likes. Right now the Duc suits me better and was great to ride on the road, fast and handled very good but not for the dirt in any way and looks like it would get damaged easily if dropped $$$$$. It’s an upright sports bike not for dirt

The GS would be more fun long term and my riding is changing with age, it was fun to ride for the hour, not as fast and handled differently not as good but real fun. Never owning a BMW before the shaft drive was different and the visor was buffeting in all but fully forward and my helmet visor keep closing due to this,

It’s a lot cheaper then the Duc and the pipe sounds ok in standard form which saves even more? But……..

Has anybody else here had the same dilemma in making a call which way to go, the GS 30 year or the Ducati Multi 1200S,

Regards and any feed back welcomed

[gord955]

I'm in Canada and going through exactly what you are experiencing, The Mulitstrada is very cool but our country and riding style is more suited for the BMWgs.

I'm very close to putting a deposit on the 2011 Triple Black gs for spring delivery, there is no negotiation here on price, so it becomes which is the best dealer to buy from.

I do have a question, is the 2010 gs engine the same as the 2011 model? I've read the 2011 has been updated but also read that it was the 2010 model that was updated. The reason I ask is there are some deals on new 2010gs's with 1500 accessories credit.

This will be my first road bike in 35yrs, always an off roader until my age caught up with me.

[marc]

For model year 2010 the engine changed to overhead cams. Look at the valve covers. 4 screws on '04 ~ '09 models, 2 screws on '10 and '11 models. The two screw version has overhead cams under the covers.

[Kickstand]

If you are going off road at all, the best(IMHO) most reliable and capable machine is the 12GS. It does both on and off road reasonably well and is reliable. If you are used to street bikes, the GS is not. It is however a bike that can go anywhere your skill level will take you and it does it all surprisingly well. You will up your skill level on different terrains and experience/see what street bikes rarely do....and carry camping gear there too if you want.

I know some MStrada tour pros and they say reliability is an issue.

[Fudmucker]

I have an '09 model fitted with the Adventure screen and I am very happy with it. I looked at the 30th Anniversary '10 model but in South Africa they are a mixed specification batch, with different bikes having very different specs.
I could not find a model with the same specs as my '09.
The '10 model has increased compression ratio as well as OHC, which would make it more fussy about fuel octane grading.

I decided to retain my existing bike for another year and rather spend some cash on an Airhead '81 G/S to play with.

Out here we have a saying about Ducatis - They turn every owner into either a mechanic or a poor man. They are 'high maintenance' mistresses!

[trevor]

Hi all
Thanks for the feed back so far, having done my homework the GS 2010 model has the new motor updates, the cost different (here) is about $5000 if I get the exhaust pipe I was looking at for the Ducati so that’s a bit of money.

The GS looks like a bike built to do a job, strong looks, where the Ducati Mult just doesn’t look right to me. Nice but not in the same way the older Ducati bikes (916 or the 907) looked. It’s lost that sexy look in my eyes.

Anyway something to contemplate, and fudmucker my dad would say if it has a motor or tits you’ll get problems.. some just cost more then others..

[pdxrmccgs]

http://www.ducatifighter.org/forums/...ad.php?t=23212

If your still deciding here is a poll on parts availability for the Duc.

[trevor]

Thanks for the info
Yes still not resolved as yet, still selling my monster then will buy one of them?

Leaning to the GS at this stage..

[cug]

I test rode the Multi and the GS and got the GS. More comfort, better dealer, better price.

But the most important thing: The Multi has abysmal fueling below 4k. And 80% of my riding happens there, because I use my bike day to day.

[Neilb]

Hi
My first post - Test rode both bikes for 2 hours. Traded in my 2009 Kwak gtr1400 and went for the GS. Uk roads are so bad at times the GS was smoother and more predictable. A big smile on the test ride of the gs is still with me and I get the new 2010 version mid december. Happy christmas all.