Here’s an MCN group test challenging the new Ducati Multistrada with the BMW R1200GS (a real tough competitor), the Triumph Tiger 1050 (a great allrounder) and the KTM 990 SMT (a ‘wow’ bike from 2009). The test includes riding the Multistrada in its four different modes: the sports mode, touring mode and urban and enduro modes, checking out the clever combinations of horse power, traction control and ABS that each mode plays with.

The BMW is probably the most significant competitor and therefore benchmark for the Ducati Multistrada, being a modern adventure tourer with plenty of electronics and technology to make the game more interesting. The only downfall of the Multistrada, if you want to consider one, is exactly what it was designed to be - a mix of everything meaning it can’t be a fully fledged offroad model, or an urban tourer.

Whether that really affects what you want from it is your decision, but if you’re looking for a pure offroader, the BMW, with less electronics and specific offroad design, has got the Multistrada beaten on that front. In sports mode, the Multistrada has got all the power and handling Ducati is famous for, and in touring and urban modes it has both comfort and agility. Overall, if you want an all-in-one bike, this is as close as you’ll get.

....

2 comments