Dear Massimo, in fact we are talking about maximum systems. Deciding that the Multistrada is better than the GS was very tiring, since we are talking about two excellences, which both provide joy and great driving pleasure, even if in different ways. Let’s start with comfort: the distance between the footpegs and the saddle would seem to disadvantage the Multi (515 mm against the 590 of the GS), but the footpegs on the BMW are further back, forcing the legs to bend a little awkward (or rather, less comfortable than on the Ducati ).
As for the bags, in addition to the plastic ones, which are actually not very capacious, the Ducati catalog also includes aluminum ones, more capable than the Varios at maximum extension (35-41 liters for the Multi against 39-29 for the GS), and with hooks for additional load. The aluminum alternatives of the GS, however, give BMW a slight advantage: 44-36 litres, 4 more in favor of the Bavarian. Furthermore, on the GS the suitcases plus the passenger seat create a practical support surface for the luggage, also present on the Ducati, but not so homogeneous.
Consumption is high, but we imagine it’s not too serious a problem for those who can afford such a valuable motorcycle. What matters most for great travelers is autonomy and here the differences are not macroscopic: the Multi has to refuel after 307 km, while the GS reaches 332. Let’s talk about the heat: it is known that, as always, Longitudinal Vs, and not only them, have the problem of the rear cylinders that shoot the heat on the riders’ thighs. The matter became dramatic with the increase of engine capacities, powers and with the arrival of catalytic converters. The twin-cylinder Multis and the KTM 1190 were notorious for this: with these bikes, driving in the city in August was hard. Since then, systems have been studied to reduce this heat: the Multistrada V4 has a system of fins which extracts the flow of hot air, moving it away from the legs. The bike still heats up, but tolerably; only that GS and Tiger heat up less. During the last Italian Challenge we traveled in temperatures of up to 42°C, without suffering too much from the heat in our legs. Finally, preload: it is manual only on the fork, not on the rear; there is still no active preload on the front.
