World first test: Ducati Multistrada v BMW R1200GS

MCN testers have gone to Italy to pit the astonishing new Ducati Multistrada 1200S in a world first comparison test against the class-leading BMW R1200GS.

Trevor’s full test will appear in next week’s MCN, but here are his first impressions:

“Within one mile of leaving Ducati’s factory, the Multistrada has pulled in so many more admiring glances and curious looks that you could ever believe of a bike.

“It appears that everybody in Italy is a fan of Ducati – even when the Multistrada looks so different to any previous sporting Ducati.

“These people have good reason to smile as much as the MCN testers: the Multistrada has so far proved to be very good.

“We’ve just covered 20 miles of town traffic and short A-roads and the Ducati has so far proved like any large trail-style touring bike, comfy, fuss free and agile.

“We are now heading out onto the famous Futa Pass; over 60 kilometres of twisty mountain roads.

“Topped off with a run back to the Bologna factory via the autostrada. So far the Multistrada is a good match against the class leading R1200GS.”

More later on motorcyclenews.com