BHPian Turbanator recently shared this with other enthusiasts: The local dealer in Delhi got one in just yesterday and offered to bring the new bike over to my place. It showed up at my office this morning with only 12 km on the odometer, as fresh and new as it gets. The moment I sat on the bike, I felt an instant connection. The lowered and slim fuel tank is for real, and one can immediately feel. We took a long drive, navigating some local rush-hour traffic, followed by the highway (Dwarka Expressway). I came back genuinely impressed with both the bike and the dealership experience. It was an extended ride for an hour, and entirely up to me how far and how much to ride. Coming from a 1250GS and having recently test ridden a 1300GS and a 1300GSA, this felt so different. I know they’re not in the same class, but I won’t be surprised if there is cross-shopping, especially for not-so-regular riders like me who are not into off-roading and need something for weekend/ occasional long-distance. I will talk about my own experience here and skip specs/ data, etc., as there is more to the spec sheet.HandlingThe bike feels very light, nimble, and easy to manoeuvre, as pointed out by other reviewers and fellow member Abhi. Whether it’s slow speed, rough patches, or highway speed, I enjoyed everything, a comfortable and confident ride. This is the first time I have ridden so far on a Ducati. On three/ four previous occasions, I came back in shorter distances as I could never connect, given my experience with GS/GSA. The only time I felt a little cautious was when I leaned and could feel some weight being dropped from the top. On GS, due to the boxer engine, leans are never an issue. I’m sure I need to improve my movements, and it will take time to get adjusted to this setup.SuspensionI have been a big fan of BMW’s telelever suspension and have always thought that this design is the best, and others cannot come close. I am very much impressed with the overall comfort of the Sky Hook suspension. The seat in itself is also very comfortable, and overall, the handlebar position/ clutch lever/ brake lever appear to be at the proper angle/ distance. However, I would like to have a 10-15mm height increase on the handlebars and about an inch closer. There are some aftermarket options, according to the sales guy.Clutch/ Quick shifterMany reviewers have mentioned a tight clutch, which was also my biggest concern. My fingers are soft, and I always have difficulty with the 1200/ 1250. That was the reason that I wanted to get ASA, which sadly has no visibility in 1300 for now. However, even though the clutch is firm, I find it easier to operate on the V2 than, say, the 1300GS. Maybe the BMW clutch goes a little farther, and my fingers have to stretch a bit, but on this Multistrada, these are easier to reach. Quickshifter on this bike is far better than BMW’s. It’s firm and non-intrusive and works every time. On the BMW, although it’s improved on the 1300, it’s still very crude, and one can feel the difference in gearshift most of the time between clutch and direct. After an hour of riding, I was not tired at all and could have ridden much longer.EngineUntil the legal speed limits and about, the engine is more than enough & you will never miss out on four cylinders or larger twins on a BMW. I haven’t ridden the newer V4 but most likely there will not be a big difference in 0-100 on V2/ V4 vs 1300GS. This V2 hits a sweet spot. Ride modes are well-calibrated, and the difference is immediately noticeable. One thing I’ve experienced is that we need to be in higher RPMs, even at lower speeds, and have to use the clutch. I stalled the bike twice, as I am used to lugging at lower rpms on the GS. Chain drive vs shaft could also be a reason, and I will need to adapt myself. I was so mesmerised by my ride, and also, I am past the age of checking features and displays, so I didn’t fiddle with switchgear/ information. The windshield is easy to adjust, as many have pointed out, and the wind does not hit you. I was wearing a turban and, after a high-speed ride, I would usually find it a bit loose, but not today.ConclusionIt’s more about choosing a colour, Red or Green. The Red one is a signature Ducati and draws immediate attention. In terms of our road conditions, it is better to have something brighter. A Green one may look more sober & apt for my age, but I may skip and instead consider red. Even though this may look slightly smaller/ slimmer in pictures, it’s about the right size. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.
