BMW R 1200 R versus Ducati Multistrada 1260

Make
Model
Make
Model
Make
Model
BMW

BMW R 1200 R

Naked
Ducati

Ducati Multistrada 1260

Adventure

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2007 bis 2017
Built von 2018 bis 2020
RRP 13.100 €
RRP 16.990 €
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Pros:
  • relatively light for a boxer machine
  • powerful engine with character
  • upgradeable as an agile tourer
  • no technical overload
  • safe driving experience
Pros:
  • Powerful engine
  • Precise chassis
  • Windbreak
  • Comfort
  • Service
Cons:
  • not cheap
  • Windbreak underground
Cons:
  • Nothing to get at low speed
  • Off-road capability

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.515 mm
Length :
2.165 mm Height : 1.300 mm
Seat :
790 mm
Weight :
232 (max: 450 ) kg
Wheelbase: 1.585 mm
Length :
2.190 mm Height : 1.495 mm
Seat :
825 mm
Weight :
232 (max: 450 ) kg

Engine

Motor design: Boxer 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.170 ccm
Hub: 73 mm
Hole: 101 mm
Cooling: Luft
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6
Motor design: V-motor 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.261 ccm
Hub: 72 mm
Hole: 106 mm
Cooling: Flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6

Performance

Maximum speed: 220 km/h
Performance: 125 HP at 7.750 U/Min
Torque: 125 NM bei 6.500 U/Min
Tank contents: 18 Litre
Consumption:
5 l
Reach:
363 km
Maximum speed: 251 km/h
Performance: 158 HP at 9.500 U/Min
Torque: 130 NM bei 7.500 U/Min
Tank contents: 20 Litre
Consumption:
6 l
Reach:
350 km

Chassis

Frame type:
two-part frame concept consisting of the main frame and the rear frame bolted to it, supporting engine (steel)
Front suspension:
Upside-down 45 mm (travel 140 mm)
Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 140 mm)
Rear suspension:
Paralever
Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear tyres: 180/55 ZR 17
Frame type:
Tubular space frame (steel)
Front suspension:
Upside-down telescopic fork (travel 170 mm)
Rear suspension:
Adjustable central strut (travel 170 mm)
Rear suspension:
Single-arm swingarm made of aluminium
Tyres at the front: Width: 120 mm, 17 inches
Rear tyres: Width:190 mm, 17 inches

Brakes

Front brake
Double disc ( 320 mm) Rear brake
Disc ( 276 mm)
Front brake
Double disc ( 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc ( 265 mm)

Conclusion - what gets stuck

Wonderful, this BMW R1200 R. Not only beautiful, fast and safe, but also potent enough for an Alpine tour. Of course, this requires a suitcase system, which goes quite well into the money at BMW. And just a touring disc, which is to be used in the secondary market (e.B. MRA) for about 150 euros. In the mountains you should ride the other bikers quite nicely around the ears, because the 1200s brings everything you need: strength, agility, agility and above all the feeling of security that you can't really do much with this bike.

Price/Availability/Colours/Years of Construction

  • Price: 12,000€
  • Used (7 years old): 8,000€
  • Years built: 2006-2014
  • Colours: white, matt grey, black, blue, red

The Multi is at a crossroads

One has to pay the highest praise to the Ducati engineers that one hardly notices these extra pounds. And yet the multi is at a crossroads. The whole electrics are not only for safety because of the bearish engine, it must be to make the heavy vehicle manageable. The most striking example of this is the electronic parking brake. At the push of a button, the rear brake can be activated to pin the Duc to a hill for a start, thus facilitating uphill start-ups. The Multistrada 1260 S has nice but completely unnecessary things like the backlit switches on board. Impossible for serious use off-road would be the delicate blinkers in the hand protectors, which lead their meaning ad absurdum.

Ducati actually has the most sporty adventure bike in the range with the Multistrada 1260 S, because the competition from BMW or Triumph can't keep up (and probably won't). With her rousing style she won many friends in the Test team and gave us a lot of fun.

On the other hand, it is comfortable enough for the long tour, great to use and well crafted. That she can't get into the terrain – as a gift, she would only lie down next to all the other adventure bikes that were sunk by her riders there in a nod to reality.

The test bike was provided to us by Ducati-Hamburg.

Price / Availability / Colours / Years of Construction

  • Price: from 16.990€
  • Used (3 years old): 12,000€
  • Years built: 1260 since 2018
  • Availability: good
  • Colours: red, grey, white