By the sound of it, I’m of a similar stature to you - 6’ 1” with 33” inseam. I’ve ridden my 2017 Multistrada 950 for more than 38000 miles and cannot recommend it highly enough. In terms of long-distance comfort, I can get off at the end of a 500 mile day with absolutely no aches or pains, something I couldn’t say about the Pan European 1300 that it replaced after some 50000 miles. The stock seat was not the best place to be after a few hours, but the addition of some more foam by a local auto-upholsterer completely cured that and also gave that little bit more leg room. There is more than enough power in that engine to allow 90-100 mph cruising in Europe as well as scratching around country lanes with the best of them. The motor’s torque always seems to be in the right place to allow good, swift exits from bends or getting those overtakes out of the way with the minimum of hassle. The panniers have more than enough room for all my gear when away touring for four weeks and they also look good when fitted; they are easily removed in seconds when not required. It’s been totally reliable over the past two and a bit years in the best and the worst that the weather has thrown at it. The quality of the build is top-notch, with no rusting or tarnishing of the metal bits after two winters and the paintwork is bright and lustrous. I honestly think that this is the best all round bike I’ve owned as it does everything so very well, plus it stirs the soul like only an Italian bike can. Oh, I do also have a naked, a 2016 Speed Triple 1050, which is totally addictive machine and, unlike what you found with the Monster, I totally comfortable for me. Two very different bike but I love them both. One more thing, stop going on about getting old....it’s only a number.....you are, after all, seven years my junior 😊

@Back2TheBike

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Neil, that's a brilliant testimony and puts my review into the shade. I loved the Multistrada and think it's an excellent alternative to the GS, but lighter and more agile. Sounds like you're a proper road warrior with all those miles clocked up! You're right about the age, I'll keep bashing on as long as I'm able. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Good review shame you had poor road conditions, I have just bought a 950s and have come from a triumph explorer xrt which was great but too heavy, I was concerned about going for a smaller CC bike but no need the 950 has got plenty of go and much more agile. I don't have a problem with neutral and the quick shifter and auto blipper are great. Within ten minutes of picking up the bike I was completely at home on her and love it. Good luck in your search for the right bike👍👍

@Back2TheBike

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Richard, congrats on the new bike. As you say you feel very much at home on the 950s after just a few mins!

Finally have the time to catch up with your channel now that the holidays are over. Anxious to see what the decision is. Nice review of the MS. Peace

@Back2TheBike

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Graden, you may be surprised! Hope all well with you and happy new year.

Great video Neil, happy days good to see you properly back on bikes. I’ve read read a few reviews on the MS and a few say the 950 is better than the 1260 as it’s more useable and less raw, always a bike I’ve liked. What about the wind protection that was the big thing I noticed and missed when I went from my RT to a GSA and now I’m on the Pan European I am back in a bubble of calm which I enjoy, if and when you go touring ( don’t forget the kettle’s on if you come to Scotland) that is the one thing you will miss. Wind on the shoulders and turbulence becomes draining, I did put a Givi deflector on my GSA and that did make a big difference. Have great fun testing the bikes and thank you. 👍🏍

@Back2TheBike

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for those kind words Ian. I think I learned with the RT that as 95% of my riding is no more than 90 mins. Consequently whilst I appreciate the weather protection it's not the most important factor. You'll see when i ride the Monster that because of the clean, linear airflow there is no buffeting, and it's a very pleasing sensation. It also shows the aerodynamic shape of modern crash helmets works better on a naked than a faired bike. Food for thought?

Get the Monster ! If you want something different to the RT, don’t go halfway. Do the full banana ! You know you want to !

@Back2TheBike

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Greg. Watch this space!

Looks a lovely bike, got to get it in red! I think you’re sold on it and not a bad choice if it ticks all your boxes. If betting agencies were taking bets I would place money on you settling for the 950s😜. Cheers Neil

@Back2TheBike

4 жыл бұрын

Gooday Peter, trust all is well in the land of Oz? Felt different riding a non BMW bike for a change. You should try one!

I'm closer to autumn than spring, and ride a 1250GS. I like the shaft drive, the low centre of gravity, the satnav integration, riding position and the road presence. The weight of the bike does not bother me at all, as the only time I notice it is when I'm lugging the bike out the garage. Low speed riding (in traffic) is an absolute doddle - even in comparison with my previous F750GS, which was considerably lighter. As with all things, it's not always the on-paper spec that tells the story.

@Back2TheBike

4 жыл бұрын

Interesting. You should take a Multi out for a spin though and see what you think. I loved it.

@richardd9976

4 жыл бұрын

@@Back2TheBike Right now, the only Ducati I am interested in (as a second bike to the GS) is the Scrambler 1100...

Mmm, new tiger and 1050 v strom would be on my list.. 😀

Lovely machine Neil, did you see how well the self-cancelling indicators work on a roundabout? My Harley has them and they are a real PITA, cancelling too soon, not cancelling for a long distance after a turn etc., I'd rather not have them as they are more of a distraction.

@Back2TheBike

4 жыл бұрын

Yes, she's a beauty. Didn't notice how the indicators worked on RABs, they dont have them in Buckinghamshire. I'd assume they would work well though as the IMU seems top notch, the central nervous system of the bike. Tempted?

@HepcatHarley

4 жыл бұрын

@@Back2TheBike I wouldn't buy another bike with SCI but if they're doing a 2 for 1 offer I'll take the free one.

The sport - adventure middleweights( road biased versions) are the way to go for me. Light, fast, precise, comfortable and with weather protection. If you can stretch to it go with a model with all the gizmo's e.g. dynamic ESA , cruise & quickshifter/autoblipper. The MS 950S certainly fits the bill as would the new F900XR & Triumph Tiger 900. I would be happy with anyone of them but since I would be paying for it I would go with the BMW f900XR despite not even sat or ridden it yet ! Very interested in your view of the Monster next. All the best.

@Back2TheBike

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Gordon, good to hear your thoughts. The MS ticks all the boxes, worth looking at the videos from the launch in the Canary islands to see how chuckable it is too! I reckon you'll be in for the new s1000xr in 2020 ...

@gordon4221

4 жыл бұрын

@@Back2TheBike you may very well be right about the s1000, but you know what I really think the f900xr will be the better buy all things considered, and dare I say it a bit of a bargain even when all gizmo'd up

Hi it’s a nice review. Question which RT are about to replace? 1250? Or 1200?

@Back2TheBike

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Bobby and welcome to the channel. I've had the 1200 for the last 2 years. Check out my latest video for the decision!

Looks/sounds like you liked it. Go next door and try the Kawasaki 650 Versys and be amazed. You could have the Versys AND a 650 Ninja! Can't find neutral on a Ducati ... I thought there were plenty in a Ducati box. :) The roads you were riding on are like the ones here in Suffolk. As for auto indicators. A right PITA! My Explorer has them and they turn of way too early. Luckily I can turn them off in the configuration screens.

@Back2TheBike

4 жыл бұрын

I cut that first bit of video short, took me about 2 mins to find that neutral! I believe it improves once the bike is run in and you get the feel for the box. Interesting what you say about the Versys. Reminds me of the Vstrom 650 which I thought was superb.

@mikeroberts

4 жыл бұрын

@@Back2TheBike Some bikes are sprung loaded to jump easily from 1st to 2nd to avoid hitting neutral when accelerating hard. It may be easier to select neutral from 2nd as you are coming to a stop, especially if first is quite high and mainly used for pulling away.

@seaflyfisher

4 жыл бұрын

@@Back2TheBike has this got a quick shifter Neil ?? I think you said that the other one did - that can make a difference but its probably just down to you not riding it fast enough :D

@Back2TheBike

4 жыл бұрын

@@seaflyfisher they took a look at my videos and gave me a MS with a slow shifter fitted ...

I have swatched the box set now, and found them a very similar journey to my own. I came to riding late in life (56) but wish I had took the plunge much earlier, I have swapped and changed bikes starting with Triumph Tiger 800 - BMW800GT - Kawasaki Versys 1000 GT - & after much sourcing, I finally purchased (last weekend) a BMW R1200RT - Having looked online at numerous bikes (I think I noticed your R1200 at a Penrith Dealer) - Insurance is a killer - as insurers never seem to want to add your new bike to the existing policy, so I have had 3 policies now on my 4th but only 1 years no claims - through no fault of my own - just gradually working up the bike chain. Thus the reason for my comment - has IAM accreditation made a difference to your insurance with you having similar time periods on your policy?

@Back2TheBike

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Nicole. No the IAM is no help on insurance. I just shop around to find the best deal. Bennets at the moment. IAM defo helps with the skills though so still recommend. Nice to hear from you.

What protection does screen on MS give. I’m worried that buffeting would be worse than just clean air. Also is it noisy. I’m torn between MS and Monster. Is there a quick shifter on Monster?

@Back2TheBike

Жыл бұрын

Buffeting on the MS depends on your height. Most people under 5'8" seem to be fine. I think the later model Monster S does have a quickshifter

@beverleynorth4914

Жыл бұрын

@@Back2TheBike thanks Hope you’re still enjoying the Monster. I’m on an Interceptor at moment. I just potter about. Exhaust note is lovely. So many Bikes these days have anemic sounding engines. They all say get a new pipe- oh yeah spend another £1400ish Looking to step up to something more powerful without going mad or getting something too heavy. Fancy a bit of protection with a screen but don’t want buffeting. Have you any thoughts on your next bike!!!!!

@Back2TheBike

Жыл бұрын

@@beverleynorth4914 Just traded the Monster for a Multistrada Bev, arrives in a week. It's a jack of all trades that covers all the bases. For me, I loved the Monster but after 3 years fancied a 4 season bike with a little more all day comfort. Plenty of used 950s out there, maybe take a test ride?

@beverleynorth4914

Жыл бұрын

@@Back2TheBike yep I’m going to take my time and test ride a few. Difficult sometimes as dealers don’t have a lot of demos. With hindsight was the Monster the right choice? I’m finding it difficult to move on as I do enjoy the Interceptor. Suppose I should try a few different bikes, could always go back to one in a few years. Mind you I’m 61. Need to make the most of our time, only get 1 go

@beverleynorth4914

Жыл бұрын

@@Back2TheBike forgot to say, are you still doing vlogs?

I can certainly understand your favorable impressions of the Multistrada... It is, after all, a Ducati. While you’re at that dealership, in line with dependability, give a look at the Kawasaki line up.

@Back2TheBike

4 жыл бұрын

They looked superb Alan. The dealer was more than happy to let me ride back to back machines, it would be interesting to do a Ducati then the Kawasaki.

@alanaugust8853

4 жыл бұрын

Back2TheBike As you initially approached the Multistrada in the parking lot, I could not help to notice the red color, followed by the sea of red bikes beyond it... I LIKE RED!!

i'd be tempted to look at the updated Ninja 1000SX .1 its quite a bit cheaper and second you have Japanese reliability !

@Back2TheBike

4 жыл бұрын

Ideally I'd have a shortlist of about 10 bikes. I'm still tempted by the CB1100ex, takes me back to the 1980's and my flared pants.

@SBKPete

4 жыл бұрын

Back2TheBike: I owned a CB1100 RS and regretted selling it. It was the smoothest bike I’ve ever ridden; and I’ve been riding bikes for 42 years. I may purchase the EX model next year as a replacement. A little bit more upright than the RS.

@Back2TheBike

4 жыл бұрын

@@SBKPete and then you can buy some flares and a penny round shirt and tank top to go with it ;-)

@SBKPete

4 жыл бұрын

Back2TheBike: What do you mean buy, I’m still wearing them 😉

Ah, the sensible choice you say. Certainly don't let your heart rule your head and on that score, it would be worth checking with each respective dealer what the typical price and items of each main service interval are to gain an insight into the cost of ownership. Bear in mind too that your 1200 RT is typically group 11 insurance while the Monster 1200 & S is 14 and the R variant is 16! Given that you want a bike lighter than the RT, do move each bike around in the dealership's car park at least to see how the bike might feel around your own garage. CofG may be more relevant than mass. Try putting it on the centre stand too - you'll be needing that convenient feature with chain drive lubrication... I would say also try some low speed walking-pace tests to see what the real-world fuelling feel is like if you were in a long line of stop/start traffic. Buffeting as you reach 70 mph? Mmm, not a mile-munching tourer then!

@Back2TheBike

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Kevin, thanks for the input. I think the buffeting issue is solved with a vario screen so no great shakes. Head v heart? mmm ...