The Ducati Multistrada 1260 Enduro was recently launched in India at a starting price of Rs. 19.99 lakh (ex-showroom, India). It replaces the Multistrada 1200 Enduro and is a more off-road focussed version of the standard Multistrada 1260. It has established rivals in the form of the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure and the Triumph Tiger 1200 XCx and both are the off-road focussed models in their respective range as well. We compare the three heavy-duty off-road adventure motorcycles on paper and see how they come up against each other.
Also Read: Ducati Multistrada 1260 Enduro Launched In India
The Multistrada 1260 Enduro is powered by a 1,262 cc, DVT Testastretta engine making 156 bhp, 128 Nm
The Ducati and the BMW have an L-Twin and a Boxer-Twin engine respectively but the Triumph has an in-line three. Triumph does love its triples. As far as sheer power output is concerned it is the Multistrada Enduro 1260 which leaves the other two behind. But all 156 horses of the Multistrada come in at 9,500 rpm while the R 1250 GS Adventure brings all of its 134 ponies home at almost 2,000 rpms lesser. The triple engine on the Tiger 1200 is high-strung too. The Ducati gets the DVT tech in its engine while the Beemer gets its patented ShiftCam tech. Both technologies are meant to offer a consistent power and torque output at all revs Speaking of torque, the R 1250 GS has the maximum pulling power of 143 Nm. And it comes in at the lowest RPMs too. The Multistrada and the Tiger 1200 have similar torque output of 128 Nm and 122 Nm respectively. All three motorcycles get a 6-speed gearbox with bi-directional quickshifter which aid is rapid upshifts and downshifts. The Tiger 1200 is the only shaft-driven motorcycle in this segment, in India.
| Specifications | Ducati Multistrada 1260 Enduro | BMW R 1250 GS Adventure | Triumph Tiger 1200 XCx |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Type | L-Twin, liquid-cooled | Boxer-Twin, liquid-cooled | in-line three, liquid-cooled |
| Displacement | 1,262 cc | 1,245 cc | 1,215 cc |
| Max Power | 156 bhp at 9,500 rpm | 134 bhp at 7,750 rpm | 139 bhp at 9,350 rpm |
| Max Torque | 128 Nm at 7,000 rpm | 143 Nm at 6,250 rpm | 122 at 7,600 rpm |
| Gearbox | 6-speed MT | 6-speed MT | 6-speed MT |
| Kerb weight | 254 kg | 268 kg | 251 kg (dry) |
| ABS | Yes (switchable) | Yes (switchable) | Yes (switchable) |
| Traction Control | Yes (switchable) | Yes (switchable) | Yes (switchable) |
| Riding Modes | 4 Riding modes | 2 Riding modes ( 4 with the pro pack) | 5 Riding modes |
| Starting Price (ex-Delhi) | Rs. 19.99 lakh | Rs. 18.25 lakh | Rs. 17 lakh |
(The BMW R 1250 GS offers more power, more torque and variable valve timing system on the engine)
All three adventure motorcycles cost north of Rs. 17 lakh and have a power output upwards of 130 bhp. People who buy them may not be adequately skilled to handle the weight and the power and this where the electronics come in. The Multistrada gets four riding modes along with eight-step traction control and ABS. Also, there is cornering ABS along with three different modes for power output as well. There is a full-colour 5-inch TFT screen as well which can be paired to a smartphone through Bluetooth. The BMW R 1250 GS Adventure too is loaded with features. It gets two riding modes as standard, which are road and rain. But, one can opt for the Pro package which offers additional off-road riding modes along with dynamic traction control, hill control and brake assistant. The Pro package for R 1250 GS Adventure costs about Rs. 3.7 lakh though! Triumph also offers 5 riding modes (Road, Sport, Track, Off-road and Off-road pro) on the Tiger 1200 along with a 5-inch TFT display.
Also Read: BMW R 1250 GS: All You Need To Know
(2018 Triumph Tiger 1200 range)
All motorcycles here get top-shelf cycle parts. The Ducati is the lightest motorcycle here with a kerb weight of 254 kg. The R 1250 GS weighs in at 268 kg while the dry weight of the Tiger 1200 is 251 kg. With a full tank, we believe that the kerb weight of the Tiger will definitely cross 270 kg. The Multistrada 1260 Enduro gets Ducati's skyhook suspension at both ends while the Beemer features its famous tele-lever suspension up front along with 37 mm USDs. The Tiger 1200 gets WP sourced suspension units.
| Cycle Parts | Ducati Multistrada 1260 Enduro | BMW R 1250 GS Adventure | Triumph Tiger 1200 XCx |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 1,592 mm | 1,504 mm | 1,520 mm |
| Seat Height | 840 mm (lowest) | 890 mm (lowest) | 835 mm (lowest) |
| Front Suspension | 48 mm USDs | 37 mm USDs, tele-lever suspension | 48 mm USDs |
| Rear Suspension | Monoshock | Para-lever suspension | Monoshock |
| Front Brakes | 320 mm dual discs | 305 mm dual discs | 305 mm dual discs |
| Rear Brakes | 265 mm disc | 276 mm disc | 282 mm disc |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 30 litres | 30 litres | 20 litres |
The BMW R 1250 GS has the maximum suspension travel of 210 mm up front and 220 mm at the rear while the Tiger 1200 has a suspension travel of 190 mm and 193 mm at the front and rear. Ducati hasn't revealed the suspension travel for the Multistrada 1260 Enduro but the company does say that the wheel travel is 185 mm at both ends.
