By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Sport Tourer vs Adventure
BMW S 1000 XR (K69) vs Ducati Multistrada V4 S Sport (MY2021)
You'll feel these two split at corner entry, where the BMW S 1000 XR's bars drop it into the turn with barely a nudge. The Ducati Multistrada V4 S Sport tips in light-footed and neutral, and the front doesn't tug wide or tuck in. Its Skyhook suspension holds it composed as the lean builds.
So which one do you buy?
Buy the S 1000 XR if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Clearly ahead: S 1000 XR
As a daily commuter, the S 1000 XR gets the nod, and it isn't close.
The S 1000 XR has the edge if…
Traveling with luggage
By a nose: S 1000 XR
With bags on, the S 1000 XR edges ahead. The gap is small enough that luggage options could flip it.
Comfortable long-distance riding
Inches ahead: S 1000 XR
On a long day in the saddle, the S 1000 XR comes out a little ahead. Ride both before you decide.
Which one's the smarter buy
Apples and oranges
The S 1000 XR and Multistrada V4 S Sport sit in different classes, so value is a trade-off. Neither is the obvious better buy for the money.
What makes each one tick
S 1000 XR
The S 1000 XR's inline-four pulls clean out of the middle revs and screams toward its 11,000 rpm peak with a growl that's hard to leave alone. Each bump on broken pavement comes through firm, because the semi-active damping doesn't loosen up much even in its softer modes. There's real feel in the brake lever when you haul it down from speed. The bite keeps climbing from there.
Nils rode the S 1000 XR in 2020, and in Andalusia in 2021 (NastyNils Testride).
Multistrada V4 S Sport
The Multistrada V4 S Sport's upright perch and plush seat don't wear you down over long days in the saddle. A twist of the throttle brings a silky surge from the V4 the moment it's asked. Near redline, the V4 rushes hard.
Nils rode the Multistrada V4 S Sport in the Pyrenees in 2022 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The S 1000 XR has the lower wet weight: 498 lb (226 kg) vs 529 lb (240 kg).
- The Multistrada V4 S Sport makes more peak torque: 91 lb-ft (124 Nm) vs 84 lb-ft (114 Nm).
- The Multistrada V4 S Sport has the larger engine: 1158 cc vs 999 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Look elsewhere
Neither of these is a sensible first motorcycle. Learn on something smaller and lighter, then come back.
For twisty roads, you won't find daylight between them. Let the test ride settle it.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
S 1000 XR
What owners say
Strengths
- Superbike-level engine performance
- Agile and precise handling
- Comprehensive standard electronics
- Powerful and progressive braking
Trade-offs
- Firm suspension even in softer modes
- Ineffective stock wind protection
Multistrada V4 S Sport
What owners say
Strengths
- Blistering yet refined V4 power
- Top-tier electronics package
- Impeccable comfort and mile-crunching ability
- Surprising agility and poise for its size
Known problems to check before you buy
S 1000 XR
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
Multistrada V4 S Sport
- Excessive wear of engine valve guides (NHTSA recall 21V-212) Recall 21V212000 Valve guides may exhibit excessive wear, potentially causing valve head breakage, engine power loss, and inability to restart. Affected VINs built between Nov 5, 2020 and Jan 14, 2021. Recall remedy: entire engine replacement.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 5-year-old S 1000 XR with a 5-year-old Multistrada V4 S Sport.
- S 1000 XR
- about $13,300
- Multistrada V4 S Sport
- about $18,000
At five years old, the BMW S 1000 XR sits around $13,300 while the Ducati Multistrada V4 S Sport runs about $18,000. That's a $4,700 gap in the BMW's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Seat height
- 33.1 in (840 mm)
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
Where the spec sheets split
| S 1000 XR | Multistrada V4 S Sport | |
|---|---|---|
| Wet weight | 498 lb (226 kg) | 529 lb (240 kg) |
| S 1000 XR | Multistrada V4 S Sport | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 999 cc | 1158 cc |
| Engine | Inline-four | V4 |
| Power | 165 hp (121 kW) | 170 hp (125 kW) |
| Peak power at | 11,000 rpm | 10,750 rpm |
| Torque | 84 lb-ft (114 Nm) | 91 lb-ft (124 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 9,250 rpm | 9,000 rpm |
| S 1000 XR | Multistrada V4 S Sport | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 38 mpg (US) / 6.2 L/100 km | 36 mpg (US) / 6.5 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 5.3 US gal (20 L) | 5.8 US gal (22 L) |
| S 1000 XR | Multistrada V4 S Sport | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 320 mm | 330 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 | 120/70-19 |
| Rear tire | 190/55-17 | 170/60-17 |
| Front travel | 5.9 in (150 mm) | 6.7 in (170 mm) |
| Rear travel | 5.9 in (150 mm) | 7.1 in (180 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| S 1000 XR | Multistrada V4 S Sport | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise Control | Option | Standard |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Quickshifter | Option | Standard |
| USB Charging Port | Not offered | Standard |
| Heated Grips | Standard | Option |
| Adjustable Seat Height | Not offered | Standard |
| Cornering Lights | Option | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
