Thanks for the tips folks. I do like that pic of that airborne MS but I wonder if there is an "after" photo. Did this fellow reach terra firma intact? Maybe that was what the attached article was about "MS rider fails in attempt to jump local canyon" or similar.
As for the KTM 950 or the R1200Gs ...

I wasn't overly serious with the knobblie comment above! I'm not a hard out off road/adventure rider. But on a trip if it turns to gravel I don't care and enjoy it.

The MS only hit NZ shores last year and looks as if it is taking off. Should suit NZ roads fine I reckon.

I've got this thing like a ...

Thanks for the info. Sounds like fitting a set of knobblies would be the go!

Could anyone please advise the ability of the MS to handle gravel roads on its standard setup ie tyres. It certainly looks as if it would sit up OK on a gravel road. I dont like getting put off a road just because it is gravel... Any of your experiences appreciated... here in NZ there's a fair few ...

Thanks for that Lutz, I'm sort of suspicious of media tests on any bikes, usually the journos have been wined and dined by the companies supplying the test bikes. I'd be tempted to write good things about the R1200GS if I'd been flown around the world and passed the keys for a test whirl. If you ...

I'm seriously looking at a Multistrada but some of the postings here have me a bit concerned...vis...front brake, quality of finish, instrument pod problemo.
Please give me your unbiased opinion, is this bike a lemon that Ducati have pushed into production?
They look to me a bloody good bike (in the ...