So, nothing really surprising in the videos. Bike isn't sportier than the previous model, largely because of the tires, and possibly not quicker on a track. It has less grunt compared to the V2 it seems (but at the same time being silky smooth, which can be both good and bad) and it consumes considerably more petrol than the previous model, even though it's smaller in capacity. So much that even with two more liters in the tank it can get you to 80-90% of the 1260's range. The V2 was THAT good. At least we learned where does all the extra weight come from apart from the exhaust. The wiring. Too many electronics it seems. Sticking to my bonkers fast/agile 1200 Sigh ....
I think everyone on this thread should start a new motorcycle company and build and sell a new sports bike that just looks an ADV but isn't, since that's all everyone seems to want!
Actually it does get mentioned...if only to say you would not know it wasn't 17 inch when riding the bike.
Comments relating to the 19" under the video: Question: I owned the previous MTS1200 and loved it for it's sportiness so I'm wondering how sporty the V4 feels now with a 19" front wheel, direction change etc? Answers from @Simon Hargreaves (various) It feels fine – better than fine; to me it feels entirely natural. A 21in front, with narrow 90/90 (as per many adventure bikes) does feels spindly and less confident than a conventional road tyre; but it's a function of rim width rather than wheel diameter. The V4 has a 12070. It steers, and grips, beautifully. Try one for yourself – the 19in front feels entirely natural (I'd defy most people to be able to tell the difference if they were, er, blindfold ) and I say it improves the steering (but then I have been riding a lot of bikes with 21in front wheels lately). Forget the rear tyre too - again, it's not something you either notice of can feel in use. My point is, this isn't a change in rim width; the 1260 is on the same width front rim – 3.5in. The fact one is 17in and one 19in makes no practical disadvantage to the steering, confidence or grip on an adventure bike. In fact it kinda feels more agile (but the geometry is sharper, so maybe that's why).
I’m not a fan of the laddish approach used by the 44 Teeth team but I was amused by what one of them started to say during the bit about Cadwell but didn’t finish. What was inferred, despite the acknowledged ability of the 1200 Multistrada (not so sure about the 1260) to embarrass sports bike riders thanks to sticky tyres, the majority of Multistrada riders are not going to notice any loss of handling on the V4 due to lack of sporty rubber. I’ve ridden with around 20 different Multistrada riders on the road and on track and I’m confident only one of them has the ability to genuinely feel disappointed. Of more significance to me is that two of the reviewers were clearly not tall and someone of 5’7” could nearly flat foot. Some interesting real world comparisons with the GS and 1290 as well. I’m nearing 70 so the 60kg difference in weight between my 1200 and the V4 makes the V4 a longer term no-no but sure as night follows day, if I’m given the opportunity, I’ll take it for a test ride. Andy
Why am I not surprised? Just like c̶o̶r̶r̶u̶p̶t̶e̶d̶ un-biasly challenged Mainstream Media, motojournalists don't want to risk losing their all-expenses paid free ride to exotic testing locations. Sales numbers with be the true litmus test when this thread will have been long forgotten.
The thing with the tyres is what they make ME feel like on the bike, not compared to other riders. I do have very different feedback from different tyres I've used and some of them made me feel confident and others totally unsafe. That has an impact on the way I'm driving and having fewer options is restrictive for me. A heavier bike that consumes more and has less grunt than the previous one, with less options for tyres and looks that I don't like at all is a disappointment (for me). Others may find it brilliant. I will definitely drive one though if I have the chance. @Android853sp, no one ever feels that belongs to the majority. We're special
Interestingly the Satellite navigation facility is based on free Sygic, anyone got feedback on this?? Trip planning etc. I put my home address into their web facility and it couldnt find me. Garmin add on is no longer an offered option.
Interesting that the journos kept referring to the Multi as an 'adventure' bike - I've always seen it as a reasonably fast, sit-up sportsbike that can tour. Any 2 wheeled contraption that can take you on an adventure can be referred to as an 'adventure' bike
Apparently Sygic uses Tom Tom navigation so that's enough to put me off. I have a feeling the functionality of the free app will be limited much like MyRouteApp. Hate the Ducati web site, so I'm guessing you get navigation by phone mirroring ? Andy
I believe that’s the point of this whole exercise; Those are the same journos who kept saying, while reviewing the 1260/S/GT, that it didn’t measure up in the “adventure” category because of the 17” front, cast wheels, ground clearance, etc. - sometimes after a ride down a dirt road, others just doing typical spec-sheet reviewing. Still happy with my decision to snag the last red 1260S at my dealership a couple weeks ago. Even more so now, although I’m sure the V4 is a great bike and Ducati will sell a crapload of them to people who will love them.
Just spoke with my dealer, the bikes are due imminent, got my name down for one and a test ride, looking forward to it, on the MPG, I have had a couple of other V4's, one being a 2014 Tuono, that bike drank fuel around town, 25-28mpg, took it on a tour around Scotland, it amazed me, did 50+, another point to add, once an engine is run in correctly and has done a few thousand miles, it normally does better MPG, had that with a BMW RS1200R and the 1260S, the 1260S once did, fully loaded two up from Portsmouth to Leeds an average of 62MPG!!
@Bobmg I have done nearly 24.000 miles on mine and rarely see figures higher than high forties usually less. 62mpg sounds incredible. I can't believe you were "enjoying" your ride.
Hi Hugo, the couple of things I did with my 1260S was, fit a full titanium Akrapovic and get a self-tuning map put on it, it burnt no oil and was great on fuel mileage, I can assure you I had fun on it!!!
That’s 300 miles on a tank...... No need to stop between Portsmouth and Leeds with plenty left, are sure it wasn’t an Enduro
