Even driving the car, i need a break and a stretch after 100 miles or so. A bike needs a range of 130+ miles IMHO. I really couldn't face doing 200+miles without any sort of break.
As a one shot 'getting somewhere trip' extended mileage is OK but day after day on a tour... no thanks, will be stopping at around 120 miles for a rest, stretch, drink of water and fuel. And likely every 50-60 miles for photos, look at the view as appropriate.
Yeah, that's what I do as well, but most of my trips are just a 3 day weekend or one week, so I'll try to make one or two 1000 mile days out and a couple back depending on the destination, so the longer the range the better, especially when most of the people I ride with have 6 gallon tanks and bikes that get in the 40s on the interstate. I'm already the lowest range guy on the trip. However, when we get to the mountains, I have the most fun bike by far.
I love the new screen on the V4, I wonder if it's possible to swap over the screen on a 1260 to the new V4 option... That's the only thing I can think I'd want.
Just wonder if the impending doom of a valve service will affect its value though to a greater extent than it does now? If it were £2k+ would potential used buyers start questioning a bike that’s due it’s valve service in say 5k miles?
Can't see how a valve check with conventional valve train is going to be more than a demo one. If course it maybe a premium priced service for a premium bike but I can't really see that holding water...
If the Multistrada V4 radiator and oil cooler positioning is similar to the Panigale V4, you are talking radiator removal to get the the front cylinder heads and that is not a quick job. Andy
OK, I obviously don't know the full ins and outs of the engine and access but I had the VFR VTEC valve check down to about 12-14 hours on the third time around. On the face of it access, or lack thereof, was similar and the check itself was significantly more complex due to the VTEC system, four camshafts across two heads in and out and re-timed three times. I'm sure a factory trained tech with all the special tools could do considerably faster. How much are franchise labour rates these days? £80/hr?
Just bought a V4s and it is amazing. My 1200s with full race termi was too loud for a weeks tour. Ok for a day trip but after a few days the noise was too much! Now I’ve got the V4 I’m also allowed into Switzerland. Ducati Manchester did some great graphics to get rid of the satin aluminium sides.
RIDe article says Ducati Worcester quote £624 for the 36,000 mile valve service. That's a big saving on the V2 1200/1260. I am going to get a test ride next month as it appears the savings on servicing might be significant enough to offset some of the cost of the bike in the first place. I will be doing my own checks on service costs too.
Have to say that’s already an improvement on the stock bike. It makes you wonder, how come a dealership can do a better job than the factory. No disrespect to the dealership meant at all, in fact kudos. So was it the designers that turned it out like that or others insisting on making it look GS ugly? Once again, it makes me question... what a huge hit they could have had if they’d made it look like a lithe elegant Italian. Why not wrap n colour code the cheap looking beak as well?
I have to say I’m fully expecting the numbers on this survey to slowly change in Ducati’s favour. Clearly the engine and the engineering as a whole is very good. It’s just the strategy of the target market a design that lets it down in spades.
I’m sure they will. Once people get used to the new bike, people will grow to like it. It’s the same story with the new BMW M3. In pictures, people slated the grill design, but now the video reviews are coming out, and people are seeing them in the flesh, attitudes are changing. When the Pikes Peak is announced, I’d expect there to be a sudden rush of orders and changes of mind about the design!
