I bought a new V4S in 2021 and I love the ride, the things I dislike with it are Fuel capacity/Range Chain maintenance Built in Satnav is absolute junk I can’t do anything about the chain, I fitted a Garmin XT that got rid of the useless Sygic system. I could change to a Rally, which would solve the fuel range. Today I looked at a couple of Rally’s. I prefer the red to the Aluminium, I only sat on it as there was no time for a test ride. Question is, does the Rally’s handling suffer from the weight of fuel ? Are there other pros and cons ? I see that BMW have reverted to a separate Sat Nav on the new 1300 GS, albeit one that requires a mobile phone connected. I wonder why manufacturers are resistant to using Apple Car Play.
Apple and Google maps are not that good for touring. They're okay for A to B trips but there is a limit to the number of Way Points you can put in and the apps are far too needy, always wanting input. You can't pass through a Way Point as they are all treated as destinations and don't dare miss one. And as they are based on the quickest, most efficient route, they often reroute you, taking you off your planned route.
But you CAN use MRA to plan routes and run that in car play mode which would be a lot better (I’d rather not mount a phone on the bars)
Even without fuel the Rally weighs 9kg more. I don't have an issue with the way Sygic app works, but I'm pretty sure it's not great for my phone. It makes the phone run very hot. Some of the newest Yamahas will run Garmin on the screen, that seems the best option of all to me.
When spending £25k+ on a bike, I find this appalling tbh. If the bike was another £200 or whatever to actually have a decent sat nav built in, who cares
Booked a test ride on a Rally to coincide with a service, if there’s a deal to be done I will be moving my XT and aluminium luggage. Ive been using MRA for some years, but planning only, never bothered to import routes. The advantage of Apple Car Play is access to numerous apps including Waze, sadly Ducati have decided Sygic is the way.
really like my Rally so far but I came from a GSA so there is a notable difference. Only picked it up at Christmas so havent had an opportunity to really guage the handling, but booked onto a track day in April I guess I will find out then. The sat nav on the GSA was pretty basic and always the subject of moans and groans on the GS owners site, It was plenty good enough for me and to be fair Whilst Sygic isnt brilliant, it isnt too bad for what I need, I actually quite enjoy just following my nose to see where i end up lost
MRA is very good for planning routes and then transferring them to the Zumo. I use a Mac which makes it slightly more difficult but it is Night and Day to use compared with Basecamp
I went from an RT, but had recently had a 1250 GSA. I really miss the fuel range of the BMWs but love the ride of the Ducati. If the Rally had been available when I bought the V4S it’s th3 variant I’d have gone for.
Had another test ride on a Rally today, it’s definitely the way to go. Just not sure when or what it’s going to cost me to change, I wasn’t asked so I didn’t ask myself.
I spoke to the dealer a couple of weeks ago and the uk market is currently flooded with available from stock multi's. lots of deals to be had. I was out for a propper thrash last night and managed 250 miles on the tank
I use the Regina HPE chain , very low maintenance, no oil , no mess , run it in set it at the correct tension and forget about it .Think the shots were taken at 3k , no oil , no mess .
So what do you lubricate it with when its needed ? My chain stays clean if riding in good weatherm but soon gets grubby and needs cleaning & oiling if the weather is pants.
I clean with paraffin, catch it in a tray, reuse. It's very effective and cheap. Lubricate with XCP which you can buy at halfords. Bennetts tested it, and it performed well.
Nothing , jet wash , blow dry , that’s it . Okay in the winter months a rub with an oiled cloth but no more .
