Cool Veetwin. Took mine to North Wales the very next day after collecting it. Went to Pro Twins for my first service yesterday. I know there's a lot of talk about the S1000XR's engine. IMHO, the DVT is similiar. Pulls comfortably at any revs. Goes nuts at higher. Only thing is, its so torqeuy and tall geared that youi don't really need to go past 6k. Most roads in UK probably don't have enough visibility to go round at those speeds. The engine also responds to throttle action. So my advice is to snap it open, and short shift, taking advantage of the torque curve. There's a great B-road up to Holyhead which is twisty and visible enough to go 2nd and high revs. But you will leave youir mates for dead! If i had the confidence, I could easily run ahead of my mate without going past 6k by keeping the corner speed up. Other cool things I noted. I find the screen to be very useable. No noisier that the old one. but much better for buffetting. Didn't have to use the Wunderlich. Cornering ABS is amazing. Mid corner correction is now a doddle. But then again, when I'm feeling brave, I just dip a bit more when the bend tightens. And the engine will pull from any gear, in any mode. Keep loading on the rear shock, let the Skyhook 2 sort out any imperfections on the road, and you sail through any bend and track true like on rails. Not since testing the Panigale did I have that level of confidence. Besides the Bluetooth issue, which looks like it needs a firmware update (I'll email Ducati), the only other issue is with the long mudguard and Touratech engine bars. My dealer has already informed Ducati. If you do fit those bars, make sure you DON'T fit the front mudguard suspension as its gets caight and flick above the front cross bar. You can still steer at speed but restricts your lock at low speed. Had a few parking lot scares. Quick shifter will be nice. but its so tourqey that you probably don't care for that unlike the S1000XR.
Have played with the Bluetooth today and helmet (Schuberth SCRS system) and phone (Nokia 930) are fine but it cant connect to my TomTom Rider 2, I have emailed TomTom to see what they say. Agree that the 6K limit (which goes on Monday at the 1st Service!) meant short shifting but it was still plenty fast enough . Have modified the Wunderlich and will report back when tested.
I had a very enjoyable ride on Saturday down to the New Forest to get my mileage up. First service is on Thursday. I headed for the Needles Eye Cafe in the amusingly named Milford on Sea via a bit of a long way round along the A272 from Billingshurst. Nice little cafe on the coast - I was surprised there weren't more bikes there. I'm getting used to the bike now and can't wait for the first service to be out of the way and to unleash the engine. Having to change up just as it starts going mental is a bit annoying. I'm spending most of my time in Sport or Touring modes. Both seem fine. I'm not seeing any of the throttle lag delay others are talking about - it all feels nice and immediate, though I haven't bothered with Urban mode at all. Engine response is superb. Handling is beyond good - I'm really enjoying the confidence this bike gives you. Going in a bit hot? Just keep leaning over. The tyres are nicely worn edge to edge and I've had no issues with their grip. The neutral, feedback-filled handling is a real highlight - I hadn't expected it to be as superb as it is. on the way back I had one of the great wonders of the world, a clear run on the A272 from Winchester to Loomies, and it was just sublime. Having the bike cranked over then using the huge torque to hurl you out of a corner is very addictive. The slight forward tilt of the seat is a bit annoying as it causes you to slide forward a bit. If your trousers grip the seat, it means you end up with a wedgie on your nadgers which gets uncomfortable unless you do some careful nadger arranging before getting onto the bike. Wind blast remains noisy for me as the screen doesn't quite go low enough to put me in clean air, or high enough to put be in a calm air pocket. I have a low screen coming from MRA to resolve this. Induction growl is intoxicating as you wind the throttle on. Consumption is looking like 47mpg (imperial) at the moment with mixed riding within the 6k rpm limit. The low fuel light goes on pretty early with 50 miles still showing on the range meter. If true, range looks like 180-190 miles. Front brakes are great. Rear is OK for moderating things when slow manouvering and in traffic but not much more than that. I'm still getting the odd false neutral when changing up which is due to me being too gentle with the lever (the gearbox is very very nice otherwise). I'll probably move the lever down a little bit more to make the up changes more positive. Overall, totally superb, with a few minor niggles that I'll sort out quite easily. A top, top motorbike.
Light comes on real early. Usually only need abt 13 ltr at that stage. On continuous running, should be well excess of 200 miles.
Really useful review - thanks, but please stop it! Not sure how much more of this I can take whilst I wait for mine to arrive! If I'm not checking this forum for updates I'm continually searching YouTube for the latest videos. I think I need a therapist!!
I've had an MTS since 2010 and since then its had a few upgrades such as handlebar risers, semi-active suspension, larger clutch actuator, termi full system to name but a few. The reason I mention all this is that I took a DVT out today for a test ride and yes I agree the engine is a dream and you can really chuck it through the S'es; However, I found the riding position and seat really poor. I'm 5'11" and the seat was in the lowest position but having my legs up under my ars* wasn't really a problem. The seat seems so hard and I'm having to lean forward and down because of the bars. had to give up after an hour as it became too uncomfortable. My big problem is that the earlier model gave a very upright position which was great for touring but I was also still able to make a good showing on track days and the dreaded Nurburg Ring. I'm running out of time as my current one has notched up 27k already with another 5k booked for this month (anyone going to the TT by the way? I should add before some smart ars* asked me how I'm going to do 5k to the TT, I'm also going round Europe). I need a replacement and the BMW tractor is starting ti look tempting. Has anyone had the same problem and have you managed to fix it? I hope someone has as I love the bike for performance and handling. Col.
Interesting set of problems. I'm 5'10". Absolutely love the new riding position. Thought its the multi they should have made in the first place. With cruise control, you can literally ride with your knees and rest your hands on your tank! Jokes aside, I thought the seat was the best I ever had. Had to use the low seat in my first 2 (2010 and 2013) and that came without padding. An Airhawk will usually solve any seating problems. Also raises the seat height slightly. Like any sports bike, the remedy to crouching forward is a bit of acceleration
I didn't know there was such a thing as "a bit of throttle" I did try a lot of throttle on the test ride though which definitely took my mind of other niggles such as those stupid frame plugs that catch on your knees every time you take your feet of the pegs (some CnC plugs will probably help there). As I've so often been told, looks like that extra inch makes all the difference (hehe). I've always had a full hight seat but not had a problem touching the ground with two feet flat. I also maybe have a bonier behind (no offence meant). I will try and get the higher seat set up on my next test ride in the hope that sorts the problem. or I will just need to start eating more chips. thanks for the feedback.
It's true that the lower seat means those with long legs are forced to bend their knees more. With the seat on the higher setting (gains an inch) plus an inflatable pad for comfort (gains another inch), the position is nearly perfect. Well that's what I find, at 6ft 2in.
First service done. DWC set to "-". Yeeeeehhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!
My wife says I'm a bloody nightmare at the moment and the sooner i get the bike the better.......thats tomorrow
Same here. Trying to explain cornering ABS to her doesn't help either! Just had the call, mine arrived today. Collect next week. Yay!
Picked mine up today, red s, first impression Wowzer, super smooth engine and fantastic comfort. Only gripes are that the screen had been wiped with a duster leaving marks and the screen almost goes blank in direct sunlight. Then again in the UK that should not be too much of a problem.
At the first service I had the gear lever adjusted down by a few mm and it's goodbye to false neutrals......now I can safely go above 6000 rpm the mpg has improved, beats me but maybe I'm riding faster in a higher gears? The engine is spinning up easier as the miles increase and gets better.....it's a bonzai engine, sorry, bellisimo engine. Off to the Pyrenees late next week so should pass 3000 miles.
Got mine last week and couldn't resist commuting up to Fulham on it. Rush hour traffic is clearly not the place to get the most out of it, but a few commuting observations: + The mirrors are great, no vibes and a wide view. + Gearbox sticky for the first 150 miles, has now loosened up nicely. I've had a few false neutrals and I'm sure this will be sorted with a small adjustment of the lever. + Sounds great! (So much better than than the non-DVT) - Bars are wide and make squeezing through stationary traffic a bit tricky - Found myself using 1st gear a lot in slow moving traffic (My old Triumph Tiger 1050 would pull cleanly, virtually from tickover in 2nd) Not a huge problem, just different from what I am used to. A longer ride today, to Brighton and back. I'm having to re-calibrate my brain to sections of road that I have got used to riding on my Tiger. The DVT is way quicker, even keeping it under 6k ish RPM (most of the time!). The equivalent handful finds me approaching a rapidly tightening bend that I'm used to comfortably slinging round, a quick re-focus later I'm out the other side - no dramas! I've been out in the dark too! Headlights are awesome, full beam is excellent. I love the way the LEDs flick on in an instant. Lots of cars pulling over in to the gutter for me today, it felt like I was on the continent! It seemed like the aggressive beak and headlamp combo in their mirrors is frightening them out of the way! LOL. Cornering lights are a bit odd, with street lighting they were a bit washed out, but they definitely came on. Jury's out on those. Mostly been in Touring mode, as running in, but switching to sport mode is definitely different. Response is instant, bordering on violent (in a good way), but its difficult to get the most out of it whilst running in. First service can't come soon enough. I loved my old Tiger, but this thing is different league. It holds a line so much better and is razor sharp in the corners. No issues with the 'Trail' tyres either, plenty of grip. Overall I'm so impressed, the more I get used to the big twin thing (it's my first Ducati), the more I love it. I did consider the S1000XR, but it really seems irrelevant to me now. Just loving my Multi!
