1200 DVT Is The S £2000 Better?

For me yes. Ok I never rode the std one but skyhook is a real bemefit imo and I wouldnratyer have than not. Plus add that lovely screen and better brakes (I think the discs are bigger) and a couple of gimmicky things plus headlights meant to be quality.

 

I think the S is a major benefit for touring, and short people, I do not know all of differences between both models, the Screen is nice, (not seen non S screen), and lights if you drive in the dark.
I am not sure what changes you can make to the riding modes on a non S, but S models are very configurable ideal for winter riding etc.

 

If it weren't for the LED lights, I'd consider the base model, with the intention of swapping Ohlins front and rear. I'm personally of the view that the Sachs kit is of lower quality than Ohlins so would rather have the latter (passive) rather than the Skyhook. But I really really need decent headlights.

 

Depends how much you want to mess about. Add liggage, get the spanners out. Go from town to fast roads? Get the spanners out.

Or press a button.

And no blown seals every 1000 miles

 

Maybe I've just been lucky - I have three Ducatis with Ohlins and have never blown a seal, officer. And I wouldn't have Ohlins without remote adjusters, for exactly the reasons you describe. What I really miss though is the ability to adjust ride height independently of preload - that went out with the current generation of lay-down rear shock.

 

Having had ohlins (altho not the semi S stuff first edition multi 1200) agree it is way above the normal std stuff. But I find the skyhook at least as good in all circumstances and easily adjusted. The ride can feel a little harder at times but thats because it adjusts within a set of boundaries. Get the boundaries wrong (sag related) and it firms up a bit much.

My track bike has k tech internals, which are way better than the ohlins you get on a regualr ducati. You could awlays buy tue std and put 'proper' suspension on it. I know a few who have done exactly that on panigales: kit for the forks and ttx rear plus ohlins damper from pretty much new

 

Moving slightly o/t, has anyone come to a view as to whether the DVT is as under sprung at the rear as the 10-14?

 

I never found it undersprung? 120kg as god intended.

 

Test-drive both versions; it's the only way to be sure.

One thing I can say about the Skyhook suspension: it reacts quickly, but has just the right amount of lag (for me). You feel enough of the initial bump when hitting a pothole, bit of roadkill, whatever, and then it smooths out the rest, so you get plenty of information about the road with minimal jarring.

 

On my 2011 pre-DVT with Ohlins, I usually set the rear preload one or two steps harder, so set to "pillion" even without a pillion, etc., to get it firm enough. On the 2015 DVT, no need to do this - it just sorts itself out.

 

I love the handling of my standard model. Much better than the 2014 skyhook they lent me for a week. £2000 buys a lot of petrol

 

Just returned from 1100 miles around Wales and the Lake District on my standard DVT and it was awesome. I think the whole package is just fantastic. I couldn't afford the additional £2k for the S, though I would like the LED lights I am very happy indeed with the standard suspension.

 

Do you get the Safety pack on the Std DVT?

 

Yes, at least it says so on my fork protectors. Also, I thought the difference normal to S was £2600?

 

Yes you get the full safely pack with the std model, Cornering abs, annoying DWC etc etc, I much preferred the handling of the std suspension on the test ride and didn't get on with skyhook as I preferred my previous ohlins bike + a lot less to go wrong ( not that Ducati's ever go wrong of course!!, ) I collect mine on the 13th, not fussed about the fancy TFT screen although the LED lighting would of been nice

 

Having ridden both back to back the S felt much better and the extra toys are worth way more than the extra £2k spend.

 

You can always add led I'd imagine. May even be an option?