So Rider's of Bridgwater had my old girl in for her 45,000 mile service and gave me the new Multi V2S as a courtesy bike. I've had it for 24 hours so wanted to give people my impressions - if anyone's interested! I'll skip all the specs - you can google those if curious but in summary 937cc, 113bhp, semi-active (Skyhook?) suspension, TFT Dash, Quick shifter, Brembos....blah blah...no Ohlins but nicely specced. First part of the trip was 1h:20m of motorway. V2S was just adequate at this. They still haven't got that bl00dy screen right have they?? First mod would be Pikes Peak style shorty screen to give clean airflow. Apart from that, I missed my gobs of torque and power from my 1200S, but the V2S was perfectly capable of seeing off annoying cars on the M4. Comfort's not bad though new seat is a bit hard. Would add comfort-seat to list of tweaks. Third tweak would be to take a dremmel to the headlight flasher which I kept catching with my finger when indicating and flashing traffic. All new Ducatis do this to me - it's just me probably. So after getting home, thought I'd take it for a more fun ride on a loop I often take. It's about 60 miles, up through some of the quieter Welsh valley roads. Also mixed in are some shortish fast dual-carriageways with well-surfaced roundabouts..... Oh. My. God. What a revelation. The bike totally came alive on roads like these. The handling was sublime. Seriously, this might be BEST handling bike I've ever ridden! Plush suspension, ROCK solid, planted traction from the Pirelli shod 19in Front and 17 inch rear. It felt GLUED to the road and so confidence inspiring I ended up throwing the bike into corners that I'd be tentative in on my 1200S or my recently sold 1260PP. The brakes were very powerful and put my 1200S to shame (though it is getting new pads this service!). Even the quickshifter (which I normally can't be bothered with) worked terrifically well. That 113 horse which seemed just adequate on the motorway was tons for these kinds of roads of course and I flew past slower moving (and some not-so slower) traffic when I ran into any. After an hour and a half of this I parked it in my driveway and sat listening to it pinging as it cooled, gently shaking my head. As a big engine die-hard, (history is 900 Fireblade, followed by 1130 V-Rod, followed by 2.3 litre Triumph Rocket, followed by 1200S Multi followed by 1260PP Multi, I am totally surprised and totally sold. On the motorway, I did miss the torque of the big engine especially but other than that this may be the perfect bike. Wow! So if anyone out these is thinking about test-riding one of these, I'd totally recommend it. Just avoid motorways as much as you can.
I come at it from a different route, had a history of sports bikes, mainly in line Japanese 600’s. Fancied a Multi, was looking for a second hand 1200s, realised I could get a new 950s for a little more money. Grey with red frame the best combo in my opinion. Wow blown away by the handling and the riding position. Initially thought the torque was awesome compared to the 600’s then got drawn into the comparisons with he 1200/1260 in various articles and on here. After 6 months or so changed my riding style to use the full rev range and wow the bike came alive. My only gripes were the height, at five - eight a bit tall for me and a little lumpy at the bottoms end. But once on the move a beautifully balanced bike, confidence inspiring and almost perfect. Then made the mistake of test riding a V4s whilst she was in for service. Another level!!!! Carries its weight lower, easier for shorter riders, no bottom end lumpiness. The handling is sublime, somehow more confidence inspiring than the 950 and that engine. Still pulling your arms out and trying to wheelie under full throttle as the red line approaches. Sorry can’t comment on the 12001260 must try ride one some day, but I agree try a 950s what a bike
Had a 1200s twin spark for years. Tried the 950, preferred it to the 1200 in most ways except did miss that shove, so did not proceed. Strangely enough purchased the brand new Tracer 9GT.
So I have been a die hard ducatisti for 15+ years, however old injuries, short inside leg meant I was not enjoying the MTS how I used to. I test ride a multitude of bikes, all competent machines, but after extended test rides I gave back the keys and didn’t feel any emotion. However the 9GT is a hoot. In real road riding terms is as quick or quicker than MTS as long as the straight is not too long and getting over 120mph. Recently on holiday with racing rider on a KTM 1290GT and we were equal on the road. When I returned from the 3 hr test ride I just wanted to ride it again. It makes you go for a 50 mile ride to get a pint of milk. It’s not perfect, but honestly I am not missing the 30odd bhp at all, unless as mentioned on a long flat out straight. I ride alot all year, I know quite a few good roads very well indeed, I know what my maximum speed was on bends before on MTS and I can quite often be 10mph more now. The ride management settings are so easy to use, really makes Ducati look stupid here, and you really don’t need a million suspension settings!! Road holding superb, brakes ok, build quality ok. Comfort now sorted with an MRA screen and that meshy seat cover. 5000 miles since April and Metzeler tyre loads of life, about 3 chain adjustments. No oil used and no issues. In short I now look for excuses to ride, makes me smile and it always wants to misbehave. An absolute gem of an engine! Brilliant value for money, Omega Yamaha in London doing probably the best UK deal. And…believe me I Kane it,average fuel consumption so far is 53mpg. The KTM I was with was getting high 30s with our riding.
Like you Michel I have been a Ducati rider for a long time and riding all brands for many years but being an old codger with a short inside leg measurement I too went over to riding a little Yamaha MT3.What a joy it has been riding this little twin machine. This was the first Jap bike I have ever owned and it has given me more enjoyment than I have ever had.It is not surprising that Yamaha bikes get such good reviews.
So update on this...swapped back to my ol Multi 1200S today. Back to back, the old one is quite a bit more comfortable. You sit much more on the old bike versus IN the newer, smaller one. And yeah, boy, it's nice to have that 1200 stomp back! Also, the PP type screen produces a MUCH quieter and smoother motorway cruise. Sort it out Ducati!! Talking of cruise, I do miss the proper cruise control though - that's really useful in these days of average speed cameras and while I have a throttle lock style setup on my old Multi, it's not the same. Old Multi is now running sweet as but the 45K service was HOW MUCH??!!! ****in' Jesus!!! (See separate post)
You won’t look back , test Road one , ordered one , after 15 yrs with the GS the V4s was fantastic and still is .
Have looked a few times at the tracer bit found it far higher than the 1200s or 1200dvt’s I’ve had. Although far lighter too! Never ridden one tho, may have to correct that
Now that’s interesting as I find it lower that MTS, which was a major reason I changed. The seat does have 2 settings, low and high, I wonder if yours was in high?. If only there was a way to lower the skyhook MTS , but apparently there isn’t.
In a world that's ever demanding of increased accuracy, I can see a time when inside leg measurements* are listed as a total norm. I am 81 cms give or take btw. *previously anorak territory.
Interesting I've owned a 1260S for years. Had a V2 as a loaner and didn't like it. Missed the torque, the bike was too tall for me, felt less refined and more buzzy. I couldn't wait to get my 1260 back from service. Sold the 1260 now and have a V4PP, which is just a whole new level. And unlike the 1260, the low seat is actually comfy
Btw. I like reviews such as your but there's something not quite clear in your multiple posts. The above ended with 1260PP yet your subsequent post revert back to a 1200S. What am I missing here?
Hi, I actually had both the 1200s and 1260 PP at the same time. After a year I sold the 1260 and kept my original 1200S
I test rode the Multi 950 when it came out and wasn't that impressed (relatively to the Multi 1200). I felt the weighed was about the same as the 1200 and so was the handling. Perhaps the newer V2's geometry is different than the 950 and provides better handling? I'll reserve judgement when I do ride the newer iteration whenever inventories improve. Right now, dealers have next to nothing in stock across all model lines.
Interesting! I didn't ride the earlier version so can't comment. As I say with the V2 though, it DOES need a certain kind of road (i.e. a good one!) to make it come alive. It is a bit lacklustre on motorways/freeways.
