So, big news for me is that I have a new NEW bike! This is actually quite a big deal for me as I have never, ever, bought a new bike (or car for that matter) with my own money in my life. It may be something to do with my half-Scots heritage, that and growing up in a thrifty household, but it's never made sense to me to me to spend my hard earned on something that will lose at least 20% of its value the moment I start the engine and drive/ride it out of the showroom. So, I've always bought three-year old low mileage cars and three/four year old bikes, usually privately (though I bought my last bike, a 2017 Multistrada 1200S from CMC bikes - too good a deal to pass up). So, having come into some funds (as a result of sheer hard work - with some, not really not that much luck involved) I was casting around for a "new" (used) bike, and looking at 2020-plate 1260S GTs. There are a few around but they are commanding strong money, so much so that you can get a 21-plate V4 for less money now. Long story short, I called into Ducati Manchester a few weeks ago and allowed myself to be persuaded by salesman Martin that a brand new bike might actually be a good idea. I did sweat over it quite a bit, I'm not gonna lie, but the deal on offer was pretty good. So now I'm the proud owner of a brand new V4S Radar in Aviator Grey with wire spoke wheels and a few extras (Travel Pack being the most essential). I picked it up a couple of weeks ago - work and circumstances have limited me to just a few trips so we're only a couple of hundred miles in so far, but here are my reflections on the bike: It's very smooth - compared to the V-twins I'm used to (I've had three Multis so far: a 1000DS, a 2011 1200 ABS and the 2017 1200S). Though the firing order does mimic a V-twin, it does feel very different. I'm going to reserve judgement on it until it's run in, because keeping it below 6,000 RPM doesn't let the motor show its real character of course. So I won't say "lacking character" or "Honda" just yet... It's really quiet - even with the Akra can on it (which does nothing for the noise - all silencing being done in the cat of course). The 1200S was very rorty by comparison - and I ran that totally standard. I won't be de-catting it or anything like that though (the cat is there for a reason, IMO). Maybe it will sound a bit more purposeful above 6,000 - we shall see... The seat is actually quite comfortable - I test rode a Rally and a standard V4S before buying and thought the seat was hard as nails (reminds me of "the horse" from school PE lessons, for those of a certain age!). In reality it is OK, and should be fine for the long trips I have planned. I have the heated seat fitted - standard height. Heated seats FTW by the way, an absolute game changer for winter riding. The front brake is superb - loads of power and a good firm lever, which I like. Apparently the bakes are lined and alarmingly the manual says that "using the front and back brake together reduces braking power" - eh? I am a habitual rear brake trail braker in corners so that will need some experimentation. The suspension seems very firm at the front - almost oversprung. I assume it is on the standard settings, which the manual says are 5 clicks from minimum. I need to find out what this translates as per rider weight. In the 1200S it was roughly 15 kg per click. So at 85 kg in gear I ran it at 5 or 6. Will ask at first service (if anyone has any views or experience on this, please share). It is really thirsty, I mean proper thirsty. I knew this before, and TBH, this the one thing that put me off it and still makes me wonder. OK, it is still being run in and will be that, but the first tank of fuel has gone through at 39.8 mpg. I love touring and expect to be filling up at 180 - 200 miles, not getting range anxiety at 160. My 2011 1200 was like that - 42 mpg at best and down in the mid-30s if pushed. - piss poor really. The 1200 DVT managed 50+ all day long, no matter how it was ridden, and could do 56 easily on a tour. I know I probably obsess about his too much (I do efficiency for a living), but please, I'm not looking for any "if you can afford a Ducati, you can afford the fuel" type logic here. I have a two-tonne, three litre BMW which is also quite thirsty but can do better than that. I see that the 2025 bikes have got the rear cylinder deactivation on them (I think the Rally already has this) which is supposed to improve fuel economy, but not much (they're talking 6%). I wonder if this will become available on pre-2025 bikes via a future software update? Does anyone know? Tyres: the Pirelli Scorpion Trail IIs seem OK in the dry and wet - but "trail", really? I wouldn't bother. I was out on some narrow farm roads round Derbyshire yesterday which were covered in shite - more mud than tarmac and it was all over the place. Despite the 19" front wheel and Ducati's evident off-road aspirations for this bike, this one will be staying on tarmac (or 99.9% of the time). Speaking of mud - it doesn't take much to get mud everywhere. No splashguard - I know we all hate them but they do work. That 19" front wheel - having spent the last 18 years on Multistrada's with 17" front wheels, it is certainly different. I went barrelling into a couple of corners on the Cat and Fiddle on the way back from the dealer and had to take some minor "corrective action" when it didn't go where I was expecting it to go. I'll get used to it I'm sure, but I'd far prefer a 17"er. Would I spend the extra on a Pikes Peak just for that? Probably not. The headlights on full beam at night seem weedy - the 1200S was superb by comparison. The dash is lovely, though a bit of a pain to navigate between the top and bottom menus, but overall excellent and better than the 1200S which was pretty good. Not tried the Sygic satnav yet and probably won't. I have a Garmin XT for that, and don't fancy losing all other dash views when using the satnav, if that's how it works. The panniers and top box move from side to side - why? I know it's a "feature", but who decided it was needed, and why?! The panniers seem a little bit smaller than the previous generation, but not tested them yet. Overnight trip to Tan Hill in the offing next weekend, so we will see. The extended service intervals are good IMO. Valves at 36,000 miles and no belts to change will definitely save money. Oil changes every two years/9,000 miles should also save money, but it still needs and annual service (just a check I think) which will cost of course. Oh and the dealer said they recommend annual oil changes anyway so...? Will have to do some research on that one. the 4-year warranty is also a massive plus in my book. And, er, that's about it! Overall, I'm pleased, and look forward to seeing how it shapes up, and will be keeping it a good few years I think. Interested in hearing others' thoughts and experiences too! Cheers James
Congratulations Once you can open it up you’ll find the induction roar at 8000rpm is addictive, even with the cat and standard exhaust. Fuel consumption is determined on how you ride it. There are a few around who boast of high 40s uk mpg but I guess they’re being very careful with their right hand. It’s something you’ll just learn to live with, don’t worry about it. The bike is comfortable, each year I do a 1000km in a day ride and it’s absolutely fine, but everyone’s backsides are different. The panniers and top box move to aid stability at high speed. The Pirelli Scorpions are fine until they get to the end of their life when they’ll start squirming and slipping over white lines and tar snakes. Fit Dunlop Mutants at the first change if you want something that gives better dry & wet grip and still permits using the bike on unmade/gravel roads. I’d be very surprised if you’re not impressed with how good those tyres are on the road. Sygic saps your phone battery but you do still get the basic info, revs, gear, speed on the dash if using it. Sadly mud everywhere is due to the aerodynamics, a crud catcher at the back cuts only about 20% of it. However, deffo fit a front mudguard extender (pyramid plastics) to save the front of the engine and deffo fit rad guards.
Congratulations on the new bike, hope you get some smiles out of it. The scorpions are a road tyre that look a little trailie…but they are a great road tyre none the less so worth wearing them out before pondering something different. I actually went scorps again. A week away in France this year I saw 44/45 mpg average. Fuels stop = rider stop = coffee and a break, ok by me tbh. Get it run in and then you will know what all the fuss is about…this thing just pulls. I did some derestricted in Germany this year and it feels very very solid at 200kph +! I’m not sure what you are experiencing on the front suspension, there are many options to select on the fly and it’s also very easy to dial the dampers softer if you feel the need. I’m less convinced with the brakes on mine tbh, not the bite I would like and I have always had a slightly soggy feel even after copious bleeds by myself and the dealer. I put it down to the weight but I have put a “better” pad in but still…don’t get me wrong, they work but wouldn’t say it was a stand out feature, especially considering the hardware being used. I have a tail tidy and the bike is a dirt magnet unfortunately.
Thanks Paul, good tip on the Fender Extender, I’ll get one. I have already fitted Evotech rad guards. I was thinking about fitting the engine guard as well but had decided against it, having spent quite a bit of time clearing crap off the cylinder heads and from round the back of the exhaust headers yesterday and today, I’m having another think about that. Thanks for tips on tyres. Guess I’ll have a few thousand miles on the Pirellis. They do feel OK on the road. I have been running Michelin Pilot Road 5s on my 1200 which are a great Sport Touring tyre with good life. Tread pattern on the Mutants looks ace, not sure I will ever take this bike off road though. I have a 200cc 2-stroke dirt bike in the garage for that… cheers James
Thanks, yes, happy with it and I’m sure it’ll give me lots to smile about overall. I’ll have a play with the suspension settings and see what I can work out, could well be damping as well as pre-load. The lever action on the front is still very firm, compared to my 1200S which was soft right from when I got it (with 15,000 miles on it). Cheers James
I was getting 39mpg when running in but now getting 42 - 43mpg average over different types of riding (touring, 2up touring, spirited). I'm about the same weight as yourself and I find Sport mode too firm. I'm going to dial bits of it back toward Touring settings. I leave Preload on Auto - let the computer do the maths. Bike is stable, with panniers, up to speeds of 150mph+ (I bottled after this, as I remembered I had panniers on ), however, the fuel use isn't . I feel the opposite about the lights. Found them good on low beam, excellent on high and better again with running lights. Mud/dirt is mainly down to aerodynamics. In the rain, the wings turn into drain pipes, aimed at the top of your boots The tyres are okay but they are older technology so I think the bike will benifit from Metz 01SE/02 or Mich 6. I'm sure I don't have to tell you this but if you really want to know what this bike is about, taking touring to somewhere like the Picos. It wasn't my first choice but now I know it was the right choice.
I loved the Mutants I had on my V4S , they steer faster than Scorps but also wear quicker too, Just remember to run them at lower pressures as they have a very stiff carcase. I also loved Sportsmart TTs but wear rate on the rear didnt make sense on a Mutley if you wanted to do longer trips using roads that weren't permanent curves.
Picos trip planned for next year - can't wait! May take some time off work and expand to a broader Euro-trip. Thinking after Picos head down through Spain, visit friends in the South then up and over the Pyrenees, along the South Coast of France, into Northern Italy, Lakes then back over the Alps and home again. Maybe. Pre-load: rear is auto and feels fine to me, but front is manual on the RH fork leg. That is what I am uncertain about as it feels overly firm, but could be a damping issue. Going to have a play though will check in with the dealer first at first service. Cheers
Get the Scorpions off and fit a set of the Conti TA3 , transforms the front end . Mutants are slow steering and wear very quickly , I had a set on for 600 miles and found them to feel the same as the Scorpions , too neutral and not enough lean angle and little feed back. The Conti heat up fast , work in the rain , shitty roads , cant really get much better . The M9Rr for sport but to be honest , not that much in it and the 9Rr seems to wear very fast and does not turn as fast on the tights , but very stable on the 120 plus fast roads which makes chasing sports bikes so much fun, but twisty roads are better for the V4 motor
Hi, I picked up a new multi today and it runs hot 86c. I'm hoping its because its new. As your is new, can you tell me what temperature it runs at. My last multi (the same model ran around 65c
It does seem to run hot. I was tootling around some low speed back lanes at the weekend, heard the fan come on and glanced down to see it at 102/104C. I wouldn’t worry.
Congrats on the new bike! Martin really does know how to look after his customers both new and returning…
I have in the past run my Enduro bikes on a coolant called Icecool or Icecooler , this was effective on lowering the engine temp as the rads always blocked . No sure if its compatible with the Ducati but worth a check maybe if the temp worries. Putoline Ice Cooler' Coolant | eBay
Hi, thanks for the info, but if there an issue, I'm going to let the dealer sort it out. Rather than hi-jacking this thread; I will post a new thread on what other owners V4 multi's run at.
Not an issue more to reduce the temp if the numbers worried you . Apologies for posting a possible solution . I shall leave the room
