Yesterday was the first annual service for my 2014 PP which has a full Termi system and a Moto Rapido map. Whilst my bike was being serviced at MR I thought it rude not to take the standard demo DVT for a spin. Firstly, I'm 5'9" but long in the body and short in the leg (29"), freak of nature some might say. I manage with the PP with a standard seat but do find myself like others using urban mode to lower the bike when I can for fuel stops etc. I've done 5500 miles on my bike and owned a base 2010 multi for 2 yrs previously. First impressions of the DVT when picking it up off the side stand is how much lighter it feels than my bike, with the seat in standard height I had one foot flat on the ground. When I pulled away slow speed manoeuvrability was brilliant and the really smooth power and throttle pick up makes slow speed work a doddle. The gearbox seems to be an improvement over my bike and that was with only 800 miles on the demo. I don't know the Winchester and surrounding area very well so rode to Salisbury via Stockbridge which consisted of pretty straight open country roads with a few bends. That bike is fast, make no mistake. As speed built the typical roar from wind noise created by the screen and my heart sank, then I raised it to its maximum position and bingo, I was in quiet, still air. This coupled with the ultra smooth engine that enables you to pull each gear for a long time makes the bike a ballistic mile muncher. Why someone would need more power for the road I don't really understand so the talk of the XR's power seems a bit pointless to me. Straight from the off I was keen to try the cruise control as I suffer a bit from vibes on my right hand and I must say it's an excellent feature. Cruise control coupled with the smooth never ending power of the motor and the protection offered by the screen made me think that on the continent you could set the cruise at the ton and comfortably get through tank after tank of fuel. One thing I did notice on a couple of longer bends is the bike seemed to want to continue falling into the corner a little. I think this is a trait of the changes made to the geometry and it's something I would no doubt get used to quickly. Towards Winchester and a deer jumped across the road followed by a prick turning across me at a mini roundabout without indicating. The brakes on the standard model are extremely good but there was a bit more dive from the forks than I'm used to on the skyhook bike. The suspension on the standard bike though felt really good, I thought at first as speeds rose it may get a bit overwhelmed but it didn't. So the only criticism I have of the standard bike is a little excessive diving from the forks under very hard braking, but you don't do this often so I don't see it as a big problem. The only other complaint would be the dash shaking like mad on large throttle openings in the lower rev range. Travelling back to the dealership I found riding through Winchester an absolute pleasure with the smooth engine and low seat height. I kept thinking, the bastards, they've really done a great job! The new style of enclosing the dash is a bit more Honda efficient/boring but i suppose it has tidied it up nicely. I think the switchgear is a big improvement in looks and feel. So back at the dealership and I had to admit, when asked, the bike is superb and a clear evolution of the previous model. So when I jumped on my bike to ride the 130 miles home, did I wish I was on the DVT. Well, my bike sounds great and has that classic Ducati acceleration and vibration which I enjoy the vast majority of the time. I think of my bike as an A to B master blaster and I love the exhaust system/performance, wheels, carbon and different paint job of the PP. So I still really enjoyed my bike in a different way. Would I change to a DVT? Yes, but my bike has some nice features over the standard model which makes the choice more difficult. If Ducati brought out a PP version of the DVT it would definitely be on my shopping list in a while, just the small issue of money...
Good review, you hit most things on the head, but remember you can set up the Sky Hook to lessen dive etc. and it does keep dropping into a corner, I found distracting, but I think that is the tyres, as now I have fitted PR4s, it has resolved that issue, Plus I have a Termi full system on it, it now barks deep, and pulls harder from lower revs, very very pleased with it, my only issue is the seat, not major but it does push my spine a little, and also I ride forward, but I am short, with 30" inside leg, so to be able to put both feet on floor when set to the lowest in urban is the biggest gain by a long way.
Good comparison review Speedmouse . I have a standard DVT and all I did was 1/8th turn preload then compression & rebound damping on the front and it took the diving you describe away - and without compromising comfort. As i'm putting the miles on and getting used to it (from a super smooth 1043 Kawi Versys) and getting into the V-2win rhythm of riding the DVT is proving to be a fast and stable steed . And yes those brakes are great!
Bandit, would I be correct in thinking there is no clock or range countdown on the standard model. I couldn't find either of these features when I toggled through the menu's.
Hello Speedmouse There Is a clock for the time, and a fuel gauge and range - but not been that far down on fuel yet. Getting about 170-190 to the tank so far depending on modes ....will have a look n letcha know this coming week.
They may bring one out, but finding the money for one without an expensive divorce would be the challenge!
I was asking a particular dealer about if it was going to happen, he thought the price increase would be £2k over the S.
Fuel useage update:- No count down seen - but 171 miles on 16.03 Litres of dino-juice, about 49mpg using a mixture of modes (except enduro-what's THAT mode for??) Fuel light came on around 160. Range suggested between 33 & 25miles left in tank, during a spirited ride home.
Enduro mode is what ever you want it to be well on a Sky Hook, not sure about non sky hook, just set up a set up you want in enduro mode
Bandit, well it is for when you go enduring, which I am guessing is pretty rare, another reason for a Sky Hook you can make up the extra setting, worth every penny lol
I also hopped onto a 1200 DVT from my Pikes Peak / full Termi in the dealers while they were fettling with it.....first thing I noticed was of course the seat height too, but in a bizarre way I prefer the tallness of my '14 PP (I'm no giant at 5'10") but my dicky knees aren't as scrunched up.... thought the DVT was a bit bland, smoother for sure (mine's a jerky pig with the big pipes but Tuneboy's in the post!) and for me it seems much uglier with its big heavy 'beak'. Sounded like a Briggs & Stratton lawnmower its so muffled, so that's another fistful of dollars off to Termi etc on top some euro 10K to change....no doubt they'll bring out a more aggressive version / Pikes Peak, but for now i think I'll stick to the twin spark '13 model. On a brighter note the Skyhook suspension seems to be a little more refined ...my current bike has rather annoying and unsettling trait of topping out over speed bumps or rises with a clunk - something I'd be grateful for advice on if anyone else notices this?
Sold it to me. It ticks all the box's I need from a new bike. Moving from a fab Hypermotard to a very sophisticated multistrada....
