I didn't realise the difference between a new 950 and 3yr old bigger brother was 6 grand. That is a big chunk of change.
Different machine but I was perfectly happy on my MV Turismo with it's 800cc engine and 115bhp. Great for solo touring, did 18000 miles in two years; Vosges, Dolomites, Route des Grand Alps, Picos and Pyrenees. All separate trips. Most of those with my 996 riding, ex Manx racer, best mate who doesn't hang around.
Did a European tour with 2 of us riding 1260s tourings and a lad on a 950 hire bike in 2018. No lack of power reported from the 950 - in fact he had top box and panniers and we just had panniers so he was carrying a bit more than us. Top box was great for locks and water for easy access. Did some big miles days, lots of twisties and up in the mountains. Only complaint he reported was not having heated grips when it was raining on a mountain pass. That said, love my 1260 and didn’t consider the 950 when buying it (chose the 1260 over a triumph tiger). Having done this trip and seeing price diff being mentioned in this thread, I’d def try and test ride both multistrada’s back to back if I was buying again. Good news though - you guys are not talking about buying a GS. - far too much of that nonsense going on in this forum recently.
Ah, that's why cruise wasn't an option! I will (when I mange to get unbanned, and when my leg is strong enough) ask for a test ride on a 950 to see what the power is like. Riders is very close to the Bristol ring road and some of it is dual carriageway 60mph (although much of it is not - it's all dual-carriageway there is much 40, 50 and even a bit of 30, making it speed van city). But you can get onto the M4 and go towards Bath where this is a bit of 70 mph motorway (remember those?). Or, I might do a bit of A420 rather than motorway and take it to Castle Combe.
It makes sense to try both. Money is not the driving factor and I could afford the 1260 if I had to. I would just need to convince myself that I need the extra grunt.
Once you have had heated grips and cruise control there is no going back I’m afraid. I thought there was a deal on the 1200s at the moment with a £1500 voucher or touring kit?
Power aside, the 950 engine is a sweeter configuration as you don't have those huge pistons moving up and down like on the 1200. Ducatis smaller v twins have always felt that bit nicer to use to me.
Interesting... I will get both on whichever Multi that I end up with. As I don't have to ride much in Winter but do ride all year - plus I will be doing mountains in Europe - so heated grips not bad thing. And I much prefer unlined gloves, so that would mean that summer gloves could go all year.
That review reminded me of a few niggles I had with the 1260 when I first test rode it (I had a 1200s DVT at the time) the main one being the fuelling - closing the throttle resulted in quite harsh engine braking and, like the 1200, it was not comfortable at low speeds around town and in traffic with a lot of clutch feathering going on. I hope they have improved the fuelling 'cos I still fancy one (the 1200s DVT was the best all round bike I've owned so far).
I think the abrupt fuelling is due to the ever increasing demands to reduce pollution from exhausts. With carbs, there is always fuel flowing so when you shut the throttle, there is still unburnt fuel mix present and when you open the throttle, combustion continues nice and smoothly. With modern fuel injection, when you close the throttle, the fuel stops. When you open the throttle, there is no fuel mix in the intake so when fuel mix flows, there is a brief moment before combustion continues, we know it as throttle snatch. Almost any decent tuner who specialises in re-programming ECUs can alter this to get rid of the abrupt closed/open throttle scenario.
Euro regs! I didn't experience the same fuel cut-off feeling on the 1200. I've yet to see a review by anyone who has successfully remapped/tuned a DVT engine...doesn't mean there aren't any, just I haven't seen one
I get what you are saying, you have much more experience of Ducati’s than me, I’m only a potential Ducati owner, so I was generalising. Still, it could be interesting to hear other people’s experiences too.
Not sure if what you are saying completely true at least with the Multistrada, if there is no fuel on a shut throttle then there is a potential for the engine to stall at slow running speeds. The best to reduce throttle snatch as you describe it is to alter to relationship between the twist grip “TPS” and the servo motor to allow for a more progressive throttle pick up. This is the usual way when dealing with fly by wire throttle systems.
Yes, you are right, it was an issue with Honda ST1300s for example, if you were pulling away without enough throttle, the engine would stall and I think a similar scenario happened with the with the FZ1000 Yamahas amongst others.
When I test rode a 1200 DVT back in 2016 Riders had a policy of escorted test rides with you having to follow one of their guys. Riders of Bristol totally screwed up selling the demo bike the week before but failing to inform me so I rode the 60 odd miles there to be told that there was no longer a demo bike. Salesman had my phone number in the diary. Finally arranged to go the Cardiff and got out on one there. Guy from workshop took us on a pre determined route and rode so slowly it was ludicrous. Told salesman exactly what I thought and went and bought an MV Turismo instead...
I was in a similar boat a year ago. I had owned a Triumph Tiger 800 for 5 years alongside my Ducatis. I was struggling to find a replacement. I test rode a few bikes KTMs, various Triumphs and the 950. I had ridden a 1200 skyhook Multi years ago and wasn't impressed, as it felt like the front was going to tuck on slow corners. I thought the 950 with its 18 inch front wheel would be more stable, but didn't like the excessive fork dive. I also rode the 1260 enduro on an off experience at the MCN show, and was really impressed with its low speed control. In the end I made up my mind to go for a second hand 950 and sort the suspension. That was until I saw a low miles 2017 1200 DVT at the same price as a same age 950. I went for a test ride and was blown away. Great handling, great low speed manners and wicked acceleration. Needless to say I bought it. It depends whether you are going for new or second hand. New, the standard 950 will do everything you need and more. Second hand you are likely to get more for your money, especially if you find one with all the extras you want.
My 2015 1200S DVT has a rabid bike evo fitted. I did this as I have a full race system and didn’t want it running too lean. I would often get flames out of the exhaust when revved hard. The unit tunes itself while you ride and adjusts the fuelling over 100 miles. Initially my mpg went to mid 30’s but after support from Dimsport I’ve got this back to mid 40’s. The bike rides much smoother now.
