I picked up the new DVT last night around 5pm and immediately it was obvious that the decision to trade up was the right move. I had done about 10,000km on the 2013 GT that I traded and I was really happy with it until about 5:01pm. The new DVT is completely different and although I had read every article written on it I was not prepared for just how different it is. I'm no bike expert though I have been riding bikes all my life. (Started at 8yrs on the farm) I'm no boy racer however I was a motorcycle cop for 5yrs so I've chased a few guys that thought they were.... Here's my initial thoughts and a couple of surprises on the new DVT. Please keep in mind that prior to the upgrade I had joined this forum and trawled through most of the posts on the DVT. I had also read every article written in bike mags and watched every You Tube clip so I thought that I was well informed. The most surprising thing was that the GT and the DVT feel so different. The new bike feels lighter and much easier to put it exactly where you want it on the road. The GT gave me the feeling of being perched on top of it (I'm 1.75m short) while the DVT makes me feel more part of it and somehow I just seem to nestle into it. The seat tips me forward slightly and this maybe something that I will need to address sooner rather than later. Being able to put both feet flat on the ground however is very reassuring. This, for me, was only a dream on the GT. The clutch is light and engages very early in the release. (Stalled it a couple of time as a result) Even though the bike is new it's obvious that the engine is much smoother and feels really willing to rev in comparison. The engine has a slightly lower tone than the GT and when put under load deepens to a warning growl that you may expect from a not so friendly pit bull. I had thought that I would change the exhaust but I'm not so sure now as most of my riding is out touring around in the countryside and I don't mind having a bike that's not yelling at me the whole time I'm on it. The panniers are a dream to operate compared to the GT and detaching and reattaching them is a breeze. I had my 16yr old son on the back today and we both felt a little snug compared to the GT. My heels kept knocking the toes of his boots even though I ride with the peg under the arch of my foot. (As opposed to the balls of my feet) He was sat right back but I still felt like I had to sit forward to allow him adequate room. Maybe he was just taking advantage of his old man.... I was unaware that the new bike can run on 91 octane if needed, though this is not something that I intend doing. Hopefully without sounding like a complete nut I'd like to finish by saying that of all the bikes I've owned over the last 45yrs of riding this bike has made me smile the most right from the start. Ducati has done a great job of redesigning the multi to suit me almost perfectly. I love the look and the sound and the fit but can someone please tell me what Ducati has against self cancelling indicators?
My Harley has the best cancelling device, they turn of after about 500 mtrs or when banked round a corner. My dvt has never cancelled but it is the standard one.
I must admit they are worthless on the Multi, and it was something I was hoping they would sort out on the DVT, wonder if you can change the time or something in the ECU?
I go under 30mph when I do U turns, anyway who needs turn indicators when with that bike everybody's making you way on the road just to get a glimpse of it - when washed :Smuggrin:
Well done Dino havent stopped smiling since I got mine either thought the 2013 was great, told my Dealer its a major leap forward over the previous model. Steering is lighter the bikes smoother and when you do ring it out its got a great induction noise, Safe travels !
Dino. I totally agree with your assessment. I have had many bikes over the past 34 years, but my Multi DVT S touring is brilliant. Yes, there are certain small aspects that are well documented in forum, but I have never owned a perfect bike with no issues. I came over from the BMW brand, most of which were great bikes, but the DVT just has a special combination of character and excitement that is less obvious in anything else I have ever owned. My daughter has been my pillion for the last 5 years and she also loves it. Enjoy your new bike. It's a hard act to beat.
