I took a MSV4 for a test ride just before Christmas and coming from a 2018 Z1000SX I thought I'd share my thoughts for others in my position, who may be lurking. I had a 2015 SX and then a 2018 SX and absolutely love the bike but extended 2-up touring requires a different bike with more comfort and a topbox (SWMBO) and, living just outside the Beacons, be good for Sunday rideouts. The bike is easy to lift off the side stand. The riding position is totally different. On the SX you sit on the bike and slightly over the front, whereas on the MSV4, you sit in the bike and quite upright. There appears to be more wind protection on the MSV4 and it was quite quiet on the motorway with the screen up full (I'm 5'8"). I found the seat very comfortable and the riding position not so cramped. There is quite a bit of heat coming from the engine and I initially thought the heated seat was on. In the showroom you notice the bulk of the tank in front of you but out on the road, it seems to disappear. I was also expecting the bike to be a bit top heavy, but it wasn't, even with my short legs (31" inside leg, standard seat in low position). The MSV4 seemed to change direction easily and hold a line in a corner. It was much easier to turn in than the SX. The SX is renowned for needing a bit of effort, although this has improved with the recent models. The quickshifter was super smooth and felt like you were tapping a button with your foot rather than clicking up a gear peddle. Initially, I was pressing too hard for too long and ended up going up a couple of gears. With the SX it will happily cruise along in 6th doing 30mph and then ease back up to progressive speeds. The MSV4 needs much more input and I found myself going up and down the gearbox much more and 30mph zones required 3rd or 4th. On a neutral throttle, the MSV4 was super smooth. On a hard positive throttle it was quite vibey, much more so than the SX. The power was very linear and smooth and I kept expecting a power band but before you know it you are doing illegal speeds and wondering where that came from. The controls were easy to find and the menu system intuitive, although, it took me a while to work out how to shut it all off. I didn't use the cruise control but I found the blind spot warning very useful on the motorway. There was also a much better view in the mirrors. So, in conclusion……………..I've ordered one! Come March, I will be the proud owner of a MSV4 GT Now, you can look forward to all my questions, especially those that have been asked a thousand times before
If you try and use 4th gear at 30mph, you’ll bugger the big ends. Latest EU emissions regulations mean modern Ducatis make their torque higher up the rev band. I’m currently running in my new V4 Pikes Peak and using 2nd gear at 30mph. IME, the Ducati does not make its power like any IL4 and most other V twins/V4s. Andy
Nice summary As above, don’t labour any Ducati engine! Not ridden a v4 at all but, being Ducati, they love a bottom end if you drive it around like that. Tbh I think t also did my S1000R in, riding like big scooter meant engine blew in 1100 miles.
They’re impressive bikes aren’t they? I’ve had mine for a little over 2 years and 25,000km now, it gets used all year in all weathers and has never missed a beat. You’ll enjoy it.
Thanks for this, good write-up. I fit that category of a lurker who's considering a Multistrada next, and we're also a similar size so useful to read your thoughts there. Out of interest, did you test ride other bikes and the MS won out? Or were you pretty much set on the MS regardless?
I looked at the SDGT. It was my 1st choice. Seat height was good and it had all I needed but there are too many reported faults/niggles which you don't want on a long tour. I also looked at GSX GT or GX (no top box and GX a bit tall), Moto Guzzi Mandello, BMW RS, GS1250 & 1300 (don't like the looks of the boxer engine), XR (2nd choice but with a change of THAT seat). My preference would have been for a sport-tourer, rather than an adventure-sport but if you want to two-up tour, there is only really the SDGT (IMHO). And yes, you can stick an after market top box on a lot of sport tourers, but have you seen the size of the pillion seat!
That was my biggest worry. I know the Z1000SX is no lightweight but would the MSV4 be as easy and as much fun to throw around our Welsh roads.
Funfact about adaptive cruise control, as I suspect many will not know this (onless you read the manual) - there is a neat way to turn it off. Twist the trhottle forward (opposite of adding power) from fully shut position. No need to tap brakes, or finding a button on the handlebar. Done about 2K miles on my Rally, and I really like it. I do wish it would eat less fuel, but hey. Can't get it all.
I took one out from Cardiff when my panigale was in for a service. Headed up towards Brecon, over to Llandovery, then Rhayader , crossgates, Newtown and back. Never ridden that kind of bike before but was impressed with what it could do I don’t need a bike like that but it was still fun when needed
This is for every bike I've had that has cruise control. Not just adaptive and not just Ducati. BMW GS, Aprilia RSV4 and RS660, KTM SDR
Seating position - not sure if this applies to the range of Multistrada V4 bikes, because I have not ridden one. I find with my KTM 1290 SAS - that has a very upright seating position - you can get caught out if you give it a massive dose or throttle. The issue seems to be that the upright siting position does not naturally prepare you for the massive acceleration that can happen on these powerful adventure bikes. Whereas a sportier bike, even certain super nakeds lean you forward a bit in readiness for hard acceleration. The upright position of a super adventure bike does not. What I have found with my KTM adventure is that I have to consciously lean forward - lean into it - before giving it large - especially if you tap it up into another gear - otherwise it will leave you behind ! i think is more of an issue with the upright seating positions found on some of these adventure bikes ?
I did consider the Tracer GT+. It had everything I was looking for and is supposed to be a great ride but I felt, with its looks, I would not 'look back' at it, when shutting the garage.
Makes sense, I think this is an important factor with bikes. I had this feeling with a Monster 1100 Evo that I owned - it's the bike I most regret selling / the one i'd take back now if I had a pick of my previous bikes. Hence it's a factor that's maybe edging the Multistrada ahead of lots of other good bikes for me: how it makes you feel overall, not just the pure specs or ride.
