How do folks. Wanted to pick your brains. I’ve just test ridden a 2017 1200 S DVT I currently have a 2012 1200S. On the test ride I struggled to get the DVT up to 110mph (private roads of course). It felt like it was topping out which clearly isn’t right. My 2012 1200 is still pulling hard at that speed and has plenty left. The DVT I tested felt flat around 7-8000rpm. I checked settings on tbe ride and it was in touring, engine medium so should have had the full power available. surely that’s not right for this bike? I said thanks for no thanks.
Had the twinspark ‘13…kept pulling towards 140ish no problems. I ran mine in touring mode as I preferred the smoother power delivery. Difference in sport was negligible imo. DVT is putting out the same or a few bhp more and should still be pulling strongly past 110…
That's what I reckoned. There was a lot of noise coming from the engine (more so than mine), I was wondering of the exhaust seal(s) were blowing a little and affecting power or something. Definitely didn't feel right.
Quite possibly the exhaust valve was stuck closed or partially closed. Although I think that this actuates a couple of 1,000rpm lower that you've stated. Certainly should still be pulling strongly at that sort of speed. Suggest that you get a test ride on another if you can.
I had a 2015 DVT, bought with 3k on the clock. I also previously had a 2011 and a new 2013 Twin Spark. Of the three the Twin Spark was the better engine. More refined than the 2011, smoother with better mpg, and and a much better map than the DVT which had a flat spot halfway up the curve and what felt like torbo-lag all the way up, particularly at the top end. It improved with various Ducati map upgrades and the addition of a Fast Bike module, but it never quite matched the Twin Spark engine. All those bikes were running a de-cat system: MIIVV on the 2011, full Termi with upmap on the 2013 and Arrows on the 2015. I now have a 2018 1260, with a full Termi system, and that is the engine that the DVT should have had - it betters the Twin Spark IMHO. Have a test ride on a 1260 and see what you think.
Current wisdom would suggest the 1260 is a better bike than the 1200. I started looking at 1200's, but found the extra cash at the time and got the 1260. Glad i did
Owned both the 1200 and 1260, the 1260 is indeed better in almost all ways, more refined. Both are still great bikes and what you describe sounds very much like it's the exhaust valve stuck. If you can afford it, get the 1260.
Don't neglect the suspension differences between models. For me the manual Ohlins of the early 1200S and my 1260PP is a big benefit, but others a happy with the skyhook.
I do miss the Ohlins on my 1200, the skyhook setup on my 1260 is fine, but if I could, I'd upgrade it to Ohlins with all the electrical gubbins
1260 is, subjectively, an improvement with a flatter power delivery curve so more refined. Some prefer the rawness of the pre DVT models though. The total power output difference between 1200 and 1260 is negligible. It also has a longer swingarm giving better stability. Though this is at the expense of marginally less responsive/sporty steering.
I have a 1260s run that in touring but with engine on full power but to be honest not alot of difference between the 2
