Given new bikes are limited/scarce at the moment because of a shortage of components you may be asked to take it before then
I agree, I expect dealer will want it putting through their books too (registered with DVLA and paid for) asap.
My dealer is pretty chilled, said they’re happy to wait and register mine on 1st Match, if it arrives early.
This post cost me dear I rang my local dealer (Cambridge) to ask if they had their demo, and was told it was just added to their demo fleet today. I'm 5' 6" and the V4 was not an option for me, as it's too tall. The SF V2 has a higher seat height than the Panigale V2, so I thought this would too high too, but I wanted to go see it, and sit on it, if only to confirm it was not an option for me. However, just in case, I thought I may as well at least go prepared for a test ride, so I was relieved and somewhat surprised to find I still fitted into my biking textiles after winter excesses, so quickly called back to book a test ride this afternoon. I was only going to ride it if I could touch floor sufficiently. They were wheeling it out as I arrived, so jumped on it, and was very surprised to find that, although on the tall side for me, I felt quite comfortable (just balls of feet, or tip toes both side, but comfortable enough). Unlike the V4, the side stand also has a peg which makes it much easier to flip up and down - so the test ride was a GO! I was the second person out on it, and it had 46 miles on the clock. It was 4 degrees C, and a mix of dry and [mostly] damp, but I added 25 miles to the odometer. I absolutely loved it! Despite EURO 5, the fueling felt spot on, and it sounded terrific even with stock can. It was great to be able to fully enjoy the rev range and felt compliant and stable. I'm no riding god, and the conditions were sketchy. As soon as the tyres had some warmth in them I put it in sport mode, and my confidence just grew and grew. I was soon hitting decent speeds, and the acceleration was quick enough to be interesting, without being insane, quick enough to enjoy, not too quick that it was over too soon - the sweet spot. The wide bars were very comfortable and actually felt a little high if anything, compared to my old 959. I also generally felt I was up high on the bike, but felt that gave me a good view, and felt reassuring, adding to confidence levels. I've been whinging about declining Ducati build quality, and I'm always harping on about lack on clear coat lacquer on the 'smaller' bikes, but this just felt so good, I was sold. I've been intending to get a new Speed 1200 RS since I sold my 959 Corse, but the SF V2 just got me emotionally in a way the Speed (although fabulous) did not. After all my Speed Triple research, this felt like an impulse buy, but the fact it won me over so resoundingly felt like the right thing to do - after all, having had a 959, it's a variation on a known quantity and the engine is not a new design. I placed an order as soon as I got back to dealer, and should have my bike with a list of options, including [plastic] wings (so shoot me ), sometime end of March beginning of April. Yes, it doesn't have clear coat (I'm going to have it PPF'd), cruise control, navigation, or Ohlins... but if you know, you know. I'm staying with Ducati!
Fantastic! And sorry it’s all my fault! How was the suspension, as I’ve obviously not ridden one yet, so am interested how it compares to the semi active Ohlins on V4SF?
You owe me Like I said, it was sketchy conditions, and I'm no expert rider / reviewer, so I can only go on how it felt to me, and I was really impressed. I can't really compare to V4SF as I only test rode that ages ago, but it did feel more compliant than my 959 Corse (that had Ohlins). There were some ridges across road on the test ride route country road that would pretty much unseat me on 959, and they were much less noticeable on this bike. Maybe the 959 suspension wasn't set up correctly for me (I'd put it to default manual settings), but the V2SF felt compliant and gave me lots of confidence. It made me think I don't need Ohlins for my level of expertise / style.
I'm glad you posted this. I had similar concerns and your positive feedback has helped with them! Can't wait now.
And now your post has probably cost me a load of money, as I’m even more convinced I’ll be going ahead with my order!
Just got back from a demo ride. Did 50 miles. Some background info. Bike had only done 16 miles so I didn't go over 6k. Temperature was between 2&3 degrees and roads were salty. I used a route I do all the time so a good way to compare. Last bike was an SF848. Switched to sport mode within 10 miles. Can't see me ever using road mode again. Riding position was great, felt sporty but not as wristy as my 848. Seat although thick is quite hard. I could see out of the mirrors ok, there is some forearm. I didn't really try and adjust them. Gearbox was brilliant. Up/down felt great. Quickshifter is amazing. Clutch is light, biting point quite far out. Throttle feels good, slightly choppy at low revs in second gear, but much better than the 848. Pegs in a good position. The amount of rotation to get to full throttle is less than the 848. I preferred it. Didn't need to move your hand. Suspension is stiffer, at first I thought it was too stiff but when I got going down a B road it felt good. I weigh 70kg with my gear on so may try and soften it. It's hard to describe, but if you went over lines or bumps the initial impact is a bit harsh but when it gets into the stroke it feels supple. Dash was good. Don't care that's it's small. Can read it fine. I normally press the indicator twice to cancel but annoyingly on this bike if you press it twice it asks if you want to reset the trip. Guess I'll need to learn to press it once. It would be annoying to keep resetting the trip when effectively it's your fuel gauge. Engine is smooth, fuelling seemed good, would love to try again once the bike has been run in. Great induction noise and exhaust sound. More engine braking than the 848, I would probably back it off a bit in the settings. Exhaust flapper was slightly annoying. 30mph in 3rd gear is right where it closes, it's open up to about 28mph and then opens again at about 34. Obviously it's based on revs not speed but I found the bike was quiet, then loud, then quiet. The simple solution was to use 2nd instead. Hard to comment on handling, the fact I was able to have some fun in these conditions is a good sign. I can say it was much more stable than the 848. The bars didn't shake at all. My 848 used to really get a wobble on sometimes. It does feel heavier especially picking it up off the side stand. It did spin up coming out a slow corner but wasn't scary. Brakes were ok, bear in mind they hadn't bedded in and it was freezing. There is loads of power but I would prefer some more initial bite. I'll probably swap them for the sliver brembo pads I had in the 848. Overall it's a fantastic bike, definitely the spiritual successor to the 848. I felt right at home on it.
Great write-up. I agree, mirrors were fine, up and down shift superb (no particular problem finding neutral). I found the dash clear. I agree that the brakes were absolutely fine, but a bit more initial bite would be better, but we both rode box fresh bikes. I specifically tested fuelling and didn't notice any issues. I was probably holding 2nd through 30s because it sounded so good, and I wanted to draw attention I run my own bikes in meticulously by the book... but this was a demo, so I was less than meticulous Great that we now have non-journo / influencer real world opinions coming in that was very positive. Are you getting one @Jimmy the hat ?
Did it run hot? with ambients so cold, you would expect to feel barely any heat from it in honesty, and engine temps to be low 80's? did you notice them? the Panigale V2 will run over 100 degrees in any sniff of traffic and I'm really keen to understand if the Streetfighter is able to stay cooler than that. I test rode my Panigale in Feb, around 10 degrees ambient and remember it feeling warm in the seat but not noticeably bad, for comparison. I'd really love it if they have magically managed to get the temps down with the lack of fairing, or fitted a seat/heat shield combo to combat it better
Yes, mine has been delivered but I am not picking it up until the 1st of March, mainly because that means 2 extra paychecks! It's a brilliant thing to be looking forward to. When does yours arrive?
I had no heat issues at all, but then with 4 degrees ambient, that's not really surprising, and not something we can draw conclusions from regarding summer temps. I actually took a photo of the dash, and when sat idling a moment, it was running at 87 degrees Streetfighter V2 Dash by Snips on Ducati Forum
It ran between 65-75 degrees. My speed was either 30mph or national speed limit ish. I was also wearing thermals, track suit bottoms and leathers so I can't comment! Didn't notice a thing and was still cold! We will have to wait to find out.
