Just back from a 2 week tour of Europe, and all I can say is the V4 is a perfect bike. Did a similar tour 4 years ago, on a 1200dvt, and had a great time, but went back this year on the V4 and was blown away with its all round capabilities. From Autobahn fast riding, to mountain hairpins, all day rain, to 32° heat, it never let me down. This was my wife's first big tour, and she loved it, never got the usual numb bum she got with the dvt, so happy wife is happy life. Did a few guided tours with the hotel, and we were only bike two up, and some of the single riders , struggled to keep up with us, its so planted in the corners, and just powers out of them with ease. Even the fuel economy that lots of people complain about, I averaged 42 MPG over the 2 weeks, so I'm happy with that. We even hired a BMW k1600gt for the day to see if it was better two up, and no, we will stick to the V4, better in every way. And BMW only achieved 36MPG. Can't wait until next year, or if have the time, September this year.
I’m just back from a trip of around 1k miles, out to France, Le Mans to visit friends and watch the scrutineering and initial practice day for the race this weekend, followed by a few days going out west following the Loire up to the coast, back across Brittany to St.Malo then a cross to Dieppe for my return ferry. I’m not a massively experienced tourer so can’t make direct comparisons but a few things about the bike came to mind during the trip and a few hours in the saddle. On the move it’s a pretty relaxed cruiser but it much prefers to be hustled, when you get up it and put some energy into the bike it’s just fantastic. All comes together here, the engine intake noise is really nice and the QS starts to earn its money. The brakes on mine are just ok, bit spongy, maybe need a bleed, lack some bite, maybe it’s the weight, the back brake is noticeably poor. Fuel consumption was tolerable, I saw low to mid 40’s with a lot of motorway. With earplugs I could have high screen and visor up/open (it was pretty hot) up to about 70mph. Adaptive cruise worked ok but you end up as slow as the cars ahead… it can be a bit dim witted in long bends and is a little slow to react when space opens up again. It does what it says on the tin but I would much rather have a normal CC alongside it too. most cars I’ve driven with adaptive you have both options. Blind spot warning system however is absolutely brilliant and I would tick the box in the future just for this alone. the other tech on the bike, Ducati connect etc I found wanting. Why Ducati didn’t just pay up for the Apple “car play” thing I don’t know but although the connect thing does work but it’s a compromised faff so is of no real benefit so far. would have been money saved given the option as it’s not adding much value. I did the Sygic thing for a bit but gave up in frustration of getting audio into my Sena consistently. I actually had the most consistent success with Sygic on my phone rather than the Ducati dash. I then binned that and reverted to Waze which was flawless but annoying as I had plotted some routes etc. great bike, looking forward to next opportunity for a few days on it.
