Sorry I should have mentioned the Multi
would replace the Fjr. I’m getting too old for a 600lb motorcycle….😝
would replace the Fjr. I’m getting too old for a 600lb motorcycle….😝
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Hey Everyone! May's Bike of the Month challenge is now open for entries!
Purchase advice 1200S/1260S/ V4S
Ok so I’ve come full circle on research on the above models. I was originally going to target 2011-2012 with Ohlins SCU as the service options seem more optimal than being beholden to the Sachs units and Ducati dealerships. Recently I have noticed some attractive pricing on 1260 S versions with extended warranty and even for a bit more scratch, a 2021 V4S. I’m somewhat attracted to the V4S with the long valve service interval versus the belts on previous gens. Also more technology - which can cut both ways - but nonetheless can overall be welcome convenience. I have a 2004 Fjr that I do 2 up riding a couple times a year rest of which is solo. Hot months here in NC I break out my Triumph Street Triple. I know my question is very subjective but I always appreciate others experiences both pros and cons in their decisions.
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I'm in NC and just purchased a 2022 V4S. I have a friend with the 1260 and really enjoyed a little riding on that. I almost bought a Streetfighter mostly because the engine was tickled my fancy, but decided I didn't need another motorcycle as committed and sporting as the Streetfighter. I had sold my 1200GS a couple of years ago and the V4S presented an option which seemed right for me. So far, I am really enjoying the V4S but it is still the honeymoon phase.
IMHO the V4S is the best expression of the 2010-present Multistrada era. We can debate PP / V4S / Rally all day long, but I think the new DES and ACC/BSM are amazing on a sport touring motorcycle, and the V4 is a fantastic motor. It really depends on what you want - but if you like technology this is the bike for you.
The V4S is everything I've loved about my 2011 and 2014 Multistradas (S touring and PP, respectively) but just a >< more comfort / ergos / wind protection that I wished for on my 2014 when I did a x-country sport touring trip.
The V4S is everything I've loved about my 2011 and 2014 Multistradas (S touring and PP, respectively) but just a >< more comfort / ergos / wind protection that I wished for on my 2014 when I did a x-country sport touring trip.
To me, a Ducati is red and has two cylinders, some probably a little biased answer.
Long time owner of an MTS 1200 S, then 1260S, I love those bikes for long haul touring and commuting. The 1200 feels more agile, the 1260 more stable, and the 1260 engine brings throttle response close to the 1200 with a 14T front sprocket.
In comparison, I didn’t have a great feeling with the V4 engine. Or say, it would be more suitable for track use. Compared with the twin, it lacks torque on low RPMs, you must rev up to wake it up, which brings you quickly to indecent speed. Also, engine breaking feels like you are riding a 2 stroke, need a lot of rear brake to compensate. It kicks in when high in revs but is absent when cruising “normally”. Basically, it asks for speed, so overall, if speed limits were doubled, it would be suitable for touring 😉
Long time owner of an MTS 1200 S, then 1260S, I love those bikes for long haul touring and commuting. The 1200 feels more agile, the 1260 more stable, and the 1260 engine brings throttle response close to the 1200 with a 14T front sprocket.
In comparison, I didn’t have a great feeling with the V4 engine. Or say, it would be more suitable for track use. Compared with the twin, it lacks torque on low RPMs, you must rev up to wake it up, which brings you quickly to indecent speed. Also, engine breaking feels like you are riding a 2 stroke, need a lot of rear brake to compensate. It kicks in when high in revs but is absent when cruising “normally”. Basically, it asks for speed, so overall, if speed limits were doubled, it would be suitable for touring 😉
I mean the V4S isn't far off of 600lbs, somewhere between 540-570lbs. The early 1200s would certainly be the lightest.Sorry I should have mentioned the Multi
would replace the Fjr. I’m getting too old for a 600lb motorcycle….😝
Correct- I did see 536lbs laden. The 1200‘s are a few pounds lighter around 520 I think.
Zack Courts at Revzilla weighed his V4S press bike at 570lbs wet with no bags. The 1200's are lighter than that, its been debated but they are under 500lbs. My 13' 1200s with no bags, no center stand and a lithium battery is around 465lbs.Correct- I did see 536lbs laden. The 1200‘s are a few pounds lighter around 520 I think.
I don't think the FJR broke 600 lbs (dry) until the 3rd generation (2013?). It carries it's weight lower than the Multi's but the Multi's wider bars (leverage) and geometry make it more nimble at speed. Still. the FJR is the most nimble parking-lot-speed bike I've had.Sorry I should have mentioned the Multi
would replace the Fjr. I’m getting too old for a 600lb motorcycle….😝
FJR has a lower seat height than the Multi's so it's easier to manage when stopped (i.e. better likelyhood you can flatfoot it).
The FJR has a smoother engine than the V2's (I can't comment on the V4's). The V2's don't like lugging. Where the FJR's power comes on linearly and builds a head of steam like a locomotive over a wide RPM range, the V2's tend to respond more viscerally, leaping forwards when you turn the throttle, and has a smaller useable RPM range.
The FJR's gears are closely spaced, the MTS's are wider spaced. For example, you could remove 2nd and 4th from the FJR and get along just fine, but the Multi's need every gear.
FJR is a quality machine with low maintenance costs and simple procedures. The Multi needs more attention, everything is more complicated, and parts can take longer to obtain. There's a huge aftermarket support for the FJR.
I sold my 2006 FJR years ago to a friend, to recently sold it to another friend. It has 113k on it now, he needed something reliable after his BMW stranded him a few times outside of town.
Any of the Multi's your looking at are going to be very different from your FJR. Which is better? I dunno, but if you do your own wrenching I'd suggest getting an older one and saving some $$$. If you plan to pay for maintenance and you like the V4's better then get a new'ish one with a warranty.
This is correct. In my opinion the V4 is more touring oriented than the 1200’s. I have owned a 1200 for ten years and rode a V4S 1600 miles in Italy and Austria. I definitely felt the weight of the V4 and it was noticeably less nimble than my ‘13.I mean the V4S isn't far off of 600lbs, somewhere between 540-570lbs. The early 1200s would certainly be the lightest.
On more open roads the V4 is a sophisticated and comfortable grand tourer. Coming from an FJR (which is also more of a grand tourer) and riding two up, the V4 might be the better choice. For one up riding on tighter roads, the older bikes work better for me.
The 1260 might split the difference; giving you the more rowdy v-twin with a bit more comfort and girth than the 1200s.
All good points to consider. So I just got off a test ride on a 22 V4S. Wow. Pretty damn impressive bike. The V4 pulls really well at almost any rpm. It grunts if you pin it at lower rpm but no lurching or anything highly disconcerting in terms of behavior. You can definitely be lazier in your gear selections versus a twin where they get ’lumpy’ and start to lurch and buck. Ride modes pretty easy to navi gate, steering very light, well balanced and nimble even at parking lot speeds. Engine braking I thought was fine- way more than an in-line machine, maybe not quite as good as a twin but certainly acceptable in my books. If you’re a twin purist, some may eschew this bike but it’s definitely a well executed platform IMHO.
Interesting take on the 1260 by potomacduc. Not really looking to do highly aggressive riding on the multi. I’ll save that for the Street Triple- way more fun.
I really appreciate all the feedback. This forum is a good sounding board. 👍😎
I really appreciate all the feedback. This forum is a good sounding board. 👍😎
I came from an FJR to a 13 Multistrada and I rode the Multistrada 3 times as many miles per year just because it was more fun. I was perfectly happy with the FJR and kept it an extra year because I was not sure I wanted to part with it. Traded the 13 Multi for a 22 PP V4 and could not be happier. The V4 is heavier but it does Everything better than the 13 Multi. I think FJR to V4 Multistrada would be ideal.
Late to the party here but, in short, I’ve owned a 2014, 2020 and now a 2023 Multi and the 2023 is the best bike I’ve bought, hands down. Not sure I’ve ever said that about any bike since my 2013 Speed Triple.
I was a naysayer of the V4S for a bit because I really like a twin motor and hadn’t ever owned a 4cyl bike. These days, my preference is to have a bike that is powerful, comfortable and has really good wind management. The V4S is that bike for me. One improvement on the V4S that stands out to me is the gearing. The V4S, while still a bike that needs to be shifted, is a bit less concerned about which gear than my previous V2 bikes. I find that I can be in a higher gear 5-10mph slower and/or 1,000 RPM lower than the V2 bikes. I’d use 6th on the 1260only well above 70mph. I can be in 6th riding lazily in the twisties if the group speed isn’t up.
I think any Multi is a great bike and as has been stated already, the 1200s were more Sport than Touring, blend that with the 1260 but still being a nod to sport and the V4S has a nod to Touring (because the great wind management) over Sport but it’ll still scratch plenty good in the North Ga mountains.
I was a naysayer of the V4S for a bit because I really like a twin motor and hadn’t ever owned a 4cyl bike. These days, my preference is to have a bike that is powerful, comfortable and has really good wind management. The V4S is that bike for me. One improvement on the V4S that stands out to me is the gearing. The V4S, while still a bike that needs to be shifted, is a bit less concerned about which gear than my previous V2 bikes. I find that I can be in a higher gear 5-10mph slower and/or 1,000 RPM lower than the V2 bikes. I’d use 6th on the 1260only well above 70mph. I can be in 6th riding lazily in the twisties if the group speed isn’t up.
I think any Multi is a great bike and as has been stated already, the 1200s were more Sport than Touring, blend that with the 1260 but still being a nod to sport and the V4S has a nod to Touring (because the great wind management) over Sport but it’ll still scratch plenty good in the North Ga mountains.
Do any of you V4S owners who have fitted street rubber only wish you had 17” front with standard width tires or is it insignificant? I get if you’re pushing pace with higher lean angles you may have more confidence in a larger contact patch. But for moderate spirited riding I would think as long as you had decent tires you should be fine.
Now the local weather is warming up and the winter detritus/salt layer is being washed off the roads I’ve re-started exploring lean angles on my V4S (still on scorp 2 tyres) & noticed I have more side tread left (unused) on the front than the rear as I seek to reduce the winter’s chicken strip widths. Just waiting on my spare wheels to come back from powder coating & new Dunlop Sportsmart TT rubber for the looming spring summer so will get a chance to test if these alter/improve sportiness of the V4 mutley. Ps it’s an almost new for new comparison between Scorps & TTs as the spares came with new Scorps so the became my winters & my original wheels/tyres the spare set, & my original rear wheel bearings we’re toasted so easier to sacrifice to the bearing puller prior to powder coating.Do any of you V4S owners who have fitted street rubber only wish you had 17” front with standard width tires or is it insignificant? I get if you’re pushing pace with higher lean angles you may have more confidence in a larger contact patch. But for moderate spirited riding I would think as long as you had decent tires you should be fine.
Wow this is very different from my impression. The engine braking on my V4S feels massive to me compared to my Daytona 675 or KTM 790 Adventure R. I don't have any experience of previous Multis to compare it to though.Also, engine breaking feels like you are riding a 2 stroke, need a lot of rear brake to compensate.
I can do tall and light; or short and heavy. I loved my Multi, but it was tall and heavy. I don't think a Multi is your answer.Sorry I should have mentioned the Multi
would replace the Fjr. I’m getting too old for a 600lb motorcycle….😝
Am sure not everyone will agree with this but the V2 and the V4 are different. The V4 is the way Ducati has chosen to go on multiple bikes. The V4 is not an improved V2. It is Ducati's newer creation. If you own a V2 and expect it to act like a V2 on a V4 test ride you are missing the point. If the V4 does not have the same torque at the same rpm or does not have the same engine braking you adapt and learn to ride it differently. I have no problems with the engine braking and don't feel like I would adjust it if I could. I really liked my V2 but after putting 6k miles on my V4 for me it is a finely polished machine that IMHO does EVERYTHING better than my 13 Multistrada.
well, just my perception, compared with my 1260S or former 1200S (not even mentioning the pure engine breaking of my monster 1100 evo, for which I never use the rear brake).Wow this is very different from my impression. The engine braking on my V4S feels massive to me compared to my Daytona 675 or KTM 790 Adventure R. I don't have any experience of previous Multis to compare it to though.
I was using a lot of rear brake with 4 cylinders, GSXR or VF, but Ducati twins brought me a world of difference in cornering
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