[flynbulldog]

I've had both an F4 and the 1098S and R. The Ducati is more comfortable and parts for service and repair are much easier to find. Service is much easier because there are a lot of techs who can work on Ducatis but very few who can work on MV. The MV has it's own personality and for me it is really special, no other bike rides, feels, or sounds like an MV and to this day it is by a pretty big margin the fastest bike I've ever been on. It would do 110 in 1st gear. If the riding positiona and seat was at all tolerable I'd still own one, I think MV makes absolutely beautiful bikes.

The ducatis are much better in every practical way and that is really saying something because ducatis are neither practical nor comfortable, but compared to an MV they are many magnitudes better.
I found My MV's to be very reliable and I had a reliable source of service for it back in Denver. Not sure I would have that here in NC although there is a dealer about an hour and half away.

If you are a person who want more practicality and comfort you should get the Ducati. If beautiful exotica is more important and you dont mind suffering to have it get the MV.

 

[flynbulldog]

This was way back when I had the MV and an MH900e

 

[flynbulldog]

Mine was a 2005, I believe that is first gen, I've also owned 2 brutales, a 1078RR and a 1090RR both fabulous bikes.
You compare that blue F4 to this Tricolore 1098 and tell me which is more exotic and beautiful,

I loved the MV but this bike is way more exciting and real with it's trellis frame, and open bodywork, the clutch chattering in mechanical glory, this bike is something very special. I wish I knew where it was now.

 

[flynbulldog]

Can I further a guess...?
The Brutale was disappointing compared to the F4? And the Ducati would out-accelerate the F4?


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You couldnt be more wrong on both accounts, The Brutale is a beast and a fantastic track bike and everyday rider - except - I couldnt find a comfortable seat - Tried 4 different ones including having a custom one made twice. The 1098 is no slouch but the F4 is faster in both top speed and acceleration. It just sucks to ride it.

I think for most people the choice is simple, you either want a V twin or you want an I4 - most Ducati enthusiasts like twins and do not like 4's. And most people want a reputable dealer close by with parts available. That is rare in most places in the states for MV. Those two things alone make the decision an easy one.

Personally, I grew up riding 4 cyl bikes so my love for 4 cyl bikes is an exception in the Ducati crowd.

 

[flynbulldog]

I think you are right Bob, there are a lot of Ducati owners that arent really Ducati people. The marque has a mystique that attracts people who have no understanding of the history and no reverence for the product, and the cost of entry is not prohibitive. For some reason most of those people either know nothing about MV or just dont feel the same mystique.

 

[flynbulldog]

Yup. The exhaust is ugly, after 10 years they cannot get the tank right, the 2 little slits on the tail need to go, and the side fairing upper would have looked great if it remained solid. It's not ugly, but not looking good enough to be good looking, and certainly better than some of the current bikes.

With MV, I get the idea that their initial design for a bike is great, then all the design engineers get drunk and tinkers the looks to death until, fighting breaks out, and then each engineer agrees to choose one of the other engineer's tweak. Getting rid of those star wheels was a big improvement, but that was the result of the sober new guy that probably got fired.

Perhaps you'd like them to be flat black, slab sided, with black 5-spoke wheels? Proof that a telsa truck will find fans. I think MV has some spectacularly beautiful bikes, far better than most on the market these days. I appreciate their ability to push the boundries even if I'm sometimes not fond of the results