I love Simons reviews. One of the best in the business for sure.

Just sold my Africa Twin and the V2s Travel is currently at the top of my list as a new bike! Thanks for the review.

Enjoyed the review - casual but covered all the important points and I liked comparisons to the V4 Multistrada. A theme seemed to be that the 937cc Multi hit the mark when Ducati first brought it out several years ago now and , hey look, this slightly changed/ improved one is worth a try if you're looking for this style of bike. I love my base model '18 Supersport with the touring pack. It's like a low flying Multistrada, ha ha. It fits me and the roads where I live, and unlike on a "fast" bike, I can hold the throttle of my SS open during outings along the B roads I love best, which is fun. First Ducati I've owned and actually the only one I've ever ridden but there's something about it for me. I thought about the 950 MS before I bought the SS but it seemed visually huge and I wasn't quite ready although I'm sure it would feel agile. I plan to try a V2 MS and V4 MS since I'm 61 nowand although the SS is comfy today, you have to think of the future, right? Cheers

Simon is my favorite! This guy really knows his stuff. And it was thanks to him that I have a fantastic bike since 2015

@writestuffmedia

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Carlos! How's that K1300R doing?

For crying out loud, center stand should be come in as standard, not just for top spec model.

@Speedytrip

2 жыл бұрын

If I had to choose, I'd take heated grips over center stand :) I have a stand I can use with all my bikes so I don't need a center stand.

@chotakushwah1654

2 жыл бұрын

@@Speedytrip से ज्ञज्ञज्ञज्ञज्ञज्ञक्षो क्षज्ञज्ञोज्ञज्ञोज्ञज्ञज्ञ ओज्ञज्ञज्ञज्ञज्ञ

The Mutley needed to be lower for the average UK rider. 820mm is top of reasonable. Laverda Jota was only 810mm. There are only so many 6ft bike purchasers😁

Great review!

Good on Ducati for trying to make it more accessible. Most reviewers are tall so have no feel for what it’s like for us shorties of the world.

A good honest review Simon - the 950 Multistrada is a bike that appeals to me very much so much so that I test rode a 950S earlier this year. I currently own a '10 1200GS Anniversary that I've had since new and fancy a change to something a little lower but still very comfortable. Overall impressions were good (excellent suspension/feel and feedback, plenty of performance etc..) but the 950S still felt quite lofty for my 5'6" height. The V2 will be a little better as it's marginally lower but I'm not sure it's worth 25% more cash than a Tracer 900GT that has similar equipment levels (semi active suspension, panniers, centre stand etc....). Without doubt the Ducati brand appeals but I'd respectfully suggest as a long term ownership prospect, the Tracer 900GT would be less hassle and expense for ~£3k less initial outlay. Just need Yamaha to release ablue and white speed blocked Tracer 900GT with the single dash from the Mk1.5 Tracer instead of the needlessly fussy Groucho Marx double dash of the latest bike.....🤔😉. Keep up the good work👍👍

@BibtheBoulder

2 жыл бұрын

Very valid post. I have a similar dilemma, but am currently thinking more along the line of the Kawasaki Versys Thousand.

Thanks Simon. Good real world and comprehensive review. You mentioned that the T7 felt heavier. I think they are a similar weight, so is that because the CoG is much lower on the V2S? I find my T7 very top heavy, especially with a full tank.

Class review of the v2 one of the best on you tube as i am considering one of these. I had the 950 and loved it and in many ways regret selling it. Can i ask you what kind of goggles are those that you have and are they a good job.

Anyone else getting totally lost in the sea of V2, V2S, V4, V4S, V4R's?

Nice to see a review that looks at the practicalities of ownership, in this case the discomfort created from the narrow seat on the perineum. Well done Simon for looking further than power, handling, equipment etc. An aside: I recently bought a new bicycle that has a saddle with a longitudinal groove down it, to address the issue of pressure on this sensitive part of the male anatomy, so why aren’t motorcycle manufacturers doing the same, especially on sports tourers like this, where riders are likely to be spending long days on it?

Am picking up a v2s in the next couple of days, have owned a couple of 1200s and there is nearly too much power. On the v2 it can be ridden to the throttle stops which makes for a much more involving experience

Almost all bike showroom seats are rubbish including the Ducatis. While some manufacturers seem to get it right every once in a while they all fall victim to the stylist and we suffer from it. I remember BMW did up the K100RT with a hard bench flat seat and we complained across the board and they came out the next year with a marvelous bucketed seat that was truly awesome and at the same seat height. Now the bike was tall to begin with but they could give it some effort to make it low and comfortable. I was at a national BMW rally in Montana a few years back and I was having a discussion with two BMW engineers and they asked me wear I was from, how far I had traveled to get to the rally. WHen I told them I was from Delaware, they were impressed. They then asked me how many days it took and how many miles a day I had ridden, I told them it was about 2,500 miles one way and I was riding between 800 and 1000 miles power day. They quickly calculated it into Kilometers and they were in total shock. Europeans think we Americans are crazy. We travel 600-800 miles per day in our touring adventures. Europeans don’t have the space to make those trips a routine. So a seat is very important to us. That’s what makes handlebars leg room and seats very important. Fuel capacity is also a point of sale in our touring / sport touring market. This is why Harleys and Goldwings are very popular. All my sport touring bikes get their seats swapped out. Me bing 6” now (I used to be 6’1” but gravity is pulling me down) requires space and comfort. Bikes like the BMW RT and Multistrada 1200GT are good examples of a proper bike selection for me but both have bad seats, especially the Ducati. I solved that proble historically with a Corbin or Seargent replacement seats and even a custom designed seat just for me. Manufacturers need to pay atttention to what the user is looking for, does the rider want a seat to go across town for shopping or is the bike for travel. If its for traveling distance, then we need a bucket shaped seat. If its for errands or shopping, then the stock seat is fine.

Simon, tell me, why should I cough up the extra for this over the v strom. What does it do better?

as usual you never open panniers can a helmet go inside ? no mention of heated grips any good to poor? etc

Nice, but the panniers are too small for 2-up long trips 😢

Should bring a new monster 937s out its the same engine in the v2 ?

Alt devirlerle ilgili bir çalışma olmuş mu 5bin devire kadar motor çok zor toparlıyor hatta 1.vites istiyor sürekli...

I heard that Ducati's maintenance cost is very high, parts and regular maintenance? also that they have propietary software that makes it almost impossible for a regular DIY to do maintenance?

can you fit a helmet in the pannier?

very nice video! Thumbs up and keep it up :) KUKI

On the fence regarding the V2S, I rode a 950 multi in Tuscany for an entire week, it was a basic version. What really bothered me was the jerkiness at slow village speed, enough to put me off… that bad. How is the V2S now? I was contemplating selling my 2018 GS For a V4S. (More power😅, more fuel😢, more money😞) Now not so sure i want to sell my GS, but the 950 is so exploitable that I m tempted to buy the V2S

Well done! Questions: 1. How’s the wind buffeting? That screen looks like it would cause some turbulence on the helmet. 2. Do your legs feel more cramped with the lower seat height? Are the foot pegs lower too? Lean angle still good? 3. Does the engine intake still roar when you hit the throttle hard? Or is it muted somewhat? I definitely appreciate the details you added on 1. the impact of the Asian market on seat height 2. your impressions and historical perspective on Ducati becoming more rideable 3. the more nuanced details on the 19 inch front impacting riding characteristics 4. the pros and cons of a narrower seat.

@writestuffmedia

2 жыл бұрын

1: Yes, there was some buffeting - it's always hard to make a judgement on a launch because buffeting is all about wind direction, etc. This was a windy launch at times - plenty of side-winds etc - so the bike was getting knocked around a bit on some stretches. 2: Not really - they've lowered the pegs as well to compensate for the lower seat height, so leg room kinda feels the same. It's the way the low seat 'slumps' a taller rider into the bike, so you sit on the base of your spine - doesn't feel good for posture, or long distance comfort. But on the other hand, the 850mm seat is the right height for me. But don't forget, it's narrower too. 3: No, still makes a good noise :-)

how about vibrations compared to a Suzuki dl1000 from 2020 both on winding roads and highways

@writestuffmedia

2 жыл бұрын

Phew, let me compare them in my memory... I think there's not much in it tbh. I think the Suzuki is a bit deeper-sounding and lower revving, so it might feel a bit lumpier, but neither bike develops annoying vibration. Both big V-twins, both got those big V-twin vibes that are part of the character of the bike 👍

The bike Is awesome

Great review. For clarity, the seat is 10mm closer to the boiling hot rear cylinder head?

@writestuffmedia

2 жыл бұрын

That'd probably be a 'yes' - do you find heat management an issue on the 950? Never had the problem meeself.

Tks for great review, would you have it over tracer 9 gt ?

@writestuffmedia

2 жыл бұрын

It's a tricky one because the T9 GT ticks every single box (apart from screen and clocks, although I've grown to like the dash) - astonishing engine, perfect power delivery, fab suspension, comfy riding position, tons and tons of practicality, comprehensive spec-list, even the price is good - but for me personally it's not a great-looking bike and it doesn't quite have a 'prestige' vibe. The Ducati has everything the T9 GT has - different kind of power delivery, for sure - and costs over three grand more for an equivalent spec level. But it's more of an 'event' than the Tracer. If that makes any sense. It just feels a bit more... 'special' to own, I guess. So I'm not sure which - I think, for the money, I'd take the T9 GT and try and bling it up a bit to make a special to me. Put some stickers on it, probably 🤣

@PhilbyFavourites

2 жыл бұрын

@@writestuffmedia I put a Yoshimura sticker on my tool box 44 years ago when I put a non-Yoshi (I couldn’t afford the real one) exhaust on my Suzuki GS750 DB - does that count as effective sticker usage?

Amazing how

Does this engine spec upgrade same in supersport 950?

@writestuffmedia

2 жыл бұрын

I haven't checked closely but my understanding is each of the models the 937cc engine is used in (MS, SS, HM, Monster) has a different tune. I *think* the MS and SS are very similar, and I would imagine whatever upgrades/changes the MS gets, the SS will have too.

Great review as always Simon..What’s the cable that moves with the throttle?

@mikehamilton9128

2 жыл бұрын

That's probably for the heated grips.

@smtsslt7468

2 жыл бұрын

Think it’s the heated grip which you’d reckon they would have tidied up by now.

@edxr250r

2 жыл бұрын

That's the not so high tech solution for heated grips that Ducati employ. Not sure why as BMW and Triumph (and I'm sure other manufacturers) don't have wires coming out of the grips in such a fashion. Not an appealing look and something else exposed to snag. Never mind, at least you're not paying over £15k for the privilege.......🤔

Why do these touring bikes looks like your riding on an Angry Bird.

So Simon... V2S or base model V4. I know there is a grand or so difference but when you are already paying just shy of £15k for a bike, £16k for the base V4 isn't too much of a stretch... Thoughts?

@writestuffmedia

2 жыл бұрын

Hmmm... very different power characteristics, and that would be the deciding factor for me, above and beyond the spec level. 170bhp V4 v 113bhp V2 - big difference. And the base V4 still gets cornering ABS, rider modes, TC stuff etc, not the semi active,TFT dash, quickshifter etc. But it's thirsty. If it was me, I'd get the V2 S and spend any extra up to the price of the base V4 on accessories - engine bars, spoked wheels etc. *I just spec'd up my dream V2 S with ally luggage, engine bars, all the packs and wire wheels and it comes to £21,548!

@Teatimeted

2 жыл бұрын

​@@writestuffmedia Interesting, cheers for the reply. I'm in the market for a new bike this year, think I will try both. Just had a go on the V2S configurator. With that £1k ish price difference budget, I'd have a choice between Panniers and heated grips or a sexy looking Termignoni can. Hmmm. A thick pair of gloves and a rucksack it is.

Does it still put a water-streak up your back in the wet?

@writestuffmedia

2 жыл бұрын

No! Not that I noticed - although when it rained it was pretty much wet everywhere. I didn't realise the old 950 did that.

When I tested the 950S in the big city with lots of full stops at traffic lights I found the foot pegs were always in the way and it was very annoying, was that anything you noticed? Apart from that I found the engine/exhaust quite loud and that the bike was not well geared for city riding. I ended up buying the Ninja SX ..

@writestuffmedia

2 жыл бұрын

I always had the feeling the 950 had one footpeg slightly higher than the other, but someone went and measured theirs for me and said they were the same height :-) Never noticed them getting in my way particularly. What was wrong with the gearing for town use - was it over-geared? Exhaust on the V2 isn't loud but there is a fair bit of induction roar. I like it!

@tomg8673

2 жыл бұрын

Good luck with Garbage Ninja ! Italian performance and perfection no comparison. 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

👍👍

Full specs on this bike found here kzread.info/dash/bejne/fH2Ax7Sqfry_obA.html

Still not low enough or light enough for short people. I’m 5’4” and this is still too big. Ducati seats have been getting higher and higher over the years and alienating women and short blokes like me in the process. How about a touring version of the Scrambler with a bigger tank, screen and a 750mm seat beight?

Is that only me or v2 looks way more sporty then 950?

Than the name not then the name.

If you make the bike lower doesn’t that put off tall riders? At 6’2’’ I certainly don’t fancy one.

@writestuffmedia

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, potentially. On the 830m seat I was too low - I felt like I was slumped in the bike, rather than poised on it. The 850mm seat is the one I'd spec from the factory. But it's also narrower, and I'm not sure that's a great idea tbh.

@Speedytrip

2 жыл бұрын

Same here, if I buy one, I'll probably be looking for an aftermarket seat, as I'm not sure even their tall seat is great.

They should have made the seat height adjustable if they wanted to lower it. I'm 6'1" and I'm looking forward to trying it, but that seat height has me concerned.

"than"

@writestuffmedia

2 жыл бұрын

Wasn't me!

sorry man, this bike is an L two. not V.

@writestuffmedia

2 жыл бұрын

Don't tell me! Tell Ducati - they're the ones who call it a V2. I'm just going along with it.

@bruceread4507

2 жыл бұрын

In that position its a V. Same with V8's, some wide, some narrow.

slow bike fast ride。

When I first got into Ducati it was that lumpy crapness that I liked. After a couple of ZZR's it was raw. At the time of owning a 749 my mates on ( much cheaper ) R1's could take me to the cleaners. I had an IL4 for day to day. I think DVT is an abomination and that's just the Ducati bean counters pandering to the BMW office boys who do 800 mile a year. My 1200 needs to be at least 30mph before going into second. Ducati are now building for those dicks who say '... can go from 20 to 100 in top...' Not this one as thank God it's still a V twin - but as for the V4 Crosstourer......

Buyer of Multi V2s BEWARE!!!! Do NOT TAKE DELIVERY!!! So as many of you may have already seen my previous post. I am having an issue with my brand new Multistrada V2 S. The bike is at 7600 miles and I went to change a new set of tires. Put on the same stock trail ii scorpion Perelli‘s. After the change, the bike is undrivable. There is a shaking throughout the bike and the handlebars cannot be let go while driving. My Ducati dealer took off the tires to rechecked the balance and everything checks out. They noticed a difference in the length of the front forks(5-8mm left is longer than the right). They called Ducati to get guidance on what needed to happen. Ducati‘s official response was to tell me not to take my hands off the handle bar!!!! They said that this was normal operating specifications for the bike.?????? Everyone at my Ducati dealer has ridden the bike and agrees they’ve never felt something like that in all of their years of riding a motorcycle. In my opinion, the bike is dangerous, and cannot be ridden with this specific issue if this is “normal operating specifications”. Another note : The where on the front tire has very abnormal, cupping on one side of the tire. The difference in height for the skyhook suspension in the way it wears down the tire seems to compensate for this abnormality, and for some reason when you roll the bike off the dealer lot in Brand New condition. I never felt anything like this. The shaking is very bad, not your normal vibration that you would get from the Motorcycle. They have a Ducati rep coming out to the dealer tomorrow and once I get an update from them I will let everyone here know. Please share this with as many people as possible, hopefully this is not some corporate decision. Ducati is making to mitigate a manufacturing defect that will linger and tarnish the impeccable experience that we have had up until now with this 2022 new model

@Stephen7

Жыл бұрын

My guess is that you have a tyre problem. Ducati aren't to blame for your tyre problem. Try different tyres!