Good observation Dave, I am however looking to change in 12-24 months time. A 45th birthday present to myself perhaps
. 1290 will do me fine for now.
What would you do?
- Thread starter EVskiy
- Start date
. 1290 will do me fine for now.I’m on my second desert x bought the first one when they came out loved it, just bought the discovery great spec sits at 85+ on the m74 fully loaded goes like stink have a Puig touring screen on with a deflector works great,
Most of the wind noise are the standard mirrors get them off way better, owned a v4 bought one of the first full livery sport 146 to a tank not as much fun as the Dix,
44 teeth took a ddx and a v4 up the west coast both rated the desert x the bike they wanted to ride,
Attachments
I do recall that video now
Ev, two up on tour with a DDX - this is their set-up.
To be fair, KTM is hot too when stationary or at low speeds. I don’t think there is a single bike that doesn’t expel heat. After all the even the mighty GS does run hot, only that the head is much lower down and is dissipated much quicker.
Test ride on V4S will reveal it all.
The other thing that surprised me was that it isn’t noticeably quicker than my GS. All the reviews rave about performance but I didn’t think it was significantly faster.
Saying that, I just reread my post following my test ride last summer and I wrote that it was “significantly faster”!!
Saying that, I just reread my post following my test ride last summer and I wrote that it was “significantly faster”!!
Last edited:
I recently scratched my Ducati itch with a DDX having had a host of BMWs over the years (RTs, K12, K13, XR, GS oil head) and it has more than met my expectations. I traded in a T7 for the Ducati and first impressions were that low down grunt was less but it just needed slightly more revs. The seat height is lower than the T7 and the steering lock is way better than any of my previous bikes.
All I can say is that is the best bike I have ever had and it will poodle around all day but then turn into a full on sports bike at will. Fuel economy is very good with a range of about 250 miles. I don’t tour so much now but will try and improve the screen at some point but that’s trial and error I’m afraid as everyone has different ergonomics and preferences.
Go on …. Scratch that itch, it’s worth it
All I can say is that is the best bike I have ever had and it will poodle around all day but then turn into a full on sports bike at will. Fuel economy is very good with a range of about 250 miles. I don’t tour so much now but will try and improve the screen at some point but that’s trial and error I’m afraid as everyone has different ergonomics and preferences.
Go on …. Scratch that itch, it’s worth it
Attachments
I took the new V2S out the other week for a test with a view to dropping to just the one bike from a Transalp 750 that I love the size of and a 1290 SAS that I love the toys and engine in. The V2S multi was without doubt the best handling "all rounder" I've ever ridden. Never thrown a leg over a Ducati before this in 25+ years of riding so Skyhook was entirely new to me. The only slight negative was that it pulls a lot of revs in 6th which left wondering how much that would annoy me on longer motorway stints. Now my 1290 is sold I intend to go back and try the V4S just to scratch that itch and take the V2S for another spin but mainly motorway as I know it's more than capable in the twisties.
Long story short, taking a pillion I'd go V4S but otherwise definitely don't overlook the new V2S.
Long story short, taking a pillion I'd go V4S but otherwise definitely don't overlook the new V2S.
I have a V4 Rally and heat from the engine really isnt an issue apart from maybe in town/heavy traffic. When moving, when the weather is cold i close the flap in the wind deflector which reduces the airflow around legs to aid warmthe then when the weather is warm open the flaps and hey presto cool air around legs and engine. Same in wet weather, closed flaps = dry legs.
Oddly I found the GSA over hot particularly on my right leg
Had the Rally for 18 months now and find it is equally if not more comfortable than the 1250GSA, the Tech is more intuative albeit the sygic sat nav is poor so I use a Zumo, the headlight is really good but not as good as the fabulous GSA unit. Wind noise is similar to the GSA and fuel economy isnt far off, I average between 45 - 50 MPG circa 250 miles per tank on a good run. The engine is very different to the GSA with a bit less torque so I tend to use the gearbox more, when you give it its head it is a flying machine and the noise is sublime at full chat.
At full chat it gets very thirsty
I had a great day on Saturday, thrashing a V4S and V4 Rally around Oxfordshire lanes. They’re great bikes, but I was disappointed. My idea of a Ducati is a fire breathing, raw, unrefined, loud, angry, shouty loon.
These bikes, as great as they are, are a bit like the bike Honda should have made. Smooth, high tech, super smooth, quiet and fast. Did I say smooth?
Of the two I preferred the Rally btw.
I rode the same route afterwards on my 1200S, and have to say I preferred that. But I’m sure I’ll get a V4 Rally when I tire of the open pipes on it.
Oh and there’s no comparison with the DesertX which gets a bit asthmatic over 80 on the motorway.
These bikes, as great as they are, are a bit like the bike Honda should have made. Smooth, high tech, super smooth, quiet and fast. Did I say smooth?
Of the two I preferred the Rally btw.
I rode the same route afterwards on my 1200S, and have to say I preferred that. But I’m sure I’ll get a V4 Rally when I tire of the open pipes on it.
Oh and there’s no comparison with the DesertX which gets a bit asthmatic over 80 on the motorway.
Ev, if your worried about costs and economy ,
then you need a CB 125 cub
Who in there right mind asks about fuel economy on a large engined bike ?
My GS returns between 45- 60 mpg depending on how i ride / conditions
The Multistrada, only uses 2 cylinders most of the time depending on the riders style
If as you say 5k genteel miles no worries, but as i suspect 5k spirited miles
For what it's worth . I'm looking at a Goldwing bagger to add to the stable and that's 38-55 mpg conditions dependant
i gave up worrying about fuel economy years ago , as you have to put fuel in regardless ....
then you need a CB 125 cub
Who in there right mind asks about fuel economy on a large engined bike ?
My GS returns between 45- 60 mpg depending on how i ride / conditions
The Multistrada, only uses 2 cylinders most of the time depending on the riders style
If as you say 5k genteel miles no worries, but as i suspect 5k spirited miles
For what it's worth . I'm looking at a Goldwing bagger to add to the stable and that's 38-55 mpg conditions dependant
i gave up worrying about fuel economy years ago , as you have to put fuel in regardless ....
What to do? Bit weird asking what bike to buy in two years! Ffs life's to short buy the bike now
It is called not rushing into making daft decisions.
don't listen to them
it takes a long time to complete that spreadsheet and work out the weightings for each variable, let alone having time to ride the bikes you shortlist before you adjust the weightings based on the test ride experience.
proper research takes time, especially when you are having to analyse quantitative and qualitative data
Ev come and take my 1200S out for a run and experience the difference.
I find the big twins from Ducati's range much more pleasurable on roads. The V4 is a weapon on the track but after riding one, I thought it was too compromised for what I wanted from a characterful roadbike, hence my decision to buy a 950s which is anything but anaemic. You can have much more fun, for less weight and use 100% of the engine wrapped up in a more affordable package ideally suited for UK roads....plus it sounds great even in standard trim.
Passed quite a few street fighters and other exotica on my old twin this weekend.
36K miles now so due the second desmo , but I haven’t found anything interesting to swap it for as of yet.
Reliabilty has been spot on too and I love the noise .
Attachments
Similar threads
