This was an entertaining video to watch. I've owned my MSV4S Sport since September of 2022. I live in the San Francisco area of California. Raced much of my adult life and this is my first Ducati of any model. Motocross, desert, road racing, and finally teaching road racers. I bought the bike when I was 67, I'm 5-8 180 pounds in gear, and I have a 29.6" inseam. I installed the Ducati lowering kit and the lower seat and I can flat-foot at a stop. Has not affected the handling and because of racing, I'm a real bitch about suspension, handling, and braking. Has taken me a full year to become very comfortable on the bike. The Skyhook suspension is what I would have considered science fiction just ten years ago. Researching how it works after wondering how it can feel like a couch, yet hold a line VERY WELL in a corner told me Ducati engineers are geniuses at what they do. My 2000 Honda RC51 that I raced and used to train others had no electronics other than fuel injection and my PowerCommander, had no ABS, or other 'gismos' you refer to. My dirt bikes included Penton, Maico, Yamaha, and Bultaco. All but my Yamaha had kickstarts, no electric starters. I view the 'pure motorcycles' so many talk about now as the height of technology for their day. Much like those who have no idea how life existed before ATM cards or smartphones, appreciating how tech has made our lives better (and in some cases worse) is all relative. One day all people will know in their lives are items that contain tech. I for one really appreciate the tech in this bike based on NOT having it in the past. Like not having any water for four days and then finding a spring. Yes, I use the adaptive cruise control, yes I appreciate the blind spot indicators that account for how fast another vehicle approaches my blind spot. The cornering lights and the hill hold features, combined with a great rear view from the mirrors, really round out why I made the right choice. We all purchase what fits our needs and desires. I've always been a one bike at a time owner and this one will be the last bike I own.
Hi! First up, thanks ever so much for taking the time to share such detailed and interesting insight - genuinely appreciate you going to the trouble and I loved reading it. While new to bikes I'm probably coming from a similar place with you on the cars side so I totally get what you're saying there about the learning on 'analogue' and that giving the understanding of how the tech can help. Which is why, even with a quickshifter, for now I enjoy using the clutch as I want to get comfortable and confident being able to ride 'properly' and not be dependent on the tech. But able to use it when i want or need to. Interesting what you say about how long it took you to get comfortable with the bike as well, even for someone of your background and experience. I will say that since filming this I've been out on the bike a couple more times and am feeling steadily more relaxed around it, so I can see how time and familiarity can help. I won't have that long with it but I can see the direction of travel in that regard. Anyways, thanks again for sharing your obviously extensive experience, really value your input! Happy riding!
@@midlifecrisismotorcyclist My pleasure. I write for Web Bike World and did a very extensive review of the MS. I prefer writing over video and write my pieces to help other riders. Take care.
Really great review, on the size issues I kind of get that, I’m 5,10 and maybe your seat was one notch higher than minimum because I’m on ball if foot with my height, I feel the size issues are more the price of the bike and the obviously not dropping it, it’s a lot of money for me btw but once that initial bum squeaking goes after a few months of riding it’s surprisingly easy around town, most days I use a bmw 350 scooter as a daily but have no issues using either in heavy traffic only when you remember the cost, that for me is the factor when common sense kicks in, I hated Ducati for ever until I rode one, it’s like a living being, I’ve owned all brands and you become part of Ducati and it doesn’t matter if your bike is new or 30 year old monster, it’s a Ducati and from someone who laughed at owners for years, I’m eating a lot of humble pie , really enjoyed your video and really looking forward to more content 😌
Thanks for taking the time with that, really interesting reading and appreciated the insight. I'll confess, having dropped the seat a notch and now got a few more miles in the wobbles are mitigated to a degree and I'm feeling a little more confident with the bike, though there's no escaping the size. What do you have? Am wondering if a non-Rally version might feel a little more wieldy in every day situations. But that all makes a lot of sense, and I laughed at your journey from laughing at Ducati owners and the whole image to then embracing it fully. I can totally see how that happens as well! More where this came from as well so stay tuned!
@@midlifecrisismotorcyclistyes mate I’m on rally to, I wanted spoke wheels and adding that to the normal ms it puts the price over the standard rally as I didn’t have luggage, the bottom seat seat is quite tight to push in at first if yours is on one above, I quite often use enduro mode, so no rear abs or blind spot but it seems nicer low end for town use for me, I still have a 2019 xr which is 840 seat , rally is 870 and find the rally better the way the seat is shaped , but I think for me the main worry about moving it around is the cost in my head
Best Bike I have ever owned. No niggles (NOTHING at all) after 23000 km. It took me a year to feel entirely comfortable on Swiss alpine hairpins or in rural France.
@@flexywing Haha! Well, it’s an Italian engine, isn’t it! Also, it sounds strained in the audio but in reality it has a real howl beyond about 5K that really encourages you to rev it out. If you dare. Because by that point and in any gear you are moving quite rapidly.
@@WheelieGoodTV Thanks! Like I say, wouldn’t criticise anyone for buying one and totally get the appeal. Even if it’s not to my taste. Variety is spice of, and all that!
Ditto, WheelieGood. While I'm also nervous about dropping my bike (who isn't), it cost only half as much. It's also around 50kg lighter. I can also tolerate the relatively meagre horsepower of my machine (145hp) as it prolongs the chances of my keeping my licence. I've heard that that V4 Ducati engine can get very hot, though that's unlikely in the Scots Smirr.
Loving the channel, mate. 👍
Thanks! More where this came from as well.
This was an entertaining video to watch. I've owned my MSV4S Sport since September of 2022. I live in the San Francisco area of California. Raced much of my adult life and this is my first Ducati of any model. Motocross, desert, road racing, and finally teaching road racers. I bought the bike when I was 67, I'm 5-8 180 pounds in gear, and I have a 29.6" inseam. I installed the Ducati lowering kit and the lower seat and I can flat-foot at a stop. Has not affected the handling and because of racing, I'm a real bitch about suspension, handling, and braking. Has taken me a full year to become very comfortable on the bike. The Skyhook suspension is what I would have considered science fiction just ten years ago. Researching how it works after wondering how it can feel like a couch, yet hold a line VERY WELL in a corner told me Ducati engineers are geniuses at what they do.
My 2000 Honda RC51 that I raced and used to train others had no electronics other than fuel injection and my PowerCommander, had no ABS, or other 'gismos' you refer to. My dirt bikes included Penton, Maico, Yamaha, and Bultaco. All but my Yamaha had kickstarts, no electric starters. I view the 'pure motorcycles' so many talk about now as the height of technology for their day. Much like those who have no idea how life existed before ATM cards or smartphones, appreciating how tech has made our lives better (and in some cases worse) is all relative. One day all people will know in their lives are items that contain tech. I for one really appreciate the tech in this bike based on NOT having it in the past. Like not having any water for four days and then finding a spring.
Yes, I use the adaptive cruise control, yes I appreciate the blind spot indicators that account for how fast another vehicle approaches my blind spot. The cornering lights and the hill hold features, combined with a great rear view from the mirrors, really round out why I made the right choice. We all purchase what fits our needs and desires. I've always been a one bike at a time owner and this one will be the last bike I own.
Hi! First up, thanks ever so much for taking the time to share such detailed and interesting insight - genuinely appreciate you going to the trouble and I loved reading it. While new to bikes I'm probably coming from a similar place with you on the cars side so I totally get what you're saying there about the learning on 'analogue' and that giving the understanding of how the tech can help. Which is why, even with a quickshifter, for now I enjoy using the clutch as I want to get comfortable and confident being able to ride 'properly' and not be dependent on the tech. But able to use it when i want or need to.
Interesting what you say about how long it took you to get comfortable with the bike as well, even for someone of your background and experience. I will say that since filming this I've been out on the bike a couple more times and am feeling steadily more relaxed around it, so I can see how time and familiarity can help. I won't have that long with it but I can see the direction of travel in that regard.
Anyways, thanks again for sharing your obviously extensive experience, really value your input! Happy riding!
@@midlifecrisismotorcyclist My pleasure. I write for Web Bike World and did a very extensive review of the MS. I prefer writing over video and write my pieces to help other riders. Take care.
Best bike ever.. Change from a BMW R1250GS to this and had it for 2 weeks now.... What a bike, so happy with it.
If you’re on setting one helmet, pressing minimum won’t change anything only if it’s one helmet plus luggage etc 😊
Anyone under 9 foot need not apply.
@@RodeoRides 😂
Really great review, on the size issues I kind of get that, I’m 5,10 and maybe your seat was one notch higher than minimum because I’m on ball if foot with my height, I feel the size issues are more the price of the bike and the obviously not dropping it, it’s a lot of money for me btw but once that initial bum squeaking goes after a few months of riding it’s surprisingly easy around town, most days I use a bmw 350 scooter as a daily but have no issues using either in heavy traffic only when you remember the cost, that for me is the factor when common sense kicks in, I hated Ducati for ever until I rode one, it’s like a living being, I’ve owned all brands and you become part of Ducati and it doesn’t matter if your bike is new or 30 year old monster, it’s a Ducati and from someone who laughed at owners for years, I’m eating a lot of humble pie , really enjoyed your video and really looking forward to more content 😌
Thanks for taking the time with that, really interesting reading and appreciated the insight. I'll confess, having dropped the seat a notch and now got a few more miles in the wobbles are mitigated to a degree and I'm feeling a little more confident with the bike, though there's no escaping the size. What do you have? Am wondering if a non-Rally version might feel a little more wieldy in every day situations.
But that all makes a lot of sense, and I laughed at your journey from laughing at Ducati owners and the whole image to then embracing it fully. I can totally see how that happens as well! More where this came from as well so stay tuned!
@@midlifecrisismotorcyclistyes mate I’m on rally to, I wanted spoke wheels and adding that to the normal ms it puts the price over the standard rally as I didn’t have luggage, the bottom seat seat is quite tight to push in at first if yours is on one above, I quite often use enduro mode, so no rear abs or blind spot but it seems nicer low end for town use for me, I still have a 2019 xr which is 840 seat , rally is 870 and find the rally better the way the seat is shaped , but I think for me the main worry about moving it around is the cost in my head
Best Bike I have ever owned. No niggles (NOTHING at all) after 23000 km. It took me a year to feel entirely comfortable on Swiss alpine hairpins or in rural France.
Great review!
I like your reviews, but for me, you seemed to reving that engine so high, did you know it has 6 speed box 😅
@@flexywing Haha! Well, it’s an Italian engine, isn’t it! Also, it sounds strained in the audio but in reality it has a real howl beyond about 5K that really encourages you to rev it out. If you dare. Because by that point and in any gear you are moving quite rapidly.
That’s how it sounds at around 6 k, redline at 10k , trust me I own one, there was no swearing so those revs were low 😆
Hi ya
Not sure why you are using the clutch ?
You like to rev it ?
@@MrStihlman441 I just like using the clutch and shifting manually, tho the quickshifter is very good as well!
Really enjoyed that mate. I share exactly the same feelings as yourself about these bikes. 👌
@@WheelieGoodTV Thanks! Like I say, wouldn’t criticise anyone for buying one and totally get the appeal. Even if it’s not to my taste. Variety is spice of, and all that!
Ditto, WheelieGood. While I'm also nervous about dropping my bike (who isn't), it cost only half as much. It's also around 50kg lighter. I can also tolerate the relatively meagre horsepower of my machine (145hp) as it prolongs the chances of my keeping my licence. I've heard that that V4 Ducati engine can get very hot, though that's unlikely in the Scots Smirr.