Hi 87BLA, Great observation and that's definitely my thinking as well. Our press wave had riders with skill levels on both ends of the spectrum. Some had professional racing experience, while others had little track time and we all shared the opinion that 155 hp hits the sweet spot. It's a bit more than a 600cc, with more torque and a broader spread of power and it's less than a Superbike and simply easier to ride. Stay safe out there! - Nic
If you are buying "new" in 2020 this is the bike to have for overall everything. R1 electronics come close and it has more power and around the same price, but for street-ability it's too uncomfortable. This bike looks special and I am sure feels special to ride. I WANT.
Great review! I am so so close to getting one. It makes me a bit financially irresponsible but the package is so hard to resist. >.< The under seat heat was a bit insane though for my street test ride. I hope it isn't an issue on track in full leathers.
I ride a VTR FIRESTORM and the ride is fantastic but I do miss the Linear power of the ULTIMATE V4 power plant, BUT the power of a vee twin is ultimately INTOXICATING:) My son rode on the back of me and found the REVS went up SLOWER than the MPH, he was BLOWN AWAY :) PS he rides a Yamaha RDLC 125 YPVS MK2 :) PPS have you tried to ride your purchase/Loaned machine rather than being the passenger, FFS drive a car mate if you want to BE BORING LOL
Hi Jason, One of the notable changes on the 2020 V2 in comparison to the 959 is the extended and reshaped seat. Ducati wanted to make the cockpit of the V2 more spacious and comfortable, which is something they achieved through using +5mm of extra-soft foam. In terms of comfort, it's closer to what you'd expect with a pricey aftermarket option. The seat is also textured and provides a decent amount of grip, so you're not sliding around on slick pleather saddles. Countless motorcycles are guilty of using surprisingly slick materials for seating and luckily, the V2 doesn't. They also wanted to give riders a bit more room by extending the seat length by +20mm or 0.79-inches. It doesn't sound like much, but it gives just enough leeway to tuck in when on the straightaways and frees up the whole cockpit. The 959 always pushed me forward and exacerbated weight onto the handlebars, where as the V2's seating position reduces that. Lastly, the seat profile was slimmed considerably, making it more svelte and slim where the seat meets the tank. They did this primarily to combat the fact that the seat height has grown to 33.1-inches because the shock was extended slightly, more padding was added to the seat, and the rear tire is a taller 180/60, as opposed to the previous 180/55. Overall, the rear of the bike is taller than the 959 was. Slimming the seat down has benefits in that it makes a narrow, twin-engine configured bike seem even more sleek. It also allows my 32-inch inseam to reach the ground fairly easily and should help people with shorter inseams. On wider inline-four-powered motorcycles with comparable seat heights, I'll usually be tip-toeing around the paddock or at stoplights. The downside is that with a narrow seat and fuel tank, you'll be using more energy and core strength to support yourself when slowing the bike. If you're used to using the massive fuel tank on your 1150 GS as an achor, switching over to a Ducati will take a little acclimation. Hope this helps! - Nic
Hi Azhar, That's a question that this test couldn't answer, honestly. The day had a high of 60 F or 15.5 C, so it was somewhat chilly that day. The other big factor in not really feeling heat is because we were only riding on track and always getting good airflow on the bikes, as well as us. Unless heat is a huge issue, it isn't something that you generally feel unless you're riding in traffic or slower street paces. To answer your questions: I didn't have any issues with heat and think of it until your comment popped up. However, until I get it in the Southern California sun, I'll have to say that for this particular test, it did just fine. Hope this helps! - Nic
I test rode a V2 on the street yesterday, the heat was absolutely unbearable in Texas weather. It scorched my legs - I was wearing jeans. I'm still going to get the V2 simply for track duty where you have more speed and you're protected by full leathers, but I can't see how you can possibly ride this bike in stop and go city traffic.
The more i watch Reviews about this bike, the more i think it’s the best bike to live with.
For track and day to day use.
155hp it’s enough i think.
Hi 87BLA,
Great observation and that's definitely my thinking as well. Our press wave had riders with skill levels on both ends of the spectrum. Some had professional racing experience, while others had little track time and we all shared the opinion that 155 hp hits the sweet spot. It's a bit more than a 600cc, with more torque and a broader spread of power and it's less than a Superbike and simply easier to ride.
Stay safe out there!
- Nic
Funny how people said this about the 600 class...
A very good review from the point of view of a rider and nice specific details that really tell what are the features with this one. Well done.
Hi Andres,
Thanks for the kind words! You've got a nice collection of bikes and solid track videos yourself!
Stay safe out there!
- Nic
Best V2 review I've seen
Hey Thomas,
Thanks for the kind words!
Stay safe out there!
- Nic
One of the best reviews I’ve ever seen on any bike. Great job!
If you are buying "new" in 2020 this is the bike to have for overall everything. R1 electronics come close and it has more power and around the same price, but for street-ability it's too uncomfortable. This bike looks special and I am sure feels special to ride. I WANT.
Great review! I am so so close to getting one. It makes me a bit financially irresponsible but the package is so hard to resist. >.< The under seat heat was a bit insane though for my street test ride. I hope it isn't an issue on track in full leathers.
I ride a VTR FIRESTORM and the ride is fantastic but I do miss the Linear power of the ULTIMATE V4 power plant, BUT the power of a vee twin is ultimately INTOXICATING:)
My son rode on the back of me and found the REVS went up SLOWER than the MPH, he was BLOWN AWAY :)
PS he rides a Yamaha RDLC 125 YPVS MK2 :)
PPS have you tried to ride your purchase/Loaned machine rather than being the passenger, FFS drive a car mate if you want to BE BORING LOL
I want to see how heat is on this bike when you finally get it on the roads. Also, does it have cruise control and an actual fuel gauge?
NutNbutSpeed I’m curious as well. And about the range.
Tell us some more about the seat
Hi Jason,
One of the notable changes on the 2020 V2 in comparison to the 959 is the extended and reshaped seat. Ducati wanted to make the cockpit of the V2 more spacious and comfortable, which is something they achieved through using +5mm of extra-soft foam. In terms of comfort, it's closer to what you'd expect with a pricey aftermarket option. The seat is also textured and provides a decent amount of grip, so you're not sliding around on slick pleather saddles. Countless motorcycles are guilty of using surprisingly slick materials for seating and luckily, the V2 doesn't.
They also wanted to give riders a bit more room by extending the seat length by +20mm or 0.79-inches. It doesn't sound like much, but it gives just enough leeway to tuck in when on the straightaways and frees up the whole cockpit. The 959 always pushed me forward and exacerbated weight onto the handlebars, where as the V2's seating position reduces that.
Lastly, the seat profile was slimmed considerably, making it more svelte and slim where the seat meets the tank. They did this primarily to combat the fact that the seat height has grown to 33.1-inches because the shock was extended slightly, more padding was added to the seat, and the rear tire is a taller 180/60, as opposed to the previous 180/55. Overall, the rear of the bike is taller than the 959 was.
Slimming the seat down has benefits in that it makes a narrow, twin-engine configured bike seem even more sleek. It also allows my 32-inch inseam to reach the ground fairly easily and should help people with shorter inseams. On wider inline-four-powered motorcycles with comparable seat heights, I'll usually be tip-toeing around the paddock or at stoplights. The downside is that with a narrow seat and fuel tank, you'll be using more energy and core strength to support yourself when slowing the bike. If you're used to using the massive fuel tank on your 1150 GS as an achor, switching over to a Ducati will take a little acclimation.
Hope this helps!
- Nic
It’s hideous
@@ultimatemotorcycling lmao
WHERE!!!
Hi is the heat bearable compare to the 1299/959?
Hi Azhar,
That's a question that this test couldn't answer, honestly. The day had a high of 60 F or 15.5 C, so it was somewhat chilly that day. The other big factor in not really feeling heat is because we were only riding on track and always getting good airflow on the bikes, as well as us.
Unless heat is a huge issue, it isn't something that you generally feel unless you're riding in traffic or slower street paces. To answer your questions: I didn't have any issues with heat and think of it until your comment popped up.
However, until I get it in the Southern California sun, I'll have to say that for this particular test, it did just fine.
Hope this helps!
- Nic
The heat issue is exactly the same, unfortunately... can’t they just fix that issue. It’s preventing more sales
Is there any heat issue again like 959
I test rode a V2 on the street yesterday, the heat was absolutely unbearable in Texas weather. It scorched my legs - I was wearing jeans. I'm still going to get the V2 simply for track duty where you have more speed and you're protected by full leathers, but I can't see how you can possibly ride this bike in stop and go city traffic.
Long story short ducati can't take the beat. Another words high maintenance gf.
All the electronics take a shit after awhile,very expensive a lot of matainence
I wish countries would start leaving the EU. We would have more sovereign countries and better motorcycles. Screw globalism, we want power!
All Ducati suck,very uncomfortable,pretty bike though