Always a great review as usual. A couple of extra points (as an owner), the metal bracket in the toolkit is an insert that indicates whether the chain needs adjustment or not. And if you press and hold the suspension button down, the bike will lower to its lowest possible rear preload height and remain there until it's either pressed again or the bike reaches about 70mph - helping the short of leg. This was an update in the latest software version, which also included improvements to the heated grips selection (doesn't use the menu, just the button now), and also keeps the Ducati Connect app-connected for up to 20 mins after you turn the bike off. the trick with the panniers is that when you release the flap, the clasp catches the pannier lid partially open to stop the contents spewing out everywhere and if you then push the pannier lid 'inwards' the pannier lid then opens fully; its just technique. Also, the valve checks are only every 36k, which is well worth a mention. Anyway, just thought a few of your subscribers would like to know these things too! 👍
why do motorbike built-in sat navs always come up with disappointments. Andy just use his Wing on his first major tour and came back with the conclusion even that wasn't worth the money. I do believe you're at £30,000 that particular bike.... so I guess we're all fitting separate brackets to take different makes of sat nav. Thanks Tim.
I had a BMW GSA - Ducati copied the riding position, but the seat is more comfortable and slightly narrower and the tank does not force your knees out so much. Basically - more comfortable to ride. The low speed grunt had me disappointed at first, thought I had made a massive mistake. But it actually helps at low speeds around town and filtering. But, a quick twist of the throttle and it definitely goes. Recommend riding it in Sport the whole time, unless in town or raining then Touring is fine. Get the bigger screen. Get a proper coated aftermarket chain immediately, shocking, but the Ducati chains just rust up really easily. Now have coated chain, just use WD40 on it for lubing and clean regularly with a proper chain cleaner - works very well. Heated seat is great for winters. Blind spot detection has actually saved me twice in a year...but from people coming up the inside. Quickshifter best I have used. Brakes seem a bit tame after BMW biters, but changing pads should help that. It is a pain to clean, particularly the front behind the front wheel. Tyres excellent. Not joking...keep eye on speedo. Can get to 3 digits effortlessly. The tank could be bigger as the bike thirsty and comfortable, so stopping to refuel before you should. Great bike for a Sunday morning blast. Very flickable, unable to tell it has a bigger front wheel, the counter rotating crank does help. Panniers are a bit of a faff, but just the right size. Also recommend the extra fog lights for night riding.
Thanks for another excellent review. FYI, a software update in Feb 22 addressed the grip heaters issue 😁….all you have to do now is press the button to cycle between low, medium and hi temperature. I owned my multi v4s since June 2021 and covered more than 18000km, the bike has been excellent with no issues at all. Keep up the good work 👍
Picked mine up in late December. Did not want one but the triumph was still a couple of months away and I had a need for a bike then. Have 2629 miles on her now. I am honestly convinced it is the finest bike I have ever riden sense 1985 when I got my license. I ride it in touring mode most of the time and sport when I want more snap on the bottom end. Amazingly easy to ride slow or fast. Very stable and confidence inspiring. She is tall and will make you tiptoe. Have not purchased the trunk as it's $1150 which will pay for several waterproof bags. Dislike? Handlebars but that is easy to sort out.
Thank you for another excellent review. I've had my V4s since last September and I don't regret buying her at all. Yes, it's a lot of money, but the pleasure I get makes it all worth while. I've just had the software update, which eliminated the heated grip and connectivity issue. My phone fits in the cubby hole, but I either keep it in my tank bag or my pocket. No problems with Bluetooth connection. I've not been on a tour with her yet, so I can't comment on the long distance mpg. That said, you know when you buy it it's not going to be the most economical, but I could have done without the massive fuel price hike 😬 I agree about the looks, as I only have to walk in the garage and she puts a big smile on my face 😁
Great review Andy. As to your comment about the low-end torque, or lack thereof, I found that if you go into the engine mode settings you can change the responsiveness of the engine in a way that makes a massive difference in terms of how it responds. On mine, I found that even in sport mode, the engine was not set to “dynamic”. I had to do that manually. Once I changed it I was blown away by just how much more powerful and responsive it was. Cheers.
Great review as always. Ive had 3 previous Multi's but now have a 1250GS. I go touring with 3 other riders , 1 with another 1250GS and the other 2 with recently purchased V4 Multistrada's . they love them till we all refuel. their costs on our last tour was 40% more and far more often which we took great pleasure in bringing up over a beer or 2!!!!😉
Thank you for your down-to-earth reviews! You hit on points that no one else does and that really speak to the experience of living with a bike! This is a beautiful motorcycle if one for only a few. Really appreciate what you do. Also wondering whether you’re going to do any airplane flying videos coming up. I apologize if i’ve missed something but anyway, keep on doing all the things you enjoy! you’re doing us a fine service!
Multi is certainly a thirsty girl! I see about 150-160 US miles of range before the bike gives me the fuel light. I find that when you’re putting around town fuel economy is much greater in Urban mode, if that matters. I’ve also held 65 indicated US mph and fuel economy can reach the mid 40s if you leave it in cruise. Something to note if you’re on a very long leg of travel with limited fuel availability!
Being 2 1/2 weeks into Multistrada V4S ownership myself I think your review is about spot on, as others have said the new update fixes the heated grips issue and also enables you to leave your phone connected for 20 minutes which goes some way to addressing the faffing about, it also introduces a “minimum” suspension setting for us shorter fellas (I’m 5’9”) As I’ve yet to update my phone from an iPhone XR despite being out of contact for about 6 months I’m tempted to keep it now as it just fits in the storage compartment, the nav app I’ve yet to reach a conclusion on, I quite like it although it is a little bit awkward to set up, I may invest in an alternative set up in time. Love the bike on the whole.
Great review...thanks for sharing. I recently purchased a 2022 Multistrada V4S two years after my R1250GSA. My wife signed off on the purchase after I promised after 1 year I had to choose between the two bikes and sell one. I think it will be a tough decision. I think I'm gonna miss her.
Hi Andy, another great review! A blind spot detection BMW introduced about 7 years ago on a c650gt scooter! The technology is there. Well done Ducati:) Bring it on GS1300!
Nicely done Andy👍 I'll admit it looks better and faster than my Tiger 900 but I'll take mine for touring. My luggage works a treat and very easy to move around the garage. My windscreen actually works as it is. My heated seat and grips turn on with button. My fuel mileage is 47 mpg and low speed grunt is excellent.
@@davehemmerly8496 Opinions vary Dave. I put 10,000 miles on mine before some bandit stole it. Is the Tiger Goldwing smooth? No but after 1000, 1800, and 2500 mile trips I found it very comfortable and no thoughts of vibration problems with my feet or hands.
@@davehemmerly8496 We all are a little different when it comes to the types and amplitude of vibrations that become noticeable or bothersome. As I get older my finger are particularly susceptible to numbness caused by certain vibrations. My BMW which was a R9T (stolen with my Tiger) would cause my fingers to get numbness after a couple of hours. Test rides help but usually you need an hour or so to figure it out. Some guys go to thicker grips to help. Good luck
Andy, a great review as ever. Something that leapt out is the fuel consumption which, as someone who doesn’t cane test bikes, is shocking. You might well be right that it’s not a massive concern for someone with £20k to splash out but the range is very limited. In a day and age of monster fuel prices plus the anti-fossil fuels brigade getting more vociferous it’s going to be hard to justify bikes like this fabulous as they are. By contrast I’m averaging c. 60mpg on my Africa Twin 1100 DCT. Just a thought but how about doing some more on fuel economy?
I get more MPG from my full time petrol 4WD Subaru Outback station wagon which probably weighs >1.5 tonnes so that’s really poor from Ducati. Anyone doing serious touring in the U.K. would get very frustrated by the range I would have thought especially given how many petrol stations have shut in recent years?
Thanks for a superb review. I like Ducatis, lovely bike, but not sure I can live with 36 mpg. My BMWR1250R literally gives 60 to 64 mpg, and at today's prices. Also for peace of mind on the tyres, there is now a range of rechargeable tyre pumps. I carry one on my bike
Great looking bike, love the red paint work. For me the TFT looks too crowd with information, still prefer the look of the GS. It was amazing how dirty the bike got, and if you didn't keep up with cleaning this would cause issues down the road.
Hello Mr flyer. So I had ridden this bike back to back with the bmw 1200 rs and the tracer 9gt. Although of course the ducati and bmw are much better bikes more refined with better tfts and so on. They are not worth 8grand more than the tracer in my opinion. Of course this comes down to affordability but with the right spec ducati and bmw coming in at near 20k + they are the same price as a bmw saloon car.
Amazing review ... Enjoyed watching. The details you share are amazing and ones which you cant find after an hour long test ride, such reviews definitely help in making purchase decisions for potential customers...
Thanks for nice and detailed reviews, as always. I am taking delivery of one in a couple of weeks so needless to say, looking forward to spring here in Norway. I test rode one last year and have owned a 1200S for 3 years. A few issues in your review that maybe surprised a bit but I guess it depends what you compare to. First, the need to change gears more often due to less (relatively speaking) grunt at low revs. Probably true compared to the GS (which I haven't ridden), but compared to the old MTS V-twin it is the opposite, for two reasons: Shorter gearing and much smoother engine. I typically found myself in one gear higher than I used to on the 1200. Second, the windscreen: In my opinion, the screen (standard) is way better than the old 1200 which was really noisy. But again, there could be better bikes out there and also this seems to depend a lot on rider height. Regarding the lack of rain mode: I think touring mode is adequate, but one can certainly use Urban too, which softens the throttle response even more and reduces full power to 115 bhp (I think). Fuel consumtion: Agree that this is a bit disappointing, but some reports I have seen on Ducati forums claim that it gets better with some mileage on the engine. We'll see. Finally, the panniers: The new system is much better than the old one (that is still retained on the 950 I think), which had a rather flimsy mounting mechanism. Thanks again and looking forward to your next review.
I'd love to see a long-term owner send some oil samples to a lab at different intervals. I'm quite wary of a 9k mile oil change interval, even with the advancements of full synthetic. My KTM 1290 SAS owner's manual says 9.3K miles/1 year. I typically don't let my full synthetic go past 5k miles before doing the oil/filter.
Not on a Ducati, but I've sent oil samples from several bikes in to get analyzed, and even with air cooled and higher performance bikes, high quality full synth doesn't begin to break down until over 10k miles. I do have a Ducati, an old 1198 I use as a track bike. I change the oil on it every 5k miles, but I've never had it analyzed. So far, 40k miles and lots of track days and it runs really well. Only issues have been electrical and are well documented.
Regarding oil change intervals I know a chap the has an 05 gsxr 1000. It's done 204000 miles and still runs like a watch. The method??? Oil and filter every 2.5k miles. Don't skimp on oil changes
@@TrulyUniqueOne And I've got 280k miles on my Harley with oil changes every 10k miles. Anecdotal evidence is anecdotal, send your oil in for analysis and get facts.
Thanks again for a great and detailed review. 37 mpg is pretty poor in this day and age...a lot of cars of similar power would do that. With petrol at £1.69 per litre, It's something to consider more nowadays. On a practical note, why don't more manufacturers routinely fit right angle tyre valves. Surely they would only cost a tiny bit more and would make life so much easier. My Scrambler 1200 has straight valves and the combination of this and wire wheels make tyre inflation an unpleasant challenge. Looking forward to a review of the Tiger 1200 to see which one you prefer.
Many people are used to straight tyre valves and use pressure gauges that fit just fine when they need to check the pressure, changing them to right angled valves is not ideal for everyone and you can buy adapters that screw on to make them angled for filling and testing.
@@ian-c.01 I've had many bikes with straight valves and a few with right angle ones. Most garage air lines I've used, don't fit straight ones very well, particularly on the rear wheel. I've never had one that didn't fit on a right angle one.
Nice video & I just love my Ducati Multistrada V4S, think rain mode would be a urban setting if needed, I mostly ride in tour mode & just dial in settings to your preference, everyone ride safe and go Ducati.
Enjoyed that review. I’ve had mine for around 6 months now - I live in the south of france, and this is just the perfect bike, both for long runs and then tight or fast twisties through the hills. I’m sure someone else has mentioned these things, but you can access the nav app whilst your phone is in your pocket, doesn’t need to be in the phone slot, nor connected. They’ve also fixed the fiddly heated grips in a recent software update, so you just use that single button now. You were right though….what on Earth were they thinking to present the bike that way?? First and foremost though, for a tourer, I found the GS and V4s equally annoying in that they could be even more relaxing if they just had a taller 6th gear. They both have the torque to sit 500 or 1000 revs lower at 80mph, and would probably be even better on fuel. Do they do it just so that they’ll Rev out in top when flat out, or cope better on cruise control without changing gear? I’m getting better economy than that, and it’s improved even more since adding the full akro. In the hot weather, that screen is just about right, to let some air in, but I don’t like how big and clunky the black plastic mechanism is.
Absolute beauty, and has some features that I wouldn’t mind on the GS (lit switchgear, adaptive cruise). Only downside for me here is that I know the GS is more capable off road (mainly because of its extremely low centre of gravity) and here down under, off road is a must. Actually, even if it was just as good off road, I would be scared to take the multistrada from fear of damaging its stunning looks
Blind spot detectors are a bit like self cancelling indicators , there is no substitute for checking your indicators often , and likewise checking over your shoulder every time . Even if you have both features .
Great video again. Enjoyed watching. I had a GSA. I bought a V4S last year. I just sold it back to the dealer and bought a new GSA again. I look forward to picking it up this Thursday. I missed the BMW. The Multistrada is a great machine, but it wasn't the bike for me. Really irritating I found the fuel consumption in combination with the small tank.
The heated grips faff is now sorted with the latest software update, you just press the button to adjust the level now. I agree it is a faff to clean, I put a front fender extender on to stop all the crud hitting the exhaust. Great depth of detail in the review as per your usual standard TMF 👍
Not enough people mention how much more expensive it is in comparison to its nearest rivals. I loved the blind spot thingy. Something I thought was a gimmick until I rode one. Fair review. A great bike but lacks something that I cant quite put my finger on.
Excellent review Mr Flyer, and a nice bike, but lack of shaft drive for a bike in this class is a fail for me. Moto Guzzi did it with the old Stelvio 1200 (an underrated bike, might be good for your classic series?) Look forward to when you get the new Triumph 1200 to compare it to. Chocks away!
nice write up Mate. Fyi the heated grips issues are fixed with the latest software up date, and urban mode on all modern Ducati’ is rain mode. Ride safe!
Having owned a 2016 V4s I agree with everything you have noted. It’s extremely comfortable, blazing fast. Hope they sorted the rear brake failure disaster I experienced which led me to sell mine.
The rear master cylinder was too close the exhaust, according to the tech at Ducati Anchorage Alaska and ultimately NoCo powersports in Ft Collins. The fluid evaporated. Some complicated fix was suggested. There was a “technical bulletin” at the time but Ducati wouldn’t issue a recall or fix it for me. 23k for that beauty. I was disgusted and just sold it at a horrendous loss to NoCo Powersports. Admire Ducati from afar. What an amazing machine. Until at 3000 miles, it wasn’t
You would have thought Ducati had learned, my then new model 2012 Multistrada 1200 had repeated rear brake failure (total fail!) The master cylinder positioned to close to the exhaust. Eventually part fixed 6 months later with re designed brake system. Sold it soon after.
Ducati Multistrada V4S and BMW R1250GS - I'll preface this by saying I am not a GS fan boy and also own Ducatis. My friend and I were lucky enough to do a tour of Scotland in September 2021. All the key things you highlight came up +ve and -ve. One of the biggest was the fuel economy, not in terms of cost (it was close to 40% diff though!) as you say we can afford it, but the decreased range of the V4s despite a slightly larger tank 23L vs 20L which became quite a bit of a chore but also the opportunity to tease my mate especially as there was a fuel crisis at the time! I know the pub numbers of 175BHP come up but in the real world performance was pretty much comparable due to the torque of the 1250 out the corners it would sling shot out with the V4s playing catch up by the end of the straight. So actually even stevens here. For me the looks of the V4S are great, but I miss the looks of the single swingarm of the old multistrada, back in the pikes peak though :-) The blind spot detection is great. I wish this option could be retro-fitted to other bikes. One thing you did not mention is things like the pannier choice and the plethora of aftermarket equipment is limited for the Multistrada compared to the GS which helps tick the touring box for the GS compared to the V4s. Either way both awesome bikes and I already do own one but would be happy to own either.
I found the soft off idle take off power quite satisfying, where as my Multistrada 1200 and he BMW 1200 a bit rough and over torquey. In traffic the V4S is so much nicer and easier to manage at slow speed stop and go than either 1200 twin. Then when you need it, the power is there with a little more revs.
Like the review. As an owner I can say that there is a software update which fixes the painful heated grips operation so it now just works off the button like a BMW. Also I suspect you haven’t ridden in bad weather without the panniers otherwise having to wash your riding kit every time you so this would be on your dislike list. Lastly try riding with riding jeans as opposed to textiles or leathers and you’ll discover cold shins from those front lower wings. I’d love a delete kit to take them off. They freeze your shins in cold weather and do little to cool anywhere else in hot weather.
I'm a bit too old school for a bike with such an extensive menu. I just like to ride. What I do like is the blindspot warning though and agree it is one of the true safety devices that should be on many more bikes. Your review format really helps with sizing up a bike.
@@anxiousappliance Yes, I’ve done that on multiple BMWs and a Ducati for suspension and power and such. I had an RT that you could just press a button and work your heated grips. The next one I needed to go into a menu. That’s what’s maddening.
Here are my additional notes as an owner. I’ve had my 2022 Multistrada V4S for 6 months now, with just under 5K miles on it. The mirrors: yes, I love the blind spot detection integrated into them, that’s one of the reasons I purchased this bike. However, at So Cal freeway speeds (70 / 75 mph), my mirrors vibrate enough so that I can’t tell if the car a few hundred feet back is a CHP or not. At a Gold Wing price point, I would expect the mirrors to be as good as the Gold Wing’s; they are not. The seat: I personally don’t find the seat very comfortable for all-day rides. For a few hours it’s OK, but for an all-day-in-the-saddle outing, I find myself shifting around. Yes, I know Ducati sells a more padded seat, but I’m barely flat-footed when at a stop, and I have to cowboy-mount the bike as it is (my 61-year-old body doesn’t flex as it used to). I’m evaluating options and would love to hear from other owners who have replaced their stock seat and what they went with. The phone cubby: I haven’t noticed my phone cubby door pop open as you mention when starting the bike, nor have I heard that before in owner forums…that is an odd behavior! Personally, even if my Google Pixel 6 Pro fit in the cubby, I would not put it in. It’s useless to me there. I have always preferred to have my smartphone handlebar-mounted. The phone cubby is where my cheap pair of sunglasses live (can’t afford expensive ones after buying the Ducati!). My phone obscures my view of the right side pee-sample container (a.k.a front brake fluid reservoir), while a Garmin Zumo XT blocks my view of the left side pee container. I don't use the Ducati navigation app. I prefer to dedicate the beautiful V4S display to motorcycle functions. The exhaust note: Yes, totally agreed. It is not a lovely-sounding bike, especially at idle. I’ve heard lawnmowers that sound better. Seriously. It does sound fantastic when you crack the throttle wide open, but that’s really the only time. As petty as it may be, if I could change anything about the bike, it would probably be the exhaust note. Something deeper, please.
One other important note about the recent software update that “fixed” the heated grip control and added the Minimum Preload setting: not all Ducati dealerships know how to execute this update properly. When the software update is installed, the function of the heated grip is automatically changed. The new Minimum Preload feature, however, requires that the technician enter into a dealer-only accessible sub-menu to activate by following the steps explained in the SRV-SRB-22-004 Ducati Service Bulletin. The problem is that some Ducati technicians skip this, likely because they didn’t read the service bulletin themselves. This failure to activate the Minimum Preload feature happened to me recently. The Ducati service technician at the dealer I go to here in San Diego didn’t activate it for me. When I asked them about it, they were oblivious about what the update even was supposed to do. They said they just "plug a bike into their computer, enter the VIN, and it presents a software update…or it doesn’t". He said the Min Preload feature will be coming for my bike at the end of the year (that was totally wrong). I did my own research by contacting the largest Ducati dealer in SoCal (Ducati Newport Beach), and their service department immediately explained that the service technician needs to perform some additional steps outlined in the service bulletin. The person I spoke with even emailed me the service bulletin PDF. Now I need to carry this PDF to my dealer to help them get up to speed. Unfortunately, my story is not unique. When reading the owner forums, this happened to other V4S owners. The bottom line is that not all Ducati dealers are equal when it comes to the proficiency of their service department. That is something that I would recommend any prospective Ducati owner research a bit before making a purchase. This may be an issue with US Ducati dealers. Perhaps European dealers are more on top of things. Aside from the negatives, the bike is absolutely phenomenal. It is a blast to ride. I’ve never owned a bike that handles so well, feels so planted and stable in a variety of conditions. I do not regret the purchase one bit.
This beauty has more features than Disney, which I might be concerned about going forward, if I was planning on keeping it longer term. I could see the potential for garage bills ramping up just servicing the electrical issues. It's a great looking bike though, certainly one of the best looking in its class, but wow, the fuel economy for an ADV that is primarily road focused is pretty dismal. Also, as much as I like the TFT and backlit controls, I would want to dim all that right down at night and pay attention to the stoopid deer running out in front of me!
These are outdated concerns… Ducati since being taken over by Audi have sorted their quality control and engineering out. Service intervals have been extended out and comparative costs plus a good warrant and excellent electronics, they use the same electronics as all the completion with the likes of Bosch and Ohlins etc. All manufacturers have occasional issues, Ducati really upped its game over the last 10 years and really can compete with the Japanese or BMW.
To be fair modern Ducatis are a lot better made than what they used to be, I'd be much more comfortable having a modern Ducati in the garage than a BMW, HD, Aprillia or Triumph.
Have to agree. My second-happiest day of biking was buying my Ducati. The very happiest was selling it after countless mechanical problems and an electrical glitch that stranded me far from home (with no cell phone service). Of the 15 bikes I’ve owned, the Ducati presented more mechanical problems than all others combines. Of course that’s only my experience and YMMV.
Nice to see good headlights with a wide high beam. I find almost every LED headlight setup has a very narrow high beam which means you're completely blind in corners. That fuel economy is abysmal though, worse than my 220hp car with AWD (A250).
It sure is a handsome bike - to me much nicer than the previous versions. Unfortunately the V4 tends to gulp fuel (Honda V4 bikes returned much the same mpg) but they’re awesome at speed. Why on earth did they not set the heated grip levels with, er, the heated grips button! The “phone” socket seems pointless as it’s likely many people have a large Apple/Samsung phone that won’t fit, and having it pop open on every restart would wind me up quite quickly. I agree with you about a dedicated sat nav. Overall it does look like a high quality bit of kit. Nothing quite like a Ducati but I’m guessing over £20K fully kitted out :(
Thanks for the review Mr Flyer. For saying how big a thing Ducati are making about these new Multis being more accessible to shorter riders (like me 5'6") it didn't look that low to me. Also 36 MPG, ouch, maybe a bit of local long distance touring pehaps. Lovely looking mind, just wish they were really more accessible (-:
Great in-depth review Andy. As always I appreciate your honesty on your likes-dislikes. Loved the adaptive cruise and blind spot monitoring, wish more manufacturers would offer it (I suspect they will), and lighted switch gear. Cheers!
Excellent review. Trying to decide between this and the BMW R1250RT. I know they are completely different bikes but I've had two GS's and I want something different. I have ridden both and think the Ducati is amazing but I don't think it as premium as the BMW and little things annoy me like having to pay extra for completely keyless (need the key for the filler cap) and tyre pressure sensors. On a £25 grand bike (full spec with top box) I expect all of that. However it was comfortable to ride and amazing performance. I liken it to having a Porsche over a Bentley. Problem is I think I am now getting to the stage where I would like a Bentley :-)
If you're planning to tour, and it sounds like you are, you might want to consider the BMWs superior fuel consumption figures especially with today's prices. The right hand pannier on the Duc is seriously compromised as well.
@@stevecade857 I am planning to tour (first outing will be Germany in June). These days I like to stop more often so range of the Ducati not such an issue but your right about the cost. Good point on the pannier too. Bit like the standard GS as well.
@@andrewwallwork8297 My R1200RT is currently getting 62 mpg average and I don't spare the horses when I feel like it. 50 mph = 80 mpg, 60 mph = 60 mpg, 70 mph = 55 mpg. I don't know of any other tourer with a massive fairing that gets close to those figures. If you're happy letting the other half have the larger pannier while you get the small right hand one it wouldn't be a big issue but I've had days out where, when we get to our days visit, we pack our riding gear (boots included) in the panniers and top box and walk about as non-bikers. Not sure you could do that with the Duc.
Great informative review and you've convinced me to buy one. I was thinking about buying a Royal Enfield to go with it. Can you recommend any must do mods?
Am I right in suggesting this bike ticks every box as not just a good all rounder but an exciting one too. We all know the GS is the do it all bike that does everything with ease. But does the Multistrada do the same but with a load more excitement and style? So it does beg the question. When are you getting rid of your old GS and putting the Multistrada in the garage?
Great review. I have my V4S on order and I can’t wait, but eyes wide open I can’t disagree with your negative niggles (except the heated grips they’ve fixed). But unlike you I don’t see the point in duplicating tech so I would rather use my phone for nav but why oh why couldn’t they just update the telematics system to CarPlay/Android Auto. Leave those things to companies who do nothing else and get on with designing the bike. Then we can all use our nav apps of choice like calimoto or even just plain Google maps. I can only assume there’s a kickback on the Sygic premium upgrades that get sold. Still, as you say, no bike is perfect. Interesting tip on the engine power I picked up in these comments too 👍🏻.
As always another great review thanks 👍👍 I own a 2021 950s Multistrada and interesting about the comment you made on heated grips. Ducati definitely gone backwards there. I have the same switch on the right side control for mine but one press and it’s on straight away and when you stop the bike the setting remains the same when you switch back on. Odd they would go the way they have now 🤔🤔🤔
This bike has knocked the GS off as the supreme touring bike. This Ducati offers just so much more in technical advancements, comfort, practicality, design. The GS has had it’s time as top dog. Go on TMF just go ahead and buy the Ducati.
Great review of what looks to be a very good bike. 38mpg though...wow...that's pretty bad isn't it, and let's face it, you're quite a lean fellow, so it's not carrying too much. MPG aside, it looks the absolute business
Of all the modern advancements I’d like to have a blind spot detector but fundamentally other bike characteristics such as low speed grunt are more important to me
Thanks for the review great as always...... swapping me h2sx for an adventure bike .. top of the list is the multi v4, the 1290 adv s, new triumph 1200 and the bmw 1250gsa... High class problems 😆
Andy great review as always. You mentioned the poor fuel consumption but as I do a lot of long distance touring the actual tank range would have been interesting as others have been quite critical in this regard. All the best
It is amazing how many motorcycles with screens do the exact opposite what they are supposed to achieve and that is the screens causing wind turbulence.
Nice review as ever TMF. Seems a great bike although for that type of bike I think the shaft vs chain drive is a big deal, but not a deal breaker necessarily.
Hi , Very good review. I appreciate your time and effort to cover all of the attributes. One thing I wish my 2020 1250 GSA was better at would be getting it on the center stand. Personally, I tried the KTM 1290 and it goes right up with ease along with my Aprilia 1200 Caponord and Guzzi EV11. Perhaps the new 1300 BMW will be easier.
Cool, sounds like you really fancy the bike. My mileage is anywhere between 34 and 42 USMPG or 5.8-6.7 l/100 km here in the colonies, ey. Would have liked you to dive deeper into the Sygic/App Connect kerfuffle that drove me nuts and to a lovely Garmin Zumo XT mounted on a Givi bracket on the windshield slider. The mentioned heated grips issue is fixed with a software update that was released for early 2022. My Iphone 11 fits super snug into the tank pouch, service interval at 12000 km is all nice but I change my Shell Advance every 6000 km - for my piece of mind. Trade the tractor for the V4S Sport - you won't regret it. Cheers
I enjoyed that TMF. I have one on my short list to replace my trusty SDGT. Definitely influenced my thinking, bit of a head scratcher (but a nice problem to have!)
The mpg figure for the V4 is disappointing, but if you can afford to buy or lease one then I guess you can afford the extra fuel cost. What is more important to me is the range of the bike, how many miles before the light comes on and you need to stop for fuel. Perhaps 130-150?
Hi Andy, I have to ask you, if you own a Multistrada 1260 s will you consider to trade it for the V4 Multistrada? Thank you for the great information on the Multistrada, keep up the good work 👍
Well the V4 is definitely a huge improvement over what has gone before, but I personally probably wouldn’t change no….same reasoning why I haven’t “upgraded” my “old” GS1200…
Strange with the heated grips. On the previous models it is total opposite. One only push the "heated-button". Push 1 = low, 2 mid and so on. The bike also remembers which level you had the heated grips on when you turn on the bike again. Strange that Ducati parted ways with these functions with this new model.
One thing people never seem to talk about when reviewing touring type bikes is panniers; how big are they? Can we see inside? Are they easy to get on/off ? You briefly mentioned they were fiddly but could you show us? All the other detail stuff is great.
Always a great review as usual. A couple of extra points (as an owner), the metal bracket in the toolkit is an insert that indicates whether the chain needs adjustment or not. And if you press and hold the suspension button down, the bike will lower to its lowest possible rear preload height and remain there until it's either pressed again or the bike reaches about 70mph - helping the short of leg. This was an update in the latest software version, which also included improvements to the heated grips selection (doesn't use the menu, just the button now), and also keeps the Ducati Connect app-connected for up to 20 mins after you turn the bike off. the trick with the panniers is that when you release the flap, the clasp catches the pannier lid partially open to stop the contents spewing out everywhere and if you then push the pannier lid 'inwards' the pannier lid then opens fully; its just technique. Also, the valve checks are only every 36k, which is well worth a mention. Anyway, just thought a few of your subscribers would like to know these things too! 👍
Thanks for that Richard!
Thanks for the added info, it's much appreciated.
Always good to hear tips from owners 👍🏻
@Richard Dunn - What's your thoughts on the Nav app system for the bike?
why do motorbike built-in sat navs always come up with disappointments. Andy just use his Wing on his first major tour and came back with the conclusion even that wasn't worth the money. I do believe you're at £30,000 that particular bike.... so I guess we're all fitting separate brackets to take different makes of sat nav. Thanks Tim.
I had a BMW GSA - Ducati copied the riding position, but the seat is more comfortable and slightly narrower and the tank does not force your knees out so much. Basically - more comfortable to ride. The low speed grunt had me disappointed at first, thought I had made a massive mistake. But it actually helps at low speeds around town and filtering. But, a quick twist of the throttle and it definitely goes. Recommend riding it in Sport the whole time, unless in town or raining then Touring is fine. Get the bigger screen. Get a proper coated aftermarket chain immediately, shocking, but the Ducati chains just rust up really easily. Now have coated chain, just use WD40 on it for lubing and clean regularly with a proper chain cleaner - works very well. Heated seat is great for winters. Blind spot detection has actually saved me twice in a year...but from people coming up the inside. Quickshifter best I have used. Brakes seem a bit tame after BMW biters, but changing pads should help that. It is a pain to clean, particularly the front behind the front wheel. Tyres excellent. Not joking...keep eye on speedo. Can get to 3 digits effortlessly. The tank could be bigger as the bike thirsty and comfortable, so stopping to refuel before you should. Great bike for a Sunday morning blast. Very flickable, unable to tell it has a bigger front wheel, the counter rotating crank does help. Panniers are a bit of a faff, but just the right size. Also recommend the extra fog lights for night riding.
Great feedback - thanks!
I am in the market for this Bike and this review helped me enormously thanks again.
No problem 👍
Test rode one of these bikes yesterday as a replacement for my Tracer 900GT and its going to be my next bike.
Thanks for another excellent review. FYI, a software update in Feb 22 addressed the grip heaters issue 😁….all you have to do now is press the button to cycle between low, medium and hi temperature. I owned my multi v4s since June 2021 and covered more than 18000km, the bike has been excellent with no issues at all.
Keep up the good work 👍
Yes a good software update by the sounds of it!
Picked mine up in late December. Did not want one but the triumph was still a couple of months away and I had a need for a bike then. Have 2629 miles on her now. I am honestly convinced it is the finest bike I have ever riden sense 1985 when I got my license. I ride it in touring mode most of the time and sport when I want more snap on the bottom end. Amazingly easy to ride slow or fast. Very stable and confidence inspiring. She is tall and will make you tiptoe. Have not purchased the trunk as it's $1150 which will pay for several waterproof bags.
Dislike? Handlebars but that is easy to sort out.
Cool! Thanks for watching and for stopping by…
Thank you for another excellent review.
I've had my V4s since last September and I don't regret buying her at all. Yes, it's a lot of money, but the pleasure I get makes it all worth while. I've just had the software update, which eliminated the heated grip and connectivity issue. My phone fits in the cubby hole, but I either keep it in my tank bag or my pocket. No problems with Bluetooth connection.
I've not been on a tour with her yet, so I can't comment on the long distance mpg. That said, you know when you buy it it's not going to be the most economical, but I could have done without the massive fuel price hike 😬
I agree about the looks, as I only have to walk in the garage and she puts a big smile on my face 😁
That’s half the battle!
Great review Andy. As to your comment about the low-end torque, or lack thereof, I found that if you go into the engine mode settings you can change the responsiveness of the engine in a way that makes a massive difference in terms of how it responds. On mine, I found that even in sport mode, the engine was not set to “dynamic”. I had to do that manually. Once I changed it I was blown away by just how much more powerful and responsive it was. Cheers.
Great tip! Thanks George!
Great review as always. Ive had 3 previous Multi's but now have a 1250GS. I go touring with 3 other riders , 1 with another 1250GS and the other 2 with recently purchased V4 Multistrada's . they love them till we all refuel. their costs on our last tour was 40% more and far more often which we took great pleasure in bringing up over a beer or 2!!!!😉
Wow - quite a difference!
@@benkelly2190 motorcycles are irrational purchases so the fact that it doesn't get the fuel milage you like is hilarious.
Thank you for your down-to-earth reviews! You hit on points that no one else does and that really speak to the experience of living with a bike! This is a beautiful motorcycle if one for only a few. Really appreciate what you do. Also wondering whether you’re going to do any airplane flying videos coming up. I apologize if i’ve missed something but anyway, keep on doing all the things you enjoy! you’re doing us a fine service!
I hope to Gray now summer is just around the corner!
Multi is certainly a thirsty girl! I see about 150-160 US miles of range before the bike gives me the fuel light. I find that when you’re putting around town fuel economy is much greater in Urban mode, if that matters. I’ve also held 65 indicated US mph and fuel economy can reach the mid 40s if you leave it in cruise. Something to note if you’re on a very long leg of travel with limited fuel availability!
Being 2 1/2 weeks into Multistrada V4S ownership myself I think your review is about spot on, as others have said the new update fixes the heated grips issue and also enables you to leave your phone connected for 20 minutes which goes some way to addressing the faffing about, it also introduces a “minimum” suspension setting for us shorter fellas (I’m 5’9”)
As I’ve yet to update my phone from an iPhone XR despite being out of contact for about 6 months I’m tempted to keep it now as it just fits in the storage compartment, the nav app I’ve yet to reach a conclusion on, I quite like it although it is a little bit awkward to set up, I may invest in an alternative set up in time.
Love the bike on the whole.
Glad we concur and that you’re enjoying the bike!
Great review...thanks for sharing. I recently purchased a 2022 Multistrada V4S two years after my R1250GSA. My wife signed off on the purchase after I promised after 1 year I had to choose between the two bikes and sell one. I think it will be a tough decision. I think I'm gonna miss her.
I'm quite amazed by the number of jackets hanging in MissendenFlyer's garage 😆
Yes I need to get busy on E-Bay!
@@TheMissendenFlyer 😆
Maybe print Missenden Flyer on the front with an emblem , provably sell them quicker.
Hi Andy, great in-depth review. I absolutely love these as you make buying decisions much easier. Keep up the great work you do. 👍😎🇦🇺
Thank you very much Marcus, appreciate that!
A friend got one this year. He is obnoxiously happy with it.
Hi Andy, another great review!
A blind spot detection BMW introduced about 7 years ago on a c650gt scooter! The technology is there. Well done Ducati:)
Bring it on GS1300!
Nicely done Andy👍 I'll admit it looks better and faster than my Tiger 900 but I'll take mine for touring. My luggage works a treat and very easy to move around the garage. My windscreen actually works as it is. My heated seat and grips turn on with button. My fuel mileage is 47 mpg and low speed grunt is excellent.
But it vibrates like a tuning fork
@@davehemmerly8496 Opinions vary Dave. I put 10,000 miles on mine before some bandit stole it. Is the Tiger Goldwing smooth? No but after 1000, 1800, and 2500 mile trips I found it very comfortable and no thoughts of vibration problems with my feet or hands.
@@flatcapcaferacer I wish I could ignore it on my 1200
@@davehemmerly8496 We all are a little different when it comes to the types and amplitude of vibrations that become noticeable or bothersome. As I get older my finger are particularly susceptible to numbness caused by certain vibrations. My BMW which was a R9T (stolen with my Tiger) would cause my fingers to get numbness after a couple of hours.
Test rides help but usually you need an hour or so to figure it out. Some guys go to thicker grips to help. Good luck
As a bike to tour the UK and Europe I'm glad to see the sports tourers making a comeback. Give me a Kawasaki Z1000SX any day.
Andy, a great review as ever. Something that leapt out is the fuel consumption which, as someone who doesn’t cane test bikes, is shocking. You might well be right that it’s not a massive concern for someone with £20k to splash out but the range is very limited. In a day and age of monster fuel prices plus the anti-fossil fuels brigade getting more vociferous it’s going to be hard to justify bikes like this fabulous as they are. By contrast I’m averaging c. 60mpg on my Africa Twin 1100 DCT. Just a thought but how about doing some more on fuel economy?
I get more MPG from my full time petrol 4WD Subaru Outback station wagon which probably weighs >1.5 tonnes so that’s really poor from Ducati. Anyone doing serious touring in the U.K. would get very frustrated by the range I would have thought especially given how many petrol stations have shut in recent years?
Thanks for a superb review. I like Ducatis, lovely bike, but not sure I can live with 36 mpg. My BMWR1250R literally gives 60 to 64 mpg, and at today's prices. Also for peace of mind on the tyres, there is now a range of rechargeable tyre pumps. I carry one on my bike
Beautiful bike and a great review 👍. Can't wait till you can get your hands on the new and very sexy tiger 1200 for a real world review.
Yes I’m looking forward to that too!
Great looking bike, love the red paint work. For me the TFT looks too crowd with information, still prefer the look of the GS. It was amazing how dirty the bike got, and if you didn't keep up with cleaning this would cause issues down the road.
Hello Mr flyer.
So I had ridden this bike back to back with the bmw 1200 rs and the tracer 9gt. Although of course the ducati and bmw are much better bikes more refined with better tfts and so on. They are not worth 8grand more than the tracer in my opinion. Of course this comes down to affordability but with the right spec ducati and bmw coming in at near 20k + they are the same price as a bmw saloon car.
A 5 year old saloon car maybe. I'd question how much more "refined" these are than the Tracer. What's the criteria?
Oh how you inspire me to have a garage setup like yours TMF. Good space to work on the bikes.
Superb video, all the insights someone needs before purchasing one of these amazing motorcycles!
Amazing review ... Enjoyed watching. The details you share are amazing and ones which you cant find after an hour long test ride, such reviews definitely help in making purchase decisions for potential customers...
I agree with the lack of low-down grunt. That became apparent five minutes into my test ride.
Thanks for nice and detailed reviews, as always. I am taking delivery of one in a couple of weeks so needless to say, looking forward to spring here in Norway. I test rode one last year and have owned a 1200S for 3 years. A few issues in your review that maybe surprised a bit but I guess it depends what you compare to. First, the need to change gears more often due to less (relatively speaking) grunt at low revs. Probably true compared to the GS (which I haven't ridden), but compared to the old MTS V-twin it is the opposite, for two reasons: Shorter gearing and much smoother engine. I typically found myself in one gear higher than I used to on the 1200. Second, the windscreen: In my opinion, the screen (standard) is way better than the old 1200 which was really noisy. But again, there could be better bikes out there and also this seems to depend a lot on rider height. Regarding the lack of rain mode: I think touring mode is adequate, but one can certainly use Urban too, which softens the throttle response even more and reduces full power to 115 bhp (I think). Fuel consumtion: Agree that this is a bit disappointing, but some reports I have seen on Ducati forums claim that it gets better with some mileage on the engine. We'll see. Finally, the panniers: The new system is much better than the old one (that is still retained on the 950 I think), which had a rather flimsy mounting mechanism. Thanks again and looking forward to your next review.
I'd love to see a long-term owner send some oil samples to a lab at different intervals. I'm quite wary of a 9k mile oil change interval, even with the advancements of full synthetic. My KTM 1290 SAS owner's manual says 9.3K miles/1 year. I typically don't let my full synthetic go past 5k miles before doing the oil/filter.
Yep I own a v4s but I'll probably do a sneaky oil change myself around 5k....just to be on the safe side...👍🏍
Not on a Ducati, but I've sent oil samples from several bikes in to get analyzed, and even with air cooled and higher performance bikes, high quality full synth doesn't begin to break down until over 10k miles.
I do have a Ducati, an old 1198 I use as a track bike. I change the oil on it every 5k miles, but I've never had it analyzed. So far, 40k miles and lots of track days and it runs really well. Only issues have been electrical and are well documented.
@@azb2010 that's good to know! Maybe I should send a sample at my next oil change, which will be around 5k miles on the oil.
Regarding oil change intervals I know a chap the has an 05 gsxr 1000. It's done 204000 miles and still runs like a watch. The method??? Oil and filter every 2.5k miles. Don't skimp on oil changes
@@TrulyUniqueOne And I've got 280k miles on my Harley with oil changes every 10k miles. Anecdotal evidence is anecdotal, send your oil in for analysis and get facts.
Thanks again for a great and detailed review. 37 mpg is pretty poor in this day and age...a lot of cars of similar power would do that. With petrol at £1.69 per litre, It's something to consider more nowadays. On a practical note, why don't more manufacturers routinely fit right angle tyre valves. Surely they would only cost a tiny bit more and would make life so much easier. My Scrambler 1200 has straight valves and the combination of this and wire wheels make tyre inflation an unpleasant challenge. Looking forward to a review of the Tiger 1200 to see which one you prefer.
Many people are used to straight tyre valves and use pressure gauges that fit just fine when they need to check the pressure, changing them to right angled valves is not ideal for everyone and you can buy adapters that screw on to make them angled for filling and testing.
Looking forward to riding the Triumph too….
@@ian-c.01 I've had many bikes with straight valves and a few with right angle ones. Most garage air lines I've used, don't fit straight ones very well, particularly on the rear wheel. I've never had one that didn't fit on a right angle one.
£1.69… those were the days.
Nice video & I just love my Ducati Multistrada V4S, think rain mode would be a urban setting if needed, I mostly ride in tour mode & just dial in settings to your preference, everyone ride safe and go Ducati.
Enjoyed that review. I’ve had mine for around 6 months now - I live in the south of france, and this is just the perfect bike, both for long runs and then tight or fast twisties through the hills.
I’m sure someone else has mentioned these things, but you can access the nav app whilst your phone is in your pocket, doesn’t need to be in the phone slot, nor connected.
They’ve also fixed the fiddly heated grips in a recent software update, so you just use that single button now. You were right though….what on Earth were they thinking to present the bike that way??
First and foremost though, for a tourer, I found the GS and V4s equally annoying in that they could be even more relaxing if they just had a taller 6th gear. They both have the torque to sit 500 or 1000 revs lower at 80mph, and would probably be even better on fuel.
Do they do it just so that they’ll Rev out in top when flat out, or cope better on cruise control without changing gear?
I’m getting better economy than that, and it’s improved even more since adding the full akro.
In the hot weather, that screen is just about right, to let some air in, but I don’t like how big and clunky the black plastic mechanism is.
Looks like another decent do it all bike. Lovely commuter with a beast of an engine. Love it. Thanks for the regular reviews
Absolute beauty, and has some features that I wouldn’t mind on the GS (lit switchgear, adaptive cruise). Only downside for me here is that I know the GS is more capable off road (mainly because of its extremely low centre of gravity) and here down under, off road is a must. Actually, even if it was just as good off road, I would be scared to take the multistrada from fear of damaging its stunning looks
I'd also like those blind spot detectors on y GS - great bit of safety those.....
Blind spot detectors are a bit like self cancelling indicators , there is no substitute for checking your indicators often , and likewise checking over your shoulder every time .
Even if you have both features .
Indeed - but still nice to have in my experience
Great video again. Enjoyed watching. I had a GSA. I bought a V4S last year. I just sold it back to the dealer and bought a new GSA again. I look forward to picking it up this Thursday. I missed the BMW. The Multistrada is a great machine, but it wasn't the bike for me. Really irritating I found the fuel consumption in combination with the small tank.
Right on!
The heated grips faff is now sorted with the latest software update, you just press the button to adjust the level now. I agree it is a faff to clean, I put a front fender extender on to stop all the crud hitting the exhaust. Great depth of detail in the review as per your usual standard TMF 👍
You may Add the reason for the extended service interval is that the engine is NOT a Desmo valve engine, like your 899.
Yes I should have made that point…
Not enough people mention how much more expensive it is in comparison to its nearest rivals. I loved the blind spot thingy. Something I thought was a gimmick until I rode one. Fair review. A great bike but lacks something that I cant quite put my finger on.
I may be in a club of one but the Audi Angry Bird looks awful to me, 36mpg is shocking also. Thanks for your thoughts and review TMF.
Love this bike! Great review! The Ducati dash is my favorite. Like it better than the BMW.
Excellent review Mr Flyer, and a nice bike, but lack of shaft drive for a bike in this class is a fail for me. Moto Guzzi did it with the old Stelvio 1200 (an underrated bike, might be good for your classic series?)
Look forward to when you get the new Triumph 1200 to compare it to.
Chocks away!
Yes I’m looking forward to trying the big new Trumpet!
nice write up Mate. Fyi the heated grips issues are fixed with the latest software up date, and urban mode on all modern Ducati’ is rain mode. Ride safe!
Cheers Angus (see todays “Bike News”) for more….
As ever Andy great review one for the future for me been thinking of one of these get myself down the dealership all the best take care
Having owned a 2016 V4s I agree with everything you have noted. It’s extremely comfortable, blazing fast. Hope they sorted the rear brake failure disaster I experienced which led me to sell mine.
What happened to your rear brakes Paul? It must of been near catastrophic for you to sell the bike.
Yep, and Ducati managed to keep this catastrophic fault hidden from all the reviewers and owners, too! Cough.
The rear master cylinder was too close the exhaust, according to the tech at Ducati Anchorage Alaska and ultimately NoCo powersports in Ft Collins. The fluid evaporated. Some complicated fix was suggested. There was a “technical bulletin” at the time but Ducati wouldn’t issue a recall or fix it for me. 23k for that beauty. I was disgusted and just sold it at a horrendous loss to NoCo Powersports.
Admire Ducati from afar. What an amazing machine. Until at 3000 miles, it wasn’t
You would have thought Ducati had learned, my then new model 2012 Multistrada 1200 had repeated rear brake failure (total fail!) The master cylinder positioned to close to the exhaust. Eventually part fixed 6 months later with re designed brake system. Sold it soon after.
@@paulfranke3511 Paul did you know that the V4S wasn't even on the drawing board in 2016?
Ducati Multistrada V4S and BMW R1250GS - I'll preface this by saying I am not a GS fan boy and also own Ducatis. My friend and I were lucky enough to do a tour of Scotland in September 2021. All the key things you highlight came up +ve and -ve.
One of the biggest was the fuel economy, not in terms of cost (it was close to 40% diff though!) as you say we can afford it, but the decreased range of the V4s despite a slightly larger tank 23L vs 20L which became quite a bit of a chore but also the opportunity to tease my mate especially as there was a fuel crisis at the time!
I know the pub numbers of 175BHP come up but in the real world performance was pretty much comparable due to the torque of the 1250 out the corners it would sling shot out with the V4s playing catch up by the end of the straight. So actually even stevens here.
For me the looks of the V4S are great, but I miss the looks of the single swingarm of the old multistrada, back in the pikes peak though :-)
The blind spot detection is great. I wish this option could be retro-fitted to other bikes.
One thing you did not mention is things like the pannier choice and the plethora of aftermarket equipment is limited for the Multistrada compared to the GS which helps tick the touring box for the GS compared to the V4s.
Either way both awesome bikes and I already do own one but would be happy to own either.
Yes me too!
Really like the lack of background music and sales spin. Although I would need to remortgage the house, or wife ... I enjoyed the review. Thanks TMF.
Thanks for watching Chris!
It costs the same as a cheap Honda Civic.
Love you're night time review, great view of back lit switches, and great main beam.
Excellent video Andy, the mighty multi Strada 👍🤗
I found the soft off idle take off power quite satisfying, where as my Multistrada 1200 and he BMW 1200 a bit rough and over torquey. In traffic the V4S is so much nicer and easier to manage at slow speed stop and go than either 1200 twin. Then when you need it, the power is there with a little more revs.
The lit switches are awesome.
Like the review. As an owner I can say that there is a software update which fixes the painful heated grips operation so it now just works off the button like a BMW. Also I suspect you haven’t ridden in bad weather without the panniers otherwise having to wash your riding kit every time you so this would be on your dislike list. Lastly try riding with riding jeans as opposed to textiles or leathers and you’ll discover cold shins from those front lower wings. I’d love a delete kit to take them off. They freeze your shins in cold weather and do little to cool anywhere else in hot weather.
That’s really interesting feedback Paul thanks!
I'm a bit too old school for a bike with such an extensive menu. I just like to ride. What I do like is the blindspot warning though and agree it is one of the true safety devices that should be on many more bikes. Your review format really helps with sizing up a bike.
Thank you!
Just find a setting you like and leave it there.
@@anxiousappliance Yes, I’ve done that on multiple BMWs and a Ducati for suspension and power and such. I had an RT that you could just press a button and work your heated grips. The next one I needed to go into a menu. That’s what’s maddening.
Here are my additional notes as an owner. I’ve had my 2022 Multistrada V4S for 6 months now, with just under 5K miles on it.
The mirrors: yes, I love the blind spot detection integrated into them, that’s one of the reasons I purchased this bike. However, at So Cal freeway speeds (70 / 75 mph), my mirrors vibrate enough so that I can’t tell if the car a few hundred feet back is a CHP or not. At a Gold Wing price point, I would expect the mirrors to be as good as the Gold Wing’s; they are not.
The seat: I personally don’t find the seat very comfortable for all-day rides. For a few hours it’s OK, but for an all-day-in-the-saddle outing, I find myself shifting around. Yes, I know Ducati sells a more padded seat, but I’m barely flat-footed when at a stop, and I have to cowboy-mount the bike as it is (my 61-year-old body doesn’t flex as it used to). I’m evaluating options and would love to hear from other owners who have replaced their stock seat and what they went with.
The phone cubby: I haven’t noticed my phone cubby door pop open as you mention when starting the bike, nor have I heard that before in owner forums…that is an odd behavior! Personally, even if my Google Pixel 6 Pro fit in the cubby, I would not put it in. It’s useless to me there. I have always preferred to have my smartphone handlebar-mounted. The phone cubby is where my cheap pair of sunglasses live (can’t afford expensive ones after buying the Ducati!). My phone obscures my view of the right side pee-sample container (a.k.a front brake fluid reservoir), while a Garmin Zumo XT blocks my view of the left side pee container. I don't use the Ducati navigation app. I prefer to dedicate the beautiful V4S display to motorcycle functions.
The exhaust note: Yes, totally agreed. It is not a lovely-sounding bike, especially at idle. I’ve heard lawnmowers that sound better. Seriously. It does sound fantastic when you crack the throttle wide open, but that’s really the only time. As petty as it may be, if I could change anything about the bike, it would probably be the exhaust note. Something deeper, please.
One other important note about the recent software update that “fixed” the heated grip control and added the Minimum Preload setting: not all Ducati dealerships know how to execute this update properly. When the software update is installed, the function of the heated grip is automatically changed. The new Minimum Preload feature, however, requires that the technician enter into a dealer-only accessible sub-menu to activate by following the steps explained in the SRV-SRB-22-004 Ducati Service Bulletin. The problem is that some Ducati technicians skip this, likely because they didn’t read the service bulletin themselves.
This failure to activate the Minimum Preload feature happened to me recently. The Ducati service technician at the dealer I go to here in San Diego didn’t activate it for me. When I asked them about it, they were oblivious about what the update even was supposed to do. They said they just "plug a bike into their computer, enter the VIN, and it presents a software update…or it doesn’t". He said the Min Preload feature will be coming for my bike at the end of the year (that was totally wrong). I did my own research by contacting the largest Ducati dealer in SoCal (Ducati Newport Beach), and their service department immediately explained that the service technician needs to perform some additional steps outlined in the service bulletin. The person I spoke with even emailed me the service bulletin PDF. Now I need to carry this PDF to my dealer to help them get up to speed. Unfortunately, my story is not unique. When reading the owner forums, this happened to other V4S owners. The bottom line is that not all Ducati dealers are equal when it comes to the proficiency of their service department. That is something that I would recommend any prospective Ducati owner research a bit before making a purchase. This may be an issue with US Ducati dealers. Perhaps European dealers are more on top of things.
Aside from the negatives, the bike is absolutely phenomenal. It is a blast to ride. I’ve never owned a bike that handles so well, feels so planted and stable in a variety of conditions. I do not regret the purchase one bit.
Great review Andy! ADV bikes really are a pain to clean! I like the placement of those two microfibre cloths on the treadmill... Nicely done sir.
Well spotted!
Great review, better value than the pikes peak version for sure. 100% on the short list but so is the GSA and KTM SA and AFrica Twin
This beauty has more features than Disney, which I might be concerned about going forward, if I was planning on keeping it longer term. I could see the potential for garage bills ramping up just servicing the electrical issues. It's a great looking bike though, certainly one of the best looking in its class, but wow, the fuel economy for an ADV that is primarily road focused is pretty dismal. Also, as much as I like the TFT and backlit controls, I would want to dim all that right down at night and pay attention to the stoopid deer running out in front of me!
These are outdated concerns… Ducati since being taken over by Audi have sorted their quality control and engineering out. Service intervals have been extended out and comparative costs plus a good warrant and excellent electronics, they use the same electronics as all the completion with the likes of Bosch and Ohlins etc. All manufacturers have occasional issues, Ducati really upped its game over the last 10 years and really can compete with the Japanese or BMW.
To be fair modern Ducatis are a lot better made than what they used to be, I'd be much more comfortable having a modern Ducati in the garage than a BMW, HD, Aprillia or Triumph.
Have to agree. My second-happiest day of biking was buying my Ducati. The very happiest was selling it after countless mechanical problems and an electrical glitch that stranded me far from home (with no cell phone service). Of the 15 bikes I’ve owned, the Ducati presented more mechanical problems than all others combines. Of course that’s only my experience and YMMV.
I've seen paint flaking off new Scrambler engines and that looked like corrosion around the back wheel abs ring of this one.
You can dim the TFT in the setting menu.
Nice to see good headlights with a wide high beam. I find almost every LED headlight setup has a very narrow high beam which means you're completely blind in corners. That fuel economy is abysmal though, worse than my 220hp car with AWD (A250).
It sure is a handsome bike - to me much nicer than the previous versions. Unfortunately the V4 tends to gulp fuel (Honda V4 bikes returned much the same mpg) but they’re awesome at speed. Why on earth did they not set the heated grip levels with, er, the heated grips button! The “phone” socket seems pointless as it’s likely many people have a large Apple/Samsung phone that won’t fit, and having it pop open on every restart would wind me up quite quickly. I agree with you about a dedicated sat nav. Overall it does look like a high quality bit of kit. Nothing quite like a Ducati but I’m guessing over £20K fully kitted out :(
That heated grip issue has since been fixed by a software upgrade btw….
Thanks for the review Mr Flyer. For saying how big a thing Ducati are making about these new Multis being more accessible to shorter riders (like me 5'6") it didn't look that low to me. Also 36 MPG, ouch, maybe a bit of local long distance touring pehaps. Lovely looking mind, just wish they were really more accessible (-:
Great in-depth review Andy. As always I appreciate your honesty on your likes-dislikes. Loved the adaptive cruise and blind spot monitoring, wish more manufacturers would offer it (I suspect they will), and lighted switch gear. Cheers!
Cheers Patrick!
Excellent review. Trying to decide between this and the BMW R1250RT. I know they are completely different bikes but I've had two GS's and I want something different. I have ridden both and think the Ducati is amazing but I don't think it as premium as the BMW and little things annoy me like having to pay extra for completely keyless (need the key for the filler cap) and tyre pressure sensors. On a £25 grand bike (full spec with top box) I expect all of that. However it was comfortable to ride and amazing performance. I liken it to having a Porsche over a Bentley. Problem is I think I am now getting to the stage where I would like a Bentley :-)
Not a terrible situation really….
If you're planning to tour, and it sounds like you are, you might want to consider the BMWs superior fuel consumption figures especially with today's prices.
The right hand pannier on the Duc is seriously compromised as well.
@@stevecade857 I am planning to tour (first outing will be Germany in June). These days I like to stop more often so range of the Ducati not such an issue but your right about the cost. Good point on the pannier too. Bit like the standard GS as well.
@@andrewwallwork8297 My R1200RT is currently getting 62 mpg average and I don't spare the horses when I feel like it. 50 mph = 80 mpg, 60 mph = 60 mpg, 70 mph = 55 mpg. I don't know of any other tourer with a massive fairing that gets close to those figures. If you're happy letting the other half have the larger pannier while you get the small right hand one it wouldn't be a big issue but I've had days out where, when we get to our days visit, we pack our riding gear (boots included) in the panniers and top box and walk about as non-bikers. Not sure you could do that with the Duc.
Great informative review and you've convinced me to buy one. I was thinking about buying a Royal Enfield to go with it. Can you recommend any must do mods?
For the Multistrada the touring screen I think is a must do, I'd probably also invest in a seperate satnav..... All the best and thanks for watching!
Am I right in suggesting this bike ticks every box as not just a good all rounder but an exciting one too.
We all know the GS is the do it all bike that does everything with ease. But does the Multistrada do the same but with a load more excitement and style? So it does beg the question. When are you getting rid of your old GS and putting the Multistrada in the garage?
Video coming on that in due course!
Great review. I have my V4S on order and I can’t wait, but eyes wide open I can’t disagree with your negative niggles (except the heated grips they’ve fixed). But unlike you I don’t see the point in duplicating tech so I would rather use my phone for nav but why oh why couldn’t they just update the telematics system to CarPlay/Android Auto. Leave those things to companies who do nothing else and get on with designing the bike. Then we can all use our nav apps of choice like calimoto or even just plain Google maps. I can only assume there’s a kickback on the Sygic premium upgrades that get sold. Still, as you say, no bike is perfect. Interesting tip on the engine power I picked up in these comments too 👍🏻.
As always another great review thanks 👍👍 I own a 2021 950s Multistrada and interesting about the comment you made on heated grips. Ducati definitely gone backwards there. I have the same switch on the right side control for mine but one press and it’s on straight away and when you stop the bike the setting remains the same when you switch back on. Odd they would go the way they have now 🤔🤔🤔
Thanks Andy sorry the rukka fleece you wore in your garage ? Cheers for replying as always Ian
I’m not sure.what it’s called -check Bikerheadz.com for details….
This bike has knocked the GS off as the supreme touring bike. This Ducati offers just so much more in technical advancements, comfort, practicality, design. The GS has had it’s time as top dog. Go on TMF just go ahead and buy the Ducati.
We shall see!
Great review of what looks to be a very good bike. 38mpg though...wow...that's pretty bad isn't it, and let's face it, you're quite a lean fellow, so it's not carrying too much. MPG aside, it looks the absolute business
Of all the modern advancements I’d like to have a blind spot detector but fundamentally other bike characteristics such as low speed grunt are more important to me
Yes I agree 100% but that blind spot detection is good!
Great review Andy. What a beautiful bike!
Isn’t it just!
Thanks for the review great as always...... swapping me h2sx for an adventure bike .. top of the list is the multi v4, the 1290 adv s, new triumph 1200 and the bmw 1250gsa... High class problems 😆
There's an update on the software that takes care of the heated grip situation you just press the button for 1 2 3 heat levels.
Yes so I’m told - a good move by Ducati that one!
Andy great review as always. You mentioned the poor fuel consumption but as I do a lot of long distance touring the actual tank range would have been interesting as others have been quite critical in this regard. All the best
I'm getting 310kms per tank.
It is amazing how many motorcycles with screens do the exact opposite what they are supposed to achieve and that is the screens causing wind turbulence.
Yes very true!
Great review, and if I was looking for a new bike at the moment, it would be very high on my list.
LOL - and hey, even when the fluid isn't cooked, Ducati has lousy rear brakes so no harm no foul.
Another great and honest review Andy and it’s a very nice bike. Not sure you could ever part with your GS though. 😬
We shall see Dave!
Great video .Good content about the bike. Look forward to the next video .
Stay tuned!
I agree with you about the lit switch gear the Chinese Bennelli's even have it wish my Africa Twin did great review beautiful motorcycle 🏍
Nice review as ever TMF. Seems a great bike although for that type of bike I think the shaft vs chain drive is a big deal, but not a deal breaker necessarily.
Yes it’s important to a lot of people for sure - not a deal breaker for me….
I would like to ear your opinion on the ktm 1290 SAS 2021. I’m on the big adventure market and not fully decided
Hi , Very good review. I appreciate your time and effort to cover all of the attributes. One thing I wish my 2020 1250 GSA was better at would be getting it on the center stand. Personally, I tried the KTM 1290 and it goes right up with ease along with my Aprilia 1200 Caponord and Guzzi EV11. Perhaps the new 1300 BMW will be easier.
You should try my GoldWing!
Cool, sounds like you really fancy the bike. My mileage is anywhere between 34 and 42 USMPG or 5.8-6.7 l/100 km here in the colonies, ey. Would have liked you to dive deeper into the Sygic/App Connect kerfuffle that drove me nuts and to a lovely Garmin Zumo XT mounted on a Givi bracket on the windshield slider. The mentioned heated grips issue is fixed with a software update that was released for early 2022. My Iphone 11 fits super snug into the tank pouch, service interval at 12000 km is all nice but I change my Shell Advance every 6000 km - for my piece of mind. Trade the tractor for the V4S Sport - you won't regret it. Cheers
I enjoyed that TMF. I have one on my short list to replace my trusty SDGT. Definitely influenced my thinking, bit of a head scratcher (but a nice problem to have!)
The mpg figure for the V4 is disappointing, but if you can afford to buy or lease one then I guess you can afford the extra fuel cost. What is more important to me is the range of the bike, how many miles before the light comes on and you need to stop for fuel. Perhaps 130-150?
Great review as always mate! If you could only have 1 bike this or the GS what would it be?
GS
I think Ducati updated the heated grip functionality with a recent update. It was mentioned on the most recent Brap Talk podcast.
Indeed they have!
Great honest review 👏
Thanks for watching!
Could you please review a BMW K12/1300 GT, been an owner of one for the past 12 years and I think beats most modern bikes, TIA
Great bike and great vlog. I think I’ll stick with the GS though 👍
Thank you for another wonderful review Andy. Would you swap it with your GS?😁😉
Video coming on that soon!
Hi Andy, I have to ask you, if you own a Multistrada 1260 s will you consider to trade it for the V4 Multistrada? Thank you for the great information on the Multistrada, keep up the good work 👍
Well the V4 is definitely a huge improvement over what has gone before, but I personally probably wouldn’t change no….same reasoning why I haven’t “upgraded” my “old” GS1200…
Excellent review as always.. be a GS for me anyday but great review
Strange with the heated grips. On the previous models it is total opposite. One only push the "heated-button". Push 1 = low, 2 mid and so on. The bike also remembers which level you had the heated grips on when you turn on the bike again. Strange that Ducati parted ways with these functions with this new model.
...since I recorded this there's a software update and now it all makes more sense!
One thing people never seem to talk about when reviewing touring type bikes is panniers; how big are they? Can we see inside? Are they easy to get on/off ? You briefly mentioned they were fiddly but could you show us? All the other detail stuff is great.
I showed them in my first ride video iirc
@@TheMissendenFlyerthanks, I’ll check that out
Great Video as always Andy, so if you have to buy one tomorrow - New GS or New Multistrada ?????
Tough one - video on that coming soon!
Great review Andy
Thank you!
Great summary TMF, can we expect to see a Multistrada V4S in the Missenden Man Cave anytime soon?
We shall see!
Appropriate sign for a Ducati behind you “Cycle repair station”
He he - now now….