Compared to the V4 PP and RS, the V4S feels much bigger. I’m not quite sure why, but they’re as big as I’d want to go now. I used to have GSA’s a few years ago, now those really are big and heavy.
The difference is likely down to the front wheel size and associated geometry. the V4S and Rally have a 19” front wheel. RS and PP have 17”.
Again, another with a 30" inside leg and fully loaded, seat in low position with Suspension in Urban and on minimum (button press) I flat foot. The setting does make a difference as Touring and Sport are slightly harder and sit higher on Minimum. Fully loaded, the bike is top heavy but so would most bikes be with wife, topbox, fully fuelled. As long as you are aware of this, then you can allow for how the bike reacts at/coming to a stop. But, it is a heavy bike and a bitch to manouver through gravel car parks etc. On the move - what wife? what luggage? What do you mean you feel sea sick on the back? (currently in the Italian mountains and just done the SS1) Fully loaded with handbrake (wife) I get 42 -44 mpg. With mates........I dream of 40mpg
I have had a v4s since December and I'm in love with it. Thinking of going PP but that's another topic... I can't comment on height, I am 6'7" with 36" leg so was a case of finding a bike big enough ha! The bike is awesome, the auto lowering is smooth the times I've just had a play with it, and on the road it's unstoppable. I've had sportsbikes and enduros and this is a perfect road bike for me. My off road plans for this is nothing more than kielder forest drive though
I higly recommend the low seat and also the OEM lowering kit (20mm) unless you need all the suspension travel for off-road. I ride my bike mainly on street and some gravel at times . These add-ons completely transformed the handling for me. Nice bonus with the low seat was that now the standard wind screen is enough to keep my head out of the wind.
Bought me a V4 Rally. Done 2.5k miles since March. I am 5'8 with a 29" inseam. Came from a KTM 990 ADV and a tuned Aprilia RSV-R and Ducati 848. I have had a fair few bikes in the past. The Rally is without a doubt the best bike I have EVER owned. Fast, comfortable, capable, outrageous acceleration for something so big, a hoot to ride and stunning to look at; she certainly has an imposing presence and draws a crowd. It has all the gadgets you could wish for and has-so far-proved reliable and ticks all the boxes I want as a rider solving the perennial problem of having several bikes for different purposes and requirements. I love the quick shifter, didn't think I would but it is easy to use, becomes habit very quickly and makes for quick progress; just be careful when you are on your other bikes. I was on the Bonny a few days ago and kept crashing the gears without the clutch, oops!. The ACC is a bit of a gimmick in my mind, only used it a couple of times, although the blind spot detector is a wee bonus to remind you that there is a cage in your baffles. She makes a great turbine sound and the induction howl and rasp when pegging the throttle are great. I've got the Akra pipe so I don't really know if that accounts for that. The boxes are spacious, easily enough for me 'n' her to get away for a long w/e. My recent trip to the NW200 saw me pack enough for four days with two cases of lager so thy are plenty big enough, just travel light and take minimal pant -1 pair/wk. Drawbacks? She's got a thirst if you want to ride her hard. She is heavy, especially the Rally with all that extra fuel. She is top heavy with a pillion as thy sit high up. Servicing is expensive. The Ducati connectivity/blue tooth jiggery pokery is PISH! I can't get it to work for the life of me so I just use my pods instead through the phone. Consequently she is not nearly as flickable through the twisties as my beloved KTM (but then nothing is !). Insurance is quite steep, about 3 times what I paid for my KTM and comes in at £340 pa. I also had to fork out for Datatag and a tracker as a lot of insurers now insist on that, especially as she is considered a premium ride. I can flat foot one hoof with the lowered seat option and general riding/stopping presents no real difficulty, but I did that for nearly 20 years for the KTM so its second nature to me, take a wee bit of practice is all. The auto lowering and hill hold feature are perfect to deal with that particular issue and just watch your cambers when coming to s stop. All in all she is a keeper. I would recommend. Five stunning Italian beauties out of five.
I bought my first Multi V4 from Ducati Glasgow after walking in the door and asking for a test ride; no problem. It maybe that they dont have a demo bike yet for the 2025 model. I get it that if you have a bad experience with a dealer you are going to think that they are crap. But my experience's with them have always been really good. The service and tech staff are extremely knowledgeable and have helped me out on my latest multi, which I bought from a different dealer. ( which had a big offer on at the time)
From J@L ? Never had an issue with it. Great bike , probably on hindsight should have kept it. Enjoy!!
I had a 22 v4s and did 20k miles on it and only had one problem with a slight oil leak around the water pump area which has happened a few times on other bikes and was a warranty claim. Also, the engines loosen up nicely after 10k Its was a great bike and overall I preferred it to my previous 2 s1000xr bikes I have now moved up to a v4 rally and the Rally versions have all of the engine tweaks and other improvements the current 2025 now have Engine, its more refined than the v4s and also pulls much more nicely in the lower range . The v4s seemed to “chug” a bit at anything less than 4k revs whereas the Rally pulls smoothly from 3k rpm if needed ( as long as you are not stupid and pull the throttle wide open at 3k revs !) I think it must be something to do with the bike running on 2 cylinders at very low revs. Also the engine seems a little bit stronger and free revving 9-10k rpm Suspension. This is a marked improvement of the already good v4s, It must be one of the best multi purpose suspension set ups about Brakes, Again these are up another level to the v4s , the front has immediate feel and bite and the back brake works so well its sometimes too easy to kick the rear abs in , I took my previous v4s in a couple of times complaining about the spongy feel to the front brake but they never improved it. Tyres, Change them to Meltzer roadtex 02, these give the Rally a much more nimble and lighter feel than the standard scorpions Lastly, IMO I think the Rally version has the best looking paint job in the range with the brushed aluminum tank combined with red and black paintwork Tank, This is the only area where there might be a negative to the v4s. If you fill it to the brim you can tell there is a slight difference in handling to the v4s , but if you consider that your putting basically 2 x 5lts plastic petrol cans of weight on top of the v4s then it understandable, but its really not that noticeable and generally I just fill up 20ltrs when day to day riding and then if touring , just fill it up and have the big advantage of 300 mile plus range , happy days. Dont just have one test ride, have a couple of 3-4 rides as when i first test rode the v4s i was not that ken, but then on a second much longer ride it all made sense
I'm on my second V4s, and both bike ran the same. I never experienced any chugging at low revs, Usual cause for that would be a slack chain.
Yah, I noticed the "chugging" thing in the lower rev range on the Rally, she doesn't like the throttle being cracked under 2.5k at all, especially at low speeds. Now that you suggest that its the cylinder deactivation system that makes sense.
I reckon it’s the Euro 5 emissions regulations that cause it. The bikes have to run so lean to get through the tests, they’re basically strangled. FWIW I haven’t noticed on my ‘22 V4S or more recently on my V4 Rally - no more than on other bikes anyway.
Which side of the engine is this on? Gearbox side for me has a lot of oily looking fling on it, I'm not convinced its just chain fling
The V4s is lighter , lower gravity point , a sportier version , V4s Rally give you more off road , but less on road for me as I rode one for a day and it just felt not as good as the V4s which is road orientated . The extra suspension travel made it a bit awkward for fast direction changes , but off road it would be better no doubt , but if off road I would ride a Ktm or a 700 Yam rather than the V4 , much better. Never had issues with the brakes on all 4 of mine , but have upgraded to the Orsa Race discs and Road Race pads , superb now , but they were still good. Not a fan of the new linked brake system as had issues on my 1300 gs . V4 Rally , bigger taller , lardy , likes off road .... V4S road focused and nimble. Interesting read .Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally vs V4S: Which Adventure Bike Suits Your Riding Style Best?
Hard to argue with that. As to which bike off-road, I’d say it depends on what kind of off-road. I switched my V4S for a Rally because I’m riding across Canada this summer. A fair chunk of gravel roads and some long distances between fuel. Rally is ideal for the job. Once back, I may revert to a V4S. Lardy is a like harsh on the Rally. I did a course at the Ducati ORS with Molly a week or two back. The Rally had no problem living with the Desert X bikes. It will do more than we have a right to ask of it and it’s definitely way better off-road than I am!
left side as per photos , thinking about it i did have a second oil leak just before i sold it and it was on the other side which i think the dealer said it was the clutch casing gasket
Not yet but still worry about my last meeting with the PP , the V4s is perfect for where Im riding and not sure it would be any better for me , plus the tyre issue I already have with the standard bike would be way worse on the PP . I tried the M9rr and the Road Tech 01 on the V4s but they just did not last at all , the Rosso 4 would be even worse ...I get the looks thing but the V4S is superb and a peg scratching back roader . But I will still be going for a test ride again as a friend is looking at the V4s rather than the R1300 gs so will accompany him on a test on the PP to put it to bed if you see what I mean.
