Riding Experience of Ducati Multistrada V4S
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Seat Height
The seat height of Ducati MTS V4S is 790mm (adjustable from 790mm to 810mm). For a rider with a height of 175cm, he can touch the ground with both front soles when sitting statically. For riders above 160cm, the seat height won't bring much pressure. The seat cushion is designed for long-distance riding comfort. The front part isn't very narrow. When the rider wants to touch the ground while the bike is stationary, the seat cushion may press against the inner side of the thigh. Besides, the front of the bike is relatively high and the handlebars are wide, so certain arm span is required for operating the bike, especially when making turns.
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Riding Triangle
The riding triangle is generally comfortable. If the rider has long legs, the lower body may be in a slightly folded state. There is a relatively large height difference between the seat cushion, the handlebars and the front of the bike. If the rider isn't familiar with the bike and suddenly gives a strong throttle while sitting and riding, the upper body may lean backward. The raised part at the rear of the split seat cushion can support the waist. Once getting used to it, the riding triangle is quite good. The curb weight of Multistrada V4S is 244kg. Coupled with the slightly forward center of gravity and wide handlebars, there is some pressure when pushing the bike statically. However, when riding, it becomes very agile. When making small turns, the change of the center of gravity has little impact on the front of the bike. When making large lean turns and cornering, the change of the center of gravity is quite linear and the front of the bike responds precisely to the rider's directions. This is mainly because the centralization of the center of gravity is well done. The V4 engine, the frame and the surrounding structures are very compact, so the bike has excellent sports performance when riding.
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Power
Ducati MTS V4S is equipped with a 1158cc V-four-cylinder engine. The maximum power is 124kW (166hp) at 10750rpm, and the maximum torque is 118N·m at 9000rpm. The idle speed is around 1200rpm. There will be a situation of gear disengagement when the speed is within 2000rpm. The range from 2000rpm to 3000rpm is a transition interval, and the connection between throttle application and release isn't very smooth. In the range from 3000rpm to 7500rpm, the throttle response is linear and the power is continuous with an obvious pulling feeling. When the speed is above 7500rpm and up to 11000rpm, the power can be described as fierce. Firstly, the sound of the engine changes a lot, and secondly, the pulling feeling becomes stronger. When starting and shifting to the second or third gear and suddenly giving a full throttle, you may find that the speed shown on the instrument has reached 150 or 170km/h. And if you continue to give throttle, the acceleration won't decrease but keep up continuously, making you feel that the power seems endless. This also reflects the explosive power of the V4 engine in the high-speed range. In the closed-road test, the first gear can reach 120km/h, the second gear can reach 140km/h, and the third gear can reach 180km/h. The maximum speed of this bike should be above 240km/h. Such a large bike can run so fast and is really like a monster, possessing the sports quality of a liter-class sports bike and the comfort of a touring bike at the same time.
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Heat Dissipation
MTS V4S has made sufficient efforts in heat dissipation design. When riding at a certain speed, the heat won't interfere with the rider. However, since the engine is a high-revving machine and most of the time the riding is quite passionate, once the bike stops, you will find that the cooling fan rotates vigorously, and at this time, heat will be transferred to both sides of the rider's legs.
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Electronic Control
Rich electronic control configurations are also a feature of Ducati models, and MTS V4S is no exception. All settings on this bike, including shock absorbers, can be adjusted through the buttons on the handlebars. It has four power modes: Sport, Touring, Endurance, and Urban. Under these modes, the power output, throttle linearity, traction control, ABS, and the hardness and softness of the front and rear shock absorbers are all adjustable. Under different modes, we can clearly feel the differences in the engine power and speed response. All these functions are adjusted to balance sports performance and comfort. These electronic controls are not designed for off-road riding. I think they are more about how to make the riding more comfortable and faster. The cruise control can be activated when the speed is above 30km/h, which makes long-distance riding more comfortable. The millimeter-wave radar, similar to that of Triumph 1200 Tiger in logic, will give reminders on the left and right rearview mirrors when a vehicle approaches from behind within a 10-meter range, and the warning will stop one second after the vehicle leaves. The actual usage effect is quite convenient.
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Suspension
For MTS V4S, if you ride it as a sports bike, you can adjust the shock absorbers to be a bit stiffer. If you ride it as a touring or adventure bike, you can adjust the shock absorbers to be a bit softer to improve comfort. In most usage scenarios, including our test situation, this set of shock absorbers can basically meet all our needs and is nearly perfect. However, if you are an advanced rider with higher requirements, then I think it's not the problem of the shock absorbers, and you may need to change to another bike. The preload is also adjustable in 4 stages and has an Auto mode. These 4 stages can be adjusted according to the rider's weight, whether there are passengers or luggage, and also according to personal preferences. The preload in the Auto mode may also be adjusted under different sports modes.
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Brakes and Clutch
The brake configuration is relatively high. Combined with this set of shock absorbers, the front brake gives a feeling that the braking force is proportional to the force you apply on the brake lever, which is linear and gives you enough confidence. Considering that the center of gravity is a bit forward, you usually have full confidence in braking. When the speed is above 100km/h, it is recommended to operate both the front and rear brakes together for better stability and braking effect. The clutch of MTS V4S is a bit heavy. When the speed is below 20km/h and the bike is moving slowly in the first gear, it may put some pressure on the rider. Fortunately, in other situations, it is equipped with an electronic two-way quick shifter. When the speed in the second gear and above is maintained above 3000rpm, the gear shifting is very smooth. However, if the speed and gear matching between the first and second gears isn't good when shifting gears, there may still be some jerky feelings.
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Vibration
For a liter-class V4 model, vibration is inevitable. The vibration of MTS V4S will be more obvious after 6000rpm. Fortunately, the vibration particles are relatively large and not as annoying as the vibration of an electric drill. This is also a difference between the V4 engine and the inline-four engine. The inline-four engine may have better vibration suppression and smoother performance in general, but the V4 engine has a stronger explosive power in the high-speed range. There is always a trade-off.
Conclusion
The Ducati MTS series has a history of more than 20 years. After actually riding the new MTS V4S, we find that this bike has both the sports quality of a sports bike and the comfort of an adventure touring bike. In the development of motorcycles, there are also many such models, such as ST 1300, Kawasaki ZX-14R (Six-Eyes Demon), VFR, etc., but their focuses may be different. Suzuki Hayabusa is also such a model that has both performance and the ability to run long distances. I think there are two reasons why the Ducati MTS series has always been popular. First, its positioning and styling have always met the needs of most people. Second, it has always done a good job in product design and iteration and also meets the needs of young people. In the latest upgrade, the use of the V4 engine makes MTS even more powerful, more topical and more impactful. Although MTS V4S has an adventure touring bike's appearance and even looks fiercer, it's not a bike designed for off-road riding on rough roads. Its positioning is more for running on highways. With a weight of 244kg without side cases and not having large front wheels, the official hope is that you can run fast, stable and comfortably on the highway. If you insist on riding it on unpaved roads, I think first of all, you need to have high personal riding skills, and secondly, it's a bit too much for this bike. Who is this bike suitable for? If you have never stopped pursuing speed since you started riding motorcycles and even have a stronger pursuit now, and you think street bikes and sports bikes are a bit too youthful and the riding posture is uncomfortable and they can't run long distances. You hope that the new bike has more powerful power. Besides, you have ridden motorcycles with a displacement of more than 500cc or even larger before. You have a certain understanding and respect for speed and danger. Moreover, in terms of brand, performance and design, this bike is outstanding. Then you can give this Ducati MTS V4S a try.
The Ducati MTS series has a history of more than 20 years. After actually riding the new MTS V4S, we find that this bike has both the sports quality of a sports bike and the comfort of an adventure touring bike. In the development of motorcycles, there are also many such models, such as ST 1300, Kawasaki ZX-14R (Six-Eyes Demon), VFR, etc., but their focuses may be different. Suzuki Hayabusa is also such a model that has both performance and the ability to run long distances. I think there are two reasons why the Ducati MTS series has always been popular. First, its positioning and styling have always met the needs of most people. Second, it has always done a good job in product design and iteration and also meets the needs of young people. In the latest upgrade, the use of the V4 engine makes MTS even more powerful, more topical and more impactful. Although MTS V4S has an adventure touring bike's appearance and even looks fiercer, it's not a bike designed for off-road riding on rough roads. Its positioning is more for running on highways. With a weight of 244kg without side cases and not having large front wheels, the official hope is that you can run fast, stable and comfortably on the highway. If you insist on riding it on unpaved roads, I think first of all, you need to have high personal riding skills, and secondly, it's a bit too much for this bike. Who is this bike suitable for? If you have never stopped pursuing speed since you started riding motorcycles and even have a stronger pursuit now, and you think street bikes and sports bikes are a bit too youthful and the riding posture is uncomfortable and they can't run long distances. You hope that the new bike has more powerful power. Besides, you have ridden motorcycles with a displacement of more than 500cc or even larger before. You have a certain understanding and respect for speed and danger. Moreover, in terms of brand, performance and design, this bike is outstanding. Then you can give this Ducati MTS V4S a try.
I'm CLIVES editor. Thanks for watching.