'22 v4s availability, advice, thoughts?

Hey all,

Sold my '15 1299s about a year ago, ended up buying a s1000rr, sold it because it had no personality, and now have a deposit down on a '22 v4s. Based on calling around to a bunch of dealerships (mainly in the southeast region - I'm in Charlotte, NC), it seems that most dealerships are out of allocation until end of 2022 and the bike is just flat out hard to get. Oddly enough, my local dealership has one arriving early August so I locked it up. I have a few questions and am wanting feedback from the Ducati fam:

1. Is it worth waiting until 2023 and beyond? Are they coming out with a new line up beyond the Panigale family that is worth waiting for? Not sure if anyone has insight on that...
2. The dealership is selling for MSRP plus taxes/freight so there's really no leniency on negotiating it seems. I've called other dealerships who are saying the same thing. "If you can find one, get it" sort of thing. Thoughts here?
3. I will be doing about 50% mountain riding, 25% track riding, 25% street riding - is the S version worth it? I did order a suspension book to learn more but I'm not the type to be investing a bunch of time/parts into a track bike or custom setup. Based on lifestyle (company, kids, etc), I like to ride and be done sort-of-thing.
4. Does anyone have input on the best exhaust for heat dissipation and just overall best sound? I know this is a common topic but wanted to throw in the question
5. Lastly, any other tips for heat dissipation? I'm not overly worried about the heat as 75% of my riding is on the move but it'd be nice to reduce it. I know they have the heat kits, some exhausts can help, etc.. would love additional input

Thanks in advance guys

My thoughts….

1) Not worth waiting, 2022 is a fresh update

2) Supply vs demand, it seems like you have only found one bike available and they aren’t changing a premium. Take it unless you think you can find a better offer.

3) I like it because I can store different settings and change them with a button click. I think the dynamic mode sucks for track, I don’t ride street. You also get the forged wheels with the S. It’s a bit of a toss up as to whether or not it’s worth the extra money.

4) I have no input

5) Only a problem in stop and go traffic in the city, if you’re moving it’s barely noticeable.

1. Not worth waiting. How long are you willing to wait, five years, ten years? There's always an upgrade around the corner.
2. If you can find one, and you want one, and it was hard to find, then you probably won't get a discount.
3. You decide. The base model suspension is excellent, although you'll probably want to upgrade the shock. Lighter wheels won't make the difference the marketing people tell you it will. Although, secondhand lightweight wheels are around, and hold their value well.
4. Choose one you like the look of, and isn't too loud for circuit use.

Chocolate or vanilla, the V4 is a mature platform now, plenty of parts and support. Maybe next year will be a huge change, who knows but any change is incremental in performance and has been for years in terms of handling and feel. The next really big deal will be electric.

Paul G said:

Chocolate or vanilla, the V4 is a mature platform now, plenty of parts and support. Maybe next year will be a huge change, who knows but any change is incremental in performance and has been for years in terms of handling and feel. The next really big deal will be electric.

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The next “big deal” in power might be electric, but it’s impact is limited if you can’t put it to the ground. Are we near the limit of rubber tire technology?

The S version is not just electronic suspension but EVERYTHING dialed into to the same system. Suspension, traction control & brakes are regulated electronically by lean gas acceleration deceleration bumps, pattern bumps, speed etc sensors all talking to each other. I like mine a lot. They say the 22' firmware update is huge and easier to ride balls to the wall. And you can dial all that control up down or off entirely.
I'm not sure what your mountains are like. Mine go from smooth to goat-trail and back again very frequently plus I take a passenger sometimes and go the track as well. That's pretty extreme changes at the touch of a button. There's the S version argument.

Vbreeze said:

The S version is not just electronic suspension but EVERYTHING dialed into to the same system. Suspension, traction control & brakes are regulated electronically by lean gas acceleration deceleration bumps, pattern bumps, speed etc sensors all talking to each other. I like mine a lot. They say the 22' firmware update is huge and easier to ride balls to the wall. And you can dial all that control up down or off entirely.
I'm not sure what your mountains are like. Mine go from smooth to goat-trail and back again very frequently plus I take a passenger sometimes and go the track as well. That's pretty extreme changes at the touch of a button. There's the S version argument.

Click to expand...

Great points and good to know! Appreciate the insight. I've already got my deposit on the S and am 99% sure I'm keeping it that way! Can't wait to get this bike already

burton said:

My thoughts….

1) Not worth waiting, 2022 is a fresh update

2) Supply vs demand, it seems like you have only found one bike available and they aren’t changing a premium. Take it unless you think you can find a better offer.

3) I like it because I can store different settings and change them with a button click. I think the dynamic mode sucks for track, I don’t ride street. You also get the forged wheels with the S. It’s a bit of a toss up as to whether or not it’s worth the extra money.

4) I have no input

5) Only a problem in stop and go traffic in the city, if you’re moving it’s barely noticeable.

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All good points and my thought process as well. Thank you!

craig bush said:

The next “big deal” in power might be electric, but it’s impact is limited if you can’t put it to the ground. Are we near the limit of rubber tire technology?

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Aw man, I'm not ready for this electric mess. Shoot, the reason I bought my ZLE 6-speed is because I'm not even ready for paddle shifters in every car either.

Vbreeze said:

The S version is not just electronic suspension but EVERYTHING dialed into to the same system. Suspension, traction control & brakes are regulated electronically by lean gas acceleration deceleration bumps, pattern bumps, speed etc sensors all talking to each other. I like mine a lot. They say the 22' firmware update is huge and easier to ride balls to the wall. And you can dial all that control up down or off entirely.
I'm not sure what your mountains are like. Mine go from smooth to goat-trail and back again very frequently plus I take a passenger sometimes and go the track as well. That's pretty extreme changes at the touch of a button. There's the S version argument.

Click to expand...

I rode around the world solo, on a motorbike, in 2009/2010. 44k miles.

Didn't have electronic suspension.

Tell me more about these extreme surfaces.

:'D

cgorm12 said:

Aw man, I'm not ready for this electric mess. Shoot, the reason I bought my ZLE 6-speed is because I'm not even ready for paddle shifters in every car either.

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I just bought a brand new 22 SS 1LE 6 speed. Love that car, already done a track day with it, bone stock it handles with cars 2+ times it's price.

RickD996 said:

I rode around the world solo, on a motorbike, in 2009/2010. 44k miles.

Didn't have electronic suspension.

Tell me more about these extreme surfaces.

:'D

Click to expand...

Tell me more about your nuts!
44k miles?! You did it twice?
You had 14" of travel in your forks?
Wow there are crAzy folks on this forum. That's amazing. Video? Photo? Stories?
How many girlfriends?

RickD996 said:

I rode around the world solo, on a motorbike, in 2009/2010. 44k miles.

Didn't have electronic suspension.

Tell me more about these extreme surfaces.

:'D

Click to expand...

If serious, damn.

Vbreeze said:

Tell me more about your nuts!
44k miles?! You did it twice?
You had 14" of travel in your forks?
Wow there are crAzy folks on this forum. That's amazing. Video? Photo? Stories?

Click to expand...

Um, kinda, but that mileage doesn't include the other trips. Obviously I didn't ride in a straight line and over the oceans. Yep, plenty of stories, you can buy my book if you like xx

Although smuggling the bike across the boarder from Colombia into Ecuador to ditch it and then getting stopped by the po po was good fun.

Anyway, I was only taking the piss, enjoy the buttons

Not sure what the fork travel is on a 650GS Dakar (the old single). Lmk if you ever find out!

RickD996 said:

Um, kinda, but that mileage doesn't include the other trips. Obviously I didn't ride in a straight line and over the oceans. Yep, plenty of stories, you can buy my book if you like xx

Although smuggling the bike across the boarder from Colombia into Ecuador to ditch it and then getting stopped by the po po was good fun.

Anyway, I was only taking the piss, enjoy the buttons

Click to expand...

So many buttons!