Ducati is aware of the V4's design missteps and they want your opinions!
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i love it when someone makes sweeping generalizations based on their own opinions!!
Yes, have to agree with that...Borderline tosser comment!!!!
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Well, I saw the bikes, S and base, for the first time yesterday.
I must admit that it looks a lot better in the flesh than in photos, as far as the
plump midriff is concerned.
Still not loving the black plastic covers everywhere or the fairing to tank transition,
but not as hideous as they first appeared.
I've already said that my main reason for lack of interest is the V4 over a twin engine,
and that still stands. The bike aesthetics are just not good enough to make me dip my toe
in the V4 arena, regardless of clever firing orders to mimic the earlier engines, and the
promise of more HP is a moot point when I still can't get the best out of my R due to
my own limitations.
I'm sure that a lot of folk will enjoy this bike for one reason or another, but its
still a resounding No Thanks from me.
I must admit that it looks a lot better in the flesh than in photos, as far as the
plump midriff is concerned.
Still not loving the black plastic covers everywhere or the fairing to tank transition,
but not as hideous as they first appeared.
I've already said that my main reason for lack of interest is the V4 over a twin engine,
and that still stands. The bike aesthetics are just not good enough to make me dip my toe
in the V4 arena, regardless of clever firing orders to mimic the earlier engines, and the
promise of more HP is a moot point when I still can't get the best out of my R due to
my own limitations.
I'm sure that a lot of folk will enjoy this bike for one reason or another, but its
still a resounding No Thanks from me.
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- May 21, 2015
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- Switzerland, near Lake Constance, Thurgau
I drove the V4 yesterday the first time and I'm impressed. Oh no, I will not give away my 1299S but there is a big risk that I become weak... unfortunately there is still some space in my garage next to my Monster and my 1299.
The bike looks much better in real life. Played a little bit with the colors.
Original
Mirrors and licence plate eliminated, frame and exhaust black
Some white and decals
The bike looks much better in real life. Played a little bit with the colors.
Original
Mirrors and licence plate eliminated, frame and exhaust black
Some white and decals
- Joined
- May 21, 2015
- Messages
- 75
- Location
- Switzerland, near Lake Constance, Thurgau
Let us know how you liked riding it
To be honest I'm a huge L- or V-Twin-Fan - at least for street use. Monster 1200 (45'000km) and Pani 1299 (15'000) are both fantastic bikes. I had absolutely no issues with them. Last year I used for the race track also a ZX6R and a S1000RR, both sold. It was no question that I had to ride the V4 as soon as possible. I cannot afford such a huge gap of education ;-).
It is winter in Switzerland, but a mild one. No snow in the lower areas. My friendly dealer passed me the key for his virgin V4S and let me two hours play (.......
). 8 till 10° Celsius, new Pirelli SP and a new bike: I was pretty careful.First surprise is the sound. Euro-4, but it's far from beeing gentle. Other than any other four-cylinder. Sounds more like a V2 on dope. I like it
. And it sounds like a Ducati. Second surprise is the wide usable speed range, strong in the middle, rocket above 10'000. I don't like narrow-chested superbike engines on the street. But this power plant will generate more fun off the race-track than many friends would imagine before they were driven the first 80 kilometers. On the track I'm sure it will be a leader. I couldn't really evaluate the chassis. To cold, to gentle my ride. But I felt very comfortable.
The testride wasn't a good idea... I like this thing more than I thought. A longer testride will follow. On a warm sunny day. I don't need it. I don't want it. (My girlfriend told me to repeat these phrases while thinking about the V4.)
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Very nice summary! Please post your impressions after you get to take it out again on a warmer dayTo be honest I'm a huge L- or V-Twin-Fan - at least for street use. Monster 1200 (45'000km) and Pani 1299 (15'000) are both fantastic bikes. I had absolutely no issues with them. Last year I used for the race track also a ZX6R and a S1000RR, both sold. It was no question that I had to ride the V4 as soon as possible. I cannot afford such a huge gap of education ;-).
It is winter in Switzerland, but a mild one. No snow in the lower areas. My friendly dealer passed me the key for his virgin V4S and let me two hours play (.......
First surprise is the sound. Euro-4, but it's far from beeing gentle. Other than any other four-cylinder. Sounds more like a V2 on dope. I like it
I couldn't really evaluate the chassis. To cold, to gentle my ride. But I felt very comfortable.
The testride wasn't a good idea... I like this thing more than I thought. A longer testride will follow. On a warm sunny day. I don't need it. I don't want it. (My girlfriend told me to repeat these phrases while thinking about the V4.)
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- Feb 2, 2018
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- Pennsylvania
She's a hottie
I have followed the trail of this bike since there was a hint of it actually being made for mere mortals. Although I fell in love with the Panigale, I was ready to see a new bike of course and honestly was more focused on performance than anything else. When the first pics claiming to be the actual bike were released I have to admit I was a bit bummed to see what was supposed to be the new flagship of the Ducati line up. However in the past month or so, I admit the more and more I look at this bike it is quite stunning to say the least. Looks more focused, aggressive, flowing and ready to sit in my garage. The only thing I am still a bit bummed about is the fact that it is 1103 cc's. I just was hoping it would be the 999 cc's so it could race in WSBK. But we all know how Ducati likes to take their own road to the track. Still a bit confused over the 1098 cc config, but hey, that's back in '07. lol. All in all it is a stunner. And for me really, Ducati got its looks correct even though I resisted in the beginning. Just goes to show how well they got the original Panigale look to start with.
I have followed the trail of this bike since there was a hint of it actually being made for mere mortals. Although I fell in love with the Panigale, I was ready to see a new bike of course and honestly was more focused on performance than anything else. When the first pics claiming to be the actual bike were released I have to admit I was a bit bummed to see what was supposed to be the new flagship of the Ducati line up. However in the past month or so, I admit the more and more I look at this bike it is quite stunning to say the least. Looks more focused, aggressive, flowing and ready to sit in my garage. The only thing I am still a bit bummed about is the fact that it is 1103 cc's. I just was hoping it would be the 999 cc's so it could race in WSBK. But we all know how Ducati likes to take their own road to the track. Still a bit confused over the 1098 cc config, but hey, that's back in '07. lol. All in all it is a stunner. And for me really, Ducati got its looks correct even though I resisted in the beginning. Just goes to show how well they got the original Panigale look to start with.
I bet quite a few members here have shared a similar experience. Reception of leaked photos was astoundingly negative, then better vantage points came available with its official release and opinions changed. Some adopted it early on, but most like you had to warm up to it, which I think is inevitable in a community of hobbyists that can't stop looking at it/researching it. My frustration, and the entire reason I started this thread to begin with, stems from the fact acquired acceptance doesnt equate to beauty.
Lets compare bikes to women for a moment. Sure you can spend time with a 7, and as you get to know her personality, your perception of her inflates to a 10; but that doesn't change the fact her physical appearance only amounted to 7 in the beginning. So many have argued that looks are subjective and beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but the reality is there are common traits found in beauty. If the majority whole perceives her as a 7, she's is catagorically a 7, atleast for the sake of discussion.
I bet this bike is an absolute screamer, and will set the bar for next gen bikes, but it's performance doesn't change it's aesthetics. Nor does an altered perception from our constant obsession with it. This bike, flat out, has not received the immediate wide spread admiration that the 1X99 commanded. That's not my opinion or a "sweeping generalization," that's a fact.
Lets compare bikes to women for a moment. Sure you can spend time with a 7, and as you get to know her personality, your perception of her inflates to a 10; but that doesn't change the fact her physical appearance only amounted to 7 in the beginning. So many have argued that looks are subjective and beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but the reality is there are common traits found in beauty. If the majority whole perceives her as a 7, she's is catagorically a 7, atleast for the sake of discussion.
I bet this bike is an absolute screamer, and will set the bar for next gen bikes, but it's performance doesn't change it's aesthetics. Nor does an altered perception from our constant obsession with it. This bike, flat out, has not received the immediate wide spread admiration that the 1X99 commanded. That's not my opinion or a "sweeping generalization," that's a fact.
Last edited:
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Allow me to throw a little spin on your analogy. You never have a second chance to make a first impression. The majority of the world got their first impression of the bike in 2D, through photos or the live feed at the world launch a day and a half before EICMA. A significant number of people who then saw the bike in the flesh have stated that the bike looks better in person. Due to a travel SNAFU, I missed the launch that I was scheduled to attend, and the first time I saw the bike was when the doors opened up for EICMA for the press (a good number of people, but not the crowds that ensued when everyone else was let in). Up close and personal. My first impression was, "WOW, beautiful!" When I saw the pictures afterwards, I thought that justice was not served. My first impression is what sticks in my mind, or maybe I'm just weird.
DucatiTerminator-Not weird at all, I think that's a fair assessment. You differentiate your first impression gained in person from the impression gained from photographs. Some bikes (and women) are more photogenic then others, and first hand impressions will likely yield more positive perspectives. And yet, her predecessor did not require it...considered equally beautiful on paper as in person.
) are more photogenic then others, and first hand impressions will likely yield more positive perspectives. And yet, her predecessor did not require it...considered equally beautiful on paper as in person.
