V4 Speciale

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jpiwko

jpiwko

Joined
Jul 16, 2017
Messages
28
Location
Huntsville, AL
Greetings you guys and gals. Got some disturbing info after finally getting a dealer to respond with details on the Speciale. I thought the bike shipped from the factory w/ the Akro installed and flashed and that was part of why it was exclusive, but not only does it NOT ship w/ the full akro installed, the dealer also wants to charge a fee to install it on the bike.

I have watched several videos on the install process of the full akro, and it's pretty intense (taking the subframe off and more) so, I only assume the dealer will want a pretty penny for this as well.

Is it worth it? Is there a difference any major besides the decal kit & triple clamp serno from the V4s beside a 12k higher price tag? Couldn't i save the price diff, buy a full system, install it myself and us the rest for some race fairings and track the bike :confused:confused::confused::confused::D:cool:>?

Please post up opinions (and be gentle its my first v4 post ;).
 
ryanfavro said:
You can't install the upmap without the dealer software
Click to expand...

Yeah I knew that (akro map is vin specific) but, that flash comes with a full akro kit when you buy it as well, so in theory, you could take your v4s home, put on the full kit, trailer it back to the dealership for the flash install>?

I guess I am trying to justify the price diff when the speciale is the same suspension & engine as the v4s (unless I am missing something here, that's why I am asking you guys).

I know it has the full exhaust/flash (but it's not factory installed), a unique seat, unique decal kit and unique triple clamp. That's really the only thing dif from the v4s (that I can see online). If I am missing anything please let me know. I want to make an informed purchase.

Truly looking forward to everyone's response. :D:cool:
 
You could easily save a lot of money by buying a S model and getting the Akrapovic exhaust separately. The Speciale is an S model with the full Akra and a lot of DP performance parts which you may or may not want.
 
Plus the sexiest lookin v4 in the lineup. That look alone is worth the price over the plain and boring red.
 
The labor to install the exhaust is about 11 hours so you are looking at possibly another $1300 or so. The bike does come with a lot of other accessories (carbon fenders, rizoma rearsets, gas cap, mirror block offs, levers, brake lever guard, tall windscreen, bike cover, license plate block off & a little model of the engine).

What are your plans for the bike street or track?
 
If you're prepared to pay Speciale prices then consider the R?

For me at least, the Speciale appears to have had a DP catalogue thrown at it and some paint. Aside from the numbered yoke there's nothing here that you can't achieve at a reasonable cost. You don't even get the damn wheels, they're an 'option'!!!
 
Didn't try to negotiate at all, literally just started this adventure and the dealer basically said their rep only has 1 left (not sure if that's legit OR it's a sales tactic). I do know they are only 1500 made for 2019 globally so might be legit :confused:

As for my intent, I will take it to a few track days but, more so a street/garage queen/eye candy item, to be honest, I am away a lot for work and I don't get much time at home to enjoy it.

I missed the 1299 bandwagon all together and I don't like buying a used bike because of the owner could've mistreated the bike from day one and you would have no idea the hidden POS you're purchasing until it's too late.

As for the 'R', the only thing I don't like about it is the batwing up front. I know that aerodynamically it makes sense, BUT IMO it's ugly AF (like the H2 :D).

Any speciale owners on here regret just not getting an S and using the rest of the money on their own part of choice?

thanks again guys!
 
jpiwko said:
Didn't try to negotiate at all, literally just started this adventure and the dealer basically said their rep only has 1 left (not sure if that's legit OR it's a sales tactic). I do know they are only 1500 made for 2019 globally so might be legit :confused:

thanks again guys!
Click to expand...

It might be the last one they are getting, but they arent moving very fast lol you can go online and do a fast search on cycle trader and see 37 of them still for sale, that is just cycle trader, i am sure there are other avenues where they are for sale as well... they take a while to move after the R came out (i was one who had a deposit on the Speciale and removed once i saw the R in person).

However, tell them you want the parts (all) installed for free, they most likely will. I was looking at 4 different speciales at different dealers, best price i was offered was all parts installed, OTD 36k. It was a great deal in my mind, but the R was just.... better, to me. So i opted for the R.
 
As far a regrets I was not anticipating using mine so much for the track. That being said once I did a few track days on it I was hooked so to late lol.

I do not regret buying it but looking back based on the amount of tracks days I do I would have built one another way. It again depends on your taste & time. The bike comes with all of the goodies so not much to add although there are a lot of things you can add.

Also are there many in your area and does that matter to you. I was at the track last weekend and there were two (mine & another). I do have aftermarket body work on mine so it has a different look.

It really comes down to if you like the look and don't have time to source all of the extras it may be the way to go.
 
If it was me and I was riding on the road and maybe the occasional trackday, then I would get the S. If you like the paint job so much (it is nice), that can easily be replicated. For a better-than-factory finish, I'd budget US$1,200 for paint/ US$1,500 for show-quality.

You can always get a pipe later and have a custom map installed. And I am not a big fan of the Ducati accessory catalogue; you can do better.

Now, if it was a track bike, I'd say get the standard model or the R version. Me, I'd get the R and convert it to a trackbike.

PS: Whether their are two left or 22 left, the availability of the Speciale is irrelevant to the dealer giving you a deal on installation of the pipe. Mine put it on for free; and yes, they budgeted 8 hrs but it took them about 12 hours to install (first time they'd done one, back in May 2012).
 
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I bought the S and did the full Akra install myself. Unfortunately my dealer doesn't know what they are doing and gave me the run around to install the Akra upmap. I gave them the code from the box as the system was brand new, but they showed me the service bulletin that says i have to show photographic evidence that the bike is a race bike, including
1) trailering the bike to and from the dealer
2) removal of mirrors, blinkers, rear brake light, etc.
3) other pictures that prove its a race bike

With all that headache, i ordered a brentune for it. If you install it yourself, talk to your dealer first and be 100% sure they can do the upmap for you. On the bright side, i may be able to sell the Akra upmap code in the future.

I like the speciale but the extra parts for me don't justify the price hike. I do agree with others that its the prettiest V4 right now and will definitely age the best, like the 1199 tricolore.
 
Styler said:
If it was me and I was riding on the road and maybe the occasional trackday, then I would get the S. If you like the paint job so much (it is nice), that can easily be replicated. For a better-than-factory finish, I'd budget US$1,200 for paint/ US$1,500 for show-quality.

You can always get a pipe later and have a custom map installed. And I am not a big fan of the Ducati accessory catalogue; you can do better.

Now, if it was a track bike, I'd say get the standard model or the R version. Me, I'd get the R and convert it to a trackbike.

PS: Whether their are two left or 22 left, the availability of the Speciale is irrelevant to the dealer giving you a deal on installation of the pipe. Mine put it on for free; and yes, they budgeted 8 hrs but it took them about 12 hours to install (first time they'd done one, back in May 2012).
Click to expand...

After really looking into it, I think I leaning towards V4s.

I am having a difficult time though getting past the exclusivity of the 1500 club. (I plan on keeping the bike for a long time)

Big thing I want to do right out the block is re-spring the bike (I am a big guy 6'0'' 290+gear). On my 1098s I had it re-sprung w/ 105nm in the back and I believe 115 up front... (I believe) anyone know a good spring rate for big guys? ESP if I ride w/ my wife around the block (she's 120ish). Granted 2up would be for anything more then a date night to the movies :p... anyways... I think I am gonna go w/ the v4s. (I really can't go wrong either way to be honest :))
 
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$1500 for show quality paint? That might get one side of the bike painted. What about the other side and the tank? No show quality paint shop would do a whole bike for that cheap on one solid color, let alone something like the speciale. More likely over $3k. Wrap jobs cost over $1000 for a full bike.
 
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I love the Speciale. The number of recalls has been horrendous but that is for all V4. I negotiated a modest price (around $500) for the install as it's a lot of work.

I ride just on the street, at least so far....
 
jdkerner said:
I love the Speciale. The number of recalls has been horrendous but that is for all V4. I negotiated a modest price (around $500) for the install as it's a lot of work.

I ride just on the street, at least so far....
Click to expand...

I know it's alot of work, you pull the rear subframe off and such. I just find it odd that it's not shipped from the factory w/ the kit & flash, almost like the only special thing about it is the triple clamp ;). (I know, I am my own worst critic, probably drive the dealers crazy but, I am picky, and if I am dropping 40k on a bike, I think you're allowed to be critical on your new baby :D).

So for the speciale owners, what'd you pay otd & did you pay for the akro install? :confused: (I have gotten a few pm's about it and it's been a wide sampling of info)

Thanks guys!!!:D
 
Pretty sure they don’t ship with the Akra exhaust and upmap from the factory is thst it’s not Euro compliant in that configuration. Not sure about EPA compliance but unless they filed a report to the EPA in thst configuration, same thing.
 
double0 said:
$1500 for show quality paint? That might get one side of the bike painted. What about the other side and the tank? No show quality paint shop would do a whole bike for that cheap on one solid color, let alone something like the speciale. More likely over $3k. Wrap jobs cost over $1000 for a full bike.
Click to expand...

That number is pretty relative. DC Paintworx painted mine and I would call it OEM quality. I think all in it was around $1400 with installed graphics from Drippin' Wet. Read reviews and shop around.
 

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