Ducati Multistrada V2S UK review - better than the 950S and V4?

The Ducati Multistrada V2S is finally here, replacing the 950S with a bunch of small upgrades which add up to a surprisingly different feeling bike. Join me for a probably too in-depth walkaround and some reasonably brisk riding on gnarly and greasy British B roads. Should you keep your 950S or upgrade to this - and would I spend more to get the Multistrada V4? Find out right here…

[@ebranman1]

Great review as always! I have told myself for years that I will own a Ducati before I die. Might need this one! But might need to wait for the price to go down next year if there are any on sale. Your vids are always informative and entertaining. Keep 'em coming!

[@rickaaron6230]

Great review man 👍🏻. I ordered mine Oct 3rd and just found out it’s coming in March 🤘🏻 I flipped when I saw the Street Gray with the GP Red wheels! I love my 950S but I have giraffe legs as well.. The seat sucks!! I was even more excited to find out about the new ergonomics on the release video. All these reviews talk about the sketchy quick shift, and I have never had an issue with mine. I agree that it has plenty of balls for twisty roads, and it’s super easy as a commuter too. Come on Spring!! Happy Riding man!! ✌🏻🏁

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Good to have you back Tim! Enjoyed that - I'm riding the V4S at the moment, an awesome thing, will be very interested to see how this compares if/when I get round to riding one! All the best mate, keep 'em coming!

[@timrodierides]

Thanks mate! The V4S is a doozy - it has a special place in my heart because it got me home at a very dubious speed when my other half called to say she was going into labour while I was out filming my statics on it...

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

@@timrodierides Aww ya big softie...

[@spencerlovell9602]

Always a great and fair review along with the right amount of tomfoolery, love it 👍

[@timrodierides]

Thanks Spencer, appreciate it!

[@hamishtulloch8978]

Looks like you had a bit of fun with it. That's why we ride bikes! Got a MV Agusta TV at the moment and your comments on the weight reduction very timely. Sat on the new Triumph Explorer 1200 and it felt huge. Might just stay with the MV as its 191kgs dry . Big engines mean big weight. Interesting and involving video -great fun to watch.

[@pistolpete6321]

Great review, looks like an excellent update by Ducati! Good luck with the new job!

[@timrodierides]

Thanks Pete!

[@osafoca]

Great review! I've had a hypermotard 821 for 8 years and looking at getting the V2S in a year or two. Mainly for some wind protection, fuel range, and overall more comfort, while still hopefully keeping it fairly agile and fun. 6'3 as well, I'd go with the taller seat for sure and need to do something about the windscreen.

[@alanprice9938]

Great to see a new review from you Tim 👍 you’ve been missed!! Like you, I’m a tad tall, and get miffed by the buffeting from all touring/adventure bikes….. almost like I might as well just get a superbike, but what that meant for me on the 950s is that it felt great if you push it, whilst riding solo, but the moment I took my wife on the back (I’m 15.5 stone, she’s 8 stone), it felt slow and lacking, the moment you had a need to overtake, especially with any uphill gradient at all. It had to be revved to unpleasant levels to get it properly moving. The 1250GS felt asthmatic at higher revs too, and a bit squidgy when pushed. In the end I bought the V4s because I couldn’t get over the moo cow face of the new KTM 1290SA, nor it’s gonad fuel tanks, but I’m sure from a rider perspective it’s a close toss up between the two big adventures. The V4 Multi doesn’t even notice a hill, nor whether I have a pillion, and overtakes need far less preparation. It’s only fault is that I reckon it needs a 7th gear or a taller 6th so that it sits about 1000 revs lower at 80mph…….but all the other adventure bikes felt too undergeared and buzzy at that speed too, especially the 1250GS.

[@sinaniseri6575]

Clearly an immensely fun bike, enjoyed your point of view. Thank you.

[@timrodierides]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@grizzlystr3445]

Ordered one two weeks ago to replace my r1200gs which I’m just finding to heavy & bulky. Great real world review on UK greasy roads 👍

[@timrodierides]

Thanks! Enjoy it, you'll love it.

[@albertlira7443]

Happy to see you back on a bike Rodie. Followed your insta so i can keep up with you

[@timrodierides]

Thanks Albert, I appreciate it!

[@caseyclifford8536]

Just bought a V2S and still getting used to it. Fun, Fun Fun!!! I can confirm all the things you talk about in your video. Good job on the video.

[@timrodierides]

Thanks! As I said my mate's going to be getting one in March, so I'll get more time on a V2S this year I'm sure.

[@caseyclifford8536]

@@timrodierides I know you will love riding your mates V2. The more I ride it the more I like it.

[@flexywing]

Hi there seriously thinking of getting one of these, Just wondering how you got on and if there were issues. You still got it?

[@andrew.storriemclean403]

Just ordered one yesterday. hopefully with me end of July🤞🏽 good vid great bike,thanks

[@timrodierides]

Thanks! Enjoy it when it comes. Had another go on one yesterday and still love it

[@flexywing]

Hi there seriously thinking of getting one of these, Just wondering how you got on and if there were issues. You still got it?

[@trakdoc9528]

Turn off DWC and it will wheelie easier. You can fit the small or off road windscreen to allow clean air. Alternatively, the MRA screen is pretty decent pushing the air over you. What they really need to do is add the front wind spoilers above the headlights, like the V4s to improve the buffetting. Maybe next version will get windtunnel tested.

[@NickTruelsen]

Easily one of the best reviewers around for cars and bikes

[@timrodierides]

Aww thanks Nick! You melted my cold, icy heart!

[@sabrinadahl3291]

Hello Tim! You have covered both bikes, the MTS V2 and V4 very well. Which one would do better through a long very twisty road? I understand the appeal of a lot of HP for sure, but that is not really necessary for the curves. I would think the lighter weight V2 would be more agile in that type of use. Can you please share your experience/opinion on that? Thank you!

[@livingthedreambuildingthedream]

Excellent review of this motorbike really enjoyed it… I’m a short legged rider so I think this will be the bike for me. Just one question did it vibrate a lot or was it manageable?? Once again excellent review.

[@theheroblob5036]

Cheers... enjoyed the review. I'm such a bike tart! This bike is really catching my eye, despite loving my 1250RT. Maybe it's just a winter boredom thing 😁

[@timrodierides]

I know that feeling well! By March each year I feel as if I’ve virtually owned every new bike on sale via YT reviews…

[@theheroblob5036]

@@timrodierides at least, as a journo, you get to ride a few of them. Wouldn't mind but I've only had the RT just over a year and I'm already being unfaithful, eyeing up other bikes! 😂

[@IanTed]

Test ride booked, getting no younger and my 1250 GSA is overkill for the B roads of Northumberland and the Borders🤪

[@tahirsharif9461]

Great review Tim. Perfect timing, just went and looked at one this week - feels good with my shorter 29” legs with the narrow seat and 830mm seat height - plus you can get an even lower seat if required. Would have ordered one this week, unfortunately Ducati Croydon were taking the piss with their £3500 drop from new on my 10 month old T700. May just wait a few months and see if I can find a low mileage 71 reg instead. Definitely looks fun. For me, as a middle weight bike which will be mostly for road usage, this allows me to do the odd dirt/gravel track and be brilliant on road. What did you prefer the Multistrada V2S or the Supersport?

[@timrodierides]

I had fun on both of them, but to be honest upright adventure bikes always feel naughtier to me than slightly sportier bikes like the SuperSport. And on crappy British roads there's something to be said for more weather protection and more suspension travel (although the SuperSport is pretty plush).

[@timmo3351]

Something something, nice comment. What’s the new job? All the best with it, hope redundancy from DT came with a payout to spunk on new bike/more realistically money spent on family things.

[@andrewshore262]

Subscribed, plus obligatory gushing comment - I like the cut of your jib, how’s that🤔. Seems like a worthy step up from my 4 year old V Strom 1000, Ducati have certainly improved since Audi VW got their mitts on them - like the character, range and of course it’s a V Twin, but those desmo valve trains cost mucho to service I hear. Great review enjoyed it👍

[@timrodierides]

Thanks Andrew! Yeah, I'm a big fan of Ducatis - I've had a few. The older ones would cripple you with running costs if they went wrong (which they didn't very often, to be fair). All the newer post 2013 ones I've had have been flawless...

[@andrewshore262]

@@timrodierides And if they don’t secure a win this year in MotoGP I’ll be surprised, nearly every other bike on the grid is a Ducati………..yup definitely want one.

[@deancostello14]

Yes I do need the V4, Timothy. Yes I do.

[@timrodierides]

Could you tell that I would do the same? Actually, I’d get the KTM… feels more like a Supermoto

[@aleks_the_Great13]

I'm considering one of these with and swapping for a 17 inch front wheel for better handling... 😅

[@Speedytrip]

Looking forward to trying one, really curious to see how comfortable the suspensions are on rough roads... I looked at the V4, but it's too expensive, range is ridiculous, gas guzzling (at todays gas price someone riding 20-30000km a year will see quite a difference) and though maintenance schedule looks really good, when you do get to the major maintenance you'll need to remortgage your house for that V4 engine.

[@timrodierides]

Yeah, I love the idea of a Multi V4 but like you say the maintenance costs terrify me (even if the intervals are huge).

[@caseyclifford8536]

Compared to my Harley and RE Interceptor. The V2S is smooth as silk on our pothole filled Richardson Texas city streets. The previously mentioned bikes are not even in the same universe. I didn’t realize I was riding farm equipment before. :-)

[@Inked_CR]

I have narrowed my next bike down to be either the Tiger 900 GT Pro or a 950s Multistrada 2020. I'd love to hear your views on the 2 and which you would sway more towards. Cheers

[@timrodierides]

I’d go for the Multi. More characterful (and weirdly less annoyingly vibey) engine. But they’re both good do it all bikes!

[@niko9425]

How was the knee angle for a tall guy like you? Was it the standard seat height? Also did you notice the quick shifter to be somewhat slow in high rpms? Great review, cheers!

[@timrodierides]

I didn't notice the quickshifter - it felt far smoother and more intuitive than the one on my mate's 950S. And the knee angle didn't bother me at all - but I was only riding for a few hours.

[@rocket3ful]

I've had the 950S and currently have the V4S. Trust me, the latter is the better👍🏻

[@timrodierides]

Power corrupts! And smoothness. And noise…

[@JT-et7ui]

Great review. This or the 890 Adventure?

[@dennisalberti7424]

The 890 is kind of ... ugly. Isn't it?

[@beverleynorth4914]

HELP I’ve got an Interceptor, want to step up to something more powerful. I’m 6 foot, don’t want to be cramped ( like sit-up and beg). Don’t know whether to go naked!!! or screen, hear so many stories of screens leading to buffeting. don’t want weight on wrists . Considering Multistrada, Tracer 7, Monster, Tiger 660 sport, Z900RS What shall I go for?? Also want a nice exhaust note

[@gsd32i]

😂 liked the video very much 👍

[@timrodierides]

I like this comment very much! Thank you :)

[@motos-passion42]

Good review, but ......the sound recording is 🤕😬

[@timrodierides]

Sorry for that

[@gotstreetglide]

People can choose what they want but I'll stick with my Multistrada V4S. Cheers

[@keyboarddancers7751]

Toned down Desert X

[@unenthusiast]

14k? You could buy a lightly modified Royal Enfield Interceptor for that!

[@timrodierides]

Aw man that’s such a sad story. I really feel for TMF!

[@benkelly2190]

😂😂👍🏻

[@benkelly2190]

Please tell me, Tim. Why do the down pipes look like dog shit, 5 minutes after exposure to air?

[@timrodierides]

I honestly don't know - except it happens to every new bike I've ridden, pretty much!

[@FogmasterLeghorn]

this bike is probably the best all-rounder ever built; I wish some reviewer would comment on serious handling and cornering of the v2s. what if you primarily sport ride but need a few hrs to reach the mountains? Will this bike satisfy a decent sport rider? who cares how much fun you are having on a straight.

[@timrodierides]

It handles fine. Really well. Is that ok for you, “decent sport rider”?

[@roytong1908]

I still love my ktm 1290 SAR more

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

I likey likey very muchly. Love Italian naming.. Bloke: "What ya ridin there mate?" Me: "Itza da Multistrada Testastretta!" I yell waving my hands around. Good review egotistical baldy man.

[@a.kirkpatrick961]

NOPE! I love my 21 Multi V4 S. The V4 is way better.

[@timrodierides]

The V4 is better… but is it £5k better? I had just as much fun on the V2. And I was surprised by that!

[@a.kirkpatrick961]

@@timrodierides I think the extra power is worth the 5K 🏍 And the sound of a V4!

[@frankmirandosr875]

I am a Power nut myself. I just bought this V2S is Plenty Fast for The road. I have double R BMW FOR Track and also have k1600b with Mods. This V2S is just the right amount of power and is very athletic in the turns. I never test rode the V4 but honestly the V2S is more than I need. Ride safe.