I Bought a 200 HP Motorcycle - Ducati Streetfighter V4S First Ride

The Ducati Monster is officially traded in and I have taken delivery of a brand new 2023 Ducati Streetfighter V4S. This is my first motorcycle with over 200 HP and I am excited to finish the break-in period to see what it can really do.
Join me on my first ride home from the dealership. I will share my initial impressions about this motorcycle and give you a preview of things to come. Stay tuned until the end for some bonus riding footage! At the end of my ride, traffic let up a bit and I was able to open it up a little more.
Shout out to @tentwentysix who correctly guessed the new bike in my last video!
And apologies for the shakier footage in the beginning - I didn't have room in my backpack to fit my filming equipment!

[@linserr90]

Going the exact opposite route. Selling my Streetfighter V4S and ordered a Monster SP. The Streetfighter V4S is a beast but completely unrideable on the streets here because it only wants to go fast and gets really hot and jerky if you ride it at lower speeds consistently. It was also killing my back because of the brutal nature of the bike in combination with the seating position. Finally this engine drinks fuel like crazy like average 23 mpg even if you ride it calm. (10l /100 kms) So for me the monster SP will be a more fun and liveable motorcycle at legal speeds.. Anyway have fun with your purchase! 😉

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

Thanks for the comments! Where are you based? I'm still working on getting the break-in miles done, so I have not taken it above 8k RPM. I do find it to be pretty smooth in that RPM range. I only notice the jerky quality under 4k RPM. I felt like the Monster engine lugged more at lower RPM. I agree on the fuel consumption - even riding under 8k RPM, I am only getting around 30mpg. We will see when I start giving it more power. I tend to ride it for 30 min - 1 hour at a time so my back has been okay, but I do feel more pressure on the palms compared to the Monster. The Monster SP is a great choice and I am sure you will love it! I can see myself getting another Monster in the future the next time they do a major change. Cheers!

[@linserr90]

@@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles I live in Belgium (Europe) and mostly ride from the city to the countryside through small villages with small roads and a lot of police speed control. Something that is not ideal for the streetfighter v4s to handle. Did 2 test rides with the monster sp and found it a lot friendlier in lower rpm even as low as 2500 rpm did not bother it and it was a completely stock bike 5k miles on it. It's definitely gonna get worse fuel range after the break in because you will open her up more. But it is mostly worth it if you can handle the seating position which I found ideal on the monster sp with the higher seat height and more relaxed handlebar position. If you ride short trips the streetfighter will be just fine. I do have a history of 2 motorcycle accidents which broke both my wrists and might have damaged my back too 😅 Thanks will enjoy it and a monster is always a good bike to have as a second bike. To bad I only have room for one! If you have any questions about the streetfighter V4S feel free to ask and have fun 😉

[@tentwentysix]

Congrats, man! I love it --- enjoy and be safe out there. Look forward to many more update videos. 🏍

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

Thank you!

[@DrAfzalHMohamed]

Congratulations on your new bike Doc! I have a feeling though that you will be missing your Monster more often than not. I have been following your channel for a while and bought my Monster on the 3rd of April this year. I absolutely love it and just want to get on it and ride every morning, even in the 40 degree CELSIUS heat here in Chennai, India. I do not think the Streetfighter is going to be a decent around the town bike. It's very very different to the Monster in that sense. Of course you don't have the crazy traffic that we do here. Oh, and maybe it's for the Indian market but my Monster does have a fuel gauge. It's a 2023 model as well. You can choose to display the fuel gauge or the distance to empty in the settings. Having said that, it's really inaccurate and it runs down to 1 bar and the light comes on when it's only 8 litres down and there is still 6 litres in the tank!! All the best and enjoy your new ride!

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

Thank you! I am really enjoying it so far, but we haven't gotten our usual summer heat yet, so we will see. Congrats on your Monster as well, it's a fantastic bike! The Monster here has a fuel gauge as well, but for some reason it is not installed on the Streetfighter. The SFV4 only gets around 30-35 MPG, so the range is not very good. For my riding style it might work nicely though. I live in an area where I ride only backroads and am never sitting in traffic.

[@burner188]

Congrats! Amazing bike for sure. Have a little time on a SF V2...great machines 😍

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

Thank you! I wonder if the V2 would have been more practical, but I've always wanted to try a V4 engine...we shall see!

[@RadDadisRad]

Super stoked for you. I love that bike so much. It’s THE bike that I most want.

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

Thank you! Can't wait to get it broken in to see its full potential.

[@RadDadisRad]

@@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles I’ll be here! I subscribed. Can’t wait to see what you do with it.

[@haliltaylan6181]

Congrats :) Such a beautiful bike, except the exhaust. I will never understand why the high spec bikes can’t fit in a nice exhaust…

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

Thank you! This exhaust has grown on me though. I like it better than the big cans some other bikes have - at least it is below the bike and out of the way. I really want to get the Akro titanium under mounted exhaust but it is around $6k...

[@haliltaylan6181]

@@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles how can an exhaust justify 6k 😂 For that money you get a Kawa Z500

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

Yeah, its absolutely crazy. And I think it is one of the only undermounted aftermarket exhausts you can buy.

[@shafahj]

Nice ride on a beautiful bike!

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

Thank you! Can't wait to get it broken in so I can make some more exciting videos!

[@flyingfox27]

Oh my goodness . that's exactly our next move. Streetfighter after monster

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

You will love the Streetfighter! Would you want a V2 or V4 next?

[@AlexDahlZ]

Congrats! That's one hell of a bike. Personally for me I will not be buying a Ducati motorcycle again after my experience with a 2023 Monster+. Very happy with my M1000R Comp.

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

The M1000R is a phenomenal bike - I was between those two but preferred the test ride on the Ducati. In terms of looks, you can't beat the Competition with all the carbon and billet accessories. What kind of issues did you have with your Monster?

[@elithegreat6463]

Good luck with it, But Im still in love with My Monster SP,and its Fuel gauge 😉

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

Thank you! I've really enjoyed it so far. Don't rub in the fuel gauge 😂. Range is only around 100 miles before the fuel light comes on...and this is while I'm riding like a saint.

[@elithegreat6463]

@@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles I have a Triumph Rocket3-R as well, beside my Monster, A 2500 Cc engine is thirsty, 5 gallon tank and I only get in the upper 20s, low 30s on mileage. But hey, its a motorcycle, so gas mileage is not really a thing, its about the ride 👍

[@Ducati_Fratelli]

What you're hearing is actually a flapper valve in the exhaust vs cylinder deactivation. Cylinder deactivation only happens once the bike is up to temp and you pull the clutch in. The flapper valve was new from 2022 onward

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

Thanks for the clarification. There is very minimal information about the Rear Cylinder Deactivation on the Ducati website. I am assuming cylinder deactivation also occurs when you put the bike in neutral?

[@Ducati_Fratelli]

@@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles I was told it does not happen in neutral. At least while the bike is not up to temp. The change in noise switching it into gear is the flapper valve opening and closing. Emissions and noise tests are done with the bike in neutral and the flapper valve was added for new restrictions form 22' and on.

[@keyjones1678]

Rear cylinder deactivation is in neutral or when stationary with the clutch in. The exhaust valve doesn't open until 6k rpm, so the change in sound is the rear cylinders engaging.

[@Ducati_Fratelli]

@@keyjones1678 with the 22’+ newer bikes the flapper valve in the exhaust was added

[@keyjones1678]

@@Ducati_Fratelli Hmm, I think you are confused. They've been on Ducati and most modern bikes since the mid-2000's; maybe even earlier it's nothing new. It's just a servo valve.

[@Dilemma1962]

I took delivery of the Diavel V4 a couple months ago. Enjoy that Streetfighter!

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

Thank you! How have you been enjoying the Diavel?

[@Dilemma1962]

@@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles Love it. One *minor* complaint; the mirrors. I don’t think they could possibly be worse. 😂 If that’s all a person can complain about, I’d call that a win in the new MC department.

[@hey_im_him]

I just purchased one too and coming from a Monster 1200R similar to you. My first thought was how rough it is.

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

The Monster 1200 is a fantastic bike! What do you mean by rough for the Streetfighter?

[@hey_im_him]

@@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles the ride is rough/hard compared to my Monster. They gave it to me in sport and I never took it out 😂

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

@iamwillshepherd 😂 I haven't been riding in sport mode yet but excited to try after my break in service. Even in road mode the suspension feels stiffer.

[@hey_im_him]

@@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles oh gosh. I was telling myself it was only because I was in sport mode 😆 🤦‍♂️

[@ellisbutler4551]

Congrats! Now that you are on a bike with adjustable front forks, how does the fork dive compare to your monster that did not have adjustable options?

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

Thank you! The suspension on the V4S is far superior to the Monster. The base V4 has adjustable suspension but the S is even further upgraded with electronic Ohlins suspension. With hard braking, fork dive is a lot less noticeable than on the Monster and for regular road riding it is a lot smoother.

[@ruimteschipYT]

Awesome video i get mine this week😊

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

Niiiice, enjoy it! I've had a lot of fun on mine so far.

[@douglasgrosch228]

break in with accelerate to 5k then hold 20 sec then declerate and keep doing it and shut off cold hot cycles as many as possible to break in dont hold in one place . up and down the range - shut it off 10-20 min rides thats how break in

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

Thanks for the suggestions - that's similar to what I have been doing. Only 400 miles to go!

[@markholmes5695]

Love it. Picking mine up in December. Grey/nero 👍

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

That's awesome, you're really going to enjoy it! The grey/nero looks amazing in person. When I was looking at 2022 models, I actually preferred the grey/nero, but the 2023 redesign really improved the look of the classic Ducati red. I like how they changed the accent colors from silver to black on the 2023s.

[@markholmes5695]

Fully agree. The black looks better than the aluminium look 👍 I love Ducati red but the gold forks threw me off the Red. I prefer the base model in Red. Weirdo I know🤷‍♂️ Greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

Totally get it though, everyone has their personal preferences. Thanks for watching!

[@Dmakhija]

Hi Michael how are you liking the v4s? Would love to see your full review after months of owning the SF. .

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

Your comment comes at a good time - a full review is actually one of my next videos in the queue! Loving it so far, but will give a full breakdown in the video.

[@RodeoRides]

She’s a beaut Clark 👍🏻

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

Thank you! (Love that movie btw haha)

[@uptownfragrance6148]

Bro u was close to me

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

Niice. There are some good roads up there!

[@drifterxl12]

Congrats! Change your gear first into something safer like leather suite and covered arms and a good helmet. You are going to use the 200hp...

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

Thank you! I have been looking at new jackets and pants actually. I just bought Dainese Torque 3 Out boots and Dainese Druid full gloves. I am good on helmets though - the one in the video is a full carbon AGV Sportmodular. I just had the front part up so you can see my face while I talk. I also have a full face AGV K6S which I really like.

[@drifterxl12]

@@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles awesome!!

[@sahilshah8392]

Which phone did you record this video ? Please rely

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

Intro is with Samsung Galaxy S23. In-ride footage is with the Insta360 x3.

[@GGMM42]

Time to get a proper helmet now. That flipup is really bad for such a bike.

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

This is actually a very good helmet. It is the Sportmodular unit from AGV - fully carbon shell. I prefer this helmet for motovlogging since it already has the microphone installed. I also have an AGV K6S full face helmet which I use for solo riding. Cheers!

[@GGMM42]

@@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles Yeah... no. It's not a good helmet, don't fool yourself. It's the only helmet that I regret buying, and I'm an AGV fan. Went twice back to AGV for having a vent and the flip-up mechanism replaced. In fact I prefer my Pista GP RR, with all its drawbacks, when I ride the Multistrada instead of the Sportmodular. K6/S is a very good helmet and appropriate for the SF.

[@David-bf6pl]

I'll miss the Monster.

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

Yeah, I think I will too. It's quite possible I go back to a Monster at some point, especially whenever they do their next engine/model change.

[@richardsimmons6526]

Ill stick to my zh2.

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

A fine choice, but there is something about these Italian V4 engines that just sounds so good.

[@richardsimmons6526]

@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles they do sound good. Just can't stand the reliability.

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

Why did I decide to sell my Monster? kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXWthY2fe9Kpe5I

[@soumojitghosh2655]

I think Ducati streetfighter v4s is the fastest naked bike in the world

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

I think it is tied with the MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RR with 208 HP peak!

[@soumojitghosh2655]

@@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles so why you not make a video between these two monster bike let see which one is faster and love from India bro 🇮🇳

[@taylorhickman84]

moto community, please stop buying $30k naked bikes it just makes no sense especially one's that cook the rider

[@Dr.MichaelsMotorcycles]

I think there is always a place for expensive bikes. MV Agusta nakeds cost even more and I would love to see one out on the road. Obviously you're paying a premium for the Ducati name, but that is also part of the experience. Beyond the name though, you're getting a beautifully designed bike, V4 Desmo engine, fully electronic suspension with electronic steering damper, high end rims, tires, etc. I haven't gotten cooked yet, but will report back once we're in the thick of summer 😂

[@taylorhickman84]

​@@Dr.MichaelsMotorcyclesThere's certainly a place for expensive bikes, just wish they would remain "niche". At least with the Ducati you are getting performance with the high price, where as the MV you just get gaudy styling, poor reliability and crap resale value. Oddly where I live I see just as many v2/v4 streetfighters as I do Japanese nakeds. typically with massive chicken strips at bike nights, or parking it in the turns at the local twisties.

[@shafahj]

Is 30k a lot? Seems reasonable to me 🤷‍♂️

[@taylorhickman84]

@@shafahj considering the life expectancy of the vehicle, yeah. In the last ten years, the price for a top of the line naked bike basically doubled.