Is the 2025 Ducati Multistrada V4S a worthy upgrade? We took it on- and off-road to find out | MCN

#ducati #multistradav4s #adventurebikes #mcn
Chief Road Tester, Michael Neeves brings you his verdict on the 2025 Ducati Multistrada V4S. Find out more, by reading his review here: www.motorcycle...
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[@ducatimale]

Really well put together review, as always. Thanks Nevesy + editor!

[@cmii9966]

Appeeciate your candor when providing review comments.

[@bikerbardy]

Had my '23 V4 Rally set up by the tuning boys at World Ducati Week in Misano, preload was set to max and ride with the setting on Rider and Pillion all the time and add luggage when touring, it makes a big difference. Did about 7000 miles touring this year and it is the dogs doodahs! I have also added 20mm bar risers for the best position for me.

[@vivekh7662]

Nice!! 80's reference to the Scorpions and Wind of Change!

[@johnwiffen6655]

The collective noun of Ducatis is a’ fortune of Ducatis’.

[@flexywing]

Great review as ever Neevesy is the bwst out there

[@alanprice9938]

Coming off of a super bike, I can see why someone would think it feels soft, but I’ve found with mine (a recommendation for anyone) is to always ride it in a suspension setting of rider, pillion, plus luggage, and it sharpens everything up, whether in touring or sport. Makes it feel proper taut.

[@BarnettSpeedSuzukiThou]

Yeah even on my v2s travel I do the one rider plus luggage. Yes I do have theuggage on but not much in them.

[@alanprice9938]

@@BarnettSpeedSuzukiThou feels sharp on those settings doesn’t it, and can always wind it back a bit if going on a long straight run when you want the comfort optimised again 👍👍

[@ricardoedwardo5799]

Always have mine on auto, but I’ll try that, thanks

[@alanprice9938]

@ definitely works for me, especially nice configuration for when I leave everything in standard touring mode, but add those weight settings….makes the bike feel perfect (to me).

[@IanTed]

My next bike, love my V2S but moving up to the V4 next time.👍

[@alanprice9938]

@@IanTed you won’t regret it. I tested both, and loved the V2S, but the biggest difference was on overtaking, or on a long, fast uphill run with a pillion (as we have a lot around here) and where the V2 needed revving a bit, the V4 just doesn’t even notice the hill, and passes anything in a blink.

[@lesjames598]

Just bought a 2021 V4S Sport Full with 2000miles on it. Straight to Europe on tour so now got 4500 miles. Much better than the 1260S I part exchanged. Glad I don't need to buy the 2025 model after seeing this review. Not sure how anything could make it a better all round bike. The sport colour scheme is also the best!!!

[@keithkeller6509]

I really like my V4S Multi. Highly recommended.

[@tainis1996]

Great video like always! I am still undecided between this and the XR

[@robertbush6652]

Thanks a really good review as always. So therefore I will keep my '22 V4s! Cheers

[@kurushunwalla]

Great as always, thank you! 2022 V4s owner here - would Ducati offer a software update for us owners? At least what’s possible with the existing hardware. Cheers

[@creedm3040]

Awesome video! Beautiful bike for sure. Great review. Best!

[@patrickhd34]

I have ridden an early one. For road I prefer the suspension stiffened up, one setting up. Really dislike the pads used, they lack the initial bite I prefer. I plan to get aftermarket pads. Other than that. Great bike. Can tour on it and great for commuting, Sunday blasts.

[@markhoare9567]

Love my 2022 V4S, but it can be improved. I’ve part chopped it for the new model. The main reason is it looks better for two up touring. The other is, get rid of it now while it’s still worth something. Plus, the warranty, I’ve had a few gremlins with mine.

[@wl660]

Why buy another if quality not good enough to keep out of warranty?

[@markhoare9567]

@@wl660 well, looking at the market there’s nothing else I fancy. I do love the Bike, and a couple of gremlins here and there doesn’t put me off it. Having the European Breakdown cover and four year warrenty, gives me peace of mind when touring. It also helps that I’ve got a vast amount of moneys worth of extras that’s transferable. It’s down to everybody’s personal preferences

[@MalShakur]

I test rode the 2024 model a month ago and now I feel like this bike is haunting me.

[@Jo-ht7jd]

Thank you for this balanced review. I watched YT reviews about the previous radar ‘22 model and they missed out on the negatives completely. Committed to 2 yrs finance and was left disappointed about how it just wasn’t an adventure bike at all. Wheels are chocolate and the brakes are beyond shite.

[@benapiza6736]

Price is not for everyone But if its a dream bike for someone and money is not a issue. Ur money ur purchase And happy thats all matters❤😊

[@quigonjay9]

It is certainly one of the more desirable top end machines that is for sure

[@robertyork4041]

While I can understand the need/desire for a tall bike with loads of ground clearance, given that most of these bikes will never go off road, why not just build bikes that most people can get their feet down on instead of creating more electronic tech that adds to the cost and that can go wrong?

[@alanprice9938]

@@robertyork4041 on the low seat position, with standard suspension setting (not dropped), my wife can flatfoot the Multi V4S, so on balance I’m sure more folk can comfortably ride it than not. They really aren’t that high, and it allows more room for a less cramped knee bend, whilst not scraping a peg, like you can on a GS. And they do make other bikes, exactly like those you described.

[@wl660]

It’s a style thing, plus comfort and a premium bike.

[@youtubeaccount9058]

A lot of these bigger bikes are used for riding 2-up sometimes. So that's another time when it's very convenient to easily jack up the preload.

[@BIGGGESTAL]

One question, please. Are the engine casings the same colour now.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

I heard Ducati's parent company VW is closing several of their car manufacturering facilities and possibly moving them out of the country due to high labor and electricity prices. Is there a possibility of Ducati will finally move it's production out of Italy? I know this idea was shutdown a few years ago but the world has changed a lot since then.

[@urbanstrencan]

Nice updates to V4 , Multistrada is really proper all-arounder , Neevesy great review keep it up 🤟🤟😍

[@sbabbaro1977]

La nuova multistrada è la più tecnologica del segmento ma ciò aumenta il prezzo. Non tutti possono permettersi di comprarla ma nessuno dei possessori si sognerebbe di percorrere strade sterrate con una moto che pesa molto oltre 200 kg e che costa 35K euro full optional. 170 cavalli su strade aperte al traffico sono inutili oltre che non sfruttabili, specialmente se la coppia arriva così in alto. Possiedo 2 ktm: 790 adventure e 1290 super adventure s. La 1290 l'ho messa in vendita proprio perché il motore è adrenalinico si ma esagerato per prestazioni. Aspetterò la 990 adventure sperando in un peso contenuto ed una potenza più sfruttabile. Nel frattempo mi godo ancora la piccola 790 che è una vera moto adventure, versatile ed utilizzabile in ogni ambito di utilizzo. A mio modesto parere Multistrada è solo marketing e status simbol. Saluti dall'Italia a voi di MCN ed agli amici motociclisti che vi seguono. P.s. se date un occhiata ai miei video vedrete la mia 790 adventure sulla alta via del sale, una vecchia strada militare tra Piemonte e Francia che arriva a 2000 metri dì altitudine, in quel video ero con mia moglie ed un bagaglio ridotto al minimo ma l'avventura è anche quella, con me c'era anche un amico con la sua bellissima triumph tiger 1200.

[@CharlieboySLONDON]

How can something be luxurious but not comfy after a couple of hours ? you're paying for a brand, it's no better put together than a Yamaha. It's just got nicer stuff. Is it worth more than Double ... no ! But if you got the cash, why not ?. It's a loveley bike I bet.

[@nicksokolis6343]

I own a Yamaha and they are lovely bikes. They are not put together like a Ducati though. Not even close.

[@SSS-mp8th]

Can't imagine taking such an expensive and heavy bike off-road. Butthen I'd never imagine spending car money on a bike.

[@YourFault]

Reasoning and logic thrown out of the window when you’re paying for the Brand 😅

[@kuhndj67]

Yea I've observed that the v4 Multi's don't really compete with the XR. Seems to me they've really targeted the GS "go anywhere" market and away from the XR "superbike on stilts" niche. Bigger, Heavier, more offroad stuff, etc. The RS is the exception but the price... I'm currently shopping for a replacement for my 15 multi but am not considering the v4 Multistrada at all given my interest in more sport focused tarmac ADV riding (have a MUCH lighter built 701 enduro for dirt focused ADV). Leaning M1000XR actually... but also considering M1000R with bags or Tuono maybe. The RS would be in the mix but nearly $10k more with no feature advantage that interests me kindof prices it out.

[@prof.2248]

Ducati V4RS costs 33k pounds... that's not even cool, waste of money. Before top sport tourer bikes weren't so astronomically expensive, bikes were more affordable, that's why sales are currently falling... CBR 1100XX was for 9k £, I'd rather have a new Tiger 800 Sport and 20k pounds in my pocket to travel around the Alps, Italy and Spain.

[@IanTed]

This is the V4S and you obviously have never ridden one. By the way top of the range premium bikes in real terms are no more expensive than they’ve ever were, my 2005 Blackbird was not cheap given average salaries at the time.

[@prof.2248]

​@@IanTed When 1100XX was new 1998 cost around 9000£ - £9,000 in 1998 is worth £19,847.85 today. So V4RS is more than 150% more expensive ...

[@nathanwhitley3358]

I’ll take the tiger sport 800 as well. It’s still a steep price to pay compared to my old 2012 Tiger but if I really had some cash to play with I couldn’t resist the multi pikes peak.

[@nielsmeer]

Ducati was always more expensive than Honda. A Ducati 916 when it first came out was about $14,500 back in 1994. That’s about $25K today and roughly equivalent to a regular V4 which can be had for $20K. The V4S is a speciality model with higher spec parts, so it makes sense it’d be more.

[@TeslasSecret]

I’ve never really understood this type of comments. You answered it yourself : there are plenty of other cheaper alternatives awaiting your hard earned cash. If the Multi is too much, then buy something else. These are premium bikes, top-end bikes even. They will, by definition, be expensive.

[@LooxJJ]

new 2023 Multi V4S was going at $29k here in LA…it didn’t sell. It ended up going at $20k…hang on and wait.

[@damonstevenson3279]

It appears that the Ducati pannier racks for the 2025 are the same part and part number as the 2024 models. So if the panniers are moved rearward, the difference must be the mounting points on the frame rather than a difference in the racks themselves. Can anyone confirm this? The reason I want to know is I'm thinking of swapping from BMW to the new 2025 Multistrada V4s, and want to use the lonerider motobags I currently have. Those will work with Outback Motortek racks for the 2024 so i'm hoping those racks will also work with the 2025. I hope this makes sense.

[@IanTed]

Just ask a dealer😉

[@damonstevenson3279]

@@IanTed I have already asked two dealers here in America. Neither one could answer the question. Don’t have that much information here in America yet on the 2025s.

[@DayumSonny]

3:30 A practical use for the hole shot device used in MotoGP. Nice.

[@BIGGGESTAL]

Ducati needs to bring the software update to the 2021 model for engine braking.

[@Esepeaso]

Watch the clips because Neevesy presents. Wouldn't like a bike which does not let me operate the rear brake as I want to (i.e., isolated from the front brake). That'd detract too much from the riding xperience

[@GaryV-p3h]

So basically it's the V4 Rally but with a smaller tank.

[@v992_]

This is what I thought too.

[@IanTed]

It’s a lot lighter and lower and cheaper…well a bit😉

[@tubejorrit]

@@IanTed *less expensive. Can't justify this kind of money for a bike I only can ride 6-7 months a year.

[@aurorajones8481]

11:00 Bro are you a moto rider or what? I came from a panigale to a multi V4s and i do everything on it from running from police to doing off road high angled runs, I've done sand, water, baby heads, washes, moto camping... what does this bike NOT do? Ive seen it at the track (I've not taken it but dudes were out there on them). Its not light and yea i wont go off roading unless I'm with a group because if you drop this on a steep grade all by yourself i don't care what kind of skills you have you may never get it back up again. But that's the case w/ any bike of this size. Take it off road dammit!

[@aurorajones8481]

OH to your point of dropping it. You don't wanna get it dirty. Its a truck! Its not a sports car. Save that talk for the Pani, i have dropped my Multi a number of times and I've kept the damage points intact as a show of confidence in using the beast as intended. Nothing has broken after the falls I've taken OFF road with it. He is the best bike I've owned id say. The only issue that comes up is front fork seals. 😤 Im on a 21, bought it new and i have nearly 30k on the clock. What a bike!

[@aurorajones8481]

Ive thought about getting an RS because i miss my Pani, but if i keep this thing and have another Multi that's stupid, or is it? Ive test rode the RS and its not geared to long distance touring i do on the S. And to your point hours in the saddle when i go from AZ to Canada and back my ass does get soar. I need a new seat i think. Easy fix. But doing that same trip on the RS seems a bit yikes.

[@tomtraynor5384]

If I were going to take a Ducati off-road--it would be probably Desert X, instead.

[@SteveMuir]

They made the brakes for VFR 800 riders.

[@anxiousappliance]

Do I need an internal stroke sensor? The jury is out.

[@MarkATaylor]

I sense that Neevsey thinks that this is an incredibly expensive bike and that your money is probably spent better elsewhere 🤔

[@cgmp5764]

At £30k they should spend a bit more thought on how to prevent it being stollen.....ridiculous price.

[@IanTed]

Standard V4S is nowhere near this price and some of us negotiate a discount or they don’t get a sale…

[@stevesteve1965.]

I don't for one moment doubt its tech, ability and quality but these bikes are now verging on car values , theres no way id buy a bike that costs this much its madness. Yes its an amazing machine but not for me.

[@trevorphillips3055]

Linked brakes are nothing new, honda has had linked braking systems for years. My crosstourer applies one piston on the left front calliper when you use just the rear brake pedal.

[@DonMcLachlan-vv9yy]

I had a 1984 Yamaha xj1100. It too had linked brakes. No doubt here are motorcyclists who dont even know their brakes are linked.

[@cpuuk]

Swarm of Stradas?

[@aurorajones8481]

I have to ask did you put on eye liner? Why are guys doing this?

[@MagnumMuscle1000]

Wait a few years and get one for half price of new.

[@wl660]

These bikes are for the well heeled - who won’t wait. And don’t need to.

[@youtubeaccount9058]

Out of warranty though, and little support for DIY from Ducati. They no longer produce service manuals.

[@quasimodo8215]

Everyone is only second one....

[@raphymartinez]

Meh

[@splodge57]

What a waste of a V4 engine.

[@angelwink]

poor quality

[@IanTed]

A lot better built than my previous bikes and I’ve had a few…and I ride in all weathers.