Someone stop me before I make this fatal mistake. I don't want to start learning Italian, put up with expensive services, throw all my money away in the clothing section at the local Ducati dealer, and finally turn red and die. What should I do? I have to do something, the Blade doesn't satisfy me.
I don't dislike the bike. But it is harder to manage off-idle (away from lights), doesn't have the punch that the Blade does, riding position is the same (same weight on wrists etc). Nothing stands out as being better. My 2017 Blade, has better suspension, better handling geometry, sounds better when giving it the beans. And a better rush at the top of the rev range. And also.. if I'd have bought it, I would have to spend another few £k on a Termi exhaust. So not cheap. If you want it for the looks, go for it. But for me, its is not a better bike in terms of riding pleasure or emotion, its about the same actually.
Everyone should own a Ducati at some point in their life. There is just something about the brand and the bikes that makes them feel special, in fact it will make you feel special! I haven't ridden a V2 but I've had VTwin Aprilia's in the past and they were amazing bikes. Servicing is not that much more than Honda and I've had no reliability issues with my V4. If you like V Twins and you like the look of the Panigale range then go for it. I looked at the V2 before I bought my V4. I think if I had bought a V2 I would have been wishing I had bought V4 after a while. Not sure about a blade sounding better than a V twin at top end but each to their own! You either love a screamer or a thumper! Not a V2 but you get the idea!!
The V4 puts me off because a) the purchase price, b) the fact that I don't really want/need (meaning I'm not good enough to use) 200+ bhp, and c) the insurance will probably cost me a lot more. The upside is that the V4 weighs even less than the V2 and weight is massively on my mind after dropping the top-heavy ABS Blade stood at a junction and struggling to pick it up. Originally I was thinking about the RSV4, but someone on here had a bad experience recently (oil leak and other damage on collection, then the dealer charged them for returning the lemon) plus there isn't really a dealer close to me, so I thought "no thanks, don't need that aggro". I've also approached my local BavarischeMotorWerks dealer for an S1000RR test ride to see if they are as soul-less as people say they are. They have yet to respond. I just can't make my mind up. At this rate I'll be on a Suzuki Bergman scooter. Look out for me at Donny on that!
Insurance might surprise you, mine is just over £300 and I was paying similar on my previous 2 blades! The V2 will be even less to insure i imagine. Its more of a bike than I'll ever be a rider but since getting the bike it has definitely scratched that itch!! I can't really think of anything I'd want to replace it with?? I do like the new blade but too small for me now I've read reviews on the V2 and to be fair there aren't many bad ones, its Apparently much easier to live with than a V4 on the road! If the blades not doing it for you there's only one thing for it......scratch that itch!!!
Where's it going to end? Scratch one itch and the next one isn't far behind. It's your money of course but it's a bit of a vanity project isn't it? Sure they look fantastic in the pics, all shiny and red or white with red bits but if it's not a definite step up from the Blade I'd think hard. I know, I sound like your grandmother and I admit I bought my first Blade cos it looked like the ultimate missile although I can never ride it to the full but if I can't wring the last ounce out of my present 18 Blade I'd think twice about replacing it. Of course you are very probably a much better rider than me and if you've wrung that last ounce out then go for it. Here endeth the lesson....was going to sign off as McVicar then remembered who he was ...
I dont think its about vanity and I don't think people change bikes because they've wrung every last ounce of performance out of it, hardly anyone can do that with a modern day sports bike! Myself......I change my bike when something takes my fancy. No other reason what so ever, performance, fuel economy, bhp, none of that matters to me. They're all 1000cc plus or minus a few cc's and they'll all perform similarly on road and track with a mere mortal on board. So for me its purely based on how the bike looks! So if you're waiting to wring every last ounce of performance out of your blade before you consider changing it......you're going to be with that bike for many years to come! And if I'm going to hang on to my V4 until something better looking comes along.......i'm going to be stuck with that for a while too! Lifes too short for regrets, if you want something just go out and get it if thats what you want and you think it'll make you happy......doesn't matter what anyone else thinks! Here endeth the lesson
I agree with the last part of that entirely. I wasn't thinking about what anyone else thought, I suppose I'm just a bit too cautious most of the time. I wasn't being personal at all in that post. Just an opinion. B
I was pie in the sky thinking last week....if I was having a Panigale it would be the V2, if it was the Streetfighter it would be the V4. Go figure
Definitely go get a ride on one, and try and get a good few hours if you can! I’ve not really one bad word to say about the later bikes (plenty about the older models) some people struggle to make the transition if they have always had jap 4’s. It’s very different bike to ride, Not only in engine character but also the chassis setup.The V2 is all you need as a fast road/trackday weapon. I sold my 2014 blade and ran a 959 for a couple of seasons, then moved on to the V4. The 959 was the one I should have kept!
When I went from my CBR600 to the SP1 I had to make a big adjustment. So I’m kinda expecting that this time. That 959 looks lovely.
Ah well, it’s likely because mine has a Yoshimura exhaust, and the V2 is stock. The Ducati is amazing, but for me the V2 wouldn’t tempt me to switch. The V4S maybe, but they cost £20k+!!
