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BHPian samyakmodi recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
After a two-year hiatus from the therapeutic joy of riding, the absence of a motorcycle became insufferable. Riding, for me, is more than transportation; it's a therapy that brings pleasure like nothing else. The wind in my face, the hum of the engine, and the rhythmic dance of two wheels on the asphalt are the chords of a symphony that soothes the soul.
My previous companion, the Ducati 848 Evo, with its aggressive stance, became a bittersweet memory. The need for something more accommodating, a bike to munch miles in comfort yet possess the versatility to venture anywhere, led me on a quest. The Multistrada V4S emerged as the answer—a Swiss Army Knife of motorcycles promising a harmonious blend of comfort and power.
A detour to the BMW GSA 1250 was a logical step. While it excelled in every aspect, the excitement quotient left me yearning for more. The peculiar challenge of the boxer engine layout hitting my shin every time I attempted to disembark added a dimension of discomfort. The eagerly awaited GS1300, still elusive in India, didn't quite capture my aesthetic senses.
The Multistrada V4S Symphony
The quest for the perfect riding gear started almost as soon as I decided on the bike. Ended up buying an Arai Quantic helmet which is known for wind noise reduction, Dainese Ladakh 3L D riding jacket for year-long usability as it comes with 2 liners (one for wet and one for cold conditions). Picked up another pair of Dainese gloves as my earlier ones were almost shredded with the new bike's grips. Finally also picked up Alpinestars riding boots - and believe it or not - all the riding gear makes a huge difference in riding confidence. I have also equipped my helmet with a Cardo Packtalk Edge for seamless communication and listening to some nice music while rolling.
The Multistrada V4S recently crossed the 1000-kilometer mark, prompting its first service around Republic Day. Alongside routine maintenance, upgrades were made, including heated grips, a center stand, and plastic panniers.
In January, a minor mishap occurred as well—a slow-motion drop at a signal due to a car nudging me from behind. While the damage was minimal, the windscreen broke. Although it took some time to procure the new windscreen - I ended up upgrading to the Ducati Touring windscreen which definitely improves wind protection.
A special shout out to the great folks of Legacy Motors, Pune (Ducati Dealership, Pune) for making all the efforts to send me the bike all the way to Indore via their own transport, and being available at the beck and call to help me out every time I had a query. Their team is not just professional but extremely compassionate as well. Kudos to them.
Approved by my 2-year-old son as well.
The new windshield is about good 2 inches taller which helps in reducing the wind noise substantially in the helmet.
Also makes the bike look taller - not that it ever looked puny by any standards.
Since I was riding after almost a gap of 2 years and I've ridden only Superbikers till now - took me a few days to acclimatise myself to the bike with the new riding posture along with the sheer size. The first ride I did with my group of biking brothers was a 200 kms ride with a lot of highway and twisties. Believe me when I say this - the bike transforms completely in these conditions. You do not expect something with so much bulk to be so nimble on the twisties while being absolutely composed on the highways.
When you setup the suspension to the softest settings - the bike literally glides over minor undulations on the road (even better dare I say than my 630D with air suspensions). The hardest settings make you aware of the smallest pimple on the road but are simply logic-defying at higher speeds. And mind you - reaching higher speeds on this bike is inevitable. You have to be really conscious about your riding speeds as you won't even realise when you cross 165kmph.
The various modes on the bike make it a different machine in each one of them. Here are some factory settings to give you a better idea:
The best part about all these modes is - you can configure them as and how you deem fit. I am using the bike in touring mode with the suspensions at the softest setting for my daily commute to the office.
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