Hello from Ireland

[Paul_Smith]

Greetings from the beautiful county of Roscommon in Ireland.

My name is Paul and I am seriously thinking of an MTS 950S (probably red, touring, forged wheels) as my next bike so I have joined your forum to find out what real owners think and feel about this bike. 
For solo trips, I like to do multiple long days in the saddle, so handling and comfort matter to me more then raw power.
I use my bike as my main transport and commute about 150 miles a week - or I used to before this current mess started. So reliability and support is important, as is the ability to fix minor stuff myself.
I am mechanically competent rather then gifted and enjoy working on my bikes, but so far I have left engine internals to dealers.
I am not a racer. I like to ride 'quickly' but of course 'quick' is utterly dependent on context. For me, if I don't have time to occasionally enjoy the scenery, I am probably going a bit too quickly.
I like to think I am a better then average rider, but then so do 90% of all the riders I have ever met so that is not saying very much. I have learnt where my skills trail off and luck takes over, and I know what happens when my luck gives out so I have tried to improve my skills with IAM and so on. I think I could pass my driving test if I had to take it again tomorrow.

I have always admired Ducati and the Multistrada from afar, and I have a few extra bob this year so with all the noise around the new V4, I thought I would have a closer look. The V4 appears to be an awesome bit of kit and the reviewers are raving about it, but it is slightly beyond what I can easily justify and it just doesn't have that 'X' factor that would make me want to try. Please don't get me wrong, I am not knocking it in anyway, but I get the distinct impression that Ducati are chasing the GS market with this bike, and the GS has always left me cold. The good news was that in researching the V4, I found the 950. It has the style that I am looking for and appears to have the performance and handling to suit my needs.

I currently ride a Kawasaki Versys 1000 which I bought new in 2016 and which is now reaching 60K km. It took a bit of fettling but it is now utterly comfortable (topsellerie saddle, Hyperpro shock). It is very sensible, practical, reliable and hugely enjoyable, but perhaps not quite as sexy or exciting as I might wish. Power and torque are a little better then the 950 but (on paper) it is quite a bit heavier. I have never felt the need for more power on the Versys so I think the 950 will probably be adequate. 
Before the Versys, I put 40K miles on a second hand Yamaha Fazer 1000 (gen 1) that I was able to buy very cheaply because the EXUP had seized. The Fazer was a very basic bike with a huge grin factor that served me very well.
Before that I had an Aprilla Futura I bought new in 2002. Possibly the best sports tourer ever made, or it could have been had it been made properly. An under specified wiring loom was the direct cause of 90% of the problems I and most other owners had with that bike, but I had six very happy years before I had to give it up. It had zero trade in value at the end.

[Wassers]

Hi Paul

  to the forum.

I think the 950S is a perfect fit for what you are seeking.

It's got great soul and character being a Ducati. It's the sweet spot of all the Multistrada's (weight/power/handling). It sounds awesome when giving it beans. Its reliable (backed up with a 4 year guarantee!). Its all day comfortable, the panniers are superb and its plenty fast enough for the road.

Only thing that you may need to tinker with is the screen. The standard screen doesn't seem to suit most folk and you may need to get an aftermarket screen that suits you better (dependent on your height, helmet make, etc) - but there is plenty of info available on this forum for you to digest about alternative aftermarket screens (I have a dark Puig racing screen on mine, which works perfectly for me).

Once we are out of this damn lockdown, I suggest you get a test ride. Take your wallet and credit card with you though, as you'll end up buying one (like all of us on the forum did!)

[buzzardbilly]

Paul  +1 on Wasser's comments . I bought a 950 after they came out in 2017 and wouldn't swop it for anything other than a new 950S perhaps . It is a Ducati though so there may be minor niggles that you wouldn't find on a Japanese bike like having to bed in the square cut gears for a couple of k  miles to avoid false neutrals. Overall the plus points out weight the minor things.  Great for touring on both main and minor routes and having a blast. Corners a treat, is comfortable all day long and is very economical on fuel.

[Beitsta]

Greeting Paul from Cork!

I can only talk for the 950 but I agree totally with Wassers and Buzzardbilly.

Be sure and factor-in the extra cost of plastic surgery to remove the permanent smile from your face when you buy it!!

What a great time to purchase, with spring and summer around the corner and hopefully this lockdown will be lifter sooner rather than later.

Enjoy it!

[thenozzle]

Hi Paul-Smith  to the forum 

[Paul_Smith]

Thank you all for the kind welcome. "Quirks" I don't mind as they can be character building, and fettling is fun. The four year warranty does help alleviate some of my concerns about whether the Ducati can be relied on as primary transport or should be considered a fun and exotic toy as Ducati's of old. First impressions are good ones.