New non current MTS 950 pre-purchase questions

[Numbercruncher]

I will need to ride a 950 and 1200 back to back to really make my mind up as to which bike I’ll purchase but until the snow melts and I can do this, I have to just research what I can.  I have a few pre-purchase questions that some of you may be able to help me with.

1).  A big selling feature is the 19” front tire.  Is there enough clearance under the fender to fit a Heidenau Scout K60?

2). Over the past several years, the MTS 1200’s seemed to have issues with the fuel sensor.  It is my understanding it won’t strand  the bike and rider but you cannot see your fuel level.  Has this been an issue on the 950 as well?

3). This bike is still really new but shares the engine with the Hypermoto 939.   Any reports of high mileage and pretty solid reliability?  I know it is a Ducati but I won’t buy a bike I have to expect trouble with.  I few odd quirks is fine but mechanically I need to know I can ride the bike on a 5,000 mile trip and expect the bike to make it like any other.  Obviously any bike can have a catastrophic mechanical failure but I’d like to think the 939 engine is pretty stout. 

4). I have not seen a torque curve on this bike.  But I have not heard of any torque dip like the 1200.  Any issues reported with fueling or inconsistent power delivery?

5). I’d like to add crash bars if for no other reason to get some sort of highway peg mounted.  Has anyone ever seen this done?

6). I’ll add the Touring pack for the side cases, center stand and heated grips.  Ducati offers a taller windscreen and I am wondering if anyone here has added that and what the feedback is.  The stocker seems a little short but I like the ease of raising and lowering it.

7). Any really I should have the dealer double check before I take delivery of the bike.  I have a lot more leverage with this prior to riding off on the bike.

That’s it. Thanks for reading.

NC

[20220727]

I have the touring version & it didn’t include heated grips & I had to pay for the genuine engine bars & extra front lights

[Murf46]

For me the 950 was a no brainer
I did not need 160HP I did not need fancy electionic suspension and did not need to spend a further 5k

[Wassers]

+ 1 with Murf46.

Honestly the 950 is all the bike you'll need! The 1200 is just for bragging rights in my opinion.

I recall MCN doing a back-to-back comparison of the 950 v 1200 and there was very little in it performance wise unless you are absolutely caning it on a track day (and I've done a track day on my 950 and it was awesome)!

The 950 having less electronics to go wrong is also a good thing and it isn't as heavy as the 1200 to lug around when parking up.

But your choice at the end of the day, and you'll only know as you say by riding them back-to-back once the weather improves.

Let us all know how you get on.

[Conman]

To answer your questions: -
1. There's quite a bit of room under the mudguard , but take a look and judge for yourself.  I can't believe the blocks on a Heidenau are that big.
2. There is a report of the fuel indicator going haywire in heavy rain on this forum. It's not something that is common at the moment.
3. I've done 2500 mile across Europe in 40C temperature, been through monsoon like rain for hours on end, commuted in -5C, been through Alipne passes and blasted at silly speed up a motorway in the wee small hours. All good so far. I use it every day for everything as I don't have a car. Used a bit of oil (200ml in 8000 miles) and salt on the roads is starting to tarnish some metal parts 
4. It's not a race bike 
5. Highway pegs on a Ducati! Get a Diavel 
6. I got the touring pack and am happy with it. I'm 5'10 and with the screen at max and a vario attachment it's smooth riding all day. When I'm not touring I take the vario off and drop the screen a bit - if nothing else it reminds me I'm going too fast 
7. I'd be curious as to why they still have a 2016 model for "new". The bike came out I think in November 2016 but really only arrived in dealers (in the UK anyway) from around April 2017. Apart from the fuel tank which was sorted very early on, there's a recall for a water hose (it splits so a reinforced one needs to be fitted) and a minor recall for some chainguard bolt thing.

So go buy one 

[briantheb]

Originally Posted by Wassers

+ 1 with Murf46.

Honestly the 950 is all the bike you'll need! The 1200 is just for bragging rights in my opinion.

I recall MCN doing a back-to-back comparison of the 950 v 1200 and there was very little in it performance wise unless you are absolutely caning it on a track day (and I've done a track day on my 950 and it was awesome)!

The 950 having less electronics to go wrong is also a good thing and it isn't as heavy as the 1200 to lug around when parking up.

But your choice at the end of the day, and you'll only know as you say by riding them back-to-back once the weather improves.

Let us all know how you get on.

MCN standing quarter was •3 of a second difference 🙄  well worth the extra £5k

[briantheb]

Originally Posted by Conman

To answer your questions: -
1. There's quite a bit of room under the mudguard , but take a look and judge for yourself.  I can't believe the blocks on a Heidenau are that big.
2. There is a report of the fuel indicator going haywire in heavy rain on this forum. It's not something that is common at the moment.
3. I've done 2500 mile across Europe in 40C temperature, been through monsoon like rain for hours on end, commuted in -5C, been through Alipne passes and blasted at silly speed up a motorway in the wee small hours. All good so far. I use it every day for everything as I don't have a car. Used a bit of oil (200ml in 8000 miles) and salt on the roads is starting to tarnish some metal parts 
4. It's not a race bike 
5. Highway pegs on a Ducati! Get a Diavel 
6. I got the touring pack and am happy with it. I'm 5'10 and with the screen at max and a vario attachment it's smooth riding all day. When I'm not touring I take the vario off and drop the screen a bit - if nothing else it reminds me I'm going too fast 
7. I'd be curious as to why they still have a 2016 model for "new". The bike came out I think in November 2016 but really only arrived in dealers (in the UK anyway) from around April 2017. Apart from the fuel tank which was sorted very early on, there's a recall for a water hose (it splits so a reinforced one needs to be fitted) and a minor recall for some chainguard bolt thing.

So go buy one 

+1 for that as my bike has never let me down in any way and has gone where and done everything I’ve asked it to go/do.

[Dave G]

Go on buy the 950 😀
This is my first Ducati and is the best choice by far.
I'm 6'1" tall and I bought the Ducati touring screen when I collected my bike in 18th March 2017. I'm also one of the first on the road with the new MTS. I was a bit upset last year that insurance companies did not have the bike listed so it was expensive to insure but my renewal has just arrived and it's £100 cheaper 😀

I've done a trip to Spain in June 2017 and it was 2600 miles trip. It never missed a beat and was amazing in the Andorra twisties

I've never been off road and probably never will. The 19" front wheel allows you to feel nice light steering and fast reacting counter steering when required. The Scorpion tyres give plenty of confidence in all conditions.

I just wished it had heated grips and cruise control as standard.

[Numbercruncher]

Not sure what you are referring in point #4.  I am only concerned that the bike not have an annoying torque dip like the 1200 has.  But since it hasn’t been reported as such I am sure it isn’t a problem.

Regarding year, the 1200’s are all 2016’s and the 950 they still have is a 2017.  My goof.

I rode an SV650 on a 3,000 mile road trip last year and that bike was a little underpowered but this 950 puts out 20 more lb/ft torque.  That is huge on a 500 pound bike.  I would offer the 1200 would be great if I intended to ride over 100 mph most of the time.  I like the electronic suspension but it is something else to go wrong.  The TFT display on that bike is not anything to brag about.  The black and white LCD on the 950 is very easy to read and almost retro in it’s lack of pretty factor.  Now the BMW R1200GS has a beautiful TFT that is worth paying for.  I assume the new 1260 will be the same as well.  And that $5k savings covers all accessories I would add as well as a round trip ticket for the bike to Europe.

If all goes as planned, I’ll bring the bike to Europe this summer for an extended tour.  Dad is in rough shape and don’t want to be away for several weeks if he needs help.  I’ll plan on the trip but not book flights for myself or bike until I am closer to leaving.

NC

Originally Posted by Conman

To answer your questions: -
1. There's quite a bit of room under the mudguard , but take a look and judge for yourself.  I can't believe the blocks on a Heidenau are that big.
2. There is a report of the fuel indicator going haywire in heavy rain on this forum. It's not something that is common at the moment.
3. I've done 2500 mile across Europe in 40C temperature, been through monsoon like rain for hours on end, commuted in -5C, been through Alipne passes and blasted at silly speed up a motorway in the wee small hours. All good so far. I use it every day for everything as I don't have a car. Used a bit of oil (200ml in 8000 miles) and salt on the roads is starting to tarnish some metal parts 
4. It's not a race bike 
5. Highway pegs on a Ducati! Get a Diavel 
6. I got the touring pack and am happy with it. I'm 5'10 and with the screen at max and a vario attachment it's smooth riding all day. When I'm not touring I take the vario off and drop the screen a bit - if nothing else it reminds me I'm going too fast 
7. I'd be curious as to why they still have a 2016 model for "new". The bike came out I think in November 2016 but really only arrived in dealers (in the UK anyway) from around April 2017. Apart from the fuel tank which was sorted very early on, there's a recall for a water hose (it splits so a reinforced one needs to be fitted) and a minor recall for some chainguard bolt thing.

So go buy one 

[thenozzle]

this might help you decided Numbercruncher