[Ed K]

5) WEIGHT - Even though the new standard V2 is 20 lbs lighter (yes, only 20, really) than the SFV2 955, and I was on the S version, a few pounds lighter than 20, I didn’t feel any difference in the handling! With so much hype about less weight, that really surprised me. I could barely feel the difference, at least in spirited street riding. New V2 vs SFV2 955 - about the same.

 

[Ed K]

6) HEAT - I felt more heat from the new V2 than my SFV2 955. Especially when stopped, but even when moving. And for a standard of comparison, my SFV2 955 has less heat than the SuperSport, so I would say the new V2 has a bit more heat than the SuperSport, but close. But still, the heat was not really bothersome on the new V2 even though I was only wearing riding jeans, not leather pants. I prefer the less heat from the SFV2 955.

 

[Ed K]

7) MOTOR SOUND & TRANNY - I requested SPORT mode for the new V2 demo, but was told RACE mode (didn’t know it had that) had more power. So, of course, I said put it in RACE mode! And they did. Then I thumbed the starter, and the new V2 motor easily came to life. It snicked effortlessly into gear. No clunk, no clutch grab pulling away when cold. And away I went. Then as I got into it a bit more, frequently up and down to red line, was a bit surprised to hear, well, not much from the motor. Kinda like an egg beater or sewing machine. Very different from the SFV2 955 that has a very nice growl from idle all the way through 11,000 red line, even with stock exhaust. Waaayyyy prefer the SFV2 955…like no comparison, really. The SFV2 955 sounds like a real motorcycle, always, at any RPM, but not excessively loud… a beautiful thing. But the new V2, well, enough said. I love the tranny on the SFV2 955, but the new V2 was slightly smoother, except when using the DQS. The new V2 DQS was not nearly as smooth as on my SFV2 955. SFV2 955 for the win in these categories.

 

[Ed K]

8) MOTOR FEEL & POWER - Save the most important (to me) for last. So what does this new V2 motor feel like??? Pretty much as expected. If we raced the SuperSport along side the new V2, it would be hard to call it between them, even though the new V2 has about 10 more HP. The vibe from the motor is different from the SuperSport and different from the Superquadro 955. It’s smoother than the 11 degree, but performance wise, about the same, seat-of-the pants. The Superquadro 955 is just as smooth and refined as the new V2, but the vibe is a little different. The new V2 has a sort of lower pitch vibe, and the 955 a bit higher pitch vibe. Neither is bothersome, and both have a less pronounced vibe than the 11 degree motor. Power wise, well, it’s not as exciting to ride the new V2 as is surely is to ride the SFV2 955. It seemed like the gearing was about the same on the new V2 and my SFV2 955. The SFV2 is waaaay more exciting to ride. No contest!

 

[Ed K]

So, there it is. My honest opinion. I had an open mind going into this demo, and was even willing to trade mine for the new one if it was better! But it is not better, in any way, for my riding style, and in some cases a way lesser motorcycle for my needs. And this is not to stay its a bad motorcycle. Its not. It’s a wonderful motorcycle for a beginner (imo) and someone who commutes, and someone not looking for too much excitement. Which is not, me. I ride for one reason: to have a blast, and there is no contest with the amount of fun I have on the SFV2 955 compared to the new V2. But, again, that’s just me!

 

[gjuko]

So, there it is. My honest opinion. I had an open mind going into this demo, and was even willing to trade mine for the new one if it was better! But it is not better, in any way, for my riding style, and in some case a way lesser motorcycle for my needs. And this is not to stay its a bad motorcycle. Its not. It’s a wonderful motorcycle for a beginner (imo) and someone who commutes, and someone not looking for too much excitement. Which is not, me. I ride for one reason: to have a blast, and there is no contest with the amount of fun I have on the SFV2 955 compared to the new V2. But, again, that’s just me!

Interesting perspective Ed, thanks for your analyses.

Interesting how a lot of moto journalists say they love it so much, even comparing to the 20-24 V2 Pani, but don't quite talking about this stuff you mentioned.

 

[Swamper]

Nice to get your perspective, great write up. I'm not in the market for another bike but this new model looks like a backwards step for Ducati. Or they may have miss labeled it.

So is it more like a Supersport 950 or the old V2? I think anyone using the 955 engine like you have been isn't going to think much of the new V2. On the other hand the SS rider is probably going to like it.

 

[Ed K]

Interesting perspective Ed, thanks for your analyses.

Interesting how a lot of moto journalists say they love it so much, even comparing to the 20-24 V2 Pani, but don't quite talking about this stuff you mentioned.

Yes, very interesting. I was actually quite surprised by my findings. And really did go with an open mind and was expecting more.

I think the V2 955 was under-hyped; its a wonderful motorcycle! And the new V2 imo, is being hyped very big time... But, you know, that’s perfectly fine. Might be smart for Ducati to make this new V2 easier to ride, tamer, and more accessible to a wider market. But for me, no thank you.

 

[Ed K]

Nice to get your perspective, great write up. I'm not in the market for another bike but this new model looks like a backwards step for Ducati. Or they may have miss labeled it.

So is it more like a Supersport 950 or the old V2? I think anyone using the 955 engine like you have been isn't going to think much of the new V2. On the other hand the SS rider is probably going to like it.

The new V2 is definitely much more like the SuperSport, not even close the old V2, imo. Not sure it’s a mislabel, as more a financial decision...perhaps Ducati believes the market is much bigger for tamed-down V2.

I would also say, I would much prefer a SuperSport over the new V2, if I were in the SuperSport type market at this point. I loved my SuperSport, but my riding needs changed. I was doing a combo of back road sport riding and touring when I had the SuperSport. I don’t tour anymore, but only burn around back-roads now. I have a 40 mile back-road “track” right near my home, that is just heaven.

 

[gjuko]

Yep, that's how I perceive this: more than the SS (this could be subjective) but less than the 24 V2, so some kind of mix I guess.

 

[Ed K]

From my point of view, the SuperSport is more than the new V2 (well, except for cruise).

 

[Swamper]

I don't know marketing but it would seem to me if your going to use the name of something and come out with a new version it needs to be an improvement of the older version. I can see this isn't an improvement of the V2 but looks to be an improvement of the SS.

 

[Miweber929]

Then as I got into it a bit more, frequently up and down to red line, was a bit surprised to hear, well, not much from the motor. Kinda like an egg beater or sewing machine. Very different from the SFV2 955 that has a very nice growl from idle all the way through 11,000 red line, even with stock exhaust.

That’s an interesting take and I agree. There’s someone in my area that has one and I’ve seen it on the road a few times. Looks pretty great, but you cannot hear it, like at all. I’m not a fan of loud bikes, at least stupid loud, but this one makes literally no noise as I drive behind it then went past it.

Great, honest review. Thanks, @Ed K!!!

 

[Lopez0101]

Looks like they found a way to stop the front reflector falling off

I noticed that on SS's on the showroom floor the year after I bought mine. Somehow my Triumph's stick on ones haven't fallen off. I think the issue is where the stuck them. I think it was where the fork leg diameter changed so it was sticking on an uneven surface.

On the QS, I watched a couple of videos that mentioned it seemed to be a little worse than the previous version. Kind of surprised since previous models that was always a big praise point.

 

[LowRyter]

I think @Ed K likes the Streetfighter V2 955

 

[Ed K]

I noticed that on SS's on the showroom floor the year after I bought mine. Somehow my Triumph's stick on ones haven't fallen off. I think the issue is where the stuck them. I think it was where the fork leg diameter changed so it was sticking on an uneven surface.

On the QS, I watched a couple of videos that mentioned it seemed to be a little worse than the previous version. Kind of surprised since previous models that was always a big praise point.

Yes, uneven surface, and also prolly due to more vibrations.

And yes, it‘s my understanding as well that the DQS of the new V2 is completely re-designed, and operates differently.

 

[LowRyter]

@Ed K

We all want to know about horsepower -or as V Rossi would say: hors-a-power.

You have owned the 11 degree SS, the 955 and ridden the new "V2".

So let's hear it. Tell us how slow our legacy bikes are.

 

[Ed K]

@Ed K

We all want to know about horsepower -or as V Rossi would say: hors-a-power.

You have owned the 11 degree SS, the 955 and ridden the new "V2".

So let's hear it. Tell us how slow our legacy bikes are.

Pretty much summed it up in the post above: "If we raced the SuperSport along side the new V2, it would be hard to call it between them, even though the new V2 has about 10 more HP. The vibe from the motor is different from the SuperSport and different from the Superquadro 955. It’s smoother than the 11 degree, but performance wise, [the new V2 and the SuperSport are] about the same, seat-of-the pants.”

Does that help?

 

[LowRyter]

Pretty much summed it up in the post above: "If we raced the SuperSport along side the new V2, it would be hard to call it between them, even though the new V2 has about 10 more HP. The vibe from the motor is different from the SuperSport and different from the Superquadro 955. It’s smoother than the 11 degree, but performance wise, [the new V2 and the SuperSport are] about the same, seat-of-the pants.”

Does that help?

So you're saying that I can still ride the SS and not be embarrassed by it? No need to scrap it to the junkyard.

As WC Fields once said "ohhh.... that's a relief off my mind".

(back story:
WC, "Hey Joe, did I spend $20 here last night?"
Joe the Bartender, "Yeah Bill"
WC, "Ohhh...... that's a relief off my mind- I thought I lost it.")

 

[Triplesapper]

SF V2 road riding review