Which is healthier in your ADV bike? 19 or 17-inch?

All of it started when our previous buddy Ken Vreeke returned from a six-day journey in Spain, name-dropping and in love with the BMW S1000XR he’d ridden there. Really, he rented a GS1250, but in addition bought a while on the XR: Downside is with the ADV bikes, Vreeke complains, even with good tires you run off the sides lengthy earlier than you get any actual lean angle. My tires on the rented GS have been new, and the entrance was bald on either side after every week in Spain. Chasing EB, I stored working out of tire on the exact second he was grabbing an enormous mittful of fuel and launching away. After I lastly bought on the XR on the final day, I used to be shocked at how a lot throttle you might feed in leaned waaaaay over. I’ve solely ridden one fashionable Superbike – that Kawasaki H2 you introduced round – so the XR blew my thoughts. It was soooooo caught to the highway. 

The EB the Vreekster was chasing was Eric Bostrom, so you may surmise the tempo was comparatively spirited. It’s usually accepted that ADV bikes with 19-inch entrance tires are going to be higher off pavement, and ones with 17-inch fronts shall be higher on it. However we’ve by no means actually damaged that down earlier than? How a lot higher?

Ducati Multistrada V4 PIkes Peak-ing underneath Mike Vienne; small tire, huge coronary heart

Journey driving, with the ability to flip down filth roads, has turn into an enormous factor. However a number of us of a sure age grew up separating filth driving from highway driving, separately. And we nonetheless need to burn down the pavement often, no compromises, with out having to imagine the sportbike place. Ken, who already has a KTM Journey bike and a nasty again (and entrance, and sides), is a primary instance: I’m not searching for an ADV bike. Love my 1290 Tremendous Journey and plan to maintain it. What I want is a streetbike with 17s that may take actual tires, so I don’t should slither round all day, with ADV-type ergos. And so I can do the occasional observe day on slicks. 

Nicely, ahhh, close to as we will inform, there are however two bikes that match that description: the BMW S1000XR, and the Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak. (Wait: The Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE LT additionally belongs!) We lined up the BMW and the Duc for a pleasant little comparability check. However, when everyone’s schedule bought sophisticated and Vreeke couldn’t journey with us on the appointed day, we determined to get rid of as many different variables as we might, besides wheel measurement, by evaluating Ducati’s 19-inch front-wheeled Multistrada V4S, with the Bolognese 17-in. drained Multistrada Pikes Peak. The BMW, we’ll save for one more check. 

Multistrada V4S, with non-compulsory wire-spoke wheels, and many others…

Finest Sport-Touring Bike of 2021

What’s the distinction?

Each bikes are powered by Ducati’s first non-Desmo engine within the fashionable period, an 1158cc counter-rotating V4 mentioned to place out 170 crankshaft horsepower, and 92 pound-feet of torque at simply 8750 rpm; each use the identical fundamental aluminum monocoque body.

2022 Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak Evaluate: First Experience

The obvious distinction is that the Pikes Peak rolls on racy 17-in. Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV rubber entrance and rear, whereas the V4S is turned out in 19-/17-in. Pirelli Scorpion Path II tires. Much less obvious to the bare eye is that the solid aluminum Marchesini wheels on the PP weigh 5.9 kilos lower than the solid ones on the V4S (and common V4, too), and that our bike has the even heavier wire-spoke choice. Add to {that a} 19-in. tire weighs, on common, 20% greater than a 17-in. one of many identical kind.

Additionally, whereas suspension journey is basically shut between the 2 Multis – 6.7 in. journey entrance and rear on the Pikes Peak, 6.7 and seven.1 for the V4S – the suspension itself is totally completely different: The PP will get the newest Sensible EC 2.0 Öhlins suspension similar to what the Panigale V4 S and Streetfighter V4 S use. That is “a very superior system that enables an `occasion primarily based’ adjustment, in accordance with the rider’s driving fashion.” In the meantime, the V4S troopers on with the “Skyhook” digital suspension that’s now been round for some time. It’s nonetheless glorious, however its design purpose isn’t “most sport” just like the Panigales and the Pikes Peak.

And let’s not overlook that there are additionally ergonomic variations between Pikes Peak and V4S. The PP’s footpegs are 10mm increased and rearward in comparison with the opposite Multis, and an 18mm narrower handlebar set decrease and extra ahead pulls the rider barely extra over the PP’s entrance wheel. It’s very delicate, but it surely’s there.

We’ll want a Maniac

Going into it, primarily based on my previous expertise driving highly effective late-model ADV bikes on the highway, I felt like I couldn’t, or might barely inform the distinction between a premium 19 and 17-inch entrance tire on the road: Most premium 19-inch tires maintain the highway so effectively, IMU-based rider aids are so extremely developed, and my eager sense of self preservation in my sixth decade of life had me considering we’d want an actual maniac to have the ability to parse the variations. Therefore, Vreeke. I’ve by no means climbed off an enormous BMW GS or KTM Journey with a 19-in. entrance and mentioned to myself, `Gee, I coulda gone quicker on a 17-in. entrance tire.’ Then once more, once I give it some thought, perhaps I’ve solely ever ridden 19-inch front-wheel bikes within the firm of different 19 (or 21-in.) ADV bikes?

As an alternative of Vreeke, we dragged semi-maniacal Troy Siahaan and Mike Vienne out onto the Brasfield 100-mile loop on a gorgeous November SoCal day – a pleasant outback route with a big selection of curves, speeds, bumps, clean sections, and humps.

The Chase

Because it seems, I needn’t have fearful. As soon as rolling and as much as working temperature, it looks as if whoever was on the Pikes Peak had much less work to do to hold with the group, and the tighter the curves, the simpler it was for the PP to hole the remainder of the sector. It virtually felt like dishonest. There’s little or no wasted movement on the Pikes Peak because it rolls simply into nook after nook, feeding again exact really feel by way of its dirt-bikey handlebar whereas its superb digital suspension retains it consistently and firmly even-keeled. And although each Multis spec Stylema calipers on 330mm twin discs, the PP stops tougher too. Have to be a pad factor (and an intentional one, because you need much less preliminary chunk off pavement). You most likely might’ve received the Daytona 200 on the Pikes Peak final yr together with your stuff within the saddlebags.

Troy says: You actually really feel the distinction between the 17-inch wheel on the Pikes Peak and the 19-incher on the usual bike in tighter corners or switchbacks whenever you actually should toss the bike back and forth. Even (particularly) parking zone maneuvers are somewhat extra sluggish with the 19-inch wheel, and require somewhat extra bar enter. Not surprisingly, the Pikes Peak and its 17-inch entrance wheel was simpler to flick and transfer round within the canyons, and even simply doing U-turns and slow-speed turning.

The Downside

The issue, although, is it’s unattainable to completely credit score the PP’s 17-in. entrance tire when there are such a lot of different variables. Although they each have virtually equivalent journey, the V4S’ suspension is far more compliant than the Pikes Peak’s Sensible EC 2.0 Öhlins suspension when each bikes are in Sport mode, which leads to much more fore-and-aft pitching on and off the fuel. The S’ taller, wider handlebar makes it really feel like an extended journey from full lean to full lean (although seat heights are the identical 33.1 to 33.9 in.). 

And the heavier wheelset on our V4S doesn’t do the 19-inch entrance any favors on the subject of side-to-side transitions within the tight sections. Crash bars and skid plate add weight too. Poor factor has one hand tied behind its again.

The tubeless spoke wheels (a $700 choice) are even heavier than the solid aluminum ones which are commonplace on the V4S. The rain grooves on the Pirelli Scorpion Path IIs go all the best way to the sides of the tire, the place the hen strips are almost gone…

The V4S has much less path than the PP – 4.0 in. to 4.7 – and an inch-shorter wheelbase: 61.7 to 62.8 inches. Each numbers quicken the S’s steering, however not sufficient to shut the Pikes Peak hole. 

The Pikes Peak’s Rosso Corsa IV lets it’s ridden quicker, simpler, and extra confidently (on pavement!), and on the finish of the day there’s nonetheless loads of virgin rubber in reserve for a observe day.

In the meantime, the Peak’s “event-based” lively suspension takes under consideration how laborious you’re twisting the throttle, how laborious you’re braking, and the way shortly the IMU sensor is banging round, to agency issues up precisely as wanted. It really works simply as effectively on the Multi because it did on the Streetfighter V4 that received our huge bare bike comparability final yr.

Heavyweight Nakeds comparability

All of the issues that gradual the V4S on twisty pavement, after all, are simply those you need when the pavement ends: Extra upright ergos and extra handlebar leverage, softer suspension to soak up bumps and jumps at decrease speeds, and extra spinning mass for higher gyroscopic self-righteousness. Physics says angular momentum of a rotating physique will increase with radius (offered the rotational velocity stays the identical), however how a lot would the distinction shrink if the V4S’ 19-in. entrance was additionally a solid Marchesini just like the Pikes Peak’s? (Which might even be simpler to bend, so it’ll by no means occur.) The 17-in. tire’s contact patch is wider, however the 19’s is longer… In an ideal world, we’d swap the wheels between our two Ducatis and journey them once more, however doing so would freak out the electronics and possibly our associates at Ducati North America.

Electronics

It wouldn’t have harm if we’d stiffened the V4S suspenders up from the essential Sport mode, however the extra handy issues turn into, the lazier we get. It will’ve helped the S, but it surely wouldn’t have closed the hole to the Pikes Peak. If we’d completed a mud part, the tables would’ve been turned. Mike Vienne says he might really feel the lesser stability of the PP’s smaller entrance wheel simply pulling into gravel turnouts. He’s proper. Then once more, I’m with Vreeke, who argues that traction management and ABS go a great distance towards making up for lower than ideally suited tires on not-too gnarly terrain like the everyday hearth highway, when you’re rolling:

Even with the 80/20 road bias tires you may journey like an as***le on fireroads, says Ken, as a result of the electronics are so good. That’s why the tire proportion descriptions now not work, and why absolute shit tires that go 20k miles received’t perhaps kill you – whereas earlier than it was a sure filth tub. Digital angels at work. 

The Multi V4S gives an Enduro mode along with Sport, Touring, and City. The Pikes Peak does away with Enduro, substituting a Race mode as an alternative, and inspiring you to join observe days within the course of.

Additionally, on a few of these highly effective bikes, the traction management out again is so good, it makes it too straightforward to push the entrance on pavement, which was the unique Vreeke criticism:

My principal concern w 17 v 19 is tire choice for sport-type driving. The Dunlop TrailSmart was the perfect tire I examined by far, and acted like an actual tire with grip, however the mind belief there determined to discontinue it. (Dunlop mentioned the TrailSmart was an 80%-onroad tire, 20% offroad; the TrailMax Mission that replaces it’s marketed as a 50/50.)

Tires are by far the road dealing with restrict on my KTM 1290 SA (additionally a 19-in entrance) attributable to rim diameter and width. If there’s a TrailSmart equal on the market, and there most likely is, I haven’t tried it but. I’m at present on Dunlop Mutants and so they work effectively. However no magic. 

That mentioned, going any quicker might be dumb, however much less dumb since bikes with 17s simply depart a a lot wider security margin. It boils all the way down to a security concern for me. How huge is my margin? That S1000XR was like a 600 in comparison with the GS1250, and the burden distinction is just not large. It was waaay simpler to choose up the tempo on the XR. GS was like a hippo on little cat toes. 

In all probability dumb

Hmmm. I used to be stunned to study that I actually might inform the distinction between the 19 and the 17, and a reasonably dramatic one at that. If the Pikes Peak hadn’t been alongside for the journey, it will be straightforward sufficient to suppose you have been making nice time on the V4S in these swervy backroads.

On the PP, although, I might dial up a tempo within the curves that may make the opposite fellas develop smaller in my mirrors (for a second or two anyway), and it was straightforward to maintain up that aggressive-ish tempo for miles of curves. However when Mike and T. Siahaan have been on the 17-in. PP and the S1000XR, and I used to be on the V4S, it was laborious, perspirey work to maintain up – and I finally couldn’t maintain these guys in sight. Fairly conclusive proof that the 17 is what you need for max pavement efficiency. Did everyone already know this? 

What’s the Level?

The purpose is that if you happen to’re after that old-timey superbike expertise on the highway, however need one thing snug you can journey for days at a time, the Multistrada Pikes Peak is nearly a celebration of 1. The 17 entrance makes it means faster to vary course, and offers extra optimistic grip leaned over. In an ideal world, we’d evaluate the very same tire in 17 and 19-in sizes on the identical bike with the identical suspension. However I believe we’d nonetheless attain the identical conclusion, although perhaps not fairly so conclusively.

Mikey likes the V4S. Aesthetically, I’ve to say the Multi seems prefer it was designed for the 19-incher… the 17 offers it a little bit of a receding chin.

Good bikes…

We tried to make it simply concerning the wheels and tires, however we couldn’t assist evaluating the bikes a bit whereas we have been at it. Mike Vienne says he’d quite have the V4S and a Streetfighter V4 to fill the Pikes Peak function, which takes the MO Coastal Elite Wretched Extra Report for now: 

The Pikes Peak checks all of the bins. V4. Dry clutch. Good suspension and brakes. Light-weight wheels. Tech, modes, attractiveness. On paper this can be a slam dunk. However right here’s my concern. Why? 

I can have all of that with out the added peak and weight penalties within the Ducati V4S Streetfighter. Sure, the Streetfighter would fail comically off highway. However I wouldn’t take the Pikes Peak offroad both. Isn’t that why the Multistrada with the 19-in entrance wheel exists? The Pikes Peak is the motorbike equal of some turbo’ed Sport SUV RR Monitor Prep Version  – , the type with 700 hp, no floor clearance, and weighs 3 tons. For all their excessive 4X4 posturing, they by no means deal with in addition to a sports activities automobile and so they suck at off-roading (which they by no means do anyway). So what’s the purpose? I’m asking you, Pikes Peak.

I believe it’s as a result of you may throw the missus on again of the Pikes Peak and a few baggage, Mike, and depart her on the youth hostel in Palm Springs when you do a observe day at Chuckwalla. Unfeasible on the Streetfighter. Or, cruise cross-country to Brasfield’s high-school reunion with the adaptive cruise management set. You can do each of these a bunch of instances earlier than the valves want adjusting, too. 

Let’s have Trizzle play us out:

I get the V4S. It’s purported to be one bike to do all of it. And what? It actually does. However I’m not the rider who does all of it. If I discover myself on an enormous motorbike off within the filth, then one thing has gone severely incorrect. I’m utilizing a motorbike like this on pavement, and in that regard the 17-inch wheels are clearly the higher selection. Clearly the 19-incher can do the job – and do it fairly effectively I would add – however even at a brisk road tempo I might inform that I used to be nearing the sting of the large tire’s traction (and profile – simply have a look at the hen strips). To not point out the inherent sluggishness of the larger wheel in tighter confines. However I’ll admit, the lighter clutch pull of the V4S was good, as was the quietness of the moist clutch.

Like Mike, I’d veer in the direction of the Streetfighter, but when I might solely choose one bike to do all of the pavement driving I get pleasure from (which additionally contains sport-touring), it’s laborious to beat the Pikes Peak. It’s quick as hell, handles like a sportbike, and is snug sufficient to have the missus hop on the again and go for a weekend pleasure journey (with some baggage, after all). Whereas the Pikes Peak is extra than simply some 17-inch wheels, they’re clearly the defining issue that helps it obtain these traits. You’ll be able to really use good (nice) tires, haul ass, and nonetheless have a large buffer earlier than hitting the bounds of your rubber.

Better of all – the Pikes Peak has RED Brembo calipers!

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