u/N8Mcln

Don’t get me wrong I get that the new Ducatis are incredible and the current gen has a lot of upgrades over the previous models. But I feel like there are a couple of factors that keep pulling me back to the 1260 over the new V4:

• Stating the obvious here, but I’d save about $11-$13k (CAD, I’m up in Vancouver). Am seeing lots of 2019-2022 1260s for about $18-$20k, whereas a 2025 V4 retails for around $31k.
• V4 seems to have better brakes and slightly more HP, but the 1260 makes more torque at low-to-mid revs and I am more of a street rider than a track guy.
• Electronics packages seem pretty comparable, other than the newer screen on the V4. The 1260 still has all the bells and whistles I feel like I would personally want (cornering ABS EVO, traction control, wheelie control, Ducati Power Launch, etc.).
• I know people didn’t like the extra weight on the 1260 when it came out, but I have always felt a little nervous about riding light motorcycles. I don’t wanna get blown off the road if I’m riding through the mountains up here and high winds suddenly come up, plus it rains a lot out here so I feel like the extra weight might help me stay planted and make hydroplanning less likely, is this correct or do I have it wrong?

I also feel like the 1260s have a lot of really cool aftermarket mods available, whereas the aftermarket for the V4s is still kind of getting established. Here’s a couple of shots I found of a modded Diavel 1260 on Luimoto.com (it’s got one of their seat covers, plus what looks like Ohlins suspension although I think that comes standard on the “S” model).

Anyway, am I nuts? Am I being unfair to the V4 here, what am I missing? Would love to hear your thoughts before I drop major cash on the bike I’m probably going to ride for the next 5 yea

Hear me out: I get that Harley wanted to modernize a bit when they released the “Rogue Glide” last year, and I feel like certain riders have really gone for it—but I personally miss the more “classic” fairing on the pre-2024 models. Am I alone here?

Added a few photos so you can see what I mean. First pic here is from Harley’s website and shows one of the new 2025 RGs. The next few are from Luimoto (they make aftermarket seat covers for a bunch of different bikes).

Both are gorgeous machines, obviously - and I get that integrated turn signals are kind of a cool trend right now, so I can see why people are going for the redesign. But I also feel like some people don’t necessarily want a Harley to look futuristic, and I kind of think there’s something charming and just slightly retro about the older one (especially with the diamond stitching on the seat cover and in the billiard blue color scheme).

Hard to argue with that 117 motor though ;) Anyway, what do you guys think?