What Kind of Bike is the Ducati Multistrada V4 S?
The Ducati Multistrada V4 S is arguably one of the most technologically advanced motorcycles available today. Not only is it a fast 170-horsepower canyon carver, it's also an ultra comfortable road trip machine and great around town ride. The Multistrada isn’t just capable of riding on its eponymous 'many roads', it excels on them, and there are few bikes that can match this in any one discipline, let alone all of them. Adventure bikes are typically pretty good at most tasks, but the new Multistrada takes that to a whole new level.
What is an Adventure Touring Motorcycle?
A more recent type to the ever growing classifications of bikes, an adventure touring motorcycle is a dual-sport motorcycle that allows for long range touring with both on and off-road capabilities. Adventure tourers have high ground clearance, large fuel capacity, and under-stressed engines for high reliability. They may also have GPS navigation systems, wire-spoked wheels with knobby tires, skid plates (to protect the engine and transmission during off-road use), and tough metal panniers. On an adventure touring bike you can sit up straight, ride comfortably, two-up, carry luggage, and stand up on the pegs to stretch your legs.
While touring can arguably be done on almost any motorcycle, by design adventure touring motorcycles offer comfort, performance, and versatility that make long distance travel more enjoyable and oftentimes safer. As the class’s name suggests, these bikes are versatile machines built for near unlimited two-wheeled freedom. Like dual-sports and enduros, these bikes are purpose engineered for both on and off-road riding. Because these machines are designed for long range use, they tend to be incredibly reliable, with bullet-proof engines that boast service intervals of more than 10,000 miles.
Most adventure touring bikes come standard with a host of performance altering bells and whistles, including traction control, ABS, and riding modes for various terrains or weather. These aids help a rider to be safe, often reacting faster than a human brain can compute. They also inspire confidence, and when you’re confident on your ride, fear turns into fun. Comfort features, like cruise control, heated grips and seats, and adjustable suspensions make these bikes a comfortable ride even if you carry a passenger or extra equipment.
Multistrada V4 S Style, Sophistication and Performance
The V4 S is a motorcycle that excels in all the categories it’s designed to handle. Whether you’re commuting, out for a ride in the mountains, running an errand, heading to the track, out for a multi-day trip, or getting messy in the dirt, the Multi delivers. It’s comfortable and nimble with an abundance of style, performance and usable technology. There are four different engine modes (Enduro, Urban, Touring, and Sport). Enduro and Urban reduce power, and make the engine and suspension adjustments appropriate for the environment. Touring is the best of all worlds, powerful and plush. Sport mode is brilliant in the mountains, with firmer suspension and a more responsive power delivery.
It’s also the first bike to offer radar-assisted cruise control and radar-assisted blind spot detection. Two sensors on the nose and tail of the bike scan forwards and backwards up to 160m. The cruise control can gently alter the speed of the bike, so when it detects a vehicle in front on the motorway it gradually decelerates to match the vehicle’s speed and maintain the specified distance, then accelerates gently back up when the object has moved. At no time does the bike 'take control' and the blind spot detection simply spots a vehicle approaching from behind and alerts the rider with a soft amber light set into the mirror. Both safety features are genuinely useful.
The Multistrada V4 range comes in three basic specs; V4, V4 S and V4 S Sport. All three have the same engine, core electronics (traction, cornering ABS, rider modes) and frame, but the S and S Sport come with semi-active suspension, a larger 6.5in TFT dash (5in on the base model) and uprated electronics spec (adds quickshifter, cornering headlights, hill hold, anti-weave control, keyless ignition) and uprated brakes. The V4 S Sport adds an Akrapovic can and carbon hugger. The V4 S and Sport come with a USB port and two 12v sockets. All three are even more upgradable with a host of the usual accessories, including wire wheels, heated grips, crash bars, luggage options (including panniers with an anti-wobble, lateral movement).
Multistrada means “many roads” in Italian, and this motorcycle can definitely handle whatever journey you’re ready to take it on. It’s a pleasure to look at, and a pleasure to ride. What are you waiting for, schedule a test ride today!