Ducati Multistrada 1260 Enduro 2019 — Specifications

When Bologna decides to challenge the territory of the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure, the response is unlike any other. The Ducati Multistrada 1260 Enduro does not seek to imitate the Bavarian benchmark; it plays a different score, sharper, more Latin. The story of this range goes back to a simple ambition: to build a trail capable of fighting on any terrain without sacrificing the pleasure of the road. The Enduro version pushes this logic further than the standard road model, adopting the Testastretta DVT twin-cylinder in its maximum displacement of 1,262 cm3 for 2019.

This engine is the heart of the matter. Borrowed from the XDiavel and with bore and stroke dimensions of 106 mm and 71.5 mm respectively, it develops 158 horsepower at 9,500 rpm and 128 Nm at 7,500 rpm. Six horsepower more than the previous version, but that's not the main argument. Variable valve timing distribution mainly provides a fullness in the intermediate revs that the 1,200 could not offer to the same degree. On a rocky track, when negotiating a delicate passage without wanting to paddle in the gearbox, this immediate availability of torque really changes the game. The 254 kg, fully fueled, remain a physical reality with which one must compose, but the engine largely erases the perception from the first few kilometers.

Externally, identifying the 2019 Ducati Multistrada 1260 Enduro compared to its predecessor is a game of spot the differences. The steel trellis frame, the line of the fairing, the general proportions: nothing has changed significantly. Purists will note the new, more imposing yet lighter aluminum skid plate, as well as a saddle fixed 840 mm from the ground, lowered by 10 mm, and a handlebar raised by 30 mm. This ergonomic repositioning, minor on paper, shifts the machine towards a more vertical posture, more comfortable in technical sections. Those who consult a Ducati Multistrada 1260 Enduro technical specification to distinguish the generations on the second-hand market will find these details decisive.

Electronics now constitute the backbone of this machine. The Bosch 6-axis IMU inertial unit pilots the DTC traction control, the DWC wheelie control, the cornering ABS and the adaptive DCL headlights, all distributed according to four riding modes: Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro. The semi-active Skyhook suspension in its Evo version manages a 185 mm stroke, against 170 mm on the standard Multistrada but behind the 200 mm of the previous generation Enduro. This choice raises questions: has Ducati wanted to bring the behavior of the Enduro Pro version closer, or simply recalibrate the dynamics with a more sophisticated Sachs shock absorber? The 5-inch TFT screen and the Ducati Link application complete the package, with the possibility of parameterizing the modes from a smartphone and recording routes.

At €21,890, the Ducati Multistrada 1260 Enduro positions itself in a category where one buys as much a status as a tool. In the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure versus Ducati Multistrada 1260 Enduro duel, the two machines do not play exactly the same game: the Bavarian offers more relaxed versatility, a more accessible daily management; the Italian offers an intensity that few trails can claim. It is not a machine for beginners, nor even for occasional motorcyclists. It is an engine designed for those who want real off-road without giving up 240 km/h top speed and a reasonable consumption of 5.2 liters per hundred. A permanent, large gap, provided you master both ends.