Ducati Multistrada 1260 S 2018 — Specifications

When a motorcycle combines four riding modes, semi-active suspension, a TFT screen, and 158 horsepower extracted from a 1262 cc V-twin, one can legitimately wonder who it’s really intended for. The Ducati Multistrada 1260 S answers this question with disarming clarity: for those who refuse to choose. Touring rider on Monday, adventure seeker on Thursday evening, col enthusiast on the weekend; this Bolognese trail bike has decided to do it all, and it does so with a confidence that commands respect. Since the 1200, Ducati has methodically expanded displacement, refined electronics, and tweaked the chassis to arrive at this 2018 S version, undoubtedly the most convincing culmination of the lineage.

The heart of the machine is this L-twin cylinder, the variable distribution DVT borrowing its displacement from the XDiavel. Result: 129.5 Nm of torque available at 7500 rpm, of which 85% is accessible from 3500 rpm. In practice, this means that fully loaded with two cases and a passenger, the 1260 S never lacks breath. The 158 horsepower peaks at 9500 rpm, the maximum speed flirts with 240 km/h, and yet the announced consumption holds at 5.2 liters per 100 km. The 20-liter tank therefore guarantees serious autonomy, consistent with a machine that prides itself on the Grand Tour. Faced with a BMW S1000XR or a KTM 1290 Super Adventure S, the Ducati Multistrada 1260 S vs BMW S1000XR often comes up in community debates: the Ducati is more visceral, more physical in its sensations, while the Bavarian plays more on reassuring neutrality.

The S version distinguishes itself from the base model with a serious technological package. The 48 mm inverted fork and Sachs shock absorber are piloted by an IMU inertial unit that adapts the damping in real time according to the inclination, speed, and selected mode. This Skyhook Evo sorts between comfort and dynamism without the rider having to focus on it. The 5-inch TFT screen replaces the old LCD; the interface is dense but navigable. Four-piston Brembo M50 calipers bite on floating 330 mm discs, with active cornering ABS in turns. The bidirectional quickshifter is standard, as is the LED cornering light. On the Ducati Multistrada 1260 S technical specifications, these features largely justify the price difference with the standard version.

The four riding modes structure the motorcycle's character according to usage. Sport releases the 158 horsepower with minimal intervention from the assists; Touring softens the throttle response and raises the safety thresholds for long stages with rider and passenger; Urban limits power to 100 horsepower and maximizes aids in the city; Enduro also limits to 100 horsepower, deactivates the rear ABS, and is suitable for unpaved roads where grip is precarious. This modularity constitutes the machine's true added value. Ducati complements the offer with official accessory packs, including a Grand Tour Pack with side cases and heated grips, a Sport Pack with a homologated Termignoni exhaust, and an Enduro Pack with Touratech protections. The Ducati Multistrada 1260 S grand tour derivative represents the most consistent option for long-distance travelers.

At 20,790 euros at launch, the Ducati Multistrada 1260 S price sits in the upper end of the segment, without being unreasonable given the onboard equipment. Examples remain well-valued on the Ducati Multistrada 1260 S used market, which testifies to a solid rating for the 2018 and 2019 model years. With 235 kg fully fueled and a 825 mm seat, it is not the most accessible for modest builds, and beginners would do better to look elsewhere. But for the experienced rider who seeks a single machine capable of everything, the 1260 S holds a rare promise: not to disappoint, whatever type of road presents itself.