Ducati Multistrada 1260 2019 — Specifications

Four bikes in one. That’s the promise Ducati reaffirms with the Ducati Multistrada 1260, and this time the Bolognese manufacturer has decided to put its money where its mouth is. Not just in brochures, but under the wheel. To achieve this, engineers delved into the Testastretta and emerged with a 90-degree L-twin engine increased to 1262 cm3, with a lengthened stroke of 71.5 mm. The result on paper: 158 horsepower at 9500 rpm and 129.5 Nm of torque at 7500 rpm. But what really matters is that 85% of that torque is available from 3500 rpm. On a machine weighing 232 kilograms when fully fueled, that changes the feel of responsiveness when exiting a village.

A small clarification is needed regarding the power figures, because confusion often reigns. The previous 1200 displayed 160 horsepower measured on a dynamometer. The 1260 claims 158 horsepower on a static dynamometer, a measurement protocol now adopted by Ducati. If the same method were applied to the old engine, it would fall to 152 horsepower. The new engine is therefore more powerful than its predecessor, despite what the raw figures suggest. This kind of detail is found by digging into the Ducati Multistrada 1260 technical specifications, and it deserves to be highlighted before any purchase or serious comparison.

The chassis has also been retouched with method. The steel trellis frame retains its structure, but the steering head angle gains a degree, the swingarm lengthens by 48 mm, and the wheelbase reaches 1585 mm. These are discreet adjustments on paper, perceptible in the saddle. The 48 mm inverted fork remains fully adjustable, as does the rear Sachs shock absorber with adjustable preload. At the front, four-piston radial Brembo calipers bite on floating 320 mm discs. The rear features a 265 mm disc with a two-piston caliper. The whole system operates with a Bosch cornering ABS that modulates the intervention according to the lean angle and the selected riding mode. It’s no longer just a safety system, it’s an active partner.

Just so, these riding modes largely define the machine’s identity. Sport releases the 158 horsepower with a crisp response and reduced assistance for riders who know what they’re doing. Touring softens the throttle response and increases the safety net for long journeys with or without luggage. Urban limits power to 100 horsepower and hardens the intervention thresholds, making the bike maneuverable in dense traffic despite its 232 kilograms. Enduro also limits power to 100 horsepower, disables cornering ABS, and cuts rear traction control for off-road use. The Ducati Multistrada 1260 Enduro pushes the logic even further with increased suspension travel, but the standard version does not disappoint on occasional gravel roads. Each mode corresponds to a rear engine braking profile that varies according to the gear engaged. This level of personalization is also offered by the BMW R 1250 GS and KTM 1290 Super Adventure, but few maxi-trails do so with as much granularity.

Remaining is the question of commercial positioning. Priced at €18,590, the Ducati Multistrada 1260 price sits in the upper part of the segment, without reaching the tariff of the version S nor that of the Ducati Multistrada 1260 Pikes Peak, which targets the most demanding riders. The range is also available in Grand Tour for long-distance travelers, with luggage supports and reinforced wind protection. For those looking for a Ducati Multistrada 1260 used, the market already offers beautiful examples from the 2018-2019 model years, often well-equipped with original Ducati Multistrada 1260 accessories. The target audience is clearly the experienced rider who wants a single bike capable of doing everything without a prohibitive compromise, and who is willing to deal with a substantial size and a 825 mm seat height. For daily commutes, adjustments will be needed. On mountain passes and highways, the 1260 repays every euro of its price.