Ducati Multistrada 950 S 2021 — Specifications

When you have a big sister brimming with power, equipped with NASA-grade technology, and built to tear up any type of road, you look at her with admiration... and you’re frustrated by not having as much yourself. The 950 Multistrada is, however, just as interesting as the 1260, albeit in a less thunderous register. With the same seductive looks and manifest versatility, less intimidating, it can play a number of assets. However, Ducati heard its grumbling and provides satisfaction. A version S is equipped with features that significantly enhance its appeal.

Not everyone needs the power of a sportbike to ride a trail bike. With its 113 horsepower twin and a more touring-oriented chassis, the 950 opens up to a wider audience, who won't have to manage excessive eagerness. Refinement follows, which it obtains with this S version. The major plus is the adoption of the semi-active Skyhook Evo suspension. By taking into account data from multiple accelerometers, ABS sensors, and the new Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), the system continuously adapts the damping. The 4 riding modes and the load setting (solo rider, rider with luggage, rider with passenger, or rider with passenger and luggage) allow you to create a dynamic profile to suit your needs. Which can be adjusted with finesse, as you can delve deeper into the system by fine-tuning the front and rear settings. The manufacturer announces a total of 400 parameter combinations. Unless, of course, 95% of users will let the electronics work alone once past the discovery phase. Like those ovens that have 80 cooking modes, yet you’re going to use 3 daily. But you always have that feeling of being able to push your investigations further if needed or desired.

From highly technological suspensions to a main course, that’s appreciable, Multistrada lady. A dessert would delicately finish the introduction before hitting the road. Speaking of which, the point is to appreciate the extra equipment when you’re called S. Here, it will be backlit controls, a keyless start system, an Up&Down shifter, a cruise control, LED headlights with DCL (Dynamic Cornering Light) function to illuminate when cornering according to the angle taken by the bike, a high-resolution color TFT screen (identical to that of the Multistrada 1260 S and Enduro), and the option of spoked wheels, allowing for some off-pavement excursions. Heated grips too? No, still not. As an option on a 16-bar bike, that’s a bit questionable. A dubious choice, which Ducati is far from being the only one to perpetuate. Come on, let’s swallow the pill with what else is included, shared with the standard 950.

What do you find? An adjustable bubble, VHC (Vehicle Hold Control) hill-start assist, cornering ABS, traction control, self-canceling turn signals, the 4 riding modes, lightweight alloy wheels, two 12V sockets, a USB port, a more supple hydraulic clutch command, and that very Italian attitude. A character and a physique that you show off, that you cultivate, that you impose with a gesture. Incidentally, not the same weight – the S weighs 3 kilos more. Negligible: with the power of the twin and almost 10 mkg of torque, that won't change the riding experience.

Less powerful but with equipment approaching that of the 1260 S, the new 950 S Multistrada presents itself with a significantly lower price tag. Enough to afford a good dose of Ducati premium in a trail bike style. The ticket for a "mid-size" trail bike is still quite expensive. Broadening the visual field, you perceive that the competition is much more affordable; even a Tiger 800 XRt seems reasonable in comparison. You have to go to MV-Agusta to find anything more expensive. This gives us a fairly good measure of the positioning of this MTS 950 S.

The brand invites, without restraint, not to put your wallet away just yet. Does a theme of use appeal to you? Make a choice; anyway, the banker will complain... - Touring Pack: saddlebags, heated grips, center stand - Sport Pack: Ducati Performance Termignoni homologated silencer, polished aluminum water pump cover, LED turn signals - Urban Pack: top case, Tanklock reservoir bags, additional USB port - Enduro Pack: additional LED lights, engine protection bars, aluminum radiator guard, aluminum crankcase guard, steel footrests.

M.B - Manufacturer Media