Ducati Multistrada V2 S 937 2022 — Specifications

Can a motorcycle be both a family affair and a business venture? With the Multistrada V2 S, Ducati is playing a delicate game. It must inherit the prestige of the V4 without overshadowing it, while asserting its own identity. The brand has ultimately decided: the break is now clear. The days of the “middle” motorcycle servilely mimicking its big sister are over. Now, it cultivates its own character, centered around the 90° L-twin engine, guardian of a mechanical soul that the four-cylinder cannot offer. This is a risky strategy, but it frees the V2 from a sense of inferiority.

For the novice, the difference from the previous 950 S is subtle. A few stickers, a touch of color under the seat. But the real evolutions are under the engine casing. The 937 cm³ engine has been lightened by two kilos, shaved from the crankcase and gearbox. Power remains at 113 horsepower, a reasonable figure, and the torque of 96 Nm arrives without brutality. The weight, however, has gained five kilos, a heavy trend in the segment. Ergonomics take a step towards accessibility with a 83 cm seat height, easier to live with on a daily basis. You can feel that Ducati is aiming wide, from the experienced globetrotter to the young license holder with the 35 kW version.

But where the V2 S truly marks its territory is in its electronic equipment. Here, the technology transfer from the V4S borders on vampirism. The semi-active Skyhook EVO suspension is the jewel in the crown, smoothing out imperfections in real time according to the selected mode. The list is extensive: adaptive headlights, cruise control, quickshifter, 5-inch TFT screen, 6-axis inertial unit, cornering ABS. It is an arsenal worthy of a cutting-edge machine. Yet, Ducati commits an incomprehensible blunder: making heated grips optional on a motorcycle priced at 17,490 euros. It is petty, and it spoils the spirit of a well-equipped series.

Faced with the competition, such as the BMW F 900 XR or the Triumph Tiger 900 GT, Ducati relies on its sporty pedigree and technological refinement. It is less versatile off-road than a Tiger, less economical than a BMW, but it brings an elegance and connectivity that will appeal to the modern touring enthusiast, a lover of grand touring with a touch of Italian character. Its real flaw remains its price, which quickly rises with essential options.

Ultimately, the Multistrada V2 S is not a revolution, but a very successful evolution. It fully assumes its status as a sensible trail-GT, without pretensions to all-terrain. It offers the essential of Ducati know-how in travel, with older-sibling electronics and a more accessible engine. It is the intelligent choice for those who want the Multistrada spirit without the excesses – and the costs – of the V4. A machine of compromise, yes, but a compromise of very high quality.