Ducati Multistrada V4 1160 Pikes Peak 2024 — Specifications

So, does one still need to talk about a trail bike? When Ducati unveils this Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak, the term becomes almost an empty shell, a marketing remnant for a machine that has clearly chosen its camp. It no longer dreams of trails, it fantasizes about apexes. This special edition, which reappears after an absence in 2021, is less an evocation of the mythical American switchbacks than a manifesto for the track, draped in MotoGP codes. Aggressive red, number plates, air intakes, and above all, the long-awaited return of the single-sided swingarm: Ducati has understood that for some, mechanical charisma counts as much as the itinerary.

The transformation is physical, not just cosmetic. Ducati has refined the ergonomics with surgical precision: footpegs further back and higher, handlebars lowered, widened, and stiffened. These few millimeters of difference clearly speak to the rider, inviting them to switch to attack mode. The chassis itself follows this credo with a slightly extended wheelbase and a modified rake. The real revolution comes from the peripherals. The forged aluminum Marchesini rims, 2.7 kg lighter and sized at 17 inches, are a stroke of genius. They free the bike from the weight and limitations of trail tires, opening the door to purely sporty rubber. The braking system, directly imported from the Panigale V4 with its 330 mm discs and Brembo Stylema calipers, announces the color: we are here to slow down violently, not to moderate a mountain pass descent.

The Öhlins suspension, gold-plated and prestigious, abandons manual adjustment to fully embrace the digital age with the Smart EC 2.0 active system. A choice that divides: purists will miss the pleasure of the wrench, pragmatists will welcome the automatic and infallible adaptation. Under this monocoque aluminum frame, the 1158 cm³ Granturismo V4 delivers its 170 horsepower without specific modification, but the bike benefits from a total weight reduction of 4 kg. The combination is explosive. This engine, already smooth and powerful on the standard Multi, finds here a lighter and more responsive platform, making this Pikes Peak a much more ferocious proposition than its twin predecessor.

The electronics, already plentiful on the V4 family, become even more specialized. The new Race Mode recalibrates engine response for increased aggression and plays with the rev limiter for a more progressive cut-off, almost "race." The quickshifter is optimized for fast shifts, even over-revving. The Bosch radar package (adaptive cruise control, blind spot detector) and the latest versions of wheelie control and cornering ABS complete the arsenal. But all of this serves a unique philosophy: to allow the rider to exploit the machine without filters, on the road or on the track.

Ultimately, this Pikes Peak is a statement. Its price, close to that of a Panigale V4 S, is a clear message. Ducati is not offering an improved trail bike, but a sportbike dressed as an adventurer. It targets the demanding track rider who refuses the compromise of an uncomfortable hypersportive, or the ultra-performance touring rider who wants no limits. More comfortable than a sportbike? Probably. More sporty than any other road trail bike? Absolutely. It is a niche machine, superbly equipped, which makes the bold choice of almost abandoning its original category to approach the queens of the track.