Ducati Multistrada V4 1160 Pikes Peak 2023 — Specifications

Is the ultimate definition of a sporty maxi-trail a Panigale with a high mudguard and a 22-liter tank? Ducati, with this Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak, seems to answer with a resounding "yes," wrapped in the characteristic sound of its V4 Granturismo engine. The Bologna-based firm revives this legendary name, that of the mythical American race, after a year of absence. The objective is clear: to create the most radical Multistrada, the most performance-oriented, without completely sacrificing the family's traveler soul.

The transformation is physical and immediately visible. The look is blatantly borrowed from MotoGP, with an aggressive red color scheme, dummy license plates, and the long-awaited return of the monobrach swingarm, a mechanical part of cold beauty that had disappeared with the arrival of the V4 engine. The ergonomics have been reworked to push the rider towards attack: lower, narrower, and stiffer handlebars, raised and set-back footpegs. You can feel that Ducati wants us to believe we are on a sportbike, and the chassis follows this logic with an increased rake angle and a lengthened wheelbase for increased stability at high speed.

The mechanics follow this path without compromise. The 1158 cc V4 engine, already very charismatic on other Multistrada models, is not modified but benefits from a lighter frame. It delivers its 170 horsepower and 124.5 Nm of torque with the same voracity, a power that places this "trail" on par with a previous generation sportbike. The real change comes from the peripherals, directly inspired – or copied – from the Panigale catalog. Forged aluminum Marchesini rims drastically reduce unsprung weight and allow purely sporty tires. The braking system is that of the V4: 330 mm monoblock discs and four-piston Brembo Stylema calipers, an absolute weapon. The Öhlins suspensions, gold and magnificent, are here controlled by the Smart EC 2.0 active system, offering the best of electronic comfort and Swedish efficiency.

The electronics are a festival, with the appearance of a Race mode that refines the engine's response and allows for more precise play with the rev limiter. The quickshifter is recalibrated for more aggressive shifts. It also includes all the modern equipment: radar for adaptive cruise control and blind spot alert, wheelie control, cornering ABS, a 6.5-inch TFT screen, adaptive headlights… and even luggage rack attachments, a nod to its official maxi-trail status. The titanium/carbon Akrapovic option is there to release a little more sound and probably a few extra horsepower.

Who is this machine for? For the pure and hard track rider who refuses to give up the possibility – even theoretical – of taking a long trip. For the demanding touring rider who wants every mountain road turn to be approached with the precision and power of a track machine. Its price, close to that of a Panigale V4 S, is a warning: it is an exceptional object, not just a simple variant. It is more comfortable than a sportbike, infinitely more performant than any other road trail like the BMW S 1000 XR or the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT, but it requires a budget and a resolutely sporty approach. Ducati has not created a Multistrada for the road, but a Panigale for the real world.