Ducati Multistrada V4 1160 2022 — Specifications

C’est une question qui returns often: how far can you push the concept of an “all-terrain” motorcycle before it becomes a pure and hard road machine? With the Multistrada V4, Ducati seems to give its answer, an answer that involves abandoning certain dogmas. Farewell to the temperamental V-twin, the iconic trellis frame, and desmodromic distribution. Enter the era of the V4 Granturismo, a 1158 cm³ block designed for performance and… reliability. Yes, you read that right. With oil change intervals of 15,000 km and valve clearance checks postponed to 60,000 km, Bologna is seriously tackling its Achilles’ heel.

This engine is a masterpiece. Its 170 horsepower, delivered at 10,500 rpm, immediately positions the MTS V4 as a serious contender against the BMW S 1000 XR, which it outperforms in pure power. But the real revolution lies in its torque, available early and generous, and in its clever thermal management with cylinder shutdown at idle. On the road, this translates to a disconcerting smoothness for such a ferocious block, capable of switching from urban purring to heavy artillery charge in the blink of an eye. The rider is in control of a machine that swallows asphalt with an almost disturbing ease.

The chassis follows this logic of high-performance rationalization. The aluminum monocoque frame and classic swingarm replace the old trellis and monobrach, choices dictated by rigor and perhaps costs. The 50 mm inverted fork and Marzocchi shock absorber, both fully adjustable, offer 170 and 180 mm of travel. These figures, combined with the 19-inch front wheel, suggest off-road capabilities, but the 170 rear tire and the 240 kg in running order recall the truth: it is a high-riding sport touring machine, a grand touring missile. For the real trail, you will need to turn to the options.

The electronics are plentiful, as is appropriate at this level. The four riding modes (Sport, Touring, Urban, Enduro) modulate not only the power, but also traction control, anti-wheeling, and Cornering ABS, all managed by an inertial platform. The interface is clean, via a 5-inch TFT screen. Note the notable absence of radar, reserved for the S and Sport versions, which seems to be the only concession made on this entry-level model at… €19,590. Because let’s face it, this is a price that places the MTS V4 in the yard of the very great sport touring machines.

So, who is this Italian for? Certainly not a beginner, nor a V-twin purist who will mourn the sound and soul of the old one. This is the motorcycle for the demanding globetrotter and the occasional track rider who refuses to compromise on performance and technology. It offers a package of formidable efficiency, bluffing road versatility, and mechanics finally appeased in terms of maintenance. On the other hand, it has lost a bit of its cobbled-together and passionately disordered soul. Ducati has traded some of its folklore for cold and calculated excellence. Is it progress? To cover crazy distances at a frenetic pace, the answer is an unequivocal yes. For the thrill of a unique and imperfect mechanism, the debate remains open.