Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally 2023 — Specifications

When we talk about premium adventure bikes, we inevitably talk about the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally. Not because Bologna decided it, but because the competition has forced it to rise to the challenge. BMW pushes its GS Adventure with formidable commercial conviction, Triumph offers its Tiger 1200 Rally Pro as a well-bred long-distance machine, and Honda takes the Africa Twin Adventure Sports to ever more distant horizons. Ducati couldn't simply stand by from the sidelines. The Rally is the factory’s response to those who want it all, everywhere, without compromise.

What strikes you first is the silhouette. Taller, with wider shoulders, and a raised bubble that gives the machine a physical presence that the standard V4 lacks. The 29.9-liter fuel tank, eight liters more than on the standard V4, forced engineers to rework the entire front section. The result is a motorcycle that seems to have gained muscle mass rather than fat. Ground clearance reaches 231 mm, suspension travel increases by 30 mm at the front and 20 mm at the rear, and the front wheel goes to 19 inches. On paper, the 2023 Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally ticks all the boxes of a true long-distance machine. On the road, it ticks them off with an efficiency that is disconcerting.

The 1158 cc V4 Granturismo engine develops 170 horsepower at 10750 rpm and 125 Nm of torque at 8750 rpm. These figures, on a motorcycle weighing 259.9 kg in running order, deliver performance that is a match for a sports bike. The particularity of this Rally lies in the deactivation of the rear cylinders, which can be extended while riding, at low speed, to save fuel and limit heat buildup in traffic jams. As soon as you open the throttle decisively, the four cylinders resume work and the machine accelerates with a frankness that always surprises, whatever the starting speed. With 6.5 liters per 100 km announced and a thirty-liter tank, 400 km stages are realistic if you hold back. If you don't, the V4 quickly reminds you why real consumption deviates from the homologated figures.

The onboard electronics partly justify the €27,590 price tag. Four riding modes, semi-active Skyhook suspensions by Marzocchi with electronic adjustment of compression and rebound, adaptive radar, traction control, anti-wheeling, adjustable engine braking, bidirectional quickshifter, six-axis inertial unit, 6.5-inch TFT screen. The Enduro mode, specifically recalibrated for this Rally version, limits power to 115 horsepower, softens traction control, deactivates rear ABS and cornering to allow the rear wheel to work freely. This is where the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally’s seat height becomes a serious issue, with 871 mm adjustable to 891 mm. The Easy Lift function, which opens the suspension hydraulics to facilitate the straightening of the motorcycle when stationary, addresses this problem with an ingenuity that also highlights the absurdity of the basic problem.

Should you buy a Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally or look at the competition? The question is frankly posed at this price. The BMW R1250 GSA costs less and caters to a wider, more diverse audience. The Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Pro offers a comparable road/terrain balance with a smoother three-cylinder engine at low revs. The Ducati, on the other hand, caters to the rider who accepts the compromises of the V4, namely heat management in the city and a handling that requires commitment, in exchange for a mechanical liveliness that its rivals do not reproduce. The Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally test confirms a motorcycle tailored for demanding long journeys, in the hands of an experienced rider who is not looking for a docile motorcycle but a capable one. Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally accessories available in three packs allow you to refine the level of equipment according to projects, up to the Full Adventure with Akrapovic silencer and carbon fender. For those considering the used market, the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally technical specifications remain identical from 2023 to today, which makes recent models very comparable in use.