Ducati Multistrada V4 S 1160 2021 — Specifications

Is this still a Multistrada? Ducati made a radical decision in 2021, replacing its legendary V-Twin with a 1158 cm³ Granturismo V4 engine. A thunderclap in the trail world, now seeing this Italian propelled by 170 horsepower at 10,500 rpm, a power that places it without contest at the head of the maxi-trail pack. But this mutation is not limited to the engine block; it marks the end of Desmodromic distribution, a sacred symbol for the Bologna-based brand. You can feel that Ducati wanted to wipe the slate clean and build a next-generation machine, oriented towards absolute versatility and equipment comfort.

The heart of this revolution, on the S version we are examining here, lies in two major innovations. Firstly, the semi-active Marzocchi suspensions, governed by the Skyhook Evolution system. The latter, powered by an inertial unit, adjusts damping in real time to maintain an impeccable platform, whether you are on a German highway or a French dirt road. It even offers nearly 400 customizable setting combinations via the dashboard, a rare level of precision. Secondly, and this is the real source of astonishment, Ducati has integrated a dual radar system, developed by Bosch. A front module enables adaptive cruise control, operating between 30 and 160 km/h, which automatically maintains a distance from the vehicle in front. A second radar, at the rear, monitors blind spots and alerts the rider via an LED in the rearview mirror if a vehicle is approaching, especially during a lane change attempt. This option, although paid, transforms the motorcycle into a real electronic bodyguard.

To digest this avalanche of technology, Ducati offers a 6.5-inch TFT screen, with exemplary readability. It serves as an interface to configure the four riding modes: Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro. In Sport, the machine releases all its fury with firm suspensions and permissive electronic management. Touring mode, while maintaining maximum power, softens the responses and prioritizes comfort for long stages. Urban reduces power to 115 hp for urban agility, while Enduro, also at 115 hp, deactivates some ABS functions to allow the rear wheel to break free on trails. This software segmentation is remarkably well thought out.

However, this sophistication comes at a price, and not just financially. The wet weight reaches 243 kg, an 8 kg increase compared to the previous Multistrada 1260. Ducati tried to compensate with a monocoque aluminum frame and a lighter engine, but the reality is there: this motorcycle is imposing. With a 840 mm seat height and a 22-liter tank, it is aimed at the experienced globetrotter seeking the ultimate technological all-terrain machine, capable of crossing alpine passes with the same ease as a Panigale on the track. Its price of 23,540 euros places it in direct competition with the BMW S 1000 XR and the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S, but it surpasses them in terms of integrated electronic equipment.

In conclusion, the Multistrada V4 S is less an evolution than a redefinition. Ducati has sacrificed a part of its mechanical identity to embrace the era of hyper-connectivity and active safety. It is over-equipped, sometimes complex, and its weight may deter. But for the rider who wants the most capable, the most intelligent and the most powerful motorcycle on the trail market, it represents today the undeniable option. A compromise between sporting tradition and absolute modernity, which works, despite the small pang of the heart that the absence of the unique rhythm of a Desmo V-Twin provokes.