Ducati Multistrada V4 S Sport 1160 2023 — Specifications

So, a Multistrada for the track? The idea might elicit a smile, given that the name evokes distant horizons and backroads. Yet, with this 170 horsepower V4 nestled in its monocoque frame, the Bolognese beast has always had an undeniable sporty soul. The Sport version simply lifts the veil on this duality. It’s not the Pikes Peak, that thoroughbred competition animal, but rather an S dressed for the party, a proposition that bets everything on asphalt without denying its traveler heritage.

At the heart of the matter, of course, is this Granturismo V4 engine. With 170 hp at 10,500 rpm and a torque of 124.5 Nm, it offers a power output that few trails, even sporty ones, can rival. The BMW S 1000 XR, for example, seems almost tame alongside it. The difference lies elsewhere, in the details that define the Sport. Farewell to the ultra-light forged rims of the Pikes, make way for a standard “Performance” equipment: a titanium Akrapovic silencer that releases a few extra decibels, a carbon fiber front fender for aesthetics, and a racing-inspired livery. For around €27,640, it positions itself as a clever alternative to an S with equivalent pack, with nearly €850 in savings and a kilo less on the scale, displaying 242 kg fully fueled.

Don’t be fooled, beneath its attire, it is indeed a Multistrada V4 S at heart. It inherits the entire technological arsenal that makes this model a reference: the semi-active Skyhook Marzocchi suspensions, the Brembo Stylema calipers that bite 330 mm discs, the 6.5-inch TFT screen, and above all, the pair of radars. The latter pilot an intelligent adaptive cruise control and a blind spot detector, active safety equipment that transforms long highway journeys into an experience of rare serenity. The four riding modes, from the very permissive Urban to the vigorous Sport, allow you to tame the power according to your mood and the road.

So, who is this Sport for? For the demanding globetrotter who spends 80% of his time on asphalt, who appreciates raised curves and brisk acceleration, but who doesn’t want to sacrifice the comfort of an 84 cm seat or the tranquility of complete equipment. It's the machine for those who want a sporty bike without back pain, a GT without boredom. It doesn’t have the murderous madness of a Pikes Peak, and that’s a good thing. It offers instead a brilliant, almost perfect, compromise between the high-end comfort of a trail and the sensations of a characterful motorcycle. A machine that doesn’t just swallow kilometers, but savors them with the efficiency and flair of a well-born Italian.