Ducati Multistrada V4 S 2021 — Specifications

When Bologna decides to abandon its own dogmas, it doesn't do so halfway. The V2 twin-cylinder engine, desmodromic valve actuation, the trellis frame, the single-sided swingarm: these are all hallmarks that the Ducati Multistrada V4 S 2021 has swept aside with a single valve revolution to start from entirely new foundations. Some purists grimaced. The figures, however, leave little room for debate: 170 horsepower extracted from an 1158 cm³ V4 at 10,500 rpm, 125 Nm of torque at 8,750 rpm, an architecture that no one had dared to install in a long-range trail bike before Ducati. The manufacturer didn's join the maxi-trail peloton, it overtook it from the outside.

What distinguishes the S version from the Standard isn't solely based on the list of equipment, even though this list is already dizzying. The Ducati Multistrada V4 S incorporates a double radar system, a first in the motorcycle industry at the time of its release, and a distinction that Robb Report magazine praised by awarding it the title of best motorcycle of 2021. The front radar manages an adaptive cruise control system operational between 30 and 160 km/h, with four adjustable gap levels according to the rider's preferences. The rear radar monitors blind spots and sends a light signal in the concerned rearview mirror when a vehicle approaches in the danger zone. On the highway at high speed or during overtaking, this BSD system concretely changes the game. By comparison, KTM with its 1290 Super Adventure and BMW with the R 1250 RT offer adaptive cruise control, but no one had yet combined the two radars on the same production machine. This package remains optional on the technical specifications, which is a bit short for a motorcycle at €23,540.

The 50 mm upside-down forks piloted by the Skyhook system deserve special attention. For years, Ducati's semi-active suspensions have been among the benchmarks in the segment, and this generation pushes the cursor even further thanks to the IMU inertial sensor that recalculates damping in milliseconds according to the situation. Firm braking, engaged corner, unexpected speed bump: the motorcycle adapts before the rider has even had time to think about it. Brembo M50 Stylema calipers bite onto 330 mm discs with surgical precision, the Cornering ABS takes over as soon as the angle requires it. For a 242 kg machine fully fueled, it's reassuring, especially that the 840 mm high saddle isn't for small builds.

Four riding modes structure the experience: Sport unleashes the 170 horsepower without notable restrictions and stiffens the rolling chassis; Touring softens the power curve and maximizes comfort over long distances; Urban cuts the power to 115 horsepower for the city; Enduro also cuts to 115 horsepower but loosens the electronic assists to allow freer riding on trails. The complete Ducati Multistrada V4 S technical specifications add to this an up and down shifter, a hill-hold control, adaptive cornering lights, keyless start and a 6.5-inch TFT screen that completely reconfigures the digital cockpit. The front wheel goes to 19 inches and the ground clearance reaches 220 mm, two choices that affirm a more marked trail vocation than in previous generations.

The Ducati Multistrada V4 S test gives this machine a very particular profile: neither truly an adventure trail in spirit, nor a sports bike in disguise, but a concentration of technology designed for the rider who wants to do everything well rather than one thing perfectly. The BMW R 1250 GS plays more the card of overall versatility with less sportiness, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure R assumes a more rugged and off-road character. The Multistrada V4 S, on the other hand, targets the confirmed rider who rides fast on the road, occasionally goes on a long tour, and appreciates that the motorcycle thinks for them at safety points. For a Ducati Multistrada V4 S opportunity or a recent version, the entry price remains high but the level of equipment justifies the conversation.